Linda Finlay moves to HQ from MJ

HQ has acquired world English rights to three books by Linda Finley for a "significant" five-figure sum.

Publishing director Kate Mills signed a three-book deal with Teresa Chris at the Teresa Chris Literary Agency to move Linda Finlay from Penguin’s Michael Joseph to HQ, HarperCollins.    

Finlay has published six books with Penguin imprint Michael Joseph including Orphans and Angels and Monday's Child.

The first book in the new deal, The Flower Seller, will be published by HQ in spring 2018, and explores the violet farms of Devon in the 1890s, when flowers were packed in corset boxes and sent to Covent Garden.

Mills said: "I’m delighted Linda Finlay is joining our list at HQ. She’s a terrific writer and combines meticulous research and huge warmth in her storytelling, creating spellbinding, historically-accurate novels which speaks straight to the heart of the thriving saga market. It’s a winning combination and there’s real excitement across the HQ team about our plans for Linda going forward."

Finlay said: "I’m thrilled to be moving to HQ at Harper Collins. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with the team there and take the next step in my writing career."