Penguin acquires two 'compulsive' YA thrillers from Laure Eve

Penguin, an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s UK, has acquired two "compulsive" YA thrillers from Laure Eve. Publisher Carmen McCullough acquired world rights from Sam Copeland at RCW and Eve will be a focus for Penguin Random House Children’s rights team at Frankfurt Book Fair this week.

The first book, Alecto Gray Will Hunt You Down, is a darkly funny, contemporary YA thriller for fans of Holly Jackson and Krystal Sutherland. It is slated for publication in spring 2026 with a second book to follow in 2027.

The synopsis reads: "When a boy in her town starts claiming that a demon is stalking him – Alecto Gray has no choice but to investigate. After all, that’s exactly what her brother Lucas said, right before he died. Soon, Alecto’s investigation leads her to uncover a sinister underbelly to her small seaside town with two warring factions at its heart. Armed only with her razor-sharp wit and a talent for getting into trouble, Alec endures threats and kidnappings, and even the spark of a new romance, in order to get to the truth. But can she handle the truth or will the darkness at the heart of the mystery destroy her as well?"

Eve joins Penguin’s hugely successful YA thriller list, after her first two YA duologies The Graces and The Curses and Fearsome Dreamer and The Illusionists, were published by Faber and hot Key Books respectively.

The latest acquisition forms part of Penguin’s YA publishing programme over the next three years.

Eve said: "I am so happy how Carmen McCullough and Penguin have taken to the singular Alecto Gray, who is my absolute favourite voice I’ve yet written. She’s the funny, provocative, dark and determined noir detective of my wish fulfilment dreams, and I’m hoping everyone loves her as much as I do."

McCullough said: "We are proud of our varied list of YA thrillers at Penguin and are always looking for original and exciting voices to bring to our thriller list. Having been a fan of Laure’s writing for years, I was excited to read Alecto Gray Will Hunt You Down and blown away by the fresh and distinctive voice of our smart, funny, angry hero, Alec, who is determined to get to the truth at any cost. It’s a compelling mystery that feels different to anything you have read before."

Alecto Gray Will Hunt You Down will publish in spring 2026.