Canelo signs ‘ingenious’ Victorian crime caper series by ‘truly original’ Kasasian

A new Victorian crime caper series by M R C Kasasian, author of the Gower Street Detective series (Head of Zeus), has gone to Canelo.

Commissioning editor Kit Nevile acquired world English rights from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock, in a three-book deal.

Set in Victorian England, The Horror of Haglin House – the first in the series – is described by the publisher as “a fresh take on the classic crime genre, following the adventures of thriller writer Lady Violet Thorn – along with her protagonist, the plucky Ruby Gibson – as they endeavour to solve the mystery behind a slew of deaths in the market town of Montford.”

The Horror of Haglin House will be published in June 2023, in mass market paperback and e-book, with a second book to follow in April 2024, and the third in February 2025.

Nevile said: “The Horror of Haglin House is both riotously entertaining and thrillingly unique. Featuring one of the most engaging and ingenious protagonist duos I’ve had the chance to work with in Violet and Ruby, this is an absolute gift to the world of crime fiction, and will surely be a total hit!”

Kasasian added he was “delighted to be joining Kit at Canelo with my whole new cast of characters and a series of adventures planned” and “happy to be back in the Victorian era where, without modern scientific aids, Lady Violet has to rely on her own wits and courage to catch a ruthless serial killer.”

Agent Ed Wilson said: ‘“M R C Kasasian has already proved himself to be one of the sharpest, wittiest crime writers around. The Horror of Haglin House showcases his talents perfectly: both as a master of the detective genre, and a truly original writer in any genre. This is the book his thousands of fans have been waiting for since we saw the last of the Gower Street Detective.”