Ex-MI5 man Marcus inks cross-genre deal for trio

Pan Mac is to publish new non-fiction and two novels from former MI5 officer Tom Marcus, after acquiring world rights from Luigi Bonomi at LBA Books.

Marcus, whose début Soldier, Spy was released by Michael Joseph in October, will be published by imprint Sidgwick & Jackson in October 2018; his non-fiction book will be a lead title for the list. It will take readers inside one of the most shocking terrorist attacks ever plotted on British soil, and “show what living in the shadows does to the men and women who protect us”.

His first novel, Capture or Kill, will be part of a series giving insight into what it is like to be a spy on the streets of the UK. The title will be published in early 2018, with a second novel to follow in 2019.

“There really is no one to touch Tom Marcus: his writing hums with first-hand experience, taking us behind the headlines to the daily battles against terror,” commented Jamie Coleman, senior editor for Macmillan Non-Fiction. Wayne Brookes, associate publisher for fiction, added: “After seeing the way Tom recalls his experiences and connects with readers, I knew I wanted to publish this new fiction series.”

The author has three projects in development with British production companies for film and TV projects, which his agent said “positions Tom as the most exciting début writer in this space”.