Zaffre signs three-book deal with psychotherapist Lesley McEvoy

Bonnier Books UK imprint Zaffre Books has acquired three books in a Yorkshire-set crime series by Lesley McEvoy. 

The first in the series, The Murder Mile, originally published in e-book by Cambridge independent publisher Bloodhound Books, will introduce readers to forensic psychologist Jo McCready. The protagonist is inspired by the author’s 25-year career as a behavioural analyst, profiler and psychotherapist.

Ben Willis, publishing director for crime and thriller, bought world English language rights from Jon Wood at Rogers, Coleridge & White, with the first in the series to be published in e-book immediately with a paperback to follow in December 2021. 

The second book in the series, The Killing Song, will follow McCready investigating the brutal murder of a young artist and will be published in e-book in winter 2021 and paperback original in summer 2022.

Willis commented: "Lesley McEvoy is undoubtedly a future star in English crime fiction. An expert in her field, she brings unparalleled realism and insight to her unforgettable lead character, forensic psychologist Jo McCready. But it is her ability to weave this rich detail and experience into a gripping, twisty crime story that makes her so special."

McEvoy said: "They say ‘write what you know’ and it was in my role as a psychotherapist and profiler that the intriguing premise for The Murder Mile and my protagonist forensic psychologist Jo McCready was born. While treating a female client with hypnosis, an ‘alter ego’ suddenly presented himself and threatened to kill me and my client if I interfered or ‘exorcised’ him. I began thinking: what if this actually happened? And what if the client became the first victim of a killer claiming to be the most infamous murderer of all time, Jack the Ripper? Not a ‘locked room’ mystery, but a ‘locked mind’ puzzle – and Jo McCready must find the key to stop him killing again."