Pan Macmillan bags 'zingy' novel in two-book deal from Parkin

Pan Macmillan has bagged The Final Hours of Muriel Hinchcliffe MBE, a "dark comic" story of friendship and jealously, in a two-book deal from Claire Parkin. 

Associate publisher Wayne Brookes acquired world English rights, including audio, from Jo Unwin at the Jo Unwin Literary Agency. The first book in the deal will be published in March 2024 as a lead title for the publisher. 

"What a brilliant book this is: gripping, comic, dark and zingy, and Wayne is the perfect editor for it," said Unwin. "I cast the movie in my head on the very first read so glorious older actresses: stand by your phones!"

The Final Hours of Muriel Hinchcliffe MBE follows two "mature" ladies who share a house in north London: "It’s a story of two unlovable people who are desperate to be loved and who set about finding love in entirely the wrong way. Throughout their years together events take some dark sinister turns and neither of them is quite as they seem." 

Brookes commented: "The Final Hours of Muriel Hinchcliffe MBE is simply a joy to read. Divine writing with characters you will love and hate in equal measures. It is as comical as it is poignant, and as dark and twisted as it is beautifully written. It’s a fresh and exciting journey into how old friends aren’t always necessarily the best friends, and do they really have our best interests at heart."

Parkin added: "To be published by a brand as iconic as Pan Macmillan is a dream come true, but more than that, I am so lucky to have someone as brilliant, experienced, and enthusiastic as Wayne as my editor... Wayne and Jo are my dream team, and I still can’t quite believe this is happening to me."