HarperFiction pre-empts 'culinary cosy-crime series' by Pannu

HarperFiction has pre-empted a culinary cosy crime series born out of a BBC Radio 4 show by Suk Pannu above, writer for the Emmy award-winning “The Kumars at No. 42”. Kathryn Cheshire, commissioning editor, bought UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to two crime novels from Adam Gauntlett at PFD.   

The first book, Dead and Scone, follows Mrs Sidhu, “Slough’s answer to Miss Marple”, who previously featured on a Radio 4 series Pannu wrote; Meera Syal voiced the lead. It is set to be published in autumn 2023. Pannu said: “Mrs Sidhu is a very special character, an extraordinary Indian aunty, a sleuth driven by curiosity (some would say nosiness) who has been explored on BBC radio and has been green-lit for television.”  

Cheshire added: “I have been looking to acquire a cosy crime series for a while now, but couldn’t quite find the right project—until now. The instant I started reading Dead and Scone I knew we were onto a winner. Suk’s writing is gripping, the world he has created is rich and completely believable, and there are some lovely touches of humour. I could not be more excited to be helping to bring Mrs Sidhu to the world—I know readers are going to fall in love with her.”