Avon to publish Goodwin's 'heart-stopping' debut in two-book deal

Avon Books has acquired Sarah Goodwin's debut Stranded, plus one more untitled novel.  

Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, senior commissioning editor, made the deal for world English language rights with Laura Williams at Greene and Heaton. Publication is slated for September 2021. 

Stranded will tell the story of eight people who arrive on the remote Buidseach Island, ready for the challenge of a lifetime: to live alone for one year. Eighteen months later, a woman is found in an isolated fishing village. She’s desperate to explain what happened to her: how the group fractured and friends became enemies; how they did what they must to survive until the boat came to collect them; how things turned deadly when the boat didn’t come. Maddy must come to terms with the devastating secret that left them stranded, and her own role in the events that saw eight arrive and only three leave.

Cara Chimirri, senior commissioning editor, said: "From the very first page Stranded had me totally hooked. This is the ultimate locked-in thriller that will hold you in its grip until the final heart-stopping conclusion. The team at Avon can’t wait to get this incredible novel into the hands of readers everywhere!"

Goodwin commented: "I've been waiting for this since I was 14 and honestly, I have never felt more passionate when writing a book before. I finished it and knew this was the one. I'm so glad my agent and the wonderful team at Avon thought so too."