Pavone moves to Head of Zeus with two thrillers

Head of Zeus has scooped Two Nights in Lisbon, a "compulsive, politically charged thriller", by Chris Pavone in a two-book deal.

C.e.o. Nic Cheetham and publishing director Laura Palmer acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein. Two Nights in Lisbon will be published by Head of Zeus in May 2022 in hardback, export trade paper back, e-book and audio. A Waterstones special edition, with pink and purple sprayed edges, has also been produced.

The novel opens with a woman waking up to discover her new husband is missing, and sets out on a wild race of power, politics, and revenge that spans three days and four countries. "A multi-layered international thriller filled with twists, turns, husbands, wives, secrets and lies, it will linger long after you turn the surprising final page," the synopsis says.

Palmer said: "I’ve been a huge fan of Chris Pavone ever since his first book The Expats was published in 2012. Two Nights in Lisbon is my perfect thriller: compulsive, intelligent, and politically charged; starring a heroine you’d die for if she gave you the chance (she wouldn’t)."

Previously published by Faber, Pavone is the author of The Expats, The Accident, The Travellers and The Paris Diversion.  

"I’ve been around the book business for three decades now, half as a writer and the first half on the publishing side, from a tiny house to the biggest of the giants, and it’s exceedingly rare to see anything launch so confidently and successfully as Head of Zeus," he said. "I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining their distinguished list of international crime fiction."

Cheetham added: "Two Nights in Lisbon had me at hello – a pitch-perfect title backed by a story that delivers on level after level. I thought I knew the thriller playbook, Chris Pavone proved me wrong."