TOMASZ JEDROWSKI’S SWIMMING IN THE DARK SOLD IN A SIX-WAY AUCTION IN UK AND FOR A SIX-FIGURE DEAL IN THE US

SWIMMING IN THE DARK, the tender and passionate debut by Tomasz Jedrowski, caused excitement on both sides of the Atlantic in the lead-up to London Book Fair. Set against the decline of communism in Poland in the 1980s, the novel tells a story of first love between two men as they seek moral integrity under a repressive system.

The manuscript garnered much praise from editors in the UK, leading to a hotly-contested six-publisher auction. Alexa von Hirschberg, senior commissioning editor at Bloomsbury secured UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Samuel Hodder. She praised the “seductive and heartbreaking novel, which as well as being a passionate coming-of-age story, also raises profound moral questions”.

Tomasz said: "I could not be more thrilled to be working with Bloomsbury. Their authors have inspired and sustained me throughout my creative journey and it's incredible that SWIMMING IN THE DARK will be published alongside writers who have helped to bring it to life. Many thanks to my agent Samuel Hodder at Blake Friedmann and to Alexa von Hirschberg at Bloomsbury for setting Ludwig's and Janusz's story free in such a gracious and loving way." 

Jessica Williams, senior editor at William Morrow, snapped up North American rights as part of an impressive six-figure pre-emptive deal. She told The Bookseller it was a “breath-taking debut”.

“I started SWIMMING IN THE DARK on a cold Saturday afternoon in New York, and immediately disappeared into its sensuous language and the lives of its characters,” she said. “I fell so utterly in love with Tomasz’s storytelling that I finished the book in one sitting, immediately sent a note to my publisher, and offered a pre-empt first thing Monday morning.”

Further auctions saw German rights sold to Hoffman und Campe, Italian rights to Edizioni E/O, and UK and Commonwealth audio rights to Audible. An auction for Dutch rights is ongoing.

Tomasz Jedrowski was born in Germany to Polish parents, but has lived in several countries, speaks five languages, and is a graduate of Cambridge University and Université de Paris. He currently lives in Warsaw but often travels to the UK. SWIMMING IN THE DARK is his first novel.

CHILLING MEMORIES RESURFACE AS SWEET HEART BY PETER JAMES IS RELEASED IN AUDIO TODAY

Déjà vu or something much more sinister? That is the question Charley and her husband ask themselves when disturbing memories emerge at an old mill house in this spine-tingling tale by Number 1 bestseller Peter James. SWEET HEART is released by Orion for the first time in audio today, with the story read by Anna Acton and a suitably spooky new foreword to the novel read by Peter James himself. SWEET HEART is the second classic Peter James suspense title to have a new audio release, after THE TRUTH last year, followed by its 20th Anniversary Edition paperback edition this February. The new paperback edition of SWEET HEART will be in stores in July 2018. A further eight backlist titles are set to be republished and released in audio by Orion, including FAITH and HOST.

Charley has a strange feeling when she sees the idyllic mill house with its cluster of outbuildings, the lake and the swirling mill stream; a powerful sense of recognition, as if she has been there before. Except she knows she hasn't.

After Charley and her husband Tom move into Elmwood Mill, sinister memories of a previous existence start to haunt her. Despite both their attempts to dismiss everything with rational explanations, the feeling turns to certainty as the memories become increasingly vivid and terrifying.

Charley is persuaded to undergo hypnosis – but in searching deep into her past, she unwitting opens a Pandora's box of evil ... and now the terror is free.

In January 2018, Peter was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award at the Specsavers Bestseller Awards, recognising his considerable achievement, selling over five million copies in the UK over ten years. He will enter the Nielsen 21st Century Hall of Fame for bestselling authors. In Poland he received the Lubimyczytać.pl Horror Book of the Year Award for 2017 and his outstanding contribution to the international crime writing genre was also celebrated last October, when he travelled to Germany to receive the first Rheinbach Glass Dagger Award for Crime Fiction.

Peter James is a New York Times bestseller, as well as achieving multiple Sunday Times Number 1s. His work is published in 37 languages and his novels have sold 19 million copies worldwide. His novel PERFECT PEOPLE was shortlisted for the Wellcome Prize and he won a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel in 2012. He has won numerous other awards, including the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and he was publicly voted by WH Smith – Britain's biggest book selling chain – The Best Crime Author of All Time.

Visit Peter’s website

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Praise for Peter James:

‘A master plotter.’ — The Bookseller

‘Peter James, Britain’s closest equivalent to Stephen King’ — Sunday Times

'James has a gift for turning mind-stretching subjects into novels that are irresistibly readable as well as utterly believable’ — Robert Goddard

‘Britain's answer to Stephen King and Michael Crichton' — Sunday Express

‘Grippingly intriguing from start to finish’ — James Herbert

‘A compulsive horror story . . . I cannot remember when I last read a novel I enjoyed so much’ — Sunday Telegraph

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

‘A superior thriller … agreeably chilling moments and entertaining twists.’ — The Times

‘James has been compared with Stephen King, but in many ways he's better’ — Daily Express

EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell shortlisted for CrimeFest 2018's eDUNNIT Award

Sarah Stovell’s darkly thrilling EXQUISITE has been shortlisted for the 2018 CrimeFest eDUNNIT Award, recognising the best ebooks in the crime genre. The novel follows the relationship between two women, a successful author and an aspiring writer, who meet at a writing retreat. What starts as a nurturing friendship soon becomes something more, and as infatuation turns to obsession things take a sinister and unexpected turn.

Bo Luxton has it all - a loving family, a beautiful home in the Lake District, and a clutch of bestselling books to her name.

Enter Alice Dark, an aspiring writer who is drifting through life, with a series of dead-end jobs and a freeloading boyfriend.

When they meet at a writers' retreat, the chemistry is instant, and a sinister relationship develops... Or does it?

Breathlessly pacey, taut and terrifying, EXQUISITE is a startlingly original and unbalancing psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

The winners will be announced at the CrimeFest Gala Awards Dinner hosted by Robert Thorogood, creator of DEATH IN PARADISE on Saturday 19th May.

Sarah Stovell was born in 1977 and spent most of her life in the Home Counties before a season working in a remote North Yorkshire youth hostel made her realise she was a northerner at heart. She now lives in Northumberland with her partner and two children and lectures in Creative Writing at Lincoln University.

She is the author of MOTHERNIGHT (Snowbooks, 2008) and THE NIGHT FLOWER (Tindal St Press, 2013).

Her first thriller novel, EXQUISITE, was published in June 2017.

Praise for EXQUISITE:

‘Satisfyingly complex. The prose is assured, the plot structure is tightly and effectively controlled, while the characterisation of the two protagonists is quite extraordinary. Tension oozes out of every page’ — The Lady

‘EXQUISITE is a powerful and assured debut thriller. Slickly claustrophobic and delicately wrought this arch story of obsessive forbidden love taken to the extreme will have you squirming in your seat even as you're driven to turn the next page. A must-read for 2017’ — Sarah Pinborough, author of BEHIND HER EYES

‘Cunningly constructed and gorgeously written, this is outstanding.’ – Sunday Express

Pan Macmillan acquire three new Roy Grace titles from bestselling author Peter James

© James Clarke

Crime enthusiasts and Peter James fans can look forward to more deadly cases and dangerous investigations as Pan Macmillan acquire rights for three further titles in the internationally bestselling Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Series. Associate Publisher Wayne Brookes concluded a seven-figure deal with Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann for World English Rights, with the first publishing in May 2020. The fourteenth book in the Brighton-based crime series, DEAD IF YOU DON’T, will publish on 17th May this year with his thrilling new standalone ABSOLUTE PROOF hitting shelves in October.

Peter James says: ‘I find it hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since David North and Geoff Duffield first spoke to my then agent, the late Carole Blake, asking her if I would ever consider writing a crime novel - and I am now starting the fifteenth!  It is an immense thrill to be signing this deal for three further Roy Grace novels.  Pan Macmillan is a terrific publishing house to be with, wonderfully professional, totally joined-up, and always, very crucially, huge fun!  I love the challenges of keeping Roy Grace fresh and topical and know that I am very lucky to have so many great readers around the world, and such a wonderful publisher.’

Wayne Brookes says: ‘I cannot imagine a year without having Peter James and Team Roy Grace in my life. I have worked with Peter for eight years I could not be happier that our relationship is set to continue. Peter is a dream author and 2018 is set to be his biggest year yet. Not only do we have our 14th Roy Grace DEAD IF YOU DON'T hitting the shelves in May, but we also have Peter's biggest standalone novel to date, ABSOLUTE PROOF coming out in October. DEAD IF YOU DON'T also heralds the beginning of a whole new re-package for the Roy Grace backlist.'

Anthony Forbes Watson says: "Peter has created an extraordinarily textured and rich world around Roy Grace and the underside of Brighton, which resonates ever more deeply with every book he writes in this magnificent series.  I'm thrilled to be able to look forward to three more - and long may this story continue!"

Jeremy Trevathan says: ‘I’m delighted to be continuing this terrific partnership between a wonderfully creative author and a proud publisher. The development of Peter James and the Roy Grace novels is something we cherish hugely at Pan Mac and I can’t wait for us the reveal the next stage in the Peter James story’.

Isobel Dixon says: ‘I vividly remember Carole sharing the stunning plot set-up for DEAD SIMPLE, the first Roy Grace title, and how we did deal after international deal thereafter. From that gasp-out-loud moment, Peter has never ceased to surprise and entertain, and Macmillan have been brilliant in their strategy and support. It’s a great pleasure to close this deal for a trio of new Roy Grace titles for Peter: I know we have a thrilling time ahead with Wayne Brookes and the team, with our shared ambition for this exceptional series.’

DEAD IF YOU DON’T, Peter’s new Roy Grace is published in May by Macmillan with rights in the series sold in dozens of international markets. Peter’s next standalone thriller, ABSOLUTE PROOF, has also been snapped up by international publishers and is released by Macmillan in the UK in October.

Peter James is one of the UK’s most treasured crime and thriller novelists. He has won numerous awards for his gripping crime novels, including the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and an Honorary Platinum Award at the Specsavers Bestseller Awards, powered by Nielsen Book.  He was publicly voted by WH Smith – Britain's biggest book selling chain – The Best Crime Author of All Time. The Roy Grace detective novels have sold over 19 million copies worldwide and are now published in 37 territories. The best-selling detective series has dominated the charts, with 12 consecutive Sunday Times No.1s.  His last Roy Grace NEED YOU DEAD went straight in at No. 1 in the paperback bestseller charts in October 2017 and stayed in the top 10 for nine weeks.

Visit Peter’s website

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Praise for Peter James:

‘As with all Peter James novels, it is not just an individual cop or storyline that impresses but the excellence of the ensemble’ — The Times

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ — Lee Child

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

‘Fast-paced and gripping...’ — Jessica Hamzelou, New Scientist

WEEPING WATERS published by Europa Editions

‘An arresting debut from South African crime author Brynard validates her reputation as ‘The Afrikaans Stieg Larsson.’ Brynard brings a strong, authentic voice to the country’s conflict-ridden past and its current complex society and entangled land claims. A brilliant ensemble cast, well-measured suspense, straightforward dialogue, and nice pacing add up to an outstanding thriller. Fans of other South African authors, from James McClure to Deon Meyer, will relish Brynard’s new and distinctive voice.’— Jane Murphy, Booklist

Karin Brynard’s Albertus Beeslaar, the South African Wallander, emerged from his homeland to reach US readers this week as Europa Editions launch their World Noir imprint. WEEPING WATERS, translated by Maya Fowler and Isobel Dixon, will be out in the UK later this month, on 19 April, and will also be published by E/O in Italy. German, French and Dutch editions are already available and a TV series is currently in development with Three Rivers Fiction.

‘For years Afrikaans readers have been raving about the talented Brynard - now with this translation...English-speaking book fanatics will get to find out for themselves what all the fuss is about.’ — YOU Magazine

Publisher’s Weekly called WEEPING WATERS ‘an impressive debut’ and Crime Fiction Lover said: ‘If WEEPING WATERS is anything to go by, this could be the start of an addictive new series about crime in the Rainbow Nation.’

In South Africa, where Penguin publish in both English and Afrikaans, Brynard is a Number One bestseller. WEEPING WATERS is followed by OUR FATHERS, also bought by Europa and E/O, and this year Penguin will publish the English translation of the third Beeslaar novel, HOMELAND.

Beeslaar is a traumatized cop who has abandoned tough city policing and a broken relationship in Johannesburg for a backwater post on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. But his dream of rural peace is soon shattered by the repeated attacks of a brutally efficient crime syndicate, as he struggles to train and connect with rookie local cops, Ghaap and Pyl, who resent his brusqueness and his old-school ways.

Karin Brynard is a former political and investigative journalist and uses her research skills and eye for detail to fascinating effect in her novels. She is Winner of the University of Johannesburg Debut Prize, ATKV Literature Prize, and twice winner of the M-Net Literature Awards.

Check out Karin’s website here, and follow her on Twitter.

Praise for Karin Brynard, and WEEPING WATERS

‘Brooding. Riveting. Brilliant.’ — Deon Meyer

‘The Afrikaans Stieg Larsson.’ — Rooi Rose

‘WEEPING WATERS is crime fiction you never want to end. Buy this book. Crime fiction doesn't get any better. High praise doesn't come close to doing justice to this book.’ — Mike Nicol, author of Payback and the Revenge Series

‘An impressive debut novel. Crime fiction fans will find the picturesque backdrop, cast of authentic characters, and knotty story line to be more than satisfying.’ — Publishers Weekly 

‘WEEPING WATERS is brimming with authenticity. A lucent tale of farm murder and rural society in the vice of social pressures, with the translation beautifully done by Maya Fowler and Isobel Dixon.’ — William Saunderson-Meyer, Sunday Times, 2014 Best Reads

‘An assured debut — intriguing from its inception, punchy, gritty, by turns gruesome, sensitive, dense and ever evocative... Ultimately what WEEPING WATERS gets spot on is the introduction of another compelling leading man, an indisputably good man, who can allow readers in English to traverse the diverse social strata that make South Africa such a fertile ground for its skilled writers.’ — Cape Times