Orion Fiction falls under the spell of Rookes’ ‘folkloric, suspenseful’ gothic thriller 

Orion Fiction has signed “spellbinding” gothic thriller The Gallows Tree by Lisa Rookes, who has been a crime and real-life journalist for 22 years and is currently deputy head of journalism at the University of Sheffield.

Leodora Darlington, publishing director, acquired world English-language rights from Hannah Weatherill at Northbank Talent Management. The début novel will be released in e-book and audio in April 2024, followed by a paperback release in September 2024.

Described by the publisher as “twisty and dark, with compelling folkloric detail,” The Gallows Tree was inspired by the real-life annual Great Plague celebrations where Rookes lives, a small Yorkshire village where every year a Gallows Queen is crowned during a summer night of celebration.

In the novel, one year the Gallows Queen disappears shortly after being crowned, and when human remains are found buried by the village church, the story of the missing queen and the village’s dark past soon become intertwined.

Darlington said she was “immediately obsessed with Lisa’s book when it landed in my inbox” and describes it as a “brilliantly suspenseful novel” that blends elements of horror and folklore “into something truly special”.

“Ultimately, this is a book about the lies we tell ourselves and those closest to us,” she continues. “It is spine-tingly creepy and jaw-droppingly twisty. It’s a truly spellbinding piece of fiction and the whole Orion Fiction team immediately fell in love with its magic. I’m so pleased to be publishing Lisa’s books and can’t wait for readers to discover her amazing storytelling.”

Rookes commented: “From our first conversation I knew Leodora and Orion were the one. It’s so amazing when someone gets your book as much, or even more so, than you do. I can’t wait to join this fantastic, forward-thinking team and hope I’ll be here for years to come, especially with the incredible vision they have for my eerie folky horror tales. To say I’m excited is an understatement.”

Weatherill added: “I’m so thrilled that The Gallows Tree has found the perfect home in Leodora and Orion. It was clear from the first call that they had the vision to launch Lisa as a major name in this spooky, twisted space and I can’t wait for readers to discover the sinister friendships and secrets in this small Yorkshire village.”