Hamish Hamilton scoops two new books from Williams

Hamish Hamilton has scooped two new books by Nicola Williams, while her 1998 work Without Prejudice, re-released in the publisher's Black Britain series this year, has been optioned for TV by Studio Lambert. 

Hannah Chukwu, assistant editor, acquired world rights from Jonathan Ruppin at the Ruppin Agency & Writers' Studio. The first book, The Advocate’s Devil, will be published in spring 2023, and the next book will follow in 2024. Studio Lambert is currently developing Without Prejudice into a series based around the protagonist, barrister Lee Mitchell. Rebecca Watson of Valerie Hoskins Associates negotiated the deal on behalf of Ruppin.

Chukwu said: "I am absolutely over the moon that we are publishing Nicola’s new work. Nicola Williams’ writing is gritty, propulsive and she is exceptionally astute at exploring the complex interplay between race, class and authority. She is a pioneering voice in this space, and it is an honour to work with her."

Susan Hogg, head of drama for Studio Lambert, said: "We are hugely excited to be working with Nicola to bring this fresh legal thriller to the screen in a bold, entertaining series for a contemporary audience."

The new book draws on aspects of Williams' own experience as a barrister, and is described by the publisher as "a gripping legal thriller exploring the intersection between race and justice in the UK, following the central protagonist from Without Prejudice".

Its synopsis explains: "Lee Mitchell is a young barrister from a working-class Caribbean background: in the cut-throat environment of the courtroom, everything is stacked against her. In The Advocate’s Devil, on her doorstep in south London the 15-year-old son of the pastor at the local Black church is shot, and the local community is shattered. All evidence is pointing to infamously corrupt, racist police officer Sergeant Jack Lambert as the irredeemable suspect. His own boss – rebel-turned-copper Danny Wallace – is certain he is guilty.

"Against her will, Lee is strong-armed into defending him. With cries of ‘Black Lives Matter!’ echoing in the streets, Lee is at the centre of the turmoil as lies, anger, and mistrust spiral out of control. The line between her personal and professional life becomes dangerously blurred."

Williams said: "I’ve always loved legal thrillers and I wanted to write a pacy, compelling legal drama set in the UK dealing with issues that could so easily affect any one of us, whilst authentically describing the life of a criminal barrister in contemporary London based on my own experiences at the Bar. I’m thrilled to be working with Studio Lambert to see this book come to life on the screen, and I’m excited about working with Hamish Hamilton to continue Lee’s story, and the dilemmas she faces, in future books."