HarperFiction nets last book in Blake's Ruthless Women trilogy

HarperFiction has netted the last book in the Ruthless Women trilogy by Melanie Blake. 

Phoebe Morgan, editorial director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Vengeful Women from Jason Bartholomew at the BKS Agency. It will once again transport readers to the island of St Augustine’s Cove and behind the scenes of Blake’s fictional soap opera “Falcon Bay” to follow the show’s female cast as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of the terrible crimes they’ve committed, and will publish in spring 2023.  

Blake said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the success that the Ruthless Women series has received, especially in countries I’ve never even been to, and I didn’t believe for a moment when I finally started writing professionally at the age of 40 that within just a few years I’d be a double Sunday Times bestselling author and published all over the world. I hope my journey, especially with my working-class background and dyslexia, inspires others and shows that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.  

“While I feel sad to be saying goodbye to characters that I’m so touched have found a place in people’s hearts, this series was always meant to be a trilogy. I’m proud to have proved early critics wrong by showing that books with strong, 50-plus female leads are wanted by the public, and I hope other authors follow in this re-awakened genre. My favourite part of the whole writing process is providing readers with ‘the shock factor’ so I guarantee that they’ll be in for the biggest rollercoaster ride of all in Vengeful Women. I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with the fabulously talented Phoebe Morgan again who, without doubt, has been absolutely pivotal in helping take my work to a whole new level. Here we go again!” 

Morgan added: “Melanie is a real powerhouse and truly unique storyteller who we are proud to have in our stable. It was wonderful to see Guilty Women instantly hit the hardback top 10 and secure her position as the new queen of the blockbuster. I’m delighted she’s staying with HarperFiction and am looking forward to continuing our journey and reaching even more readers with her brilliant new novel. With new enemies at every turn, once again the women of Falcon Bay will do anything to survive. Filled with deviously dark plotlines which sizzle from the page, readers old and new will be hooked as the curtain drops for the very last time.”