HarperFiction takes two more from Cooper

HarperFiction has signed two more “hugely compelling” thrillers from The Chalet author Catherine Cooper.

Phoebe Morgan, editorial director for crime and thriller bought world English language rights to The Cruise and one other title from Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates.

The Cruise will publish in autumn 2022 and is about a woman who goes missing from a luxury cruise liner, during a New Year’s Eve party in the Caribbean. When the ship dancer, Lola, disappears, it sets off a chain of disturbing events aboard the boat – and any one of the people on board could be behind it.

Cooper is the author of bestseller The Chalet, published by HarperFiction in November 2020, which hit the Sunday Times top five and remained in the Kindle top 100 for three months.

Morgan said: “It has been a complete joy working with Catherine on her debut thriller and I’m incredibly proud of everything The Chalet has achieved in such a short space of time. Catherine’s brilliantly plotted, immersive and hugely compelling books are a delight to work on and I’m very pleased to be continuing her publishing at HarperFiction. Around 20 people a year go missing from cruise ships and many are never found – it’s a fascinating setting and Catherine writes it so, so well.”

Catherine Cooper added: “I couldn't be more excited to be publishing two more books with HarperFiction. The Chalet achieved way more than I could ever have hoped for thanks to the support of Phoebe and the HarperFiction team. I've loved working on both The Chalet and The Chateau with them and am thrilled that they have commissioned two more - I couldn't be in better hands.”

Gaia Banks commented: “Catherine's debut The Chalet could not have had a better launch, thanks to the energy, creativity and drive of Phoebe and the HarperFiction team. We're delighted that they will be publishing books three and four.”