Amy Arnold shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize 2023

Amy Arnold has been shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize 2023 with her second novel, Lori & Joe, published by Prototype. This is Amy’s second shortlisting, following her debut Slip of a Fish, which was also the inaugural winner of the Northern Book Prize.

Tom Lee, chair of the judges, said of the novel: ‘Written in prose of astonishing musicality and resonance, Lori & Joe captures precisely the ebb and flow of a woman’s thoughts as she walks the Cumbrian fells following her husband’s sudden death. At first a seemingly quiet and meditative novel, the story that unfolds is anything but quiet – an unforgettable and devastating portrait of regret, secrets and harm amid a landscape of haunting beauty.’

The Goldsmiths Prize was founded in 2013 to ‘reward fiction that breaks the mould or extends the possibilities of the novel form’. The winner will be announced on 8th November.

HQ acquires three more Marlow Murder Club mysteries

HarperCollins imprint HQ have acquired three new mysteries in the Marlow Murder Club series by Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood. Publisher Manpreet Grewal acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Ed Wilson. The first book in the new contract will be the third in the series, to be published in January 2024, and will see Judith, Becks and Suzie once more helping to solve a crime that has shocked the residents of Marlow.

Thorogood said: “I’m delighted that HQ have asked me to kill more people in my hometown of Marlow. It’s been a joy working with Manpreet and the team, and I’m particularly grateful to all the booksellers who battled to get the book into readers’ hands over the last 18 months. I can’t wait to find out what Judith, Becks and Suzie get up to next.” 

Grewal added: “It’s been wonderful seeing how readers have taken Judith and co to their hearts, and the anticipation for the second book, Death Comes to Marlow, is already at peak levels, so it’s exciting to confirm that there is a third Marlow adventure in the pipeline. Robert has created a wonderful world, brought to life by witty, intelligent characters who are much more adept at solving crimes than the local police, and it’s going to be quite the ride as they tackle their third mystery.”

Sarah Pearse a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller

We are delighted to see Sarah Pearse topping the Sunday Times bestseller list for a second week in a row, having entered the chart at No. 8 within a week of her international bestseller The Sanatorium being released in paperback.

The novel, Sarah’s debut, was published in hardback in February 2020 and became an instant bestseller in the UK and US, with translation rights selling in 27 territories to date and Film/TV rights optioned. The paperback edition is also Waterstones Thriller of the Month for January. 

Sarah has just returned from a multi-city tour to sign copies. Her next novel, The Retreat, follows on from where The Sanatorium left off and will be published in July 2022.