Andersen Press scoops Bass’ 'pun-filled' series Hugh Dunnit

Andersen Press has scooped Guy Bass’ "hilarious, pun-filled" new series Hugh Dunnit, illustrated by Lee Cosgrove.

Publishing director Charlie Sheppard bought world rights in a two-book deal from Bass’ agent Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown, while Cosgrove’s illustrations were contracted from Lucie Luddington at The Bright Agency. The first in the series, A Hugh Dunnit Mystery: Taking Shelter, will be released in paperback in April 2024, with illustrations and comic-book spreads from Cosgrove.

The synopsis says: "Hugh Dunnit may be a schoolboy, but that doesn’t stop him from cracking the toughest cases. Like the case of the shredded maths homework. Sure, lesser minds might collar Hugh’s new dog, Shelter. But Hugh knows there’s more to sniff out. Working through the suspects, Hugh digs up a bigger mystery: just where does Shelter come from?"

Andersen Press will mark publication with an extensive advance sampling programme in physical and digital versions, special point-of-sale material for the book, and events around the country in schools and at festivals. Rights for the book are already starting to be sold, with one deal signed and more coming in post-Frankfurt Book Fair.

Sheppard said: “When I first read Guy’s pun-tastic, hilarious manuscript, I thought we had something really special, and with Lee Cosgrove’s illustrations we have created an exciting package that we think today’s visually-literate children will love. Guy is a welcome addition to the Andersen family, and we’re looking forward to getting him up and down the country, sharing this brilliant book.”