Hemlock swoops in six-figure deal for M K Oliver's 'Killing Eve' meets 'Motherland' debut

Hemlock Press has pre-empted M K Oliver’s "bitingly funny" debut novel, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage, in a two-book deal. 

Julia Wisdom, publisher at the HarperFiction imprint, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a six-figure deal from Curtis Brown’s Felicity Blunt. US rights went to Kaitlin Olson at Simon & Schuster in a "hotly contested" auction, and Iris Tupholme pre-empted rights for HarperCollins Canada. The novel will be published in spring 2026 and the second book, following the same protagonist, will be released in 2027.

A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage is pitched as “Killing Eve” meets “Motherland”, and tells of Lalla Rook, a reformed sociopath, who tries to make it as a mother in north London. As she is "unencumbered by morals", Rook is "a rare thing: a woman who is able to act as she wants. Which explains why there is a dead body in her front room, but not how she is going to get rid of it or, indeed, why this person made the mistake of entering her home uninvited". 

Blunt said that she was "obsessed by this novel and its darkly funny world", adding that: "The moment I started reading Lalla’s voice, I knew she was going to find huge numbers of fans."

Wisdom said the book’s "witty voice, the brilliance of the twisty plot, the sheer irresistible, murderous energy Lalla brings to her pursuit of success in all fields of life, took our breath away and kept us glued to the page". She added: "M K Oliver keeps the foot on the accelerator throughout and never disappoints. This is a high-octane, super-accomplished debut."

Oliver was born in Liverpool and has worked as a teacher, headteacher and for education charities. After doing writing courses, including through Curtis Brown Creative and Faber Academy, he recently decided to take time out of his career to concentrate on writing "to give it a go before it’s too late".   

Oliver said:"Having taken a leap of faith to dedicate more time to writing, I’ve been delighted and astonished by the enthusiastic reactions to A Sociopath’s Guide. Lalla Rook has been occupying my own mind for so long, I’m thrilled that others will now get to meet her."