Muswell Press seizes Erichsen’s ‘deliciously dark’ début

Muswell Press has landed Murder by Natural Causes, a thriller about a female assassin by début novelist Helen Erichsen.

Publishers Sarah and Kate Beal acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Laura Macdougall at United Agents.

The synopsis reads: “Cilla is a 22-year-old contract killer, specialising in the dry job: a murder interpreted as death by natural causes. Neither strong, nor beautiful, she isn’t your typical female protagonist. In fact, she is so unremarkable as to render her almost invisible, an advantage in her line of work. She has survived because she is clever, stubborn and lucky. Plus, the weapons training and lessons on poison at the elite Academy 43 have stood her in good stead. But statistically her luck is bound to run out. She must find a way to reinvent herself. Soon.

“She also knows that her main client, Vladimir Haugr, would rather kill her than let her go. Will Cilla be able to reinvent herself? And if so, at what cost?”

Erichsen, who has a background in sociology, psychology and criminology, said: “I’m delighted to be publishing my début novel: Murder by Natural Causes. Cilla has lived in my head for too long. It’s time to let her loose on the world.”

“We are so thrilled to be publishing this deliciously dark début, featuring a strong, beguiling anti-hero, the inimitable Cilla, in an original and expert thriller,” Sarah and Kate Beal said. “Helen Erichsen is a rising star and one to watch.”

Ellis Moore, senior rights and content manager at Bolinda Audio, said: “When reading the opening pages of Murder by Natural Causes and meeting the fantastically dark and twisty character of Cilla, I knew this would translate so well into a gripping, thrilling audiobook that would be addictive. I cannot wait to bring this story to audio with Helen, and to support her launch into the world.”