'Compelling' psychological thriller to HarperCollins

HarperCollins is to publish a psychological thriller entitled Her Perfect Life by Sam Hepburn.

Sarah Hodgson, deputy publishing director at HarperCollins, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to the thriller from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown.

Her Perfect Life tells the story of Grace Dwyer, a woman who appears to have it all, and her new friend Juliette, a woman who has far less, and asks the question: how far would you go to create the perfect life?

Hepburn is a YA thriller writer, and Her Perfect Life is her debut novel for adults. She completed the novel while attending the Faber Academy last year. German and Dutch rights have already sold with an Italian deal pending.

Hodgson said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to have acquired Sam’s stunning psychological thriller for the HarperFiction list. It really has everything you could want from a novel in this genre: two very different but equally engaging heroines, a compelling, fast-paced narrative, and a fiendishly clever plot that surprises you on nearly every page. The whole team is delighted to welcome Sam to the list."

Hepburn said: "I am delighted to be joining HarperCollins and their exciting list of thriller writers. I had great fun writing Her Perfect Life and I’m thrilled that Sarah immediately got Gracie and felt so passionate about the story."

Thwaites added: "I was immediately won over by this idea from the outset and it has been such a pleasure to work with Sam and watch her develop such a seamless, intelligent and compelling story.  We're excited about joining forces with Sarah and the team at HarperCollins and we're confident that they're the perfect publisher for this book."