Richard T Kelly's 'political thriller' to Faber

Faber is to publish Richard T. Kelly's third novel, a "riveting drama" entitled The Knives.

Faber acquired world English-language rights to the book from Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander.

The Knives follows David Blaylock MP, a "straight-talking northerner, ex-soldier and possible party leader", who is the government's home secretary. His job is the "toughest in politics – setting him at odds with disgruntled police and anti-capitalist protesters, forcing him to wrestle with immigration controversies and Islamist terror threats". In the novel, Blaylock faces "threats on all sides, and every day the knives are out for him. Some threats, however, are more menacing than others - and more than just the minister’s job may be at stake."

Faber said: "With its rich cast of characters and masterfully multi-layered plot, The Knives recalls the intelligent political thrillers of Robert Harris and Michael Dobbs but is equally comparable to such acclaimed TV dramas as 'The West Wing' and 'Borgen'. The Knives makes riveting drama out of the big political arguments of our time, makes the processes of politics compellingly real and develops stealthily into a gripping page-turner with an explosive and shocking final act."

Editor Lee Brackstone said: ''Intelligent and credible novels about Westminster are as rare as successful Home Secretaries. In The Knives Richard T. Kelly has written the defining novel about the contemporary political landscape."

Kelly is the author of the novels Crusaders (2008) and The Possessions of Doctor Forrest (2011) which are also published by Faber. "Eclipse", his first script for television, aired on Channel 4 in 2010.

Kelly is represented by Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander and film and screen rights are being handled by Christine Glover at Casarotto Ramsay.

Faber will publish The Knives on the 4th August 2016.