DHH News Roundup 30th October - 6th November 2023
Every month we like to bring you titles of ours that are included in Kindle's Monthly Deal - helping you reach the best books out there and provide you with some quality reading time.
Click on the titles below to take you straight to the deal.
Monica Walton
A warm welcome to new client, Monica Walton, who joins Broo Doherty's list.
Originally from the Cayman Islands and raised in the UK, Monica embarked on her writing journey following a rewarding career in tv journalism and media production.
She is the presenter, producer, and founder of a travel channel in the Caribbean and freelances at networks in the UK and North America.
Eleni Kyriacou
The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou* (April 2024, Head of Zeus) by Eleni Kyriacou was selected as one of The Times picks for their November roundup:
"Zina Pavlou, a middle-aged woman from Cyprus, has been arrested for the murder of her horrid German daughter-in-law Hedy who, on the evening of July 28, 1954, was bludgeoned with an ash pan, strangled and set alight at her home in Hampstead, north London. The police, prison warders and public all believe she is guilty. Eva Georgiou, her interpreter, is not so sure.
"Eleni Kyriacou’s impressive novel, partly based on real events, recreates the pressure-cooker atmosphere in the house where Zina stays with her favourite son’s family and the inhumane treatment she later suffers in Holloway Prison. Her evocation of postwar London and the benighted attitudes of its citizens is worthy of Sarah Waters. The tension as Zina, indomitable and intransigent, maintains her innocence in the dock — when claiming insanity could save her life — becomes almost unbearable. Is she a cold-blooded killer or just a cuddly grandma? Kyriacou, for all the suspense, does not leave you hanging."
*The deal for the book was negotiated by Abi Fellows while she was at The Good Literary Agency
Suzie Edge
Suzie Edge was interviewed by The New Scientist last week as part of the CultureLab podcast, to discuss her book Vital Organs.
In this episode, Suzie explores some of the most fascinating tales from her book, including the tale of Alexis St. Martin, who became a medical curiosity after an accident left his stomach partially open to the world. She explains why she loves talking about the bodies of famous people from the past – how it makes them feel less like myths or legends, and more like real people. And she touches on our obsession with stigmatising people based on their physical appearance – how movie villains often have facial disfigurements, or how historians often blamed Kaiser Wilhelm’s warlike ways on his disabled left arm.
A. J. West
It was announced last week that the award-winning novel by A. J. West, The Spirit Engineer, was being adapted for the screen by actress and writer, Susannah Wise.
The book, which is an HWA Debut Crown Award winner and an atmospheric and spine-chilling gothic thriller set in 1914 Belfast, is in development with Northern Ireland Screen.
Stay tuned for more...!
Eve Smith
'Inside the Terrifying Mind of Eve Smith' ... That's what the headline reads for Eve's interview with OX Magazine.
While Eve makes no bones about the fact that her books are indeed speculative thrillers, they come with a caveat: do not read at bedtime.
Read all about Eve's author journey so far, as she discusses her books The Waiting Rooms, Off Target and One.
Amelia Ireland
We have another client to welcome to the Agency this week!
Amelia Ireland is a lawyer by profession and will be working with Emily Glenister on her debut novel, The Grief Experiment, written in memory of her mother, who died five years‘ after being diagnosed with Alzeimer's.
Amelia lives in London, travels extensively to far flung places and likes to rock climb, kite surf and ride horses.
Finally, we were tickled red when we saw that the one and only Sophie Hannah had chosen Louise Swanson's End of Story as one of her favourite books of the year for her Waterstones blog:
"The story is set in a world where fiction – the writing, reading and selling of it – has been banned, and menacing state functionaries turn up on the doorsteps of former bestselling novelists to check they're not breaking the new, anti-fiction laws. I loved this book from the start, partly because it felt like a dystopian world that had been created especially for me! Formerly successful author, Fern Dostoy, is trying to process the huge change and loss she's suffered, and keeps a secret notebook that she fears might be found at any moment. Meanwhile, strange and inexplicable things are happening in her home and life ... and when the explanation is revealed, the reader (if they're anything like me) gasps in awe and amazement. This story is totally unique, incredibly moving and completely unexpected. A masterpiece."
Congratulations, Louise!
