One More Chapter nabs a horror-thriller from S L Howe

One More Chapter has scooped The Soul Thief, a horror thriller set in Victorian Manchester, from Samantha Lee Howe, writing as S L Howe. 

Jennie Rothwell, editorial director, acquired world all-language rights from Camilla Shestopal at Shesto Literary Agency for publication in December 2024. "Sam switches seamlessly into different genres, and we are tremendously excited to see The Soul Thief reach great heights with Jennie and the team at One More Chapter," said Shestopal. 

The synopsis reads: "Through the darkness of a midwinter nightshift, the flicker of a candle flame illuminates the exhaustion in Dr Warren Carter’s eyes; memories of a painful surgery and the fine line of human frailty haunt his every thought. A nightcap with the beautiful Rosie is just the tonic he needs.

"What should’ve been a pleasant encounter soon turns sinister when the young nurse disappears without a trace. One by one more disappearances occur at the hospital, until a private investigator is brought in to assist. But rather than finding answers, he becomes trapped in a nightmare of his own making." 

“In The Soul Thief, Sam has crafted a really eerie sense of place. Her depictions of Victorian Manchester really bring the horror to life and the uncertainty of the characters and twists in the story just kept me reading," said Rothwell. 

Howe added: “I loved writing this book which straddles my two favourite genres—horror and thriller. I’ve always believed the sky’s the limit with supernatural fiction and you can let your imagination run riot as long as it’s grounded in reality."