By Georgie Cutler, Niamh Parr and Victoria McLellan
Acquisition News
Austen-Inspired Cosy Crime Acquired by Pan Macmillan
A new cosy crime series by debut author Amelia Blackwell, inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, has been bought by Pan Macmillan. The deal includes three novels, with the first being A Crime Through Time. UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) were bought at auction by Alex Saunders, Editorial Director at Pan Macmillan, from Eve White of the Eve White Literary Agency.
A Crime Through Time features Miss Georgiana Darcy as the main character – the younger sister of fan-favourite Fitzwilliam Darcy from Austen’s original novel – as well as a unique time-travelling twist. In 1799, Georgiana Darcy is struggling to get out of an unwanted marriage proposal whilst also helping her sister-in-law Elizabeth with her pregnancy. However, when she discovers a strange object in the woods near Pemberley, she finds herself transported into the future. Upon landing in 1995 – on the film set of a Sense and Sensibility adaptation, no less – Georgiana becomes the sole witness to the murder of an estate groundsman and realises that she must be the one to solve the crime, before the killer strikes again. With the help of the groundsman’s nephew, a handsome Irishman by the name of Quinn Quinlan, and a border collie dubbed Watson, Georgiana steps into the role of time-travelling detective, but not without feeling the pressure of leading dual lives two hundred years apart. A Crime Through Time is set to be published in July 2025 in hardback, eBook and audiobook formats, with a paperback edition to follow the year after.
Dracula’s Brides Reimagined: Tor Acquires Gothic Feminist Tale
Tor Books has recently announced the acquisition of The Brides, a prequel to Dracula written by debut author Charlotte Cross. Set to release in April 2026, this novel is highly anticipated and will be published under Tor’s Nightfire imprint, known for its focus on Gothic and horror fiction. The novel explores the untold perspectives and origins of Dracula's three brides, characters who have long been relegated to the background in Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale. Cross explores the lives of these women, tracing their paths from mortals to becoming immortal companions in Dracula’s dark world. The Brides reimagines the Gothic horror landscape through a feminist lens, offering a fresh and compelling take on their stories. It emphasises themes of agency, power and transformation, allowing readers to see the brides as fully realised characters rather than mere extensions of Dracula’s mythos.
The acquisition highlights the growing demand for innovative perspectives within the genre. Tor Nightfire, which specialises in publishing dark, genre-bending horror, has positioned The Brides as one of its flagship titles for 2026, promising to captivate both fans of traditional Gothic horror and readers seeking fresh, modern takes on vampire lore. Charlotte Cross's debut has already generated a great deal of excitement for its inventive approach and nuanced storytelling. The Brides will be available in hardback, eBook and audiobook formats, ensuring it reaches a wide audience upon release.
From Book to Screen: Classic Christmas Edition
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey brings to life the titular grumpy Grinch of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss in this slapstick noughties movie. It features a brilliant star-studded cast, including the likes of Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor, Molly Shannon, Bill Irwin and Mindy Sterling. The story focuses on the town of Whoville, where a bright green, vengeful Grinch plans to wreak havoc on the town’s Christmas celebrations after they treated him poorly as a child.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Arguably the most avant-garde version of the classic Charles Dickens novel, The Muppet Christmas Carol takes on A Christmas Carol with the help of a predominantly puppet cast. Sir Michael Caine takes on the role of Scrooge as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, causing him to question his views on the meaning of Christmas. Rizzo the Rat narrates the story that features the likes of Gonzo, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog performed by Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson. The film has become a family favourite during the festive period, bringing a fun take on the Victorian classic.
The Polar Express (2004)
This animated classic by Robert Zemeckis is based on the 1985 children’s picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. It follows a young boy on Christmas Eve as he discovers a train pulling up right outside his house. He meets the conductor, who lets him board the Polar Express and greet his fellow pyjama-wearing passengers as they adventure to the North Pole. This adaptation features Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Michael Jeter, Daryl Sabara, Peter Scolari and Leslie Zemeckis. It’s the perfect adventure to get you into the spirit of Christmas.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s A Wonderful Life is based on the self-published short story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern and is loosely based on A Christmas Carol. It tells the story of George Bailey, a man whose dark thoughts on Christmas Eve result in an intervention by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody. Odbody shows Bailey how much he has touched the lives of the people within his community and what the world would look like if he didn’t have a part in it. This adaptation stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers. The film by Frank Capra only became a Christmas classic after it entered the public domain. It received mixed reviews when it was initially released but has since become known as one of the greatest films of all time.