Century acquires two new Overton thrillers

Century has acquired two new thrillers from Hollie Overton, author of the Richard & Judy book club pick Baby Doll.

The first title in the new deal is set against the backdrop of LA’s criminal underworld, following the search a troubled teenager called Ashley who vanishes from her foster home. Her foster mother’s search draws her back into Ashley’s world and forces her to confront shocking home truths.  

Arrow deputy publisher Emily Griffin acquired British and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to The Runaway plus one untitled thriller from Matilda Forbes Watson at WME. North American rights have been acquired by Anne Clarke at Redhook, part of Hachette Book Group, and translation rights are being handled by WME.

Overton draws on childhood experiences for her novels. Her father was a member of the notorious Overton gang in Austin and served time in prison for manslaughter. She is also a television writer whose credits include the CBS drama "Cold Case" and Freeform’s "Shadowhunters".

According to Cornerstone, Overton's debut novel, Baby Doll, has now sold over 80,000 copies across all formats in the UK. Griffin praised her a "highly original writer with a gift for developing unique hooks and twisting narratives which never fail to keep the reader guessing", adding Cornerstone had "ambitious plans" to grow Overton further within the market.

Overton said: "I’m thrilled that I get to continue my creative partnership with Cornerstone. Publishing Baby Doll and The Walls was an incredible experience, and I can't wait to do it again with The Runaway."

Century will publish The Runaway in August 2018 in hardback, e-book and audio formats. The Walls will be released in Arrow paperback in July 2018.