A A Dhand moves from Transworld to HQ with two-book deal
Thriller writer A A Dhand has moved from Transworld to HQ as part of a two-book deal. His forthcoming titles follow a pharmacist involved in a turf war and were inspired by his own experiences.
Publisher Manpreet Grewal acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from David Headley. HQ will publish The Chemist, the first in a planned series, in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in spring 2025.
The blurb reads: “Local pharmacist, Idris Kalia, spends his days doling out methadone to the hundreds of addicts in his care. When his childhood sweetheart doesn’t turn up for her daily dose, Idris goes looking for her in the most deprived area of Leeds. The mess he finds puts Idris in the middle of a turf war between the two most powerful drug cartels in Yorkshire. Now, he must use every bit of intelligence and cunning he has to keep those he loves safe.”
Grewal said: “I’ve been a fan of A A Dhand’s for a long time, and I’ve loved everything he’s published. He is a master of pacy and hard-hitting storytelling, and I was blown away by The Chemist – it takes the best of shows like ‘Dexter’ and ‘The Wire’, and wraps them up in a world we haven’t seen in fiction before. Themes of loyalty, honour and revenge run deep, and Idris Kalia is about to become every thriller fan’s new obsession – he’s already mine.”
Dhand said: “It is a real pleasure to be joining the incredible team at HQ to bring The Chemist to life. I knew as soon as I met Manpreet that this was the place to be. So much passion and vision for this series. The Chemist has been a book I’ve been working on for some time now – fusing fact with fiction to take the audience on a thrilling journey, which I am sure is unlike anything they’ve seen before.”
Headley said: “A A Dhand is an incredible writer, and I was hooked from the very first page of The Chemist. The alchemy of the combined talents of Manpreet at HQ and A A Dhand will be explosive.”
Dhand was raised in Bradford and is the author of five previous novels published by Transworld, and has been shortlisted for the CWA Steel Dagger Award. His DI Harry Virdee novels are currently being adapted for TV by the BBC.
After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to Bradford to start his own business and begin writing. As a pharmacist, Dhand was surrounded by drugs, dealers and incredible stories of maverick drug deals. His experiences inspired the writing of The Chemist.
From The Bookseller article | Heloise Wood