Avon takes Pattison's first standalone thriller in two-book deal

Avon has bought two more crime novels from Nell Pattison beginning with the author's first standalone thriller Hide.

Senior commissioning editor Tilda McDonald acquired world English language rights from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment. Hide is slated for publication in all formats in December 2021.

The synopsis states: “Hide opens with a deaf woman running through the woods at night, having lost her cochlear implant. Her Boxing Day hike went horribly wrong when one of her group was found dead, and no one knows if the killer is a stranger, or one of their own group. Now it’s a race to work out who – and try to survive.”

McDonald said: “Avon are very proud of what Nell has achieved with her Paige Northwood series, which explores terrible crimes in the Deaf community with sensitivity as well as an incredible sense of tension. After three in the series, we’re excited to publish Nell’s first standalone title Hide, which gave us immediate chills and should guarantee readers some sleepless nights reading!”

Pattison, who began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids, has been teaching in the deaf community for 13 years. Silent Night, the second book in her current contract, is available in all formats now.

She said: “The team at Avon are so supportive and dedicated to their authors, I'm thrilled to continue working with them for another two novels.”