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HarperCollins welcomes Northedge's House Guest
HarperCollins has welcomed The House Guest by Charlotte Northedge, the Guardian Review's joint editor, to its list in a two-book deal.
Phoebe Morgan, editorial director for crime and thrillers, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to both books from Sophie Lambert at C&W. The House Guest will be published in spring 2021.
Its synopsis explains: "The House Guest follows Kate, a young girl reeling from the disappearance of her sister, who moves to London for a fresh start but quickly finds herself embroiled in the seemingly perfect world of Della, a life coach who draws women to her under the proviso of helping them."
Morgan said: "Charlotte is a wonderful storyteller, and her début deals with so many fascinating issues: motherhood, shame, loneliness and the image of perfection. This is an incredibly special book and I’m thrilled to bring Charlotte to HarperFiction, where I hope she will have a long and happy career."
Northedge is joint editor of the Guardian Review and head of books at the newspaper. She met her agent Lambert, while studying on Curtis Brown Creative’s London-based writing course, and is the programme’s 80th student to gain a commercial publishing deal.
She said: "I'm thrilled to be working with Phoebe Morgan and the HarperCollins team to bring The House Guest to life. This story, about a new arrival to London drawn in by a strange group of women and invited to stay with one of them, has existed in my head ever since I was newly arrived in London. To find an editor and team who are so enthusiastic and committed to bringing it into the world it is hugely exciting."
Lambert added: "The heady but ultimately toxic relationship between Kate and Della had me hooked from the first draft. Charlotte is a first-class storyteller and this is a novel with timely and chilling themes that run through its heart. In Phoebe and HarperFiction we have found the perfect and passionate champion."
