Gallic Books scoops ‘evocative’ Victorian mystery series from début author Walsh

Gallic Books has scooped The Tumbling Girl, book one in the Minnie Ward & Albert Easterbrook mysteries by début author Bridget Walsh. 

Joe Harper, managing director, acquired world English rights from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann. The novel will be published in May 2023 with the second instalment The Innocents following in August 2023.

Set in Victorian London, The Tumbling Girl is the start of a crime series pitched for fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz’s Sherlock Holmes novels. The synopsis reads: “London, 1876. Minnie Ward, the feisty scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall, is devastated when her best friend is found brutally murdered. She enlists the help of private detective Albert Easterbrook, who already has his hands full trying to catch the notorious Hairpin Killer.

“Though Minnie’s impetuous street smarts clash with Albert’s compassionate, careful intellect, they must rely on one another as they search London for answers, from the weird and wonderful Variety Palace, to its high-class clubs, down into its backstreet underbelly.

“But there is more to this murder than meets the eye, and as the bodies pile up and danger closes in, Albert’s feelings for his new partner start to interfere with the investigation.”  

Walsh commented: “These books grew out of my fascination with the darker, sometimes unexpected side of Victorian life. I’m delighted that Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook have found such a great home and am very excited to develop the series with the team at Gallic.” 

Harper added: “We are delighted to be publishing Bridget’s début. The Tumbling Girl is the first in a gripping, evocative mystery series and we can’t wait to introduce readers to Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook.” 

Dixon said: “When I first heard Bridget read at an event, I was immediately struck by the story, characters and atmosphere she so deftly conjures. I’m delighted Gallic Books is giving The Tumbling Girl a good home and can’t wait for readers to meet Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook, too.”