Canelo steals new crime series from Sarah Ward

Canelo has landed a new crime series from Sarah Ward in a three-book deal. 

Commissioning editor Siân Heap acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Kirsty McLachlan at Morgan Green Creatives. Rights to two books in Ward’s existing Mallory Dawson series were acquired in a separate deal. Death Rites, the first in the new series, will be published in e-book and paperback in October 2024. The second and third books in the series will follow in 2025 and 2026, respectively. 

"I couldn’t be happier that Canelo has acquired the first three books in Sarah’s compelling new crime thriller series and two more Mallory Dawson novels," said McLachlan.

Death Rites follows archaeology professor Carla James who starts a new job at an "elite" college in New England, where she is immediately asked to represent the department at a murder site. The synopsis adds: "[The] body is just the latest in a series of unsolved deaths and although they appear unlinked, Carla is convinced there is a methodical and calculated killer operating in darkness. Can she uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim?" 

Heap commented: "I’m so excited to be publishing more books by Sarah. She’s a brilliant author to work with and has such a fantastic grasp of plot and atmosphere. I’m very pleased to be publishing two more Mallory Dawson novels and to bring her new series featuring professor Carla James to readers later this year." 

Ward added: "I’m delighted that Canelo has acquired my new series...Their enthusiasm for the book was clear from the start and I’m thrilled to be working again with Siân and the rest of the team to bring Carla to my readers alongside my Welsh-based series. Thank you to my agent, Kirsty McLachlan, for finding this perfect home for the book."