Embla takes two Outback-set thrillers from Lorenz

Embla Books, the digital-first imprint at Bonnier Books UK, has bought two books in a debut series set in the Australian outback, from prize-winning journalist Trish Lorenz. 

Jane Snelgrove, publishing director, acquired world English-language and audiobook rights from Jane Gregory at David Higham Associates. The first book in the series, Outback, will be published in autumn 2022. 

Snelgrove said: “From Jane’s first pitch I was hooked. Outback is a hugely accomplished debut, introducing readers to DI Walker—the kind of detective I’ve been wanting to publish for a very long time. Trish grew up in Australia’s remote outback, and the atmospheric setting is as mesmerising as the crime plot. I can’t wait to bring her thrilling series to fans of Jane Harper and those writing the best in crime fiction today.” 

Lorenz commented: "I’m thrilled to have signed this deal with Embla Books and very excited to be working with the team at Embla to bring the DI Walker books to print. I’m a crime fan from way back and it’s a dream to be authoring a series set in outback Australia, a part of the world I've known and loved since childhood.”  

Lorenz is based in Berlin and has been a journalist for more than 15 years. She won the 2021/22 Nine Dots Prize for her essay, "What does it mean to be young in an ageing world?" She is a regular contributor to titles including the Guardian, Financial Times and Telegraph, among others, and her reporting has included covering stories in Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso.