Hodder & Stoughton snares Dean's two high-concept thrillers

Hodder & Stoughton has signed two high-concept standalone thrillers from Will Dean.

Executive publisher Jo Dickinson acquired the books to be published in 2023 and 2024, securing UK and Commonwealth rights including audio from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann.  

The first of the thrillers is set on a cruise ship, where a woman wakes up in the morning to find she is the only person left on board.  

Dean's recent novel, The Last Thing to Burn (Hodder & Stoughton), was published in January 2021, and is out in paperback in February 2022 with screen rights optioned by Sigma Films. Dean’s second standalone, First Born, will be published by Hodder & Stoughton in hardback in April 2022 and will be backed by an “ambitious campaign".

Dean said: “I feel so fortunate to continue working with Jo and the wonderful team at Hodder. I’m glad The Last Thing to Burn resonated with readers, and I’m grateful to each and every librarian and bookseller who recommended it. The fact that the amazing people at Sigma Films can now bring the story to screen is a dream come true.”  

Burke commented: “It has been a great journey so far and this is just the beginning – I predict amazing things for Will’s next books.” 

Dickinson described Dean as “an exceptional writer”. She added: “Working alongside Will on the brilliant The Last Thing to Burn and First Born has been an absolute joy and I’m delighted to have acquired two new novels. He has so many fans already and I believe these new books will take him to even greater heights.”