Time travel murder mystery to HoZ

Head of Zeus has acquired a time travel murder mystery from "brilliant new voice" Kate Mascarenhas.

Madeleine O’Shea, commissioning editor at Head of Zeus has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Psychology of Time Travel by debut author Mascarenhas from Oli Munson at A M Heath.

Beginning in 1967, the book follows the fortunes and relationships of four female scientists who invent a time-travel machine. They are on the cusp of fame, but then one of them suffers a breakdown and puts the whole project in peril. Flashing forward to the present day, we meet Ruby Rebello, who grew up knowing her beloved Granny Bee was the scientist who went mad, though they never talk about it. Until, that is, a message arrives from the near future, forcing Bee to face her past. 

Mascarenhas, a trained psychologist, was particularly drawn to the question of what emotional adjustments time travel would demand. How do you cope with revisiting the past when it means seeing all the people you’ve lost? If the years ahead contain bad news, what do you do in the meantime? And how might this knowledge affect the stories that you leave behind?

O’Shea said: "Kate's time-travelling murder mystery had me at page one, with a group of young female scientists inventing a time machine in a dark corner of Cumbria in 1967. This book has got the HoZ office buzzing with excitement – we cannot wait for August." 

Mascarenhas said: "I'm delighted to be working with Head of Zeus, who are providing the perfect home for my debut novel. I can't wait for us to send The Psychology of Time Travel out into the world."

Film and TV rights for The Psychology of Time Travel have been optioned by AMC.

The Psychology of Time Travel is published on 8th August.