International bestseller Deon Meyer joins Pan Macmillan in six-figure swoop

Credit: Will Punt, Peartree Photography

Deon Meyer, the internationally acclaimed bestselling author of the Benny Griessel novels, has joined Pan Macmillan for the next three instalments in the award-winning series. Alex Saunders, Editorial Director at Pan Macmillan, acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada, including South Africa) rights from Isobel Dixon for SCORPIO and two further Benny Griessel novels.

Translated from Afrikaans by K.L. Seegers, SCORPIO will be published on the Macmillan imprint in hardback, e-book and audiobook in early 2027, and by Pan Macmillan South Africa in October 2026. The Afrikaans edition will be published by Human & Rousseau in late 2025. Rights have already sold in Germany (Aufbau) and The Netherlands (AW Bruna), and the TV rights are also under option.

In SCORPIO – the 9th instalment in Deon’s bestselling series – as an international security forum convenes in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, detectives Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido must race against time to uncover a plot that could shake international foundations. With the threat of a sinister plot looming over the prestigious gathering of global leaders, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

‘I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Pan MacMillan family,’ commented Deon. ‘Their passion for and excellence in international publishing – and crime fiction in particular – is legendary, the team’s enthusiasm and energy is contagious, and I couldn't be more excited about this new chapter in my writing career. And, just for the record, Benny is pretty chuffed about his new home too.’

‘We are thrilled to welcome Deon Meyer, an extraordinary storyteller and a master of the crime thriller genre, to Pan Macmillan,’ said Alex Saunders. ‘Deon’s ability to weave compelling thriller narratives with rich character development, as seen in his award-winning and much-loved Benny Griessel series, has captivated readers around the world. We eagerly anticipate this new chapter with Deon and look forward to bringing his wonderful writing to an even larger audience of readers.’

‘Benny Griessel, the flawed but endearing Detective Inspector created by Deon Meyer, holds a special place in the hearts of South African readers,’ added Terry Morris of Pan Macmillan South Africa. ‘As ardent fans of Deon Meyer's writing we are delighted to expand his reach and fanbase.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘It’s an exciting new season for Deon Meyer and Benny Griessel – along with his partner-in-crime-solving Vaughn Cupido and an ensemble cast of characters beloved around the world. Deon surpasses himself with every book and I know that these enthralling stories will be in excellent hands with the brilliant UK and South African teams at Pan Macmillan.’

LEO, Deon’s most recent novel, was first published in South Africa, in Afrikaans, by Human and Rousseau in October 2023, with the English-language edition (translated by K.L. Seegers) from Hodder and Stoughton, in partnership with Jonathan Ball Publishers, launched in October 2024, followed by Grove Atlantic in the US and Canada on 18 February 2025. LEO also been published in France (Editions Gallimard), the Netherlands (A W Bruna) and Germany (Aufbau). The book was awarded the Adult Fiction Prize and Book of the Year at the SA Book Awards and the ATKV-Woordveertjies Prize for best Afrikaans Thriller, as well as dominating the South African bestseller lists in both its English and Afrikaans editions.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Stellenbosch. His books are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, and have been awarded many prizes around the world: 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 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, Number One in all categories.

Adaptations of Deon’s novels have recently had great success on screen: in April 2024, HEART OF THE HUNTER topped the global Netflix film charts, becoming the first African film to do so, with over 11 million views in its first two days alone. DEVIL’S PEAK was also adapted for a miniseries by Lookout Point and Expanded Media Productions, premiering on M-Net in South Africa in 2023 before reaching audiences in the USA, New Zealand, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. In 2020, TRACKERS, produced by Three River Fiction and Scene 23, aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK and HBO in the USA, as well as Australia and New Zealand, and across the Nordic countries and Europe.

Praise for Deon Meyer

‘He’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘I love Deon Meyer novels. It’s global storytelling at its best, with the undeniable hallmarks of gritty realism and deep character building.’ – Michael Connelly

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

‘Deon Meyer is one of the giants of crime fiction.’ – El Mundo

‘One of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

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ONE OF US IS DEAD by Peter James is a Number 1 bestseller in paperback

The paperback edition of ONE OF US IS DEAD, the twentieth book in Peter James’s internationally bestselling Roy Grace series, is a UK Number 1 bestseller – his 21st Number One.

Upon publication, ONE OF US IS DEAD went straight to Number 3 and now, after a full week of sales, it has reached Number 1 – a rise of 48.1%. The hardback edition was also a UK bestseller, hitting Number 3 in the charts when it was published in October last year. All the books in the Roy Grace series are published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and the US.

When James Taylor arrives late for a funeral, he has to stand at the back of the small church. But as the service progresses, Taylor notices a man six rows in front of him. At first he thinks he must be mistaken, but the more he looks at him, the more convinced Taylor becomes that this is his old schoolfriend, Rufus Rorke. Except it couldn’t be him, could it? Because two years ago, Taylor attended Rufus Rorke’s funeral. He even delivered Rufus’s eulogy...

On the other side of Brighton at Police HQ, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has been alerted to a number of suspicious deaths that he can’t get out of his mind. But how are they linked? And how could they possibly be connected to Rufus Rorke? Roy Grace is about to find out just how dangerous a dead man can be...

In other exciting news, the fifth series of Grace returned to screens this month. It continues to dominate viewing figures, with the first episode (DEAD IF YOU DON’T)  achieving a consolidated 4.8 million viewers after only seven days. Episode 2 (DEAD AT FIRST SIGHT) reached even higher, with consolidated figures of 5.1 million. Both episodes surpassed ITV1’s slot average of 2.6 million viewers. Season Six begins shooting in Brighton very soon too!

Peter is working hard on the next pulse-pounding novel in the Roy Grace series which will be published in October, with more details coming soon.

Photo credit: Mark Dixon

About Peter James

Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels. Peter writes both thriller standalones and the hugely popular Brighton-set Roy Grace series.

Peter’s books have been translated into thirty-eight languages, with worldwide sales of over twenty-three million copies and his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has given him 21 Sunday Times Number Ones. In 2015 WH Smith customers voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he was awarded the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger, a lifetime achievement award for sustained excellence. In 2018 he received a Specsavers Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award and in 2024 he won four Silver Nielsen Bestseller Awards. Peter James has also written two books based on true crime stories, with former senior detective Graham Bartlett.

Peter took part in the launch podcast of the Queen’s Reading Room in January 2024, having had the Roy Grace series featured on the Royal Reading Room previously. He appeared on the podcast again in June 2024, where he was named one of Her Majesty’s favourite crime writers and Roy Grace her favourite fictional detective!

Praise for ONE OF US IS DEAD

‘All hail the Queen’s favourite detective as the indefatigable Peter James returns with the 20th Roy Grace mystery (already).’ – The Times

‘Another just-one-more-page-thriller.’ – Anna Bonet, i newspaper, ‘The best new books to read in September 2024’

‘First the smash-hit TV series, now the 20th novel – Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is going flat out, sirens and all… a simple case spirals into a complex soup of ego and murder in this twisty page-turner.’ – Bill Todd, The Sun, Pick of the Week, 5-Star Review

‘DS Roy Grace returns in the twentieth gripping instalment in Peter James’ bestselling series, as links to a man supposedly dead and buried start cropping up in an ongoing investigation into a series of suspicious deaths.’ – Waterstones, ‘September’s Best Books’

‘ONE OF US IS DEAD is a fabulous thriller... Loads of twists and turns… a great holiday read.’ – Kym Argo, The Citizen

‘The long-time British mystery and procedural writer Peter James has done it again with his newest novel, ONE OF US IS DEAD. The book starts with James Taylor attending the funeral of a friend. But weirdly enough, he recognizes a man in the front row of the church, and this man also happens to be Taylor's friend. But Taylor eulogized his friend two years ago, so how can this be? That anomaly is enough for Detective Roy Grace of Brighton; his curiosity is peaked while, at the same time, he's working several homicides as any police detective does. A pattern develops, which is fascinating and delicately connects the deaths. Peter James is a solid procedure writer; I recommend ONE OF US IS DEAD. And I also suggest you check out his long and well-written backlist.’ – Great Mysteries & Thrillers

 Visit Peter’s website.

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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.

Two new Peter James thrillers for Pan Macmillan

Pan Macmillan will publish two new standalone novels by Peter James, acquired by former Associate Publisher Wayne Brookes from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann. The first, THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, will be published as a lead hardback in May 2024, with the paperback to follow in October 2024.

This all-new standalone novel will finally reveal the astonishing reasons behind Sandy Grace’s sudden disappearance, first brought to life in the inaugural Roy Grace novel DEAD SIMPLE. For years Peter has teased his readers about her whereabouts, and now for the first time he will tell all about her shocking departure!

Francesca Pathak, who has taken on publishing James after Wayne Brookes’s departure last year, says: ‘As a lifelong fan of Peter’s I am thrilled to be working with him on Sandy’s story. Grace readers around the world have been desperate to learn the details of what exactly happened to Roy Grace’s wife and what her motivations were, and Peter has truly delivered in this incredible standalone novel. It’s the book all Grace fans have been waiting for, and the perfect entry point to the series for any new reader who wants the perfect thriller this Spring.’

Peter James says: ‘Sandy’s story is one I have been excited to write for a long time. So many of my fans have messaged me over the years speculating on what might have happened to her… and as a thriller author there are few things more fun than wrong-footing our readers – in the nicest possible way – and most importantly in a way that will both make them smile and go WOW!’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘In THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD Peter expertly delivers both twisty mystery and sensational revelation about the ever-elusive Sandy. A standalone that also deepens and complements the series story, it’s a fantastic bonus for all of Peter’s international fans, ahead of the 20th Roy Grace later in the year – another very big year for Grace in print and on-screen!’

About Peter James

Photo credit: Mark Dixon

Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels, repeatedly occupying the Number One slot on the Sunday Times bestseller charts in both hardback and paperback. Peter writes both thriller standalones and the hugely popular Brighton-set GRACE series, now adapted for ITV. Peter took part in the launch podcast of the Queen’s Reading Room in January 2024, having had the Grace series featured on the Royal Reading Room previously.

Peter’s books have been translated into thirty-eight languages, with worldwide sales of over twenty-one million copies and his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has given him nineteen Sunday Times Number Ones. In 2015 WH Smith customers voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he was awarded the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger, a lifetime  achievement award for sustained excellence. In 2018 he received a Specsavers Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award. Peter James has also written two books based on true crime stories, with former senior detective Graham Bartlett, with a newly expanded edition of BABES IN THE WOOD re-issued in January 2024.

Successful nationwide tours of the stage plays of THE PERFECT MURDER (2014), DEAD SIMPLE (2015), NOT DEAD ENOUGH (2017), THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL (2019), LOOKING GOOD DEAD (2022), and WISH YOU WERE DEAD (2023) have packed theatres in dozens of British cities, and garnered magnificent reviews. Several other Peter James novels are optioned for film and in further development.

Praise for Peter James

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ – Karin Slaughter

‘Probably the closest we’ll get to a British Stephen King’ – The Financial Times

‘Meticulous research gives his prose great authenticity’ – Sunday Express

‘Peter James has penetrated the inner workings of police procedures, and the inner thoughts and attitudes of real detectives, as no English crime writer before him.’ – The Times

‘Peter James is one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ – Daily Mail

‘In my thirty-four years of policing, never have I come across a writer who so accurately depicts “The Job’’ – Detective Investigator Pat Lanigan, Office of the District Attorney, NYPD

‘One of the most consistently readable crime writers.’ – Daily Mail           

‘A master plotter’ – The Bookseller

Visit Peter’s website

Follow Peter on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

New bestseller PICTURE YOU DEAD by Peter James – ‘Picture perfect at peak’

Credit: Graham Franks Photography

PICTURE YOU DEAD by Peter James has flown to Number One in the Bookseller’s weekly ‘Bookstat E-Book Top 10’ and to Number Two in the Sunday Times hardback bestseller charts, after only three days on sale. ‘Picture perfect at peak for James’, the Bookseller reported, adding that ‘Peter James’s PICTURE YOU DEAD swiped the Bookstat e-book number one in a photo finish.’

The eighteenth instalment of the bestselling Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series is published by Pan Macmillan, who signed up 5 more series titles from Peter James last year.

PICTURE YOU DEAD was launched with a vigorous and inventive marketing and publicity campaign including a much-anticipated return to the traditional annual Roy Grace launch party – held again on Brighton pier after two years without an in-person celebration, and this time with ITV’s GRACE stars, John Simm and Richie Campbell, among the crowd.

Peter went on a whirlwind book signing tour across Sussex and beyond, visiting multiple independent bookshops, the Jersey Festival of Words, and Capital Crime Festival. He also embarked on an extensive regional radio tour. As well as the trade hardback, two exclusive editions of PICTURE YOU DEAD were also published: one with extra material exclusive to WH Smith, and a special edition for indie bookshops with beautiful sprayed edges.

In PICTURE YOU DEAD, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into an unfamiliar world of fine art – and art forgery. Outwardly the fine art scene appears respectable, refined, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand.

Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale. It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did… They buy a drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back at home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions. One collector is certain that the painting is genuine. Someone who will use any method he can to get what he wants and will stop at nothing.

And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare…

Filming of the ITV series based on the Roy Grace novels continues in Brighton, with more of the thrilling stories to be broadcast in 2023. Peter is now writing the nineteenth instalment of the Roy Grace series which Pan Macmillan will publish next year.

Praise for Peter James:

‘Superior plotting and edge-of-the-seat suspense.’ – The Guardian

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ – Karin Slaughter

‘A master plotter who cunningly tunes into contemporary concerns. Peter James cannot fail to thrill.’  – Daily Mail

‘Memorable characters and nail-biting tension.’ –  Kathy Reichs

‘Peter James creates a world we can smell, touch and feel for his Brighton detective Inspector Roy Grace.’ – The Times

‘With echoes of Thomas Harris, the closer analogue is to Jeffrey Deaver’s clock-racing thrillers… James delivers the goods.’ — Kirkus Reviews

‘James just gets better and better and deserves the success he has achieved with this first-class series.’ — Independent on Sunday

About Peter James:

Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels, repeatedly occupying the Number One slot on the Sunday Times bestseller charts in both hardback and paperback. Peter writes both thriller standalones and the hugely popular Brighton-set Roy Grace series, now adapted for ITV.

Peter’s books have been translated into thirty-eight languages, with worldwide sales of over twenty-one million copies and his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has given him 19 consecutive Sunday Times Number Ones. In 2015 WH Smith customers voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he was awarded the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger, a lifetime achievement award for sustained excellence. In 2018 he received a Specsavers Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award. Peter James has also written two books based on true crime stories, with former senior detective Graham Bartlett.

The 16th Roy Grace, FIND THEM DEAD, was a UK Number 1 in both hardback and paperback, spending four consecutive weeks at Number 1 in paperback, and reaching Number 5 in Australia and Canada too. In 2021 Peter James repeated the hardback and paperback Top Ten double with LEFT YOU DEAD and standalone thriller I FOLLOW YOU.

Successful nationwide tours of the stage plays of THE PERFECT MURDER (2014), DEAD SIMPLE (2015,) NOT DEAD ENOUGH (2017) and THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL (2019) have packed theatres in dozens of British cities, and garnered magnificent reviews. The stage play of LOOKING GOOD DEAD toured the UK in 2021, and WISH YOU WERE DEAD will premiere in 2022. Several other Peter James novels are optioned for film and in further development.

Visit Peter’s website

Like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram