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Actor Viola Davis and James Patterson collaborate on new 'ground-breaking' novel
Actor Viola Davis and James Patterson are to collaborate on a new "ground-breaking" novel published by Century.
Managing director Venetia Butterfield acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell at Williams & Connolly. The novel will be published in association with Davis’ company JVL Media and will be distributed in the US by Hachette Book Group. The publication date has yet to be confirmed.
The as-yet-untitled novel is set in the the present-day rural south of the US and follows Mary Stone, a "dynamic and brilliant" female judge who is about to make a decision that will have "seismic repercussions for her small county and, potentially, the whole nation".
Century calls the new writing duo an "unrivalled" partnership for the "blockbuster novel of the year".
Davis said: "James’ ability to weave compelling narratives with depth and suspense is unparalleled, and I am honoured to work alongside him. Writing about a character as compelling as Mary Stone has been an extraordinary experience and I believe readers will be deeply moved by her journey."
Patterson added: “It is an honour to work with Viola. I’ve long admired her as an actress, producer and writer. Her memoir, Finding Me, was among the most insightful and uplifting I’ve ever read. Her gift of storytelling in film and beyond, as well as her generous spirit, is without peer. And there has rarely been a more important time to spotlight the subjects raised in this novel. I could not have asked for a better partner than Viola.”
