HQ signs another three from Watkins

HQ has acquired three new novels in Roz Watkins’ DI Meg Dalton crime series.

Senior commissioning editor Emily Kitchin acquired world English language rights from Diana Beaumont at Marjacq.

Set in the Peak District, the first book in the new three book deal will see the Derbyshire police force "take on one of its most chilling cases yet," the publisher said. "DI Meg Dalton must investigate the mysterious and disturbing death of a woman in a nearby derelict church – and the woman’s connection to a local commune accused of practicing Satanism in the 1970s." It will be published in hardback and e-book a year later in June 2021.

The first novel in the series, The Devil’s Dice was selected as the Times’ Crime Book of the Month last year, and was shortlisted for a CWA Debut Dagger Award 2018. TV rights have been optioned by ITV studios. HQ will publish the second book in the series, Dead Man’s Daughter, in paperback in February 2020 with the third in the series, Cut to the Bone, to publish in hardback and e-book in June 2020.

Watkins, who is based in the Peak District, said: “I’m over the moon to have signed for another three books with HQ. I've loved working with Emily and the fabulous HQ team, and can't wait to put DI Meg Dalton through the mill with some more sinister cases.”

Kitchin said of the lawyer-turned-author: “Roz is one of the most exciting crime authors around and her clever and complex plots, superb characterisation and ability to imbue her novels with an incredible sense of place and atmosphere is unparalleled. Plus, DI Meg Dalton is one of my all-time favourite crime-fiction heroines – if only everyone could be as wryly funny and straight-talking as she is.

“The reader-response to Meg has been brilliant, and we can’t wait to see what she does next. Roz is certainly one to watch, and everyone at HQ is delighted to be working with her as her star continues to ascend.”

Beaumont said: “I am delighted about this three-book deal with Emily and the team at HQ – it demonstrates their commitment to building Roz Watkins into a brand and introducing even more readers to DI Meg Dalton who has been such a hit with readers and reviewers alike.”