Pan Macmillan lands two destination thrillers from Nikki Allen

Pan Macmillan has signed THE HIDEAWAY and one more destination thriller by debut author Nikki Allen. Crime and thriller editor Raphaella Demetris acquired world English language rights from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. THE HIDEAWAY, the first book in the deal, will be published in July 2025, with the second thriller to follow in 2026. Romanian rights have also been sold to THE HIDEAWAY.

Pulse-pounding and replete with twists and turns, THE HIDEAWAY follows five strangers invited to an exclusive retreat who, finding themselves stranded in the Costa Rican rainforest with night fast approaching, realise they can’t trust their surroundings, or each other. It will captivate fans of NINE PERFECT STRANGERS and The White Lotus.

Nikki Allen says: ‘As soon as I met Raphaella and heard her excitement and vision for THE HIDEAWAY, I knew my debut had found its perfect home. After reading true stories of tourists disappearing in the Costa Rican rainforest, I was inspired to write a thriller with heart, that could explore the theme of ‘toxic wellness’ and bring to life a set of diverse characters – with plenty of secrets to hide! I am so delighted to be working with Raphaella and her amazing team at Pan Macmillan and also want to thank my fabulous agent Kate Burke for so fiercely believing in me and my book since day one.’

Raphaella Demetris says: ‘THE HIDEAWAY gripped me from the first page with its dynamic tone, riveting premise, and the masterfully painted portrayal of an unexpectedly daunting and claustrophobic rainforest setting. Nikki skilfully tackles weighty themes with grace and nuance, transcending the genre’s boundaries while maintaining an engaging and fast-paced narrative. I am absolutely delighted to be publishing this exhilarating debut.’

About Nikki Allen

Nikki Allen wrote her first book aged five – sadly, THE ADVENTURES OF SILLY SUSIE SAUSAGE didn’t get picked up for publication – and has been writing ever since. After studying languages at UCL, she decided the best way to write for a living was to become a local news journalist and copywriter. But in her thirties, the call of creative writing got too loud to ignore and she tried her hand at a novel.

Nikki is also a qualified therapist, and her endless fascination with people and their stories inspires much of her writing. She was born in Holland, grew up the only Jewish kid in her Worcestershire village, and now lives in North London with her husband, two young children and a rather overweight cat called Tiny.

Visit Nikki’s website.

Follow Nikki on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

THE HIDEAWAY HITS NUMBER 1 – AND WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT AT NUMBER 10 ON IRISH BESTSELLER LISTS!

Sheila O’Flanagan’s summer sensation THE HIDEAWAY leapt to Number 4 on the Irish Times hardback list in its first week on sale and hit the top spot on the Irish bestseller lists in its second. THE HIDEAWAY, a story of shocking truths, grief and hope set against the backdrop of the idyllic Spanish countryside, was published on 17 May. A Bookends Book of the Month for May, THE HIDEAWAY is the ideal read this summer, whether you’re sitting in the garden or by the poolside – or tucked up inside out of the summer rain!

WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT, Sheila’s novel following a mother and daughter, Lola and Bey, as they make decisions that have a lasting impact on their lives, is still holding strong at Number 10 in the Irish paperback bestseller lists, after months on the list and is currently at Number 16 on the Kindle store. WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT reached Number 2 in Ireland and Number 9 in the UK in its first week of sales in February this year.

What would you do if you discovered you were living a lie?

When a shocking news report shatters Juno Ryan's world, she suddenly finds herself without the man she loves – and with no way of getting the answers she so desperately needs.

A distraught Juno flees to the enchanting Villa Naranja in Spain. The blue skies and bountiful orange groves – along with Pep, the winemaker's handsome son – begin to soothe her broken heart, but only Juno herself can mend it.

Just when she begins to feel whole again another bombshell falls. Can Juno put the past behind her? And will she ever learn to trust herself again?

Internationally, new translating publishers have recently acquired Sheila’s titles, with new publications and deals in markets including Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Russia, the Czech Republic and Italy. Sheila has also just returned from an author tour in Sweden. Fans can expect two more captivating reads from Sheila in 2019 and 2020, after Sheila signed a two-book deal with Headline in February.

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of twenty-five thought-provoking, gripping and unforgettable Sunday Times and ebook bestsellers, including THE MISSING WIFE which was published in the US in February by Grand Central following its UK success. It became a Sunday Times and Irish Times paperback bestseller in 2017, as well as becoming a No.1 ebook bestseller, and one of Amazon’s Top Ten Bestselling ebooks of the year. Her interlinked short story collection CHRISTMAS WITH YOU reached No. 2 in the Irish bestseller lists in the run up to Christmas, and there are more short fiction treats ahead for her fans – watch this space! Headline has sold over 7 million copies of Sheila’s books.

Visit Sheila’s website, where you can also join her mailing list.

Follow her on Twitter

Watch Sheila discuss THE HIDEAWAY on Ireland AM here.

Praise for THE HIDEAWAY:

‘A hugely enjoyable romance, written with pace and heart. It will make you long to jump on a plane yourself’ — Sunday Mirror

‘There's no greater pleasure this time of the year than a frothy beach read and Sheila O'Flanagan's THE HIDEAWAY is one of the best for summer 2018… There are twists - and then some. There are larger-than-life characters. O'Flanagan's stylishness as a writer never tips over into shtickiness or stifles her warmth though - it only makes the flowering of genuine emotion more powerful. O'Flanagan has always been a true and honest writer, which is why she is one of the fairly few who really matter.’ — Lorraine Courtney, The Independent

‘Pure escapism – perfect for fans of Catherine Alliott and Marian Keyes.’ — Candis

‘A great read. After devastating news, the author took us on a journey from soul-destroying distress to acceptance and new beginnings. All the while the backdrop of sultry Spain with its orange groves, vineyards, and handsome men held the reader entranced…Beautiful.’ — Jan Bowles in Review

VISIT THE ENCHANTING VILLA NARANJA IN SHEILA O’FLANAGAN’S NEW NOVEL THE HIDEAWAY!

Be transported to warmer climes in Sheila O’Flanagan’s engaging new novel, THE HIDEAWAY, published today in hardback and ebook by Headline. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Villa Naranja in Spain, THE HIDEAWAY follows Juno Ryan as she tries to recover from the heartbreak she left at home. Bookends Book of the Month for May, THE HIDEAWAY is the perfect addition to any holiday-maker’s suitcase this summer! The Sunday Mirror called it ‘a hugely enjoyable romance, written with pace and heart. It will make you long to jump on a plane yourself.’

What would you do if you discovered you were living a lie?

When a shocking news report shatters Juno Ryan's world, she suddenly finds herself without the man she loves - and with no way of getting the answers she so desperately needs.

A distraught Juno flees to the enchanting Villa Naranja in Spain. The blue skies and bountiful orange groves – along with Pep, the winemaker's handsome son – begin to soothe her broken heart, but only Juno herself can mend it.

Just when she begins to feel whole again another bombshell falls. Can Juno put the past behind her? And will she ever learn to trust herself again?

Internationally, new translating publishers have recently acquired Sheila’s titles, with new publications and deals in markets including Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Russia, the Czech Republic and Italy. Sheila’s last novel WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT took the UK and Irish bestseller lists by storm, reaching Number 2 in Ireland and Number 9 in the UK in its first week of sales. Fans can expect two more captivating reads from Sheila in 2019 and 2020, after Sheila signed a two-book deal with Headline in February.

SHIELD OF LIES, the second novel in Sheila’s exhilarating Young Adult fantasy series, THE CRYSTAL RUN, was published by Hachette Children’s Books in paperback and ebook on March 8. 

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of twenty-five thought-provoking, gripping and unforgettable Sunday Times and ebook bestsellers, including THE MISSING WIFE which was published in the US in February by Grand Central following its UK success. It became a Sunday Times and Irish Times paperback bestseller in 2017, as well as becoming a No.1 ebook bestseller, and one of Amazon’s Top Ten Bestselling ebooks of the year. Her interlinked short story collection CHRISTMAS WITH YOU reached No. 2 in the Irish bestseller lists in the run up to Christmas. Headline has sold over 7 million copies of Sheila’s books.

Visit Sheila’s website, where you can also join her mailing list.

Follow her on Twitter

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan:

‘O'Flanagan is one of our best-known, best-loved and most prolific women's fiction authors’ — Irish Independent

‘O'Flanagan's writing is crisp and concise and her plotting deft’ — Belfast Telegraph

'One of our best storytellers' — Irish Mail on Sunday

‘Another fantastic read from Sheila O’Flanagan.’ — Bella Magazine

‘A spectacular read.’ — Heat