Ford and Major sign two-book deals with Thomas & Mercer

Martyn Ford and C D Major have both signed with Thomas & Mercer, marking the Amazon imprint's first-ever deals with the Darley Anderson Agency.

The crime and thriller imprint bought world English language rights to Every Missing Thing by journalist Ford from Clare Wallace at the Darley Anderson Agency in a two-book deal. Every Missing Thing will be published in autumn 2020, with a second as-yet untitled novel to follow.

Ford's previous publications include a collection of true stories published by Summersdale and four children’s titles published by Faber Children’s. Every Missing Thing is his first adult crime novel.

The psychological thriller begins with a boy who has been missing eight years. "Ethan Clarke’s disappearance was a media sensation. And just as his parents seem to finally be settling into a life of normality, their fragile peace is shattered with the disappearance of their daughter," reads the synopsis. "Conspiracy theories abound and the Clarkes find it harder to protest their innocence. But ex-detective Sam May is convinced they didn’t do it. He embarks on a journey that takes him to the depths of his own unwavering obsession. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. And the world is watching."

Ford said: “I am very happy to be working with Jack Butler and the rest of the Thomas & Mercer team. The value of a skilled editor with a similar creative vision to you cannot be overstated. This is exciting.”

In a second deal with Wallace at the Darley Anderson Agency, Thomas & Mercer bought world English language rights to The Other Girl and a second untitled novel by Major. The historical suspense novel, The Other Girl, will be published in summer 2020. 

Set in New Zealand in 1942, "twenty-year-old Edith Garrett has been an in-patient at Seacliff Lunatic Asylum since the age of five. Invasive treatments have failed to cure her of schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder," reads the synopsis. "After a terrible fire kills 37 patients, an investigation takes place. But newly-qualified psychiatric doctor Declan Harries becomes intrigued by Edith, one of only two survivors. Could the impossible things she said as a young girl be true? As intrigue turns to obsession, Edith faces a new and permanent treatment. And Declan faces losing his mind as he sets out save her.|

Major, who previously published The Silent Hours and The Last Night with Corvus as Cesca Major, studied history at Bristol University and has worked as a TV research and presenter before returning to education as a history teacher and housemistress at a secondary boarding school in Berkshire.

Major said: “I am beyond thrilled to be published with the amazing team at Thomas & Mercer. Their reputation is formidable and the whole team have been wonderfully welcoming and passionate about my writing. I look forward to an exciting time ahead.”

Thomas & Mercer editor Jack Butler said: “The team at Thomas & Mercer are so thrilled to welcome these two incredible writers to Amazon Publishing. Both Cesca and Martyn have such a firm grasp of how to write gripping suspense with compelling characters, and worlds that are brimming with atmosphere. Both Every Missing Thing and The Other Girl bowled me over with their genuinely shocking twists. We can’t wait to share these bold voices with crime readers far and wide.”

Head of Amazon Books, EU, Jose Chapa, added: “We are delighted to be publishing these fantastic authors, and to be working with the Darley Anderson Agency for the first time.”