Headline acquires two new Ann Granger novels

Headline Books has signed two new novels by beloved crime writer Ann Granger. Editor Clare Foss acquired World English Language volume rights from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

The first, DEATH ON THE PROWL, which was published on  5th  December, is the eighth Cotswold village mystery featuring detective duo Campbell and Carter, and the second novel will be the next instalment in Ann’s Victorian crime series, featuring Scotland Yard’s Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie. The latter is set to be published in December 2025.

Having been published by Headline for nearly thirty-five years, Ann is one of their longest-standing crime writers and they have sold well over a million copies of her novels. Headline are also releasing ebook editions of the Mitchell and Markby series and Fran Varady series for the first time in the USA.

Ann Granger says ‘I am very fortunate to have been a client of a first-class agency in Blake Friedmann for so many years, and I’m delighted that my long and happy association with Headline will continue.’

Clare Foss says: ‘We are absolutely delighted to continue our long and happy association with one of our best-loved crime writers. As well as seeing both these series flourish, we are delighted to be releasing the ebooks of Ann’s ever-popular Mitchell and Markby series and Fran Varady series for the first time in the USA with exciting brand-new covers designed to appeal to the digital market.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘I’m thrilled that, as we head towards Ann’s 35th year being published by Headline, we have a new two-book deal. Ann is a marvel, and a joy to work with, and I know her fans will be as delighted as we are that there are more books to come – and now American readers can also catch up with her other beloved characters – Fran Varady, and Mitchell and Markby.’

About Ann Granger

Ann Granger lives near Oxford. Over decades she has created a wonderful range of series characters, all featuring insightful characterisation and satisfying plotting. Ann has written over thirty murder mysteries, including the Mitchell & Markby Mysteries, the Fran Varady Mysteries, the Victorian Inspector Ben Ross and Lizzie Martin Mysteries and the Campbell and Carter Mysteries. Published in 10 languages, her German editions have sold millions of copies and have made more than 30 appearances in the Top 5 bestseller lists.

Praise for Ann Granger

‘Deft plotting, elegant descriptive prose, delicate comic touch, endearing eccentric characters.’ –Publishers Weekly

‘Granger writes in the best tradition of Agatha Christie and classic crime stories’ – Woman Space

‘Granger’s deft touch raises her above the competition and her finely drawn characters are affecting and believable… Something quite special.’ – Crime Time

‘Anyone who enjoys crime stories featuring credible characters in action in a recognizable real world… will lap up the work of Ann Granger.’ – Oxford Mail

‘Classic… a good feel for understated humour, a nice ear for dialogue.’ – The Times

Another Irish No.1 bestseller for Sheila O’Flanagan

We are delighted that THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR by Sheila O’Flanagan is No.1 in the Irish Original Fiction bestseller chart! Another chart-topper to add to an impressive list – most recently, Sheila’s two previous two novels, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, were both Irish No.1 bestsellers, with the latter spending a total of nine weeks in the Top Ten.

Published by Headline in the UK and Ireland on 9th May 2024, THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR follows an unlikely trio – Izzy, Charles and Ariel – whose coming together has some unexpected consequences…

Izzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn’t after her fiancé broke her heart. She’s not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose?

In Ireland, Charles’s ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She’s in constant contact with Charles. They’re very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She’s an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she’s sure she only has to say, and they’ll pick up where they left off.

No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out...

Sheila will be a headline guest at this year’s (already sold-out) Prima Rooftop Book Event in July alongside Kristen Perrin, Laura Kay and Blake Friedmann’s own Norie Clarke. Books Editor Nina Pottell will host the event.

You can listen to Sheila talk about THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR on Ireland AM here.

Photo credit: Bill Waters

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

 Praise for THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR

An Irish Times ‘Fiction to look out for in 2024’ pick

A Belfast Telegraph ‘Here’s everything to get excited about in 2024’ pick

An i newspaper ‘Best new books to read in May 2024’ pick

‘A glitzy, glamorous rollercoaster of a romance – hugely entertaining escapism and so satisfying. Sheila O’Flanagan at her sparkling best’ – Veronica Henry

‘Once again, Sheila O’Flanagan delivers a riveting story, strong characters, great settings and a satisfying dose of romantic adventure, while managing all the while to fly the flag for independent women.’ – Roisin Meaney

‘What a fascinating book, set in the world of publishing. I loved it!’ – Sue Moorcroft

‘Compelling in its intricacy, and the main characters, Izzy and Ariel, will get under your skin.’ – Vicki Notaro, The Sunday Times

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR by Sheila O’Flanagan is an immediate Irish bestseller

THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR by Sheila O’Flanagan has hit No.4 on the Irish charts after only three days on sale.

Published by Headline in the UK and Ireland on 9th May 2024, THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR has already proved a hit among readers, with one fan describing it as ‘fabulous’ and another saying they ‘definitely didn’t want to put this book down.’

THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR follows an unlikely trio – Izzy, Charles and Ariel – whose coming together has some unexpected consequences…

Izzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn’t after her fiancé broke her heart. She’s not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose?

 In Ireland, Charles’s ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She’s in constant contact with Charles. They’re very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She’s an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she’s sure she only has to say, and they’ll pick up where they left off.

No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out...

Sheila celebrated publication in Dublin with her Headline editor Marion Donaldson, the Hachette Ireland teams, agent Isobel Dixon and a group of Irish booksellers.

Sheila’s previous two novels, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, were both Irish No.1 bestsellers, with the latter spending a total of nine weeks in the Top Ten. WHAT EDEN DID NEXT was also shortlisted for Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards 2022.

Sheila will be a headline guest at this year’s (already sold-out) Prima Rooftop Book Event in July alongside Kristen Perrin, Laura Kay and Blake Friedmann’s own Norie Clarke. Books Editor Nina Pottell will host the event.

Photo credit: Isobel Dixon

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

Praise for THE HONEYMOON AFFAIR

An Irish Times ‘Fiction to look out for in 2024’ pick

A Belfast Telegraph ‘Here’s everything to get excited about in 2024’ pick

An i newspaper ‘Best new books to read in May 2024’ pick

‘A glitzy, glamorous rollercoaster of a romance – hugely entertaining escapism and so satisfying Sheila O’Flanagan at her sparkling best’ – Veronica Henry

‘Once again, Sheila O’Flanagan delivers a riveting story, strong characters, great settings and a satisfying dose of romantic adventure, while managing all the while to fly the flag for independent women.’ – Roisin Meaney

‘What a fascinating book, set in the world of publishing. I loved it!’ – Sue Moorcroft

 Visit Sheila’s website.

 Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Headline Review swoops for HOW TO FIND A LOST LOVE by Norie Clarke

We are hugely excited to announce that Headline Review has snapped up HOW TO FIND A LOST LOVE by Norie Clarke. Publisher Sherise Hobbs acquired the rights  from Blake Friedmann’s Vice Head of Books Juliet Pickering, and the novel will be published in January 2024.

HOW TO FIND A LOST LOVE celebrates the joy of finding unexpected friendship in a story which also pays tribute to the lost art of writing a love letter.

When newly single Jess responds to an advert for a lodger, she meets Joan, living alone in her seventies in a Notting Hill house full of memories. When Jess learns Joan has a long-lost love, with whom she used to exchange letters via the Lonely Hearts column, Jess decides to search for him, little realising that in Joan’s story lies her own unexpected new beginning.

Sherise Hobbs said: ‘HOW TO FIND A LOST LOVE is as life-affirming as it is romantic. The two lead characters challenge each other to make a switch – Jess will come off-line and start writing letters if Joan will brave going on-line; a leap which changes both their lives in the most remarkable of ways. We can’t wait for readers to discover it next year.’

Norie Clarke said: ‘I’m thrilled and amazed to be working with Sherise and the stellar team at Headline Publishing. I hope readers will grow to love Jess and Joan in HOW TO FIND A LOST LOVE as much as I loved creating them.’

Juliet Pickering said: ‘Jess and Joan work build a compelling, moving and beautiful friendship together, and create a story that’s unforgettable. I loved Norie’s tender writing from the outset and can’t wait for readers to relish it too.’

About Norie Clarke

Norie Clarke lives in a beautiful village by the sea with her husband, son and dogs. When not writing, Norie can be found in her studio at the bottom of her garden playing the piano and trying, not very well, to draw.

Headline to publish two more novels from bestselling author Sheila O’Flanagan

Credit: Bill Waters

Headline Publishing Group will publish two more novels from multi-million-copy-selling author Sheila O’Flanagan. Executive Publisher Marion Donaldson acquired World English Language rights in THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and one untitled novel from Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann.

Sheila O’ Flanagan is the author of an extraordinary 30 bestselling books - all published by Hachette/Headline - most recently the No. 1 Irish Times bestseller WHAT EDEN DID NEXT and the Sunday Times bestseller THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL. Headline has sold nearly 9 million Sheila O’ Flanagan books, and Sheila’s work is available in over 20 languages. She is published in the US by Hachette’s Mobius division.

THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE, slated for publication in April 2023, is Sheila’s first historical novel. Inspired by the true story of Sheila’s grandmother, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE is set in Dublin during the Irish War of Independence, in the years following the First World War. It is a dramatic, powerful and authentic novel about love, rebellion and families torn apart by war, with the young, working-class Winifred at its heart. The second title in the new contract will be a contemporary novel in the tradition of WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, and is set for 2024.

Sheila O’ Flanagan said: ‘I’m very excited to know that I will be publishing two more novels with Headline, my publishers for most of my writing life. It’s a tribute to their thoughtful work with all my books that my career has been longer than I ever imagined. I’m particularly pleased that THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE, a deeply personal book inspired by stories my grandmother told me of her own life during turbulent times, will be published next year. I hope readers will enjoy the journey into the past with me.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘In an already celebratory and bestselling year for Sheila O’Flanagan this new deal is another landmark cause for celebration – the promise of another contemporary novel to delight O’Flanagan fans around the world, but with Sheila also breaking fresh ground with her first historical novel, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE, starring a spirited heroine based on her own family history. Sheila is a marvel and the long-term relationship with Marion Donaldson and Headline a rare and exemplary publishing collaboration. We look forward to this further journey.’

Marion Donaldson said: ‘I’m so delighted that we have two new Sheila O’Flanagan novels to look forward to. Earlier this year we hosted a celebration in Dublin of 30 Sheila O’Flanagan bestsellers, something only a handful of authors are in a position to do. It’s an honour as well as a pleasure to publish Sheila’s brilliantly crafted and thought-provoking books, and it’s no surprise that Sheila’s first historical novel is every bit as polished, engaging and memorable as her contemporary novels have been. I can’t wait to bring THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE to the market next year.’

About Sheila O’Flanagan
Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No. 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award. Headline have acquired two new books from Sheila, a historical novel to be published in 2023 and a contemporary novel out in 2024.  

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan
‘One of my favourite authors’ – Marian Keyes

'Exploring family relationships is what this bestselling author does so well’– Choice

‘One of our best-known, best-loved and most prolific women's fiction authors’ – Irish Independent

‘Brilliantly written and with plot twists popping out like prosecco corks.’ — Woman & Home

‘O’Flanagan weaves an inspiring tale of strength, love and self-discovery’ – Sunday Express

Visit Sheila's website. 

Follow Sheila on Twitter. 

Like Sheila on Facebook.