Harvill Secker wins actor's parenthood thriller, Conception, at auction

Harvill Secker has won a "sharp" thriller about marriage, parenthood and obsession by debut author and actor C C MacDonald. The book, entitled Conception, is slated for publication in January 2020.

Editorial director Jade Chandler bought UK and Commonwealth rights to the book at auction from Juliet Mushens at Caskie Mushens. Portuguese and Polish rights have been pre-empted.

The novel follows the story of Naomi who moves to Kent with her husband Charlie and their young daughter Prue to mend their marriage and conceive their second child. But, in a moment of madness, Naomi sleeps with another parent at her daughter’s nursery. When she falls pregnant, with no idea who the father is, Naomi regrets her decision but refuses to let one mistake ruin the perfect family life she’s always dreamed of. But, intones the book's blurb, someone has other plans which put her family in serious danger...

Mushens said the book would provoke a wider conversation about motherhood and family.

Chandler agreed Conception "has it all", citing it's "completely compelling plot, a sensational number of twists and a cast of characters to fall for and to fear in equal measure". "Everyone at Harvill Secker loved reading it and we can’t wait to introduce C C MacDonald’s brilliant, stylish debut to the world," she added.