THE GHOST TREE by Barbara Erskine is number 2 in the Sunday Times Bestseller list in its first week.

Barbara Erskine’s gripping ghost story THE GHOST TREE has leapt to Number 2 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list in its first week on sale. Published in hardback by HarperCollins on the 23rd of August, the inspiration for THE GHOST TREE lies in Barbara Erskine’s own personal history branching back to the days of Thomas Erskine, her great grandfather, five times removed. Once again, the Sunday Times bestselling author brings the past to life in vivid, spellbinding colour.

Ruth has returned to Edinburgh after many years of exile, left rootless by the end of her marriage, career and now the death of her father, from whom she had long been estranged. She is faced with the daunting task of clearing his house, believing he had removed all traces of her mother. Yet hidden away in a barely used top-floor room, she finds he had secretly kept a cupboard full of her possessions. Sifting through the ancient papers, Ruth discovers the diary and letters written by her ancestor from the eighteenth century, Thomas Erskine.

As the youngest son of a noble family now living in genteel poverty, Thomas always knew he would have to make his own way in the world. Unable to follow his brothers to university, instead he joins first the navy and then the army, rising through the ranks, travelling the world. When he is finally able to study law, his extraordinary experiences and abilities propel him to the very top and he becomes Lord Chancellor. Yet he has made a powerful enemy on his voyages, who will hound him and his family to the death – and beyond.

Ruth becomes ever more aware of Thomas as she is gripped by his story, and slowly senses that not only is his presence with her, but so is his enemy’s. Ruth will have to draw upon new friends and old in what becomes a battle for her very survival – and discover an inner power beyond anything she has imagined

About Barbara Erskine

An historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of 14 bestselling novels, beginning with the much-loved classic, LADY OF HAY, which has sold over 3 million copies. She has also published three highly successful volumes of short stories. Her books, which have appeared in 24 languages, demonstrate her masterful storytelling abilities and her fascination with history and the supernatural. She lives with her family in an old police station in Hay-on-Wye.

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Praise for Barbara Erskine:

 'Barbara Erskine's storytelling talent is undeniable.' - The Times

'The Queen of time slip epics.' - The Bookseller

'Stephen King meets Ruth Rendell.' – Frank Delaney

‘Her forte is mood, atmosphere and toe-curling frisson.’ – Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

Hugh Bonneville to narrate Peter James' ABSOLUTE PROOF

We’re thrilled that actor Hugh Bonneville will be narrating the audiobook of Peter James's upcoming thriller ABSOLUTE PROOF, to be published by Pan Macmillan on 4 October in hardback, ebook and audiobook. Audio rights have also been snapped up by Audible in the US for an exclusive audio first edition.

The novel is inspired by a phone call James received from a man claiming to have proof of the existence of God – an incident which James has developed into a “breathless race against time” as investigative reporter Ross Hunter searches for the truth.

Hugh Bonneville is no stranger to the topic of religion: he holds a theology degree from Cambridge University where he was taught by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Earlier this year, Bonneville presented the standalone documentary Jesus: Countdown to Calvary, a historical examination of the events leading up to the execution of Jesus of Nazareth by the Roman government.

Peter James and Hugh Bonneville first met in 2008 when they discussed the possibility of Bonneville playing James’s character Detective Superintendent Grace in a TV adaptation. Although the adaptation did not move forward, the two have remained close friends. The audiobook will be their first official collaboration.

Bonneville said: “When you pick up a Peter James book you know it's going to be impossible to put down. ABSOLUTE PROOF is a thriller that grips from the outset but it's also incredibly thought-provoking, asking some of life's biggest questions about science and faith, setting big pharma and high church on a collision course that could change the world. I was thrilled when Peter asked me to provide the narration for his latest, most compelling book."

James said: "From the moment I met Hugh I knew that I wanted to work with him, so when I was asked who I thought would make an exciting narrator for ABSOLUTE PROOF he was the natural choice. Hugh is an incredible actor and his reading really captures the suspense and excitement in the book. I'm delighted with how it's turned out."

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Praise for Peter James

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

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

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

Rights for ABSOLUTE PROOF have so far been sold in 7 territories, including: Russia (Eksmo), Poland (Albatros), Finland (Minerva), Lithuania (Jotema), Holland (De Fontein), Germany (Scherz), and France (Fleuve Noir).

Bookouture Acquire Two New Romantic Comedies by Debut Author Drew Davies

Bookouture have acquired two new romantic comedies by Drew Davies from Hattie Grunewald. First up in November this year will be Drew’s hilarious and heart-warming THE SHAPE OF US, with a second title out in May 2019. The debut follows the interweaving lives of four love and luckless strangers as they navigate the peaks and pitfalls of finding romance in the bustling London metropolis.

World English Language rights were snapped up by Commissioning Editor Christina Demosthenous who said:

“I’m over the moon to be publishing Drew. THE SHAPE OF US is a very special book. It doesn’t matter how many times I read and re-read it, it just gets better – making me laugh, cry and sigh with pure joy every single time. I can’t wait for readers to experience its magic.”

Drew Davies said:

“Wow, this is happening. I’m being announced! Ma, look – they’re announcing me! Where was I? Oh yes, I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining Bookouture, I really am. The team’s drive and talent are unmistakeable. And Christina is my dream editor, working with her is such a pleasure – I’m so excited about launching my first two books with her and the team. Both novels will be romantic comedy – and yes, I promise they’re much funnier than the opening to this paragraph.”

Drew Davies was born in London and grew up in Whanganui, New Zealand. He attended the Unitec School of Performing Arts in Auckland and won a Playmarket New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year award in 2000. After a brief stint on a kiwi soap, he has worked in Search for the past 15 years. Drew’s other claim to fame is that Stephen Fry once called him droll. Either that, or he got his name wrong. He now lives in Wanstead, London.

CAMPBELL AND CARTER UNITE WITH MITCHELL AND MARKBY IN AN UNFINISHED MURDER BY ANN GRANGER

Two great detective duos unite in the Ann Granger’s AN UNFINISHED MURDER, published today in hardback and ebook by Headline in the UK. American readers can also get their hands on a copy of the sixth addition to the Campbell and Carter series today as AN UNFINISHED MURDER is out in ebook from Canelo in the US. In Ann’s latest mystery, Campbell and Carter are joined by retired detectives Mitchell and Markby when they find themselves dealing with a cold case. Fans of Ann’s novels will recognise the older investigative team from the internationally acclaimed Mitchell and Markby series.

As young children, Josh Browning and his sister, Dilys, stumbled across a dead body while playing on the outskirts of their Cotswold village. Terrified by what they'd seen, neither of them told a soul. Now, twenty years later, Josh finds the dead woman's charm bracelet among his sister's possessions.

Who better to tell than his trusted friend, the man he gardens for, retired Superintendent Alan Markby? As Markby listens to Josh's confession, alarm bells start to ring. The dates and details tie in with a missing person case that was never solved.

Joining forces with Superintendent Ian Carter, who also investigated the original case, and Inspector Jess Campbell, from the region where the missing girl was last seen, Markby delves into the unsolved mystery. Together, they are determined to catch a clever killer who almost got away with murder...

Rights to AN UNFINISHED MURDER have been sold in Germany to Bastei Lubbe. The Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady detective series have received international acclaim, entering the Top 5 German Bestseller list with each novel. Ann has also contributed to several short story volumes licensed internationally. Headline has published 29 of her crime novels, and the Campbell and Carter series has been translated into five languages.

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world, since for many years she worked for the Foreign Office and received postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Praise for Ann Granger:

‘Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent’ — The Times

‘Highly entertaining and frequently witty bit of sleuthing.’ — Manchester Evening News

‘The maturity of her writing is evident: the style is witty, the setting picturesque, and the characters vivid and colorful.’ — Mystery News

‘One of the most reliable practitioners of the crime fiction genre.’ — Good Book Guide

‘Ann Granger has shown she can sustain a series… it's worth investing.’ — Rich Westwood, EuroCrime

‘You can always count on Ann Granger! …Those craving for some nice, English crime-entertainment will be served well.’ — Kölner Express

‘Ann Granger creates suspense and interesting characters. Quirky ladies, cranky farmers and incompetent policemen…Pitchforks and drug traffic – Granger’s extremes are told with wit and humour.’ — Neue Presse

‘Solidly written, well plotted and always entertaining.’ — Frankfurter Rundschau

SLAY IN YOUR LANE: THE BLACK GIRL BIBLE, BY YOMI ADEGOKE AND ELIZABETH UVIEBINENÉ, IS OUT NOW!

The wait is finally over as Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené’s highly anticipated inspirational guide to life for young black women, SLAY IN YOUR LANE, is out today in hardback from Fourth Estate. Celebrating the achievements of black British women, SLAY IN YOUR LANE encourages readers to make lemonade out of lemons and find success in their careers, relationships, and in their lives.

In the run-up to publication, SLAY IN YOUR LANE, has been included in multiple best of lists, including The Observer’s ‘18 for 2018’, Elle’s ‘12 addictive books you have to read to get through in 2018’, Metro’s ‘best new books  in 2018’ and the BBC’s ‘hotly anticipated debut authors for 2018’. Mostly Lit’s Clarissa Pabi called it ‘a book I can genuinely say I've been waiting for’, and The Bookseller praise it as ‘a valuable framework to help navigate the murky world of working – and existing – while black and female’.

“Black women today are well past making waves we’re currently creating something of a tsunami. Women who look like us, grew up in similar places to us, talk like us, are shaping almost every sector of society.” 

From education to work to dating, this inspirational, honest and provocative book recognises and celebrates the strides black women have already made, while providing practical advice for those who want to do the same and forge a better, visible future.

Illustrated with stories from best friends Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke’s own lives, and using interviews with dozens of the most successful black women in Britain including BAFTA Award-winning director Amma Asante, British Vogue publisher Vanessa Kingori and Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, SLAY IN YOUR LANE is essential reading for a generation of black women inspired to find success in every area of their lives.

SLAY IN YOUR LANE will be Book of the Week next week (starting 9th July), on BBC Radio 4. You can read an interview with Yomi and Elizabeth and an extract from the book in The Times, here, and in The Observer, here.

Yomi Adegoke is an award-winning journalist and senior writer at The Pool. She writes about race, feminism, popular culture and how they intersect, as well as class and politics. In 2013 she founded Birthday Magazine, a publication aimed at black teenage girls, and this year was listed as one of the 200 Women Redefining the Creative Industry by The Dots. She was also named as a 'frontline pioneer' bringing the fight to 'a new generation', by the Evening Standard.

Elizabeth Uviebinené is a Brand Marketer from London; upon graduating from Warwick University with a Politics degree she has gone on to work for some of the biggest global brands in Finance, and was promoted to a Marketing Manager.

Visit the SLAY IN YOUR LANE Twitter page

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Praise for SLAY IN YOUR LANE:

‘Hotly-anticipated… Best friends Yomi and Elizabeth decided to write the book because they realised there was a huge gap in the market - these were the stories they wanted to read about, so they decided to write it themselves. They also scatter in anecdotes from their own lives in their bid to tackle the challenges facing black women today, and plenty of advice.’ — Lauren Turner, BBC, Books look ahead 2018

‘In SLAY IN YOUR LANE, Adegoke and Uviebinene have created a valuable framework to help navigate the murky world of working – and existing – while black and female. It puts into words the amorphous, intangible feelings we walk around with and counters them with inspirational stories from industry leaders.’ — The Bookseller

‘What better choice for a summer read than this inspirational guide to life for the modern British black woman, promising to help you “make lemonade out of lemons, and find success in every area of your life”.’ — Elle, 12 Addictive Books You Have To Read To Get Through 2018

‘Quite literally a bible, this is the quintessential black woman’s guide to life for a generation of British women ‘inspired to make Lemonade out of lemons.’ Read Adegoke’s wisdom-filled essays on work, dating, beauty, representation, money, education and health and how being black and female affects each of these.’ — Melan Mag, Best titles by BME authors 2018

 ‘An inspiring read’ — Phoebe Hurst, The Pool

‘We could not put it down after reading the first page… a true insight into being a black woman in today’s Britain’ — BLACK BEAUTY MAGAZINE

‘As a young black British woman and an avid reader of books on personal development and success, this is a book I can genuinely say I've been waiting for, from at least when I discovered the genre a decade ago. I suspect many others have been waiting even longer, too…representative, thought-provoking, honest, humorous and inspirational. It recognises the waves and tsunamis black British women have already made, whilst providing practical advice and inspiration for slaying and succeeding even further, in your own way.’ — Clarissa Pabi, Waterstones Blog, Mostly Lit’s Must Reads

‘SLAY IN YOUR LANE is the black girl bible — an indispensable guide to living today…it’s provocative, uplifting, timely and important.’ — Netgalley, Top 10 Pick for July