Hachette Ireland snares novel pitched as 'Normal People with murders' by Hughes

Hachette Ireland has acquired Emma, Disappeared and one other as-yet-untitled book by Andrew Hughes, with the former pitched as “Normal People (Sally Rooney, Faber) with murders”.

Publisher Ciarla Doorley acquired world rights from Paul Feldstein at the Feldstein Agency. Hachette Ireland will publish Emma, Disappeared, in spring 2024.

It is described as a modern psychological crime novel set in Dublin. “Accidental feminist icon James Lyster is the last man to see missing student Emma Harte alive – is he a true gentleman who simply tried to help a woman in distress, or is his feminism just a front concealing a masculinity even more toxic than those he condemns?” the synopsis reads.

Hughes is a qualified archivist and writer. His first book was a social history of Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin called Lives Less Ordinary, published by the Liffey Press in 2011. His first historical crime novel, The Convictions of John Delahunt, published by Transworld, was shortlisted for Crime Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. His second novel, The Coroner’s Daughter, also historical crime, is the UNESCO City of Literature One Dublin One Book for 2023 and was nominated for the CWA Historical Dagger.

Doorley said: “We are over the moon to be publishing the hugely talented Andrew Hughes’ new novel Emma, Disappeared. This book gripped me from the opening page and wouldn’t let go as I was immediately drawn into the dubious world of James Lyster who is one of the most intriguing and irresistibly unknowable characters I’ve ever read. We’re so excited to launch this in spring 2024 and delighted to be working with Andrew.”

Feldstein added: “In Hachette Ireland and publisher Ciara Doorley we’ve found the ideal home for Andrew’s first contemporary crime thriller!”

Hughes said: “It’s a thrill to be working with Ciara Doorley on my first contemporary crime novel. I couldn’t have hoped to find a better publisher than Hachette Ireland. I’m also very grateful to Paul at The Feldstein Agency for striking the deal.”