John Blake lands two more true-crime tales from Sutton

John Blake has landed two more true crime titles from Manhunt author and ex-Met Police DCI Colin Sutton to tie-in with two upcoming TV shows.

Bonnier Books UK editor James Hodgkinson acquired world rights to both books from Robin Wade at Wade & Co.

First title The West End Girls tells the inside story of the investigation into the 1970s murders of Eve Stratford, Lynne Weedon and Lynda Farrow to tie in with a forthcoming ITV documentary on the case. DCI Sutton led the cold case review which revealed conclusive new evidence pinpointing the killer. It will be published as an e-book first in the autumn to coincide with the documentary, with a print edition to follow in 2020.

Night Stalker is DCI Sutton’s memoir of cracking the case of serial rapist Delroy Grant, who terrorised the South London area for over fifteen years. Night Stalker is to be published in 2020 in conjunction with a new ITV drama starring Martin Clunes as Sutton.

Clunes previously played the DCI in the hit TV version of Manhunt (John Blake), Sutton’s account of capturing serial killer Levi Bellfield.

Hodgkinson said: “Colin’s first book, Manhunt, the story of bringing serial killer Levi Bellfield to justice, was one of the most compulsive true crime stories I have yet read — honest, gripping, absorbing and often disarmingly funny. It’s no wonder it became a television drama that enthralled millions. Night Stalker and The West End Girls promise to dive even deeper into the sheer drama of high-profile, life-or-death police work at its very best. I could not be more pleased to be publishing Colin again.”

Sutton added: “I'm delighted to be working again with the fantastic team at Bonnier Books UK. The amazing feedback from readers and viewers of Manhunt emphasises the public’s continuing fascination with good old-fashioned detective work, and the story is a tribute to the dedication of all my former colleagues.”