Mudlark nets 'atmospheric' lie detector history by Katwala

Mudlark has snapped up a "vibrant and atmospheric" book on the history of the lie detector by WIRED journalist Amit Katwala.

Joel Simons, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Tremors in the Blood from Richard Pike at The C&W Agency. It will be published on 14th April 2022 and has already been optioned for screen.

Tremors In The Blood touches on psychology, technology, and the science of the truth. The synopsis says: "Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife’s blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who’d conspired with bandits to have her murdered? To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology, and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman’s touch.

"John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer — but the flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt.

"As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom drama."

Simons said: ‘’I’m delighted to be working with the super-talented Amit Katwala on his brilliant new book. It’s an extraordinary, multifaceted work of narrative non-fiction that ticks so many boxes: a mind-boggling story with truly unforgettable characters; a deeply researched work of history; and an utterly engrossing investigation into the science of lie detection that touches on psychology, criminology, and the law, during a time when truth is very much under the microscope. I can’t wait to publish it!"

Katwala added: "I’m really excited to be working with Joel Simons and HarperCollins on this dive into the history of lie detection and the world of true crime. I wanted to tell this story not just because it’s dark and fascinating, but also because it’s more relevant than ever — despite all the doubts over lie detection, it’s creeping into the justice system in the UK and elsewhere. Understanding where lie detection came from and how it has failed in the past is the only way to make sure it isn’t misused again today.”