Elly Griffiths signs with HCG for children’s crime series

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired a “deliciously murderous” MG detective series by adult crime writer Elly Griffiths.

The first title, A Girl Called Justice, is Griffiths’ first children’s book and is about a daughter of a barrister who is sent to boarding school after her mother dies. There she finds herself caught up in a series of killings that start with the death of a chambermaid.

Editorial director Sarah Lambert acquired UK, Commonwealth (excluding Canada) and European rights to two books from Rebecca Carter at Janklow & Nesbit UK. She will publish the first title in May on the Quercus Children's imprint and the second in May 2020.

Griffiths said: “I’m thrilled to be writing for this age group as I think we like a lot of the same things: locked-room mysteries, memorable characters, and lots of cliffhangers. Justice is a project that is very close to my heart and I’m so excited to be starting on this new adventure.”

Griffiths’ adult titles include the Ruth Galloway series of novels, which are published by Quercus.