Hannah Bond at Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, has obtained world English language rights to the first two books in the Dublin Drag Mystery Series by debut novelist Kitty Murphy, from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock. The first book, Death in Heels, will be published in November 2022, with the sequel following in 2023. Leodora Darlington, editor at Amazon Publishing, will work on the series, and translation rights will be handled by J&A’s Hélène Butler.
The mystery series centres around a fictional Dublin drag club called TRASH, populated by a diverse and colourful group of performers. After one of the queens is found dead outside the club, and with no interest from the Gardaí, it is left to Fi and her best friend Mae B to investigate.
Death in Heels brings to life the glamour, energy and excitement of the Dublin drag scene, which Kitty Murphy has been immersed in for many decades. Currently based on the westerly edge of County Clare, Kitty divided her youth equally between the crime section of the library and the LGBTQ+ scene. It was only a matter of time before both worlds collided in a flurry of fictional sequins.
Acquiring editor Leodora Darlington said, ‘Kitty’s gripping new mystery series is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just filled with death, but life, too. You just can’t help but fall in love with its incredible cast of characters as you tear through the pages, waiting for the killer to be unmasked. I absolutely can’t wait for readers to fall in love with this cracking book as much as I have!’
‘Kitty writes with energy and passion about the things she loves in life, and Death in Heels combines all of them,’ said agent Ed Wilson. ‘It is quite a ride. She wants to do for the Dublin drag scene what Richard Osman did for plucky pensioners.’
Kitty Murphy said, ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Hannah, Leodora and the whole Thomas & Mercer team. I can’t wait for readers to meet the crew at TRASH: Thora Point, Mae B, Miss Merkin, Del Peen, and Fi.’
‘I’m really excited to be welcoming a voice as fresh and original as Kitty’s to the Thomas & Mercer list,’ added Mouncif Faqir of Amazon Books Europe. ‘This new series is a very exciting acquisition for us and I’m delighted we have the privilege of publishing it.’
Read Kitty’s article for The Bookseller on the importance of bi-visibility in publishing.