Joseph O’Connor to appear at first-ever BBC Between The Covers roadshow

Photo credit: Urszula Soltys

For the first time ever, Between The Covers, the nation’s favourite TV book club, is taking to the road with a live version of the hugely successful BBC Two series. The live show will feature Joseph O’Connor, bestselling author of STAR OF THE SEA and MY FATHER’S HOUSE, on a panel alongside three of the best-loved stars from the series: Kacey Ainsworth, Jo Brand, and Stephen Mangan.

The tour will be hosted by Amanda Ross, TV’s Queen of Books and executive producer of Between The Covers. Amanda picks all the books for the television series and has chosen a new book to inspire theatre audiences to get reading.

Kicking off at the Richmond Theatre on 1st June, the tour will take in Oxford, Nottingham, Birmingham Reading and Brighton – tickets go on sale on 22 March at 10.00am from Ticketmaster.

As with the BBC Two show, the celebrity panel will wax lyrical about some of their favourite books and their “BYOBs” – offering audiences plenty of brilliant recommendations, as well as enlightening and humorous insights into the reading habits of some of the nation’s favourite stars.

A bookshop will be set up at each venue and signings will take place after the show, with the celebrity panel, Joseph O’Connor, and some of the authors of the selected books.

Amanda Ross said: ‘We are constantly told by our viewers that the TV show is way too short, and that they would love to join in the ultimate fantasy book group – well, this is their chance! We couldn’t be more excited to take the show around the country and meet the viewers.’

Joseph O’Connor said: ‘I'm hugely excited to take part in Between The Covers Live and am looking forward to what I know will be a brilliant celebration of reading. The relationship between us as readers and the great books we love is special and unique. Getting together to talk about it will be so enjoyable.’

Joseph O’Connor’s MY FATHER’S HOUSE became an instant bestseller on publication in January 2023 (UK, Harvill Secker and US, Europa Editions). The first in the Escape Line trilogy, it’s a powerful thriller based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who, together with his accomplices, risked his life to smuggle thousands out of occupied Rome right under the nose of his Nazi nemesis, Paul Hauptmann. The paperback was published in the UK in February 2024, and will be published in the US on April 23rd. Joseph is currently writing the second novel in the series, THE GHOSTS OF ROME, to be published in January 2025.

The Between The Covers tour dates are:

1st June: Richmond Theatre
2nd June: Oxford Playhouse
3rd June: Nottingham Playhouse
4th June: Birmingham Town Hall
6th June: Reading Concert Hall
7th June: Brighton Theatre Royal

About Joseph O’Connor
Joseph O’Connor was born in Dublin, where he still lives. MY FATHER’S HOUSE is his tenth novel: he is also the author of film scripts, radio and stage plays, two collections of short stories, and several bestselling works of non-fiction.  MY FATHER’S HOUSE has been longlisted the 2024 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction and the 2024 Dublin Literary Award and shortlisted for the Eason An Post Irish Novel of the Year Award 2023.

2022 was the 20th anniversary of Joseph O’Connor’s novel STAR OF THE SEA which was an international bestseller, selling more than a million copies in the UK alone and being published in 38 languages. It won France’s Prix Millepages, Italy’s Premio Acerbi, the Irish Post Award for Fiction, the Nielsen Bookscan Golden Book Award, an American Library Association Award, the Hennessy/Sunday Tribune Hall of Fame Award, and the Prix Litteraire Zepter for European Novel of the Year.

His novel GHOST LIGHT was chosen as Dublin’s One City Book novel for 2011. Published in 2019, SHADOWPLAY has won him extraordinary praise, was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize, The Dalkey Novel Prize, the Costa Novel Prize, among others, and won him Novel of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards. The French edition was shortlisted for the Jean Monnet Prize and the Vintage paperback was a Richard and Judy Winter 2020 pick.

He holds an honorary Doctorate in Literature from University College Dublin and received the Irish PEN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Literature in 2012. He is the Inaugural Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.

He is to be the Writer in Residence at the Incontri in Terra di Siena Festival, July 2024.

Praise for Joseph O’Connor

‘A masterful storyteller.’ – Neel Mukherjee, The Times

‘Joseph O’Connor has the magic touch, he brings whole eras alive.’ – Colum McCann

‘A great writer performing Olympian literary storytelling.’ – Sir Bob Geldof

‘Like Joyce, O'Connor combines his panoramic range with a close eye to the grain and texture of the phrase... An astonishingly accomplished writer.’  – Terry Eagleton, The Guardian

‘Ireland’s greatest storyteller.’ – The Sunday Independent

‘One of the best writers working today.’ – Alice Walker

Visit Joseph’s website.

Bestseller Paul Finch moves to Thomas & Mercer with two new gripping thrillers

Amazon Publishing’s Thomas & Mercer imprint has acquired two books from acclaimed author, Paul Finch. DEATH LIST and an untitled second novel were acquired from Senior Agent Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann.

Publishing in June 2025, DEATH LIST is a pacy and incisive thriller about a support group which brings together an ensemble of disgraced police officers on an idyllic but remote Hebridean island. However, it isn’t long before they all realise they’ve been brought there to be murdered.

Paul Finch is an ex-policeman and journalist turned bestselling author. He has written for The Bill and has written extensively in the horror, fantasy, and historical epic genres, including Doctor Who.

He is best known for his crime and thriller novels, of which there are twelve to date. He has previously been published by HarperCollins and Orion.

Paul Finch said: 'What can I say? I'm back on the crime thriller trail, and absolutely delighted. We're getting the ball rolling again with two ideas I'm in love with. Both have been smouldering away in the back of my mind for quite some time, and I'm massively grateful to Thomas & Mercer for agreeing to run with them.'

Editor at Thomas & Mercer, Kasim Mohammed, said: ‘Paul is a dream author to work with, with his brilliant pacing, twisty plots, and evocative writing. It’s a real honour to bring an author with Paul’s history to the Thomas & Mercer list, and I can’t wait for people to lose themselves in these incisive, gripping thrillers.’

Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann said: 'I'm delighted with Paul's move to Amazon - he's a thriller writer at the top of his game and I'm really excited about this new chapter of an already illustrious career!'

Mouncif Faqir from Amazon Books Europe said: ‘Paul Finch is an exceptional addition to Thomas & Mercer’s list. We are thrilled to be bringing DEATH LIST and a future novel to Amazon Publishing and we cannot wait for readers to discover his captivating thrillers.’

About Paul Finch

Paul’s crime debut, STALKERS, was a No. 1 ebook best seller in 2013 and introduced DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg. This was followed in July 2013 by the sequel, SACRIFICE – the most pre-ordered book in HarperCollins history.

In 2016 Paul introduced readers to DC Lucy Clayburn. STRANGERS, the first novel in the series, was an immediate success, reaching the top ten in the Sunday Times Bestseller list.

Paul’s first historical novel, USURPER, was published by Canelo in April 2023 and the next book, BATTLE LORD, followed in January 2024.

He lives in Lancashire, UK, with his wife Cathy and their two four legged companions, Buck and Buddy.

Praise for Paul Finch

‘Wonderfully dark…Finch is a born storyteller.’ – Peter James

‘Edge-of-the-seat reading… Heck is formidable – a British Alex Cross.’ – The Sun

‘Big star…part edge-of-the-seat, part hide-behind-the-sofa!’ – The Bookseller

‘Consistently inventive. Consistently excellent. Paul Finch writes distinctive dialogue-driven horror that truly grips. Satisfying stories, tautly written with a real sense of authority.’ – Simon Clark

‘Paul Finch is an exciting new voice in the realms of macabre fiction. He sketches out a disturbing landscape, filled with deep shadows and uneasy emotions where stories both traditional and modern are played out to chilling effect. Highly recommended.’ – Mark Chadbourn

‘Finch places considerable stock in atmosphere, and builds fear and unease well with a judicious balance between what is seen, unseen and merely hinted at.’ – Brian Hodge

 

Follow Paul on Twitter.

Booker-Shortlisted Graeme Macrae Burnet to investigate A CASE OF MATRICIDE with Saraband

Credit: Euan Anderson

A CASE OF MATRICIDE – Graeme Macrae Burnet’s moving, witty and startling conclusion to the Chief Inspector Gorski trilogy – will be published by Saraband on 3 October 2024. Twice nominated for the Booker Prize for his previous standalone novels HIS BLOODY PROJECT and CASE STUDY, in A CASE OF MATRICIDE Graeme Macrae Burnet pierces the respectable bourgeois façade of small-town life, injecting a wry humour into the tiniest of details and delves into the darkest recesses of his characters’ minds, while above all provides an entertaining, page-turning and entirely satisfying read. UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canadian) rights were acquired from Isobel Dixon by Saraband’s publisher, Sara Hunt.

‘It’s a moment of huge satisfaction to bring the Georges Gorski trilogy to a conclusion with A CASE OF MATRICIDE,’ said Graeme. ‘I hope readers will enjoy this final sojourn in the streets and bars of Saint-Louis as much as I have. I’m also delighted to be working once again with Saraband Books who have seen this ten-year project through from its inception with exceptional care and sensitivity. Au revoir, Saint-Louis.’

Publisher at Saraband, Sara Hunt says, ‘I was confident I’d enjoy reading Graeme’s latest manuscript, but nothing prepared me for the range and depth of emotion it evoked. A CASE OF MATRICIDE is insightful, clever, brilliantly original and funny, succeeding in simultaneously providing a fantastic standalone read and an ingenious tying up of the Gorski trilogy. But it’s also profound and in places desperately sad. It deserves its place alongside the classics of existentialist literature.’

‘I read THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ADÈLE BEDEAU and THE ACCIDENT ON THE A35 in quick succession and with relish some years ago, and ever since I’ve been eager to see what Inspector Gorski does next,’ added Isobel Dixon. ‘With A CASE OF MATRICIDE I found myself, gripped, surprised and moved. I’ve been a bit haunted since I reached the last page, and am so glad readers around the world will be able to appreciate Graeme’s artistry and the allure of the complete trilogy soon – but new readers can also dive straight in.’

In the unremarkable French town of Saint-Louis, a mysterious stranger stalks the streets; an elderly woman believes her son is planning to do away with her; a prominent manufacturer drops dead. Between visits to the town’s hostelries, Chief Inspector Georges Gorski ponders the connections, if any, between these events, while all the time grappling with his own domestic and existential demons.

About Graeme Macrae Burnet

Graeme Macrae Burnet was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and now lives in Glasgow. He has also lived in the Czech Republic, France, Portugal and London.

His first novel, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ADÈLE BEDEAU (Contraband, 2014), received a New Writer’s Award from the Scottish Book Trust and was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award. A second Inspector Gorski novel, THE ACCIDENT ON THE A35, was published in 2017.

HIS BLOODY PROJECT (Contraband, 2015) won the Saltire Society Fiction Book of the Year Award and the Vrij Nederland Thriller of the Year, and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, the LA Times Mystery Book of the Year and the European Crime Fiction prize. It has been published in over twenty languages. His latest novel CASE STUDY was published in October 2021 by Saraband (UK), Text (ANZ) and Bolinda (UK audio) to wide critical acclaim. The North American edition was published in November 2022 by Biblioasis. It has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2022 and the Dublin Literary Award, and shortlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize and Ned Kelly International Crime Prize. It is due to be published in fifteen languages.

Graeme was named Author of the Year in the 2017 Sunday Herald Culture Awards and has appeared at festivals and events in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Russia, Estonia, Macau, Lithuania, Ireland, Germany and France, as well as in the UK.

Praise for the Inspector Gorski series

‘Games within games – and names within names... with characteristic trickiness, Macrae Burnet has constructed a fake mystery novel that may reveal the truth about a fictional novelist. He is extravagantly talented.’ — Mark Lawson, The Guardian

‘The whole is both a classy detective story and a stylish meditation on agency and existence. If Roland Barthes… had written a detective novel, then this would be it.’ — Literary Review

‘Gripping and intelligent.’ — Phillip Pullman, The Observer

‘Unusual, distinctive and delightful.’ – Alan Massie, The Scotsman

Praise for Graeme Macrae Burnet

‘The defining essence of Burnet’s work to date is to be found in this kind of literary gamesmanship, a brand of metatextuality that is as much about exploiting the possibilities of the novel form as it is about blurring the boundaries between appearance and reality. In throwing us into doubt about which – and more crucially whose – story we are supposed to be following, Burnet encourages us to look more closely at the inherent instability of fiction itself. The painstakingly assembled, predominantly mimetic fiction of the 19th century has trained us to trust the author; Burnet has always delighted in undermining such easy assumptions’ – Nina Allan, Guardian

 ‘A writer of great skill and authority.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Darkly engaging.’ – Sally Magnusson, The Herald

‘Utterly enthralling.’ – Angie Harms, Sunday Mail

‘A writer to watch.’ – Malcolm Forbes, Literary Review

‘An ambitious and accomplished writer.’ – Richard Strachan, The National

‘A strikingly singular talent.’ – Will Mackie, Booktrust

Deon Meyer’s THE HEART OF THE HUNTER to launch worldwide as a Netflix Original on 29 March 2024

Image: Netflix

Crime fiction powerhouse Deon Meyer has continued his supreme run of form, with his first feature film adaptation, HEART OF THE HUNTER, set for release as a Netflix Original later this month (29 March 2024). Following on from television and streaming success with TRACKERS and last year’s M-Net series DEVIL’S PEAK, Deon adapted the screenplay himself from his own hit novel, set in post-apartheid South Africa, following one man's mission to save his family as it escalates into a fight to stop a corrupt politician from taking the presidential seat.

The film stars Bonko Khoza (THE WOMAN KING) as Zuko Khumalo, alongside a stellar cast of fellow South African actors, including Connie Ferguson (GENERATIONS), Masasa Mbangeni, Tim Theron, Deon Coetzee, Peter Butler, Connie Chiume and Meyer-adaptation regular Sisanda Henna (DEVIL’S PEAK, TRACKERS).  The director is Mandla Dube (SILVERTON SIEGE), and Deon co-wrote the screenplay with Willem Grobler; the film is a Scene23 production for Netflix.

Deon’s book HEART OF THE HUNTER was first published in Afrikaans in 2002 (as PROTEUS) and has since been translated into 14 different languages worldwide. It is published in South Africa in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau and translated into English by K.L. Seegers: in the UK it is published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in the US and Canada by Grove Atlantic. It was selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s 10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004, longlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award 2005 (now the Dublin Literary Award) and won the Deutsche Krimi Preis, International Category, 2006.

Zuko Khumalo, is an unassuming family man with a deadly past – but his tranquil world is abruptly turned upside down when an old colleague calls on him to honour an oath he made and save the country from venal political interests.  Though he resists being pulled back into his previous life, it becomes clear that it poses a deadly threat to his domestic ambitions and the peaceful family life he holds so dear. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a tale of one man’s struggle for survival against a corrupt government, a group of bloodthirsty killers and, most of all, against his past.

We are also delighted to announce that the original Afrikaans edition of Deon’s latest novel LEO – despite being only being on sale since October – has been crowned the top-selling fiction title of 2023 in South Africa, and third bestselling book overall across all genres. The latest investigation for Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido dominated the charts on publication, achieving a colossal ten week run at the top of the overall bestseller list, as well as fifteen atop the fiction lists and longer runs still on the South African writers’ and Afrikaans language chart respectively, taking the book soaring past 30,000 copies in its home country.

LEO marked the return of Meyer’s iconic detectives Benny Griessel – now also the star of M-Net series DEVIL’S PEAK – and his police detective partner Vaughn Cupido, following on from 2020’s DONKERDRIF (English title: THE DARK FLOOD), which won the Adult Fiction prize at the 2021 SA Book Awards, and was longlisted for the prestigious CWA International Dagger in the UK – Deon’s third shortlisting for the prize. LEO is published in South Africa by Human & Rousseau; the English translation, by K. L. Seegers, will be out with Hodder in the UK and Grove Atlantic in North America in September 2024. The Dutch edition is out this month.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but also spends time with family in Italy and in France where he was awarded France’s highest arts honour, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2021. He writes in Afrikaans and his South African publisher Human & Rousseau has sold close to 800,000 Afrikaans copies of his novels. Rights in his titles are sold in 30 territories and 28 languages, and many of his books have been optioned for film. Among his awards are 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 International 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.

Praise for the novel HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a thriller with some weight attached and that is a rare find.’ – Michael Connelly

‘A pacy, wised-up, post-apartheid thriller; a fabulously page-turning book.' – Barbara Trapido

‘A rip-roaring adventure, a portrait of spy-world duplicity and a look at South Africa's post-apartheid politics.’ – Patrick Anderson, Washington Post

‘A thriller good enough to nip at the heels of le Carré… Wonderful setting; rich, colourful cast, headed by a valiant/vulnerable protagonist who makes empathy easy.’ – Kirkus, Starred Review

Praise for LEO

‘When a new Deon Meyer lands on the shelves, I feel like W.H. Auden: “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone / Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” All 490 pages of such a book have to be devoured in one sitting. Keep it for the holidays, or for a weekend when you have nothing planned… You’ll be on the edge of your seat, chewing your nails… Meyer is the best, if you ask me... Buy LEO and take a day or two off work.’ – Deborah Steinmair, Vrye Weekblad

Praise for Deon Meyer

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

‘Deon Meyer should be on everyone's reading list.’ – Michael Connelly

‘Deon Meyer is the monarch of South African crime novelists.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction’ – Peter James

‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘Deon Meyer is good at sketching a realistic country, people we recognise and grow accustomed to, and telling a darn good yarn.’ – Diane De Beer, The Star

‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

Visit Deon’s website

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Age of Sail Master Julian Stockwin sheds light on Nelson’s England for McBooks

Credit: Allan House

We are thrilled to announce that naval expert and author of the landmark KYDD series Julian Stockwin has written a new non-fiction book, STOCKWIN’S GUIDE TO NELSON’S ENGLAND, for maritime publishers McBooks. Brittany Stoner acquired World English rights in the book from Isobel Dixon, for publication in Autumn 2025.

Written for the nautical fiction reader or the naval history aficionado, this traveler’s companion is the perfect guide to the must-see Georgian naval locations in the United Kingdom, from historic ships to monuments to museums. Travelers and armchair sailors alike will delight in walking in the historic footsteps of Admiral Horatio Nelson and tracing the fictional journey of Julian Stockwin’s beloved series hero Thomas Kydd.

‘We are fortunate in Great Britain to have many attractions celebrating Nelson’s life and times.  I'm delighted that this guide is be published by McBooks Press, giving readers an enriched appreciation of England’s greatest hero,’ says Julian.

‘I fell in love with naval fiction at a young age, and it is an honor to now have the opportunity to work with one of the genre’s greatest writers,’ said Brittany Stoner on behalf of McBooks. ‘I look forward to helping readers take a deeper dive into the rich history of Nelson’s world.’

Isobel adds: ‘Julian Stockwin is a master storyteller, the world’s most eminent living writer of maritime historical fiction, and it’s a pleasure to have in prospect such fascinating sights and journeys with this book – enriched with Julian’s great treasure store of experience – as our guide.’

About Julian Stockwin

Author of the Thomas Kydd novels (a series of 26 volumes to date) in which Kydd rises through the decks as his adventures take him around the world.  Atmospheric, page-turning narrative, rich with action and great characterisation and published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the age of fighting sail.

At 14 Stockwin joined a tough sea-training school, followed by the Royal Navy, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated.  He saw active service in the Far East, the Antarctic, the South Seas and Vietnam, and was on board the Melbourne at the time of its disastrous peace time collision with the Voyager.  Later he worked for NATO on the strategic deployment of merchant shipping.

Stockwin is also author of two novels from Allison and Busby in the ‘Moments of History’ series, depicting important turning points in history. The first, THE SILK TREE, tells the dramatic story of how the secret of silk was brought from China to the West. This was followed by POWDER OF DEATH, which shows how the nature of warfare was changed forever by the discovery of gunpowder.

Hodder published SEA OF TREASON, the 26th book in the KYDD series, in October 2023, and Mobius published in North America in January 2024. The 27th instalment, ADMIRAL, will follow in the UK in October 2024.

Praise for the KYDD series

‘Very readable and enjoyable. I recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy.’ –Bernard Cornwell

‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – Quarterdeck: Maritime Literature & Art Review

‘Stockwin, a career navy man, writes of the nautical life with vivid authority.’ – Kirkus Review

‘A master teller of grand historical fiction tales. Pick one, any one, and you will be highly entertained… He writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life.’ – Booksville

‘In his hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ – The Guardian

Visit Julian’s official website

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