Crime writer Hannah signs new three-book deal with Orion

Crime writer Mari Hannah has landed another three-book deal with Orion Fiction that will see the return of DCI Kate Daniels.

Orion editorial director Francesca Pathak acquired world rights from Oli Munson at AM Heath. The first novel, The Descent, sees a new instalment of the Kate Daniels series and will be published in early 2020.

Hannah previously signed a three-book deal with Orion in 2017, moving from Pan Macmillan. Her first novel with Orion, The Lost, launched the Stone and Oliver series and became her highest selling paperback yet, racking up Nielsen sales of 11,748. Two others in the series, The Insider and The Scandal, published on March 7, formed the rest of the deal.

Her new Orion contract will see her write another two Stone and Oliver stories alongside The Descent.

Pathak said: “Working with Mari over the last two years has been an absolute joy. The Orion team love her passion and dedication to the crime community, and I am delighted to be publishing more novels in both the Kate Daniels and Stone and Oliver series.”

Hannah, who chairs the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival this year, said she was “thrilled” with her new deal. She added: “Since joining this brilliant team, I quickly realised that this is where my future lies. Francesca is a wonderful editor whose vision matches my own. She’s has been right behind me from day one, as demonstrated by the makeup of this exciting deal.”