Corvus scoops two novels by Taff

Corvus has scooped two novels from Rachel Taff, the director of development at Dynamic Television, known for series like "Ginny & Georgia" and "Drops of God".

Corvus publishing director Sarah Hodgson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in Taff’s Paper Cut and one other novel from Madeleine Milburn. Paper Cut will be published in hardback and trade paperback in spring 2025, and North American rights have been sold to Danielle Dieterich at William Morrow at auction.

Paper Cut is described as a "twisty and evocative dual-timeline story" that follows a true crime memoirist and cult survivor. The synopsis says: "As she becomes the focus of a documentary in the present-day, secrets from her past come back to haunt her and threaten to destroy the life she has built. Pitched as The Girls meets Jessica Knoll."

Taff said: "Inspired by the toxicity of fame and true crime, I felt compelled to write a cautionary tale about a woman raised to believe her worth is determined by outside approval and the consequences of that false belief. I’m overjoyed Paper Cut has found an amazing home in the UK with Sarah and the stellar team at Corvus."

Milburn added: "Drawing on a mysterious cult and a true crime icon, Paper Cut is at the cutting edge of suspense with Rachel’s exploration of hard-hitting, topical issues in a sophisticated, twisty framework."

Hodgson commented: "I raced through Paper Cut – it’s the most page-turning novel I’ve read in a long time, and combines many of my favourite elements: cults, difficult family dynamics, a coming-of-age narrative. In its protagonist, true crime icon Lucy Golden, Rachel has created a fascinatingly flawed and compelling viewpoint character."