John Murray's new crime imprint Baskerville launches with Herron and Boyle

John Murray’s new literary crime and thriller imprint is launching with a line-up of authors including Mick Herron, Frankie Boyle and Kaoru Takamura, among others.  

The imprint is led by publishing director Jade Chandler (pictured) who joined from Harvill Secker in September. She and editorial assistant Zulekhá Afzal are based at Hachette’s new Bristol office. Other team members, including Herron’s editor Yassine Belkacemi, who recently acquired Boyle and Takamura for the list, are spread across Hachette’s London and Newcastle offices. 

Herron will move over from the John Murray list to Baskerville, bringing the Slough House series, as well as his standalone writing, under the genre-specific imprint. Comedian Boyle’s crime novel, Meantime, will also be published on the list in July, backed by a high-profile campaign.  

Other major notable 2022 titles include Takamura’s Japanese cult classic Lady Joker, due in February. It has been adapted for Japanese film and television and is Takamura’s first work to be published in English.  

The imprint will also reissue American author Charlotte Carter’s 1990s mystery trilogy starring Nanette Hayes, a young Black American jazz musician with a lust for life and a talent for crime-solving, as well as international bestseller 1794: The City Between Bridges by Niklas Natt Och Dag, set in historic Stockholm.  

“Baskerville is dedicated to publishing books that haunt the imagination,” John Murray said. “Revelling in characters who live in the shadows and have an outsider’s view of society, these books aren’t defined by period or geography but by the very best writing and a desire to defy expectation. Baskerville will build on [John Murray’s] heritage, publishing only the highest-quality crime and thriller writing, with prize-winning potential.”

The name for the imprint draws on John Murray’s history as Arthur Conan Doyle’s long-term publisher, referencing his Sherlock Holmes title The Hound of the Baskervilles, and its emblem was designed by artist William Luz.  

Chandler said: “I am really excited that we have reached launch day. It’s an honour to be collaborating with such talented writers and creative colleagues to make our vision for an upmarket genre that showcases the best talent from around the UK, and further afield, a reality. Our books celebrate the full depth and breadth that this exciting, popular genre has to offer, with a range of titles to please thriller buffs and gothic literary fans alike. Being able to launch an imprint from one of Hachette’s new national offices, in Bristol, feels like a big positive step and I can’t wait to see what our first year will bring.”  

John Murray publisher Jocasta Hamilton commented: “Four months after Jade joined as publishing director to launch Baskerville, it’s incredibly exciting to see the diverse launch list celebrating the very best, original writing within the crime and thriller genre, which will be published with the flair, experience and expertise Jade brings with her from Harvill Secker.”  

To celebrate the launch, welcome packs including branded tote bags, bespoke Baskerville coffee and chocolates have been sent out to booksellers, journalists, authors and influencers. Celebrations will also continue online, including riddles for readers to solve, Baskerville animations and giveaways.