H&S signs crime novel debut by journalist Shindler in two-book deal

Hodder & Stoughton has signed the debut crime novel by broadcast journalist Will Shindler in a two-book deal.

Commissioning editor Eve Hall acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Hayley Steed at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.  The first book The Burning Men will be published in hardback in spring 2020.

The novel follows DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen as they uncover who is behind the burning to death of ex-firefighters in London. The synopsis states: “What connects these victims is a split-second decision they made years before in the heat of a blaze. A decision to leave an unconscious man and take a case of money. A decision which appears to have sealed their fate.”

Shindler has been a broadcast journalist for more than 25 years and also spent a decade working in TV drama as a scriptwriter for Born and Bred, The Bill and Doctors. A second Finn and Paulsen book follows in 2021.

He said: “I'm beyond chuffed that The Burning Men will see the light of day thanks to Eve Hall and the team at Hodder. I'm enormously grateful for their confidence in me and I'm looking forward to developing the further adventures of Finn and Paulsen with them in the months ahead.”

Hall added: “The premise of The Burning Men made me put it straight to the top of my reading pile. Will’s accomplished writing, twisty plotting and unique protagonists sealed the deal. I am incredibly excited to be publishing The Burning Men and look forward to everything that Finn and Paulsen (and Will) do next.”