International Literary Properties acquires Marsh, Rule and Thirkell estates

International Literary Properties (ILP) has acquired three new literary estates: a majority interest in the literary estate of Dame Ngaio Marsh; a majority interest in the literary estate of Ann Rule; and full ownership of the literary works of Angela Thirkell.  

Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982), one of New Zealand’s best-known authors, is widely recognised as one of the four original ‘Queens of Crime’ – female writers who dominated the genre in the 1920s and 1930s – alongside Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Dorothy L Sayers.

ILP has already acquired Margery Allingham’s estate and is building a significant position in crime writers, alongside other genres. 

Marsh is best known for her character Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard, a ‘gentleman detective’ who appears in all 32 of her novels. She is credited with helping to elevate the detective story to the level of respected literary fiction. 

American true crime writer Ann Rule (1931-2015) is best known for her bestselling debut book on serial killer Ted Bundy, The Stranger Beside Me (Sphere), published in 1980, the year of his conviction. The first novel by English and Australian novelist Angela Thirkell (1890-1961), Ankle Deep, was published in 1931 by Hamish Hamilton and her second novel, High Rising, was a critical success, firmly establishing her reputation as a novelist. 

Hilary Strong, c.e.o. of ILP UK and Europe, said: “I am thrilled that ILP has added the literary estates of these three trailblazing female writers from different parts of the globe to its portfolio. I have been lucky enough to work closely with a number of crime estates, among them Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh is undoubtedly one of the masters of crime fiction, while Ann Rule is a legend in the true crime genre and offers exciting potential for podcasting in particular. 

“It is ILP’s mission to introduce their stories to new generations. I have long admired the entertaining and epoch-defining novels of Angela Thirkell, and so I am delighted to be able to add her prolific catalogue to our portfolio, too. It is a privilege to bring the estates of these three fascinating women, and all of our authors, to new audiences across all platforms.”  

Scott Hoffman, president and c.e.o. of ILP, added: “We’re delighted to add these quintessential authors to ILP’s catalogue, and look forward to working closely with these estates’ long-time incumbent agents to expand their legacies and further cement their position as icons not only in the genres in which they wrote, but in all of literature.”