Harvill Secker signs Ware for books five and six

Harvill Secker has signed Ruth Ware to write another two books in a deal that will be keeping the author busy until 2020.

The new deal will commit Ware to write a two further books for the publisher in 2019 and 2020. It follows a prior two-book deal, revealed in January 2016, for books three and four.

Both Ware's debut In a Dark, Dark Wood and second novel The Woman in Cabin 10 were bestsellers, subsequently snapped up by Hollywood production companies, with Reese Witherspoon lined up to co-produce the adaption of In A Dark, Dark Wood. Sales for the two books combined have sold 138,679 copies for £716,409 though Nielsen BookScan. And her US sales are even better, with The Woman in Cabin 10 currently 11th in the US bestseller chart, having sold a total of 319,127 copies across hardback and trade paperback, and In a Dark Dark Wood 392,360 across hardback and mass market paperback in the States.

Her third book, The Lying Game, is publishing on 15th June 2017 and book four, as yet unnamed, is slated for summer 2018.

Harvill Secker publishing director Liz Foley and editorial director Jade Chandler acquired world rights including translation (excluding US and Canada) from Eve White at the Eve White Literary Agency.

Foley said: "It’s completely wonderful to be able to look forward to two more excellent novels from Ruth. She’s an absolute star and I know her fans will be really excited to know these are coming."

White, Ware’s agent, said: "Harvill Secker and the whole team at Vintage did a brilliant job with In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10.  Ruth is a real talent and has become a massive international success. I am hugely proud of her and delighted about her new deal."

Ware said: "Working with the team at Vintage and Harvill Secker has been completely inspiring, and I'm in awe of the fantastic job they have done with my books, so I am thrilled to be signing up with them for two more titles."