HQ bags Key's 'sensational' debut crime novel

HQ has bagged the "enthralling" debut crime novel from Roxie Key, The Deadly Spark. 

Cat Camacho, commissioning editor, acquired world all-languages rights from Maddalena Cavaciuti at David Higham Associates. The book will published in paperback, e-book and audio on 23rd May 2024.

"The Deadly Spark landed in my inbox and had me up until the middle of the night, utterly consumed by the thrilling, intricate world Roxie had created and her superbly realised characters," said Cavaciuti. "I’m over the moon that this feverish masterclass in ‘just one more chapter’ fiction has found its perfect home with HQ."

Billed as a blend of psychological suspense and police procedural, The Deadly Spark follows the fallout from a deadly housefire in Brighton. DC Eve Starling at Sussex Police is determined to solve the murder of a mother and daughter killed in the fire, but the case falls "alarmingly close to home" for Starling. With the key witness missing, and case growing cold, time is running out to find the killer. 

Key said: "I’m beyond excited to be publishing my debut novel with HQ! We’ve worked hard to shape this into something we’re all super proud of, and I can’t believe it’s almost time for everyone to meet DC Eve Starling and her team."

Camacho added: "I’m over the moon to be publishing Roxie’s sensational book: I knew I had something special on my hands from the very first page. Eve Starling is a beautifully compelling strong female character with a tantalising past just out of reach, and I can’t wait to see her hit the shelves."