Raven signs two thrillers by Guardian reporter Watt

Bloomsbury imprint Raven Books has acquired a "brilliant new international thriller" from former investigative journalist Holly Watt.

Alison Hennessey, editorial director of Raven Books, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada), to two books in a series via agent Andrew Gordon at David Higham.

The series will follow Casey Benedict, who is also an investigative journalist. Tipped off by an overheard conversation at an exclusive London nightclub, Casey begins to probe the apparent suicide of a wealthy young British man, whose death has left his fiancée and family devastated.

Raven Books will publish To The Lions in February 2019 and the sequel in 2020.

Watt said: "As soon as I met Alison and her team, I knew I wanted Raven Books to publish my book, and I am so thrilled to be working with everyone at Bloomsbury. I loved writing To The Lions, going back over years of working as an investigative journalist and reporting from all over the world."

Hennessey added: "To The Lions is everything I had been looking for in a submission – a fantastic female lead, sharp, suspenseful writing, a completely compelling plot and, thanks to Holly’s experience in journalism, an utterly authentic look at life as an international investigative journalist, and the horrors and highlights that encompasses." 

In her work as a journalist, Watt has worked on the MPs expenses scandal and the Panama Papers. She is currently a senior reporter at The Guardian.