HQ buys two thrillers from Avon editor Morgan

HQ will publish two more books from Avon commissioning editor Phoebe Morgan, including a “gripping” psychological thriller about a dark secret hidden by a wife from her husband.

The HarperCollins imprint’s editor Charlotte Mursell acquired UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to The Girl Next Door by Morgan, in a two-book deal from Camilla Wray at Darley Anderson. The Girl Next Door will be published in paperback, e-book and audio in April 2019.

Morgan’s debut, The Doll House, was published in e-book by HQ Digital last year.

As well as being an author and a commissioning editor for Avon, Morgan is co-chair of The Society of Young Publishers and recently won the London Book Fair Trailblazer Award 2018. Born in Suffolk, she studied English at Leeds University and is now based in London.

The Girl Next Door is billed as “the gripping new psychological thriller” which starts when Jane Goodall’s 16-year-old neighbour is found brutally murdered in a meadow nearby. Jane has spent years building her picture-perfect life in the quiet village of Ashdon, the blurb reads, and she knows that above all else, she must first protect her family. Every marriage has a few white lies and hers is no exception. She’s worked hard to cover up a dark secret from many years ago – and she’ll do anything to keep it hidden.

“The Girl Next Door is a shocking, brilliantly executed story that sucks you in from the very first page and leaves you gasping when you turn the last,” Mursell said. “It’s pure delight working with Phoebe and I’m thrilled that we will be welcoming her to the HQ fiction list and sharing her electrifying book with readers around the world.”

Morgan said: “It is a dream come true to publish with HQ and especially with my amazing editor, Charlotte. They are such a creative, dynamic team with a hugely talented list and I feel very lucky indeed to have this opportunity to bring two new books into the world and be part of the HarperCollins family.”