HQ waltzes off with two cosy crime novels from Strictly's Shirley Ballas

HQ has waltzed off with two cosy crime novels from “Strictly Come Dancing” head judge Shirley Ballas. 

Emily Kitchin, editorial director, acquired world, all-language rights to The Sequin Mysteries series from Jo Bell at Bell Lomax Moreton and Ashley Vallance at InterTalent Group. Ballas has co-written the books, which are set in the highly competitive world of ballroom dancing, with author Sheila McClure.  

The first book, Murder on the Dancefloor, will be published in October 2023. The synopsis says: “When a promising young performer is murdered during the opening tango of Blackpool’s (in)famous Dance Festival, Lily Richmond, dance legend, teacher and one-time world champion, partners with her former student and private detective, Susie Cooper, to unravel the rumours from the rumbas and reveal the murderer’s identity before the bodies start to pile up.” 

Kitchin said: “HQ has been bedazzled by The Sequin Mysteries. No-one is better placed than Shirley to give readers a delicious sneak peek into what really goes on in the world of dance, where conspiracy, passion and love affairs abound. Murder on the Dancefloor is quite simply fabulous, packed with glamour, glitter, larger-than-life characters, drama and danger… not to mention lashings of hairspray. HQ is thrilled to be publishing this fantastic series, and I’m so excited for readers to meet dance-detective duo Lily Richmond and Susie Cooper.” 

Ballas said: “My industry, the world of competitive ballroom, is full of intrigue and passion. Pouring a lifetime of experience into a cosy crime series is the perfect twist to my career. Working with Emily, Sheila and the rest of the team at HQ has been a delight. I simply can’t wait for readers to get their hands on these books!”