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Hodder has pre-empted a debut thriller from John Brownlow, screenwriter of “The Miniaturist” and “Sylvia”, with rights interest across the world.
Hodder & Stoughton secured the "larger-than-life" thriller Seventeen as well as second novel from the author, in “a major deal”, according to the publisher. Editorial director Eve Hall snapped up world all-language rights in the two books from Oli Munson at A M Heath. The Hodder rights team have already sold rights for both novels in North America (Hanover Square), and at auction in both Germany (Rowohlt) and Holland (House of Books).
Seventeen is to be published in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in August 2022 and in paperback early 2023.
The synopis says: “Seventeen is a hit man, the best in the world. So-called because he is the 17th person in history who has achieved this accolade. Every government organisation in the world wants his services and every other high-level hitman has placed a target on his back. Because to be the best, you have to beat the best. When Seventeen is ordered to find and kill his predecessor, the hit goes wrong and hunter turns to hunted. With Kat – a woman with no fear and a generous helping of attitude – at his side, Seventeen needs to kill or be killed, and to do it fast.”
The thriller is being billed as “the first in a series that will appeal to those who like Jason Bourne and James Bond on the TV screen and Gregg Hurwitz and Terry Hayes on their bookshelves,” according to the publisher. “The following novels in the series will not only follow Seventeen and Kat forward but look back at previous top assassins.”
Brownlow holds British/Canadian citizenship and lives two hours north of Toronto. He wrote the film “Sylvia” about the relationship between Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig, the TV series "Fleming" about Ian Fleming’s work as a spy and the genesis of James Bond, and the TV series “The Miniaturist”, adapted from Jessie Burton’s bestselling novel.
Hall said: “I started reading this the second it landed, and I couldn’t stop until I finished it. It’s the most refreshing, fun, action-packed novel that I’ve read in a long time, as well as being brilliantly driven by Seventeen’s fresh, sharp voice. It’s been a whirlwind already, with every hour bringing another email from someone who has just started, and fallen in love with, this book. I’m hugely excited to introduce readers to John’s work, and I know it’s going to be something big.”
Brownlow added: “The voice of Seventeen, and the universe he inhabits, was one I've had in my head for a long time. So, I'm simultaneously shocked, overwhelmed, and humbled by the response. I've adapted a lot of people's novels in the past but embarking on one myself was a huge leap of faith. I'm deeply thankful to Eve and the team at Hodder for the confidence they've placed in me, and to Oli Munson for helping me navigate these new waters. I'm massively looking forward to working with all of them.”