Allison & Busby snaps up cosy crime series from the 'immeasurably talented' Johnston

Allison & Busby has snapped up a cosy crime series from Antony Johnston in a two-way auction. 

Susie Dunlop, publishing director, acquired world English language rights from Sarah Such at the Sarah Such Literary Agency. 

Johnston’s new series will follow Guinevere Tuffel, a retired actor and dog sitter, as she is pulled into various murder mysteries with a canine companion. A different breed of dog will feature in each instalment. The Dog Sitter Detective, the first in the series, will be published in May 2023 and will be supported by a "strong" media campaign from Helen Richardson PR. The second instalment, Death in Little Venice, will follow in January 2024.  

"The Dog Sitter Detective by the immeasurably talented Antony Johnston is an utter joy to read from start to finish," said Such. "You emerge from its pages as if hugged by the cosiest, paciest, and most satisfyingly intricate of mysteries, with a beaming smile on your face, and as a firm fan of marvellous Gwinny and her canine partners in crime(-solving)." 

Dunlop commented: "When Sarah sent me Antony’s manuscript, she said it would be perfect for Allison & Busby, and she is absolutely right.  We all knew Antony by reputation as he is so well regarded in the crime-writing community, so it was no hardship to spend an afternoon meeting his wonderful new character Gwinny, and her canine companions. Our offer swiftly followed, and we are looking forward to publishing The Dog Sitter Detective in 2023." 

Johnston’s 2017 graphic novel Atomic Blonde (Oni Press) was adapted for the screen starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy. He is also the vice-president of the Crime Writers’ Association. 

The author said:  "As a lover of dogs, mysteries, and indomitable female detectives, combining all three made The Dog Sitter Detective a joy to write. Now it’s time to introduce Gwinny to the world, and I’m delighted to join Allison & Busby’s outstanding roster of crime writers. I hope Gwinny and the dogs bring that same joy to readers."