Deon Meyer’s record-breaking HEART OF THE HUNTER shoots to the top of the Netflix Charts

Credit: Netflix

HEART OF THE HUNTER, the first feature-length adaptation of one of Deon Meyer’s bestselling novels, has proven an instant worldwide success on its Netflix debut, becoming the first ever African film to reach the summit of the Global Top 10 for English language films. The film was viewed over 11 million times in the two days following its premiere, and entered the top ten in 75 countries for the week ending the 31st of March. Deon adapted the screenplay himself from his novel, which follows a retired assassin in post-apartheid South Africa who is pulled back into action when his friend uncovers a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of n government.

The film stars Bonko Khoza (THE WOMAN KING) as Zuko Khumalo, alongside a stellar cast of fellow South African actors, including Connie Ferguson (GENERATIONS), Masasa Mbangeni, Tim Theron, Deon Coetzee, Peter Butler, Connie Chiume and Meyer-adaptation regular Sisanda Henna (DEVIL’S PEAK, TRACKERS).  The director is Mandla Dube (SILVERTON SIEGE), and Deon co-wrote the screenplay with Willem Grobler; the film is a Scene23 production for Netflix.

Deon’s book HEART OF THE HUNTER was first published in Afrikaans in 2002 (as PROTEUS) and has since been translated into 14 different languages worldwide. It is published in South Africa in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau and translated into English by K.L. Seegers: in the UK it is published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in the US and Canada by Grove Atlantic. It was selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s 10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004, longlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award 2005 (now the Dublin Literary Award) and won the Deutsche Krimi Preis, International Category, 2006.

In the Netflix Original film adaptation, Zuko Khumalo is an unassuming family man with a deadly past – but his tranquil world is abruptly turned upside down when an old colleague calls on him to honour an oath he made and save the country from venal political interests. Though he resists being pulled back into his previous life, it becomes clear that events already pose a deadly threat to his domestic ambitions and the peaceful family life he holds so dear. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a tale of one man’s struggle for survival against a corrupt government, a group of bloodthirsty killers and, most of all, against his past.

In other news, Deon has also been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) arts festival, receiving the KKNK Afrikaans Onbeperk Prize for Literary Contribution. Deon’s first full-length stage musical, Roem: ’n Musiekverhaal, also premiered at the festival, to a series of standing ovations. ROEM, written by Deon in Afrikaans alongside musical director Coenie de Villiers, starred Anrich Herbst, Eldon van der Merwe, Daneel van der Walt and Nelandi Boshoff, and was directed by Nicole Holm.

Deon’s latest novel, LEO, a longstanding Number One in Afrikaans in South Africa will be published by Hodder in the UK and Grove Atlantic in the US later this year.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but also spends time with family in Italy and in France where he was awarded France’s highest arts honour, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2021. He writes in Afrikaans and his South African publisher Human & Rousseau has sold close to 800,000 Afrikaans copies of his novels. Rights in his titles are sold in 30 territories and 28 languages, and many of his books have been optioned for film. Among his awards are the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, the Martin Beck Award in Sweden and Le Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and Le Prix Mystère de la Critique in France. COBRA was shortlisted for the 2015 CWA International Dagger, THIRTEEN HOURS was shortlisted for the 2010 CWA International Dagger, and HEART OF THE HUNTER, was longlisted for the 2005 IMPAC Prize and selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s ‘10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004’. THE DARK FLOOD was longlisted for the 2023 CWA International Dagger (for Crime Fiction in Translation). His latest novel LEO, a new Benny Griessel thriller, enjoyed ten weeks at the top of the South African bestseller lists.

Praise for the film HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘HEART OF THE HUNTER is outshining a lot of recent entries in the action genre… this movie has its own flavor and a great action hero at the heart of the story… This movie repackages everything that other action films did before it while offering some fresh touches with its hero and setting. In other words, it’s a great choice for your next movie night when you’re looking for some action.’ – Blair Marnell, Digital Trends

‘Deon Meyer and Willem Grobler’s writing in HEART OF THE HUNTER tackles everything from the way apartheid eroded South Africa to how capitalism is doing the same to the country in the present day… it’s refreshing to see a film reckoning with its own past as well as the citizens who live in ivory towers… I was blown away by the action... The contact, the reactions, and the sound design in all the hand-to-hand fight sequences are simply perfect… I couldn’t help but applaud it. And standing in stark contrast to these exciting set pieces are the emotional, bloody, and heavy personal altercations between Tiger and Zuko. There is a real weight to their conflict, even though they don’t know a lot about each other, and that’s what makes the finale so impactful. The performances from the entire cast of HEART OF THE HUNTER are exquisite… As a fan of action films in general, I am impressed. So, I’ll recommend it to the regulars of the school of action cinema. In addition to that, I hope this becomes the gateway to mainstream and genre-specific South African films.’ – Pramit Chatterjee, DMT

Praise for the novel HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a thriller with some weight attached and that is a rare find.’ – Michael Connelly

‘A pacy, wised-up, post-apartheid thriller; a fabulously page-turning book.' – Barbara Trapido

‘A rip-roaring adventure, a portrait of spy-world duplicity and a look at South Africa's post-apartheid politics.’ – Patrick Anderson, Washington Post

‘A thriller good enough to nip at the heels of le Carré… Wonderful setting; rich, colourful cast, headed by a valiant/vulnerable protagonist who makes empathy easy.’ – Kirkus, Starred Review

Praise for Deon Meyer

‘Deon Meyer's name on the cover is a guarantee of crime writing at its best.’ – Tess Gerritsen

‘Deon Meyer should be on everyone's reading list.’ – Michael Connelly

‘Deon Meyer is the monarch of South African crime novelists.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction’ – Peter James

‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘Deon Meyer is good at sketching a realistic country, people we recognise and grow accustomed to, and telling a darn good yarn.’ – Diane De Beer, The Star

‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

Visit Deon’s website

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Bestseller Paul Finch moves to Thomas & Mercer with two new gripping thrillers

Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer imprint has acquired two books from acclaimed author, Paul Finch. DEATH LIST and an untitled second novel were acquired from Senior Agent Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann.

Publishing in June 2025, DEATH LIST is a pacy and incisive thriller about a support group which brings together an ensemble of disgraced police officers on an idyllic but remote Hebridean island. However, it isn’t long before they all realise they’ve been brought there to be murdered.

Paul Finch is an ex-policeman and journalist turned bestselling author. He has written for The Bill and has written extensively in the horror, fantasy, and historical epic genres, including Doctor Who.

He is best known for his crime and thriller novels, of which there are twelve to date. He has previously been published by HarperCollins and Orion.

Paul Finch said: 'What can I say? I'm back on the crime thriller trail, and absolutely delighted. We're getting the ball rolling again with two ideas I'm in love with. Both have been smouldering away in the back of my mind for quite some time, and I'm massively grateful to Thomas & Mercer for agreeing to run with them.'

Editor at Thomas & Mercer, Kasim Mohammed, said: ‘Paul is a dream author to work with, with his brilliant pacing, twisty plots, and evocative writing. It’s a real honour to bring an author with Paul’s history to the Thomas & Mercer list, and I can’t wait for people to lose themselves in these incisive, gripping thrillers.’

Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann said: 'I'm delighted with Paul's move to Amazon - he's a thriller writer at the top of his game and I'm really excited about this new chapter of an already illustrious career!'

Mouncif Faqir from Amazon Books Europe said: ‘Paul Finch is an exceptional addition to Thomas & Mercer’s list. We are thrilled to be bringing DEATH LIST and a future novel to Amazon Publishing and we cannot wait for readers to discover his captivating thrillers.’

About Paul Finch

Paul’s crime debut, STALKERS, was a No. 1 ebook best seller in 2013 and introduced DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg. This was followed in July 2013 by the sequel, SACRIFICE – the most pre-ordered book in HarperCollins history.

In 2016 Paul introduced readers to DC Lucy Clayburn. STRANGERS, the first novel in the series, was an immediate success, reaching the top ten in the Sunday Times Bestseller list.

Paul’s first historical novel, USURPER, was published by Canelo in April 2023 and the next book, BATTLE LORD, followed in January 2024.

He lives in Lancashire, UK, with his wife Cathy and their two four legged companions, Buck and Buddy.

Praise for Paul Finch

‘Wonderfully dark…Finch is a born storyteller.’ – Peter James

‘Edge-of-the-seat reading… Heck is formidable – a British Alex Cross.’ – The Sun

‘Big star…part edge-of-the-seat, part hide-behind-the-sofa!’ – The Bookseller

‘Consistently inventive. Consistently excellent. Paul Finch writes distinctive dialogue-driven horror that truly grips. Satisfying stories, tautly written with a real sense of authority.’ – Simon Clark

‘Paul Finch is an exciting new voice in the realms of macabre fiction. He sketches out a disturbing landscape, filled with deep shadows and uneasy emotions where stories both traditional and modern are played out to chilling effect. Highly recommended.’ – Mark Chadbourn

‘Finch places considerable stock in atmosphere, and builds fear and unease well with a judicious balance between what is seen, unseen and merely hinted at.’ – Brian Hodge

 

Follow Paul on Twitter.

Transworld acquires debut thriller THE DIVE by Sara Ochs

Transworld Publishers has pre-empted THE DIVE, an unputdownable debut thriller from Sara Ochs, in a significant, six-figure deal.

Finn Cotton, Senior Commissioning Editor, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to THE DIVE and one untitled thriller from Kate Burke. US rights have been won at auction, also in a six-figure deal, and rights have already been sold in pre-empts or at auction in Germany, Holland and Finland. Due to publish in hardback, ebook and audio in May 2023, this will be a lead debut launch for Bantam, supported with a major marketing and publicity campaign.

Perfect for fans of THE BEACH and the TV show, The Serpent, as well as writers such as Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, THE DIVE is set at a scuba diving school on one of Thailand’s world-famous party islands – a place where backpackers go to find themselves or get lost for ever. When a young woman is found dead during a scuba diving lesson, the morning after a full moon party, the diving instructor and her group of ex-pat friends realise they aren’t the only people who have fallen in love with paradise. A killer has too.

Finn Cotton said: ‘As soon as I began to read THE DIVE, Sara’s voice, the incredible opening chapters and the atmospheric writing took me on a journey to Thailand. I’ve always been fascinated by scuba diving and by the dangers associated with the sport, so I was immediately drawn to this escapist, suspenseful story. The whole Transworld team have fallen in love with this novel, and we couldn’t be happier that Sara has chosen us to be her publisher. We have big and ambitious plans for launching her writing career next year and look forward to getting this book into the hands of as many readers as possible around the world.’

Ochs said: ‘Becoming part of the Transworld team has been an absolute dream come true. Finn’s vision and the entire team’s enthusiasm for THE DIVE has made the editing process an amazing experience. I am so grateful for the work they and my agent, Kate Burke, have done to bring this book to life. I can’t wait for readers to escape to the dark paradise at the heart of THE DIVE!’

Burke said: ‘This was such an exciting submission with a flurry of swift activity and I’m delighted that it landed with Transworld on their incredible list. Sara is a star in the making!’

About Sara Ochs

Sara Ochs is an attorney, law professor, and author who splits her time between the United States and Sweden. When she’s not writing psychological thrillers set in far-flung destinations, Sara can usually be found on a flight with a glass of wine in one hand and a novel in the other.

Follow Sara on Twitter and Instagram.

Visit Sara’s website.

Alan Parks wins McIlvanney Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2022 for MAY GOD FORGIVE

Alan Parks has triumphed at Bloody Scotland’s 2022 International Crime Writing Festival, winning the much sought after McIlvanney Scottish Crime Book of the Year Prize for his latest novel, MAY GOD FORGIVE.

The McIlvanney Prize recognises excellence in Scottish crime writing and includes a prize of £1,000 and nationwide promotion in Waterstones. The other finalists for this year’s prize were: THE HERETIC by Liam McIlvanney, A CORRUPTION OF BLOOD by Ambrose Parry and THE SECOND CUT by Louise Welsh.

Alan was announced as winner on the 15th of September at the Albert Halls in Stirling after all finalists led a torchlit procession there from Stirling Castle.

Ayo Onatade, chair of the McIlvanney Prize judges, described MAY GOD FORGIVE as: ‘A terrific continuation of Alan Parks’ police procedural ‘month’ series. MAY GOD FORGIVE is every bit as entertaining, gritty, darkly humorous and steeped in the grimy underbelly of Glasgow as the previous books.

‘A fantastic book with an intriguing cast of characters that not only keeps to a tight timeframe, but is fast, hard, edgy and thought-provoking; 1970s Glasgow has never been so thoroughly invoked. A truly gripping read.’

MAY GOD FORGIVE is the fifth in Alan Parks’ highly acclaimed Harry McCoy series and sees a desperate search for two kidnapped boys in an unruly Glasgow. It was published in the UK by Canongate earlier this year, and by Europa in the United States. The series is sold in more than ten countries around the world, and Alan is currently working on the sixth instalment.


About Alan Parks

Alan Parks was Creative Director at London Records in the mid 1990’s, then at Warner Music, where he created ground-breaking campaigns for artists including All Saints, New Order, The Streets, Gnarls Barclay and Cee Lo Green. He was also Managing Director of 679 Recordings, a joint venture with Warner Music. His debut novel BLOODY JANUARY propelled him onto the international literary crime fiction scene immediately and his work has been hailed by contemporary writers and critics alike.

BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, FEBRUARY’S SON was nominated for an Edgar Award, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER was picked as a Times Best Book of the Year, won an Edgar Award and has been shortlisted for the Macavity Award for Best Mystery novel, and THE APRIL DEAD was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.

Alan was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city that is so vividly depicted in the 1970s setting of his Harry McCoy thrillers.

Praise for MAY GOD FORGIVE

‘MAY GOD FORGIVE is the fifth instalment in a remarkable series that began with BLOODY JANUARY. The novels, as someone once said, can be read in any order; the important thing is to read them all.’ – Mark Sanderson, The Times, ‘The Best New Crime Fiction for May 2022’

‘MAY GOD FORGIVE is a bleak and violent book, full of grisly details not for the squeamish, but also tenderness, poignance and hard-earned wisdom.’ – Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal

‘Noir has long been the dominant colour in the palette of such Scottish writers as Ian Rankin and Denise Mina, but Parks manages to find a deeper shade of black, only slightly attenuated by Harry's willingness to go far off the grid to extract a wee bit of justice. A must for those who take their noir straight, no chaser; others should keep the Pepto handy.’ – Bill Ott, Booklist

‘Enjoyably readable… Parks is a gifted story-teller’ – Allan Massie, The Scotsman

‘Harry McCoy is the brightest dark star on the Tartan Noir scene for some time and in future critics of Scottish crime fiction will surely be referring to the triumvirate of Laidlaw, Rebus and McCoy … MAY GOD FORGIVE is crime fiction which pulls no punches, powerfully told and, at times, heartbreakingly poignant. One of the crime novels of 2022.’ – Mike Ripley, Getting Away With Murder

 

Visit Alan’s website

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THE LAST THING TO BURN by Will Dean longlisted for CWA Gold Dagger Award

We are delighted that THE LAST THING TO BURN by Will Dean has been longlisted for The Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger. The Gold Dagger is an award for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally published in the UK.  The shortlist will be revealed on 13th May 2022 at CrimeFest in Bristol, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 29th June 2022 in London.

THE LAST THING TO BURN is Will Dean’s first standalone thriller, published by Hodder in January 2021 in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US.  A word-of-mouth sensation, it garnered praise from readers and reviewers alike. THE LAST THING TO BURN was a pick of the year in multiple publications, including  New Statesman, Daily Express and Culturefly. It was also voted International Book of the Year by the Rick O’Shea Book Club. 

Will’s most recent standalone, FIRST BORN, was published by Hodder on 14th April 2022. He is also the author of the Tuva Moodyson Mysteries, a crime series set in Sweden and published by Oneworld.

THE LAST THING TO BURN
He is her husband. She is his captive. Her husband calls her Jane. That is not her name. She lives in a small farm cottage, surrounded by vast, open fields. Everywhere she looks, there is space. But she is trapped. No one knows how she got to the UK: no one knows she is there. Visitors rarely come to the farm; if they do, she is never seen. Her husband records her every movement during the day. If he doesn't like what he sees, she is punished.

For a long time, escape seemed impossible. But now, something has changed. She has a reason to live and a reason to fight. Now, she is watching him, and waiting . . .

Praise for THE LAST THING TO BURN

'Brilliantly written... Terrifying' — Ruth Ware

 

‘Outstanding. The best thriller in years’ — Martina Cole

 

‘A short, sharp shocker, burning with righteous anger, intended to highlight the evils of human trafficking.’ — The best crime fiction for January 2021, Mark Sanderson, The Times

‘The tone remains unremittingly grim throughout, but this is a true nail-biter; you’ll be rooting for the astonishingly resilient heroine all the way.’ — Guardian

‘You will not so much read as breathlessly inhale this standalone novel from the author of the Tuva Moodyson mystery series... What happens over the course of this book will haunt you long after you finish reading it. Brilliant - and one of the best books of 2021.’ — Isabelle Broom, Women & Home

About Will Dean

Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. After studying law at the LSE, and working many varied jobs in London, he settled in rural Sweden with his wife. He built a wooden house in a boggy forest clearing and it's from this base that he compulsively reads and writes.

 

DARK PINES, the first in the Tuva Moodyson series, was published to huge critical acclaim in 2018, was shortlisted for Not the Booker prize, selected for Zoe Ball’s TV Book Club and named as a Daily Telegraph Book of the Year. He is currently writing his third standalone novel for Hodder.

 

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