HQ nets two more suspense novels from East

HQ has netted two psychological suspense novels from Little White Lies (HQ) author Philippa East.

Cicely Aspinall, senior commissioning editor, acquired world English language rights from Sarah Hornsley of The Bent Agency.

East is the author of two psychological suspense novels published by HQ. Little White Lies was published in February 2020 and was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey New Blood Dagger. Her second novel, Safe and Sound, publishes next month.

The first book in the deal will be released in February 2022 and is “an emotionally complex and suspenseful page-turner in which the secrets of two neighbouring families are laid bare when a reality TV crew descend on their lives”.

East, who also works as a psychologist and therapist, said: “I could not be happier to be continuing my career with this fantastic team, headed by my brilliant editor, Cicely Aspinall. I feel so at home within the HQ ‘family’, whose support for me and my stories has been second to none.”

Aspinall added: “Philippa is an incredibly talented and hard-working writer. Her books are clever psychological puzzles that are as gripping as they are emotionally intelligent. She is also hugely supportive of her fellow authors and a total pleasure to work with, so I couldn’t be happier to continue publishing her.”