Century pre-empts psychological thriller Trust In Me

Century has pre-empted a psychological thriller that explores what happens when you are responsible for your closest friend’s worst nightmare, by losing her four-year-old child on your watch.

In her first acquisition since joining the company, Arrow deputy publisher Emily Griffin acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to Trust In Me by Heidi Perks, plus one further thriller, from Nelle Andrew at PFD.

North American rights were also pre-empted by Marla Daniels at Simon & Schuster, Spanish rights have sold on a pre-empt to Ediciones Lince – an imprint from Malpaso – and there are currently auctions in Germany, Italy and Hungary.

The book is said to "shine a unique light on female friendship", centring on the relationship between Harriet and Charlotte, two women brought together by their young families who have supported each other through thick and thin. However, all that changes when Harriet’s only child, four-year-old Alice, goes missing while Charlotte is responsible for her.

Perks worked as a marketing director for a financial company before leaving to become a full-time mother and writer. She is also an alumna of the Curtis Brown Novel Writing course.

Griffin said: “I was instantly drawn into the world of Trust in Me. Heidi’s narrative style is assured and addictive and you cannot help but devour this thriller, twist by devastating twist. Female friendship is an endlessly fascinating subject and Heidi presents us with characters who are flawed and real, and who test the limits of our empathy as they go to extraordinary lengths to protect the ones they love. I’m thrilled that my first new author for the Century and Arrow lists is such a special one and we will be publishing this commercial thriller with all the ambition and commitment it deserves.”

Century will publish in hardback in July 2018 and in Arrow paperback in spring 2019.