Jo Fletcher Books signs 'epic' fantasy standalone from McLean

Jo Fletcher Books (JFB) has signed an "epic grimdark" fantasy novel from Peter McLean. 

Publishing director Anne Perry acquired world English language rights from Jennie Goloboy at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Paved with Good Intentions, a standalone set in the same universe as the Rose Throne series, will be published in 2025. 

"I’m so excited Peter will be returning to the world of the Rose Throne with a new voice-driven, pacey adventure," said Goloboy. 

Following from the events in McLean’s Priest of Crowns (Quercus), Paved with Good Intentions follows Eline who is blackmailed into the service of the Queen’s Men. "She knows it will be a hard life of violence and fear. But Eline will do what it takes to survive, and to protect her son... and if she’s lucky, she won’t die in the process." 

McLean said: "I’m very pleased to be working with the excellent team at JFB again and look forward to bringing new readers into the world of the Rose Throne. The road to a gritty new adventure awaits, but all paved with the very best of intentions. Where it leads you, well... for existing readers, you may find an old friend if you know where to look but, if not, welcome!"

Perry added: "What an extraordinary return to the world of the Rose Throne Peter has given us! Eline is a raw and compelling character, and featuring alongside Peter’s trademark wit and compelling storytelling, she makes for a compelling new — and wholly unforgettable — character for readers to love. A superb grimdark adventure, Paved with Good Intentions is another brilliant, bloody fantasy from a master of the genre."