W F Howes signs McDermid's new series

Independent audiobook publisher W F Howes has landed rights to Val McDermid's new Allie Burns series, releasing the first of five audiobooks this week.

The series follows tenacious journalist Allie Burns over five decades, exploring the seismic changes in life including political, social, technological and musical shifts.  In 1979, Burns is searching for her first major scoop to make a name for herself in a male-dominated newsroom. She hooks up with colleague Danny Sullivan to expose a far reaching criminal conspiracy; then discovers a home-grown terrorist threat and comes up with a dangerous plot to infiltrate the group.

Each title in the series jumps forward a decade as Allie embarks on various adventures during her long and illustrious career. Narrators for each audiobook will be cast appropriately according to the age of the protagonist at the time in which the story is set.

The first title in the new series, 1979, will be narrated by leading Scottish actress Katie Leung, best known for her role as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter movies.

Multibook UKBC audio rights were acquired from Jane Gregory of David Higham Associates by Habiba Sacranie, acquisitions editor at W F Howes.

Dominic White, head of publishing and commerce at W F Howes, said: “Our relationship with Val McDermid dates back many years, and we are proud to have published 35 titles with her during this time. We are thrilled to publish her new audiobook series and excited to be working with the critically acclaimed actress Katie Leung to bring 1979 to life and give Allie Burns the explosive introduction she deserves.”

McDermid commented: “The key to bringing a book to life is finding the right voice to tell the story, and over many years, W F Howes has done just that for me. And with 1979, they've hit the bullseye yet again.”