Lume Books snaps up debut psychological thriller from Milburn mentee Spiers

Lume Books has snapped up the debut psychological thriller by Madeleine Milburn mentee Sophia Spiers. 

Publisher James Faktor acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for The Call of Cassandra Rose in e-book and print from Olivia Maidment at the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency. It will be published in autumn 2022. 

Spiers, a qualified hypnotherapist who has worked in film and TV production, graduated from the Faber Academy novel writing course in 2019. She is one of six mentees chosen from over 1,500 entrants to be a part of the inaugural Madeleine Milburn Mentorship Scheme.

The Call of Cassandra Rose tells the story of Annabelle, a young wife and mother who seems to have it all. Yet she is traumatised by a forgotten event from her childhood and is lured by the promise of help from a persuasive and mysterious hypnotherapist, with her own secret agenda.

As the treatment unfolds Annabelle is pulled into a web of deception and abuse where she is no longer sure whether she is the patient or the victim – and she faces a desperate fight to retake control of her life. 

Faktor said: “This is one of the best thrillers I have read in years. It is Daphne du Maurier meets Paula Hawkins, and I know readers are going to be gripped from the first page."

Spiers said she was "beyond thrilled" to be published by Lume, adding: "I know my novel is in safe hands. I am also eternally grateful to Maddy and the MM team for having faith in my story and giving me an incredible opportunity with the mentorship scheme. It’s been a dream come true.” 

Milburn said she could see "a strong commercial brand in the making" when she chose Spiers as a mentee, and described her debut novel as "a taut, pacey, atmospheric thriller". She added: "It has found the perfect home with Lume books. I am so looking forward to watching readers fall under Cassandra’s spell.”