MICHAEL JOSEPH ACQUIRES TWO NOVELS FROM DEBUT AUTHOR LIA MIDDLETON

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.

Lia Middleton author photo 2019.jpeg

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.