BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER by Alan Parks wins Edgar Allan Poe Award

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER by Alan Parks was named the winner of the Best Paperback Original category of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Awards, in a banquet held last week at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square.

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER is the third book in the Harry McCoy series. It was published by Canongate in the UK in March 2020, and by Europa in the US in April 2021. It was followed by THE APRIL DEAD, which was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2021. The fifth book in the Harry McCoy series, MAY GOD FORGIVE, was released in the UK on 28th April 2022, with the US edition following on 3rd May. The series is sold in more than ten countries around the world.

The 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, now in its 76th year, seeks to honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2021. They are awarded by the Mystery Writers of America, which encompasses some 3,000 members including authors of fiction and non-fiction books, screen and television writers, as well as publishers, editors, and literary agents. Past winners of the Best Paperback Original category include

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER by Alan Parks

July 1973. The Glasgow drugs trade is booming and Bobby March, the city's own rock-star hero, has just overdosed in a central hotel.

Alice Kelly is thirteen years old, lonely. And missing.

Meanwhile the niece of McCoy's boss has fallen in with a bad crowd and when she goes AWOL, McCoy is asked – off the books – to find her.

McCoy has a hunch. But does he have enough time?

Praise for the Harry McCoy series

‘The meticulously described setting is so suggestive readers may even catch whiffs of stale cigarette smoke and patchouli. Fans of Scottish noir will be satisfied.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Parks’ sprawling plot offers not tidy whodunit puzzles but a wide-angle view of a gritty city in the grip of crime, home to an entertaining cross section of characters. Broad-shouldered McCoy is suitably unflappable as he walks Glasgow’s mean streets.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘Parks captures the feel of a city long vanished in a breathless and tense retro crime caper.’ – The Sun

‘A series that no crime fan should miss: dangerous, thrilling, but with a kind voice to cut through the darkness.’ – Scotsman

‘Pitch-black tartan noir, set in 70s Glasgow ... Compelling ... with an emotional heart that’s hard to ignore.’ – Daily Mail

About Alan Parks

Alan Parks was Creative Director at London Records in the mid 1990’s, then at Warner Music, where he created ground-breaking campaigns for artists including All Saints, New Order, The Streets, Gnarls Barclay and Cee Lo Green. He was also Managing Director of 679 Recordings, a joint venture with Warner Music. His debut novel BLOODY JANUARY propelled him onto the international literary crime fiction scene immediately and his work has been hailed by contemporary writers and critics alike.

BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, FEBRUARY’S SON was nominated for an Edgar Award, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER was picked as a Times Best Book of the Year and THE APRIL DEAD was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The Harry McCoy series is optioned for television.

Alan was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city that is so vividly depicted in the 1970s setting of his Harry McCoy thrillers.

THE LAST THING TO BURN by Will Dean longlisted for CWA Gold Dagger Award

We are delighted that THE LAST THING TO BURN by Will Dean has been longlisted for The Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger. The Gold Dagger is an award for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally published in the UK.  The shortlist will be revealed on 13th May 2022 at CrimeFest in Bristol, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 29th June 2022 in London.

THE LAST THING TO BURN is Will Dean’s first standalone thriller, published by Hodder in January 2021 in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US.  A word-of-mouth sensation, it garnered praise from readers and reviewers alike. THE LAST THING TO BURN was a pick of the year in multiple publications, including  New Statesman, Daily Express and Culturefly. It was also voted International Book of the Year by the Rick O’Shea Book Club. 

Will’s most recent standalone, FIRST BORN, was published by Hodder on 14th April 2022. He is also the author of the Tuva Moodyson Mysteries, a crime series set in Sweden and published by Oneworld.

THE LAST THING TO BURN
He is her husband. She is his captive. Her husband calls her Jane. That is not her name. She lives in a small farm cottage, surrounded by vast, open fields. Everywhere she looks, there is space. But she is trapped. No one knows how she got to the UK: no one knows she is there. Visitors rarely come to the farm; if they do, she is never seen. Her husband records her every movement during the day. If he doesn't like what he sees, she is punished.

For a long time, escape seemed impossible. But now, something has changed. She has a reason to live and a reason to fight. Now, she is watching him, and waiting . . .

Praise for THE LAST THING TO BURN

'Brilliantly written... Terrifying' — Ruth Ware

‘Outstanding. The best thriller in years’ — Martina Cole

‘A short, sharp shocker, burning with righteous anger, intended to highlight the evils of human trafficking.’ — The best crime fiction for January 2021, Mark Sanderson, The Times

‘The tone remains unremittingly grim throughout, but this is a true nail-biter; you’ll be rooting for the astonishingly resilient heroine all the way.’ — Guardian

‘You will not so much read as breathlessly inhale this standalone novel from the author of the Tuva Moodyson mystery series... What happens over the course of this book will haunt you long after you finish reading it. Brilliant - and one of the best books of 2021.’ — Isabelle Broom, Women & Home

About Will Dean

Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. After studying law at the LSE, and working many varied jobs in London, he settled in rural Sweden with his wife. He built a wooden house in a boggy forest clearing and it's from this base that he compulsively reads and writes.

DARK PINES, the first in the Tuva Moodyson series, was published to huge critical acclaim in 2018, was shortlisted for Not the Booker prize, selected for Zoe Ball’s TV Book Club and named as a Daily Telegraph Book of the Year. He is currently writing his third standalone novel for Hodder.

Follow Will on Twitter

CANELO ACQUIRES TWO NOVELS BY HANNAH TREAVE

Senior commissioning editor Emily Bedford of Canelo Books has acquired WEL rights to two standalone novels by Hannah Treave from Senior agent Kate Burke.

The first of these novels, THE NOTEKEEPER, is a warm and uplifting story set in a hospice in Bath. Zoe, a care nurse, has taken it upon herself to become ‘The Notekeeper’ – writing down the last words of her patients to deliver to their loved ones. She knows just how much comfort last words can bring, having experienced losses of her own. However, her new boss, Ben, isn’t too pleased that Zoe is getting so involved in her patients’ lives. His disapproval dissipates once he too opens up to Zoe, and he realises that facing one’s past is the only way to get closure.

Zoe and Ben start to become closer and on their journey to deliver the last words of their patients, love begins to blossom between them. Some devastating news threaten their new-found happiness though – is Zoe about to have her heart broken all over again?

Emily Bedford says: ‘It’s so rare to come across a story that has the power to utterly break your heart and then piece it all together again, but that is exactly what THE NOTEKEEPER does and I am thrilled to be publishing the novel. Hannah is an incredibly gifted writer, able to bring hope and joy even to the most heart-wrenching of scenes. I was utterly spellbound by Zoe’s journey throughout the story and her experiences are a gentle balm that will leave readers feeling both moved and soothed.’

Hannah Treave says: ‘I am beyond delighted to be published by Canelo and know THE NOTEKEEPER is in the best possible hands with the utterly fabulous Emily Bedford as my editor. Writing THE NOTEKEEPER was a real passion project, with a story that consumed me, which is something Emily understood immediately. I can’t wait to introduce readers to Zoe and Ben and am thrilled to be continuing my publishing journey with Canelo.’

Kate Burke says: ‘Emily’s passion and vision for THE NOTEKEEPER were clear from the start, and I’m delighted to have this deal in place with her and the Canelo team.’

THE NOTEKEEPER will be published in November 2022, in ebook and paperback, with a second standalone novel to follow in 2023.

German rights have already been sold in a multi-publisher auction, Chinese rights pre-empted, and audio rights were won at auction by Bolinda.

Praise for Hannah Treave (writing as Fiona Ford)

‘A wonderful, uplifting story of friendship and courage. Characters that you can't help falling in love with! This new saga series will surely touch the hearts of saga readers everywhere’ — Nancy Revell, author of THE SHIPYARD GIRLS series

‘I loved the warmth of the friendship between Mary and her friends and the wonderful world of Liberty’s. It’s a page turner of a book with twists and turns than make you keep on reading to find out what happens next.’ — Rosie Hendry, author of the EAST END ANGELS series

‘A compelling first novel by Fiona Ford, which I promise you won't be able to put down.’ — Daisy Styles, bestselling author of THE BOMB GIRLS

‘A fabulous debut from an immensely talented author.’ —Annie Groves

‘Ford gets to the heart of what it was like to live through the dangerous war years in this warm, captivating, down-to-earth story which is brimming with engaging characters, adventure, romance and heartbreak.’ — Lancashire Post

About Hannah Treave

Hannah Treave is a freelance journalist with fifteen years’ experience working with women's weekly and monthly magazines. Under the name of Fiona Ford she has written four historical novels (set during WW2), published by Penguin Random House, and three contemporary ones (HQ and Head of Zeus).

Visit Hannah/Fiona’s website and her follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

DOUBLE TOP TEN FOR SHEILA O’FLANAGAN’S THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL

Sheila O’Flanagan’s latest paperback THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL features simultaneously in both the UK and Irish Top Ten Bestseller charts. Published by Headline, THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL has made it to Number Eight in the Irish Times Bestseller list this weekend, and Number Nine in the Sunday Times paperback charts in the UK. Last year, the hardback of THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL flew into the Irish Times Bestseller list, hitting the Number Two spot and remaining in the Top Ten for ten weeks.

In THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL, Delphie is enjoying her brother's wedding; her surprise last-minute Plus One has stunned her family – and it's also stopped any of them asking again why she's still single. But when she sees all the missed calls that evening, she knows it can't be good news. And she's right.

Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships and her dream house by the sea. Now she has to question everything she believed about who she is and what she wants. Is her mum right – is it time to settle down? Or does she want to keep on trying to have it all?

Each wedding of a glorious summer brings a new surprise. And as everything Delphie thought she had is threatened, she has the chance to reshape her future…

Sheila O’Flanagan’s brand new novel, WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, will be published by Headline on 28th April 2022, in hardback in the UK and trade paperback in Ireland, along with the audio edition narrated by Aoife McMahon. Mobius will publish in the US in June 2022. The publication of this thirtieth novel with Headline will be marked by a major celebratory campaign.

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Numerous novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland and, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers, and she is published in more than 20 languages around the world. Her books have been Number 1 bestsellers in Sweden. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

Praise for THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL

‘This novel sees Sheila O’Flanagan at her insightful best. It flows along naturally, with a plot that feels unforced. There’s great characterisation, natural dialogue, and a sprinkling of clever one-liners. Overall, it’s a very smart feminist novel, examining the choices women have to make, and the obstacles still put in their way.’ — Five gripping books to lose yourself in this summer, Irish Examiner

‘Written with Sheila O’Flanagan’s trademark warmth and wisdom, this is an inspiring story of strength and self-discovery, with a touch of romance, by a writer who goes from strength to strength.’ — Anne Cater, Sunday Express S Magazine

‘In true O'Flanagan style, it's a compelling story of love, belonging and friendship, with a strong message.’ — Woman’s Weekly

‘A brilliant read from one of our favourite authors.’ – New Must-Reads, Bella Magazine

‘As a lover of all things Irish, how is it possible that I hadn’t discovered Sheila O’Flanagan’s books before THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL? Thanks to this wonderful story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery, I can’t wait to read more by this very talented author.’ — #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods

‘Sheila O’Flanagan delivers the perfect summer escape with THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL. Engrossing, entertaining, and emotional—and featuring a protagonist you can’t help but root for—this one will keep you turning the pages.’ — Farrah Rochon, USA Today Bestselling author of THE BOYFRIEND

‘Great characters and many twists and turns make this page turner thoroughly enjoyable.  A great read!’ — Katie Fforde

‘An involving, thought-provoking novel and a masterclass in storytelling. I was drawn in from page 1.’ — Sue Moorcroft

‘Reading a Sheila O'Flanagan novel always feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a friend — she writes with such warmth and empathy.’ — Beth O’Leary, author of THE FLATSHARE

‘Putting a spin on wedding stories, each wedding of a glorious summer brings a new surprise for Delphie, who has the chance to reshape her future.’ – Denise O’Donoghue, Irish Examiner, ‘Best of the Year Lists’ 

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan

‘'O'Flanagan doesn't skirt the pain of heartache but embraces it along with the humour (and imperfect judgment) that give her characters their aching credibility... Despite some dark themes, the book's overall tone is light and hopeful.' - Irish Independent on HER HUSBAND’S MISTAKE

‘O'Flanagan is one of our best-known, best-loved and most prolific women's fiction authors’ – Irish Independent

‘One of my favourite authors’ – Marian Keyes

‘O'Flanagan's writing is crisp and concise and her plotting deft’ – Belfast Telegraph

'One of our best storytellers' – Irish Mail on Sunday

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on Twitter.

RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED FOR SECOND INSTALMENT OF GRACE TV SERIES

Roy Grace is returning to television screens on Sunday 24th April at 8pm on ITV in a new feature-length episode titled LOOKING GOOD DEAD. It is the second and final episode of the first GRACE series, with filming already complete on the second series which is due to be released later this year.

LOOKING GOOD DEAD begins with an act of kindness and ends in murder. Tom Bryce finds a CD on a train and, wanting to do the right thing, tries to return it to its owner. However, this act of kindness has unforeseen consequences – it means he witnesses a vicious murder. Despite him and his family being threatened by the killers, he bravely makes a statement to the murder enquiry team – which is headed by none other than Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Whilst battling his own demons Roy must solve this disturbing murder and protect the sole witness from meeting the same grisly end as the first murder victim.

You can watch the trailer here.

Roy Grace hit TV screens around the world for the first time in 2021 when ITV’s much-anticipated adaptation, written by acclaimed screenwriter and Endeavour creator Russell Lewis, premiered in March. It is produced by Second Act Productions and Tall Story Pictures, both part of ITV Studios, and Vaudeville Productions.

The brilliant cast includes John Simm (Life on Mars, Strangers, Doctor Who) as Roy Grace, and Richie Campbell (Top Boy, Liar, Small Axe), as Detective Sergeant Glenn Branson. The first episode, based on the first Roy Grace book DEAD SIMPLE, was watched by 8.8 million viewers in the UK and has since aired in countries including the USA, Canada, Japan, Norway and Finland.

Peter himself has filmed several cameos for the new series, and the Duchess of Cornwall, who is a big fan of James’ novels, visited the set of GRACE in Brighton last Autumn.

The first episode of GRACE is on BritBox and ITV Hub, with its trailer available to watch here.

The eighteenth Roy Grace novel, PICTURE YOU DEAD, will be published in hardback on the 29th of September by Pan Macmillan, and is available to pre-order now. All the Roy Grace novels are being released in new TV tie-in editions as well, as the series progresses. See more about the whole series in order here.

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. 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

Praise for GRACE:

‘It’s a good’un… I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a good idea to make this a stand-alone film... John Simm was pleasingly understated as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and the adaptation was well done by Russell Lewis, creator of Endeavour. Richie Campbell was great as Roy’s colleague, DS Branson, bringing just the right amount of energy to proceedings.’– Anita Singh, The Telegraph

‘Grace and Branson’s race to find Michael made for truly nail-biting TV and there were great performances, with Simm as watchable as ever as the shrewd, yet vulnerable Grace….’ – Gwendolyn Smith, The i

‘A very effective appetite-whetter… The unpretentious storytelling makes this an easy watch, helmed by the always watchable Simm.’ – The Mail on Sunday, Pick of the Day

‘Roy Grace doesn’t have any obvious gimmick to mark him out, but he swiftly establishes himself as a solid addition to the Sunday-night pack… Chilling.’ – James Jackson, The Times, Critic’s Choice

‘Simm is excellent as the melancholic copper and should get his wish to play the role for years to come.’ – Joe Clay, The Sunday Times, Critic’s Choice

‘There is a reason why Peter James’s novels have sold all over the world, and one of the main ones is that… Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is a well-written and believable character… Simm makes for a likeable lead and the atmospheric Brighton setting is well used.’ – Sarah Hughes, The Sunday Telegraph, The Very Best of the Week Ahead

‘The intricate, twist-laden plot, atmospheric south-coast location and impressive performances mean that GRACE is likely to be a hit with fans of the books and newcomers alike.’ – The Sun, Pick of the Day

‘Simm gives [Roy Grace] a winning sense of humour beneath all the grit… Campbell is smooth foil, playing Branson quietly enough that Simm doesn’t have to be enormous to stand out. Brighton’s mix of pretty shoreline, faded glamour, criminal past and contemporary hipsterism makes it a ripe spot for some murder. The action feels rooted in its setting…It’s almost inconceivable Simm hasn’t already been in a long running franchise… and I expect the wait’s over.’ – Ed Cumming, The Independent

‘Few people do moody, angst-ridden men better than John Simm, who takes on the role of Grace. With so many books in hand, this series could run and run.’ — Prospect Magazine, ‘The best television shows in the UK this April’