Harvill Secker signs two standalone thrillers from Mukherjee

Harvill Secker has signed two standalone thrillers by author Abir Mukherjee, the first of which, Hunted, will be published in May 2024.

Former deputy publishing director Jade Chandler, now at Baskerville, acquired world all-language rights from Sam Copeland at Rogers, Coleridge & White. North American rights were pre-empted in a “major” deal with Josh Kendall, of Mulholland Books, Hachette US. Katie Ellis-Brown, deputy publishing director at Harvill Secker, will be leading the publication. 

Hunted follows two strangers from opposite ends of the world who are thrown together in a race against time to find their kids, and stop them causing a catastrophe that could bring the world to its knees. The publisher continues: “It’s a pacey thriller full of heart with a real message for our polarised times: it explores how the impressionable and marginalised can be preyed upon by unscrupulous forces, holding up a mirror to society where so many feel they have been left behind."

The publication will be supported by a “wide-ranging and ambitious marketing and publicity campaign”, the publisher says. At this year’s Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime writing festival in Harrogate, exclusive early samplers of the new novel were shared.

Ellis Brown said: ‘‘Working with Abir has been one of the most rewarding editorial experiences of my career. Abir has delivered a blockbuster thriller with emotional depth that explores the devastating effects of partisan politics and a society polarised. How lucky we are to have Abir writing his award-winning historical fiction series alongside contemporary thrillers which will offer so much food-for-thought.”

Mukherjee is the author of the Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India. His books have been translated into 15 languages and won awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Européen, and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing.

He said: “I am overjoyed to be working with Katie and the team at Harvill Secker on these thrillers, which mark a new stage in my writing. Harvill has backed my career every step of the way, and it’s an honour to be supported by such a wonderful publisher.”