Doubleday scoops Gabrielle Griffiths' 'stunning' novel in a two-book deal

Doubleday has scooped Greater Sins, a "hugely compelling" historical novel in a two-book deal from Gabrielle Griffiths.

Publisher Kirsty Dunseath acquired all-language world rights from Daisy Parente at Lutyens & Rubinstein. Greater Sins will be published in spring 2025 with the second novel scheduled for 2027.

"I fell in love at first sight with Greater Sins, with Gabrielle’s thrilling writing and the world of the Cabrach and I’m immensely pleased that she has found her perfect home with Kirsty and Doubleday," said Parente.

Set in Cabrach, Aberdeenshire in 1915, Greater Sins follows what happens in an isolated community when a woman’s body is discovered perfectly preserved in a peat bog. Lizzie, the wife of a wealthy landowner, and nomadic singer and farm hand Johhny, discover the body as "shameful pasts threaten to come to light". 

Griffiths, a previous Madeleine Milburn mentee and graduate of the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, commeted: "Writing Greater Sins has been its own strange discovery, and I’m very happy my novel has found a home at Doubleday. It’s a privilege to be working with such an accomplished editor as Kirsty, and with my agent Daisy, who has shown such faith in my work." 

Dunseath added: "Greater Sins is a brilliant blend of immersive storytelling with stunning prose and an unforgettable sense of place, all set against the looming backdrop of war. I am delighted to be working with Gabrielle and to welcome her to the Doubleday list."