By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee, Niamh Parr and Emily Retford
Acquisitions News
R. O. Thorp’s Cosy Crime Bought by Faber
A new cosy murder mystery by R. O. Thorp, Death on Ice has been signed by Faber. The crime genre is a new venture for Thorp, who is best known for her acclaimed literary novel Learwife. Sara Helen Binney, Crime Editor at Faber, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Claire Conrad at Janklow & Nesbit.
At the heart of the mystery are the two Blanchard twins, Rose and Finn, both research scientists on an Arctic voyage. Their specialities are sharks and manta rays, but their voyage soon calls for an unexpected skill set detective work. When one of their colleagues is murdered with a harpoon whilst they are out at sea, Rose and Finn are the only two on the luxury cruise ship who could not be the perpetrator. Miles away from land or assistance, it falls to the Blanchard twins to uncover who of their fellow voyage members could have committed such a crime.
In the Faber press release, Sara Helen Binney described Death on Ice as “a perfect, and perfectly delightful, cosy murder mystery with an insistence on queer joy and happiness at its heart.” The novel is set to be published in paperback, audiobook and ebook formats in February 2025.
HarperFiction Lands R. S. Burnett New Thriller
HarperFiction has recently bagged Whiteout, a startling new thriller by R. S. Burnett, based in the Antarctic. The novel focuses on Rachael, a field researcher who is stranded by herself in the Antarctic. With no contact to the rest of the world, except a radio reporting a terrifying nuclear attack on the UK, Rachael must use her wits and determination to survive the harsh conditions.
Burnett, who is a Falklands-born journalist and writer, has more than ten years of experience writing for the Daily Mirror and Formula 1. UK and Commonwealth rights, to Whiteout were bought by Morgan Springett, Editor at HarperFiction, and Jemima Forrester of David Higham Associates as part of a two-book deal. Forrester described Whiteout as “gripping, cinematic and edge-of-your-seat,” whilst Springett commented on Burnett’s “perfect blend of sharp plot, absorbing voice and unforgettable setting.” Whiteout will be published in February 2025.
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
Rivals on Disney+
Rivals, an eight-part series adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel, is set to be released on Disney+ this summer. The series will delve into the fierce competition and thrilling dynamics of rivalry in the British upper-class world of Corinium Television.
Starring the likes of David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer, each will bring their unique flair to the characters portrayed. Set in the fictional county of Rutshire, we see the tension between two powerful men: Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and his neighbour Tony Baddingham (Tennant) where a bitter feud leads to violence.
The series will offer a captivating mix of scandal, ambition and romance packed with an exploration of class, race and wealth in the eighties. Rivals will launch as an eight-episode series coming 01 August 2024.
In the Works
More Emily Henry Novels To Be Adapted
Emily Henry has had a great month signing multiple deals to adapt her bestselling novels into screen adaptations. In our last issue, we ported on the Happy Place Netflix adaptation. Since 2022, five adaptations have been announced.
People We Meet on Vacation follows two unlikely college friends, Poppy and Alex, who reunite each summer for a week’s holiday. After a dramatic holiday two years ago, they haven’t spoken, but Poppy decides that a final trip will set her spiralling life back on track. They have a week to fix their friendship, but is it long enough? The film adaptation of this novel is set to be directed by Brett Haley from a screenplay by Yulin Kuang.
Beach Read is also getting a film adapted to be written and directed by Yulin Kuang. Beach Read focuses on two authors, January and Augustus, who share book recommendations of different genres in order to help each other’s writers’ block. Book Lovers tells the story of Nora, a literary agent who visits her sister in the picturesque small town of Sunshine Falls. Of all the places on Earth she never expected to find Charlie, a brooding editor from the city. Sarah Heywood will be writing the screenplay for this film adaptation.
Lastly, Funny Story is set to get a movie adaptation penned by Emily Henry herself. Funny Story is her most recent novel. After Daphne discovers her fiancé Peter is in love with Petra, his childhood best friend, she decides to break up with him and move in with Petra’s ex Miles. Upon receiving an invite to Peter and Petra’s wedding, Daphne and Miles plan to pretend to be a couple and show up together. But can real feelings stem from fake dating? A director has not been attached to this film adaptation yet.
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