Michael Joseph has acquired WHEN THEY FIND HER and one other novel by debut author Lia Middleton. Editorial Director Clio Cornish acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, in a major deal, from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann at auction.

WHEN THEY FIND HER is an emotional and nerve-shredding debut about a mother, Naomi, who has lost custody of her young daughter. She is granted permission to have her child back for an overnight stay, but when the night ends in tragedy Naomi makes a split-second decision with huge repercussions. It will be a major launch for Michael Joseph, publishing in Hardback, eBook and Audio in Spring 2021, with a paperback to follow.

Lia Middleton said: ‘I’m ecstatic and honoured to be working with Clio and the team at Michael Joseph. I was blown away by the team’s passion and enthusiasm, and by Clio's vision for the book: it was clear from the moment I spoke to her that Clio was the perfect editor to bring my novel and its characters to the world. I can't wait for readers to discover Naomi and to find themselves thrust into the centre of her dark and complex life.’

Clio Cornish added: ‘I was utterly transfixed by WHEN THEY FIND HER. At once a white-knuckled page-turner and an emotional depiction of motherhood and mental health, it’s fiendishly twisty read with huge depth – not an easy balance to strike. I know Lia has a brilliant career ahead of her, and I’m so excited to be working with her and Kate.’

Kate Burke said: ‘I’m thrilled that this deliciously dark, gripping and topical novel has found such a great publishing home in Penguin and such a visionary editor in Clio.’

About Lia Middleton
Lia Middleton is a barrister who specialises in crime and prison law, and lives with her husband and two young children in Buckinghamshire. You can find her on Twitter @liamiddlet0n and on Instagram @liamiddletonauthor. WHEN THEY FIND HER is her first novel.