Linwood Barclay pens children’s book

Linwood Barclay, the author of crime novels such as No Time For Goodbye, has penned his first children’s book, which will be published by Orion Children’s Books in the UK.

Chase is a middle-grade novel about a dog called Chipper who has been melded with state-of-the-art computer technology to carry out secret missions for an organisation called The Institute. When Chipper’s natural instincts, such as chasing squirrels, start taking over during missions, The Institute decides to pull the plug on him.

Barclay said: “Chipper was my dog from about 1966 until I left home in 1977. He was a stray that wandered into the cottage resort and trailer park my parents ran at the time. Much of my boy hero’s experience at the cabin resort that features in Chase is based on my teen years. So I wanted to name my hero pup Chipper, and it may seem obvious to everyone - it certainly was to my wife, who first pointed it out - that Chipper is the ideal name for a dog that is loaded with computer chips.”

Felicity Johnston, commissioning editor at Orion Children’s Books, brokered the deal for world rights, excluding Canada, for two books with Sarah Heller at the Helen Heller Agency. Lynne Missen, publishing director at Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers, will publish in Canada.

Publication is set for 2017.

Hilary Murray Hill, c.e.o. of Hachette Children’s Group says, “We are delighted to be launching an established adult crime author of Linwood Barclay’s stature in the children’s market. Chase has all the hallmarks of a thrilling children’s book: adventure, pace and humour.”

Barclay’s next adult novel is set for publication with Orion in September 2017.