Penguin Michael Joseph acquires ‘extraordinary’ new Michaelides thriller

Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired The Fury, the “compelling, highly original and voice-driven” new thriller from Alex Michaelides.

Publisher Joel Richardson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in two books, from Sam Copeland at RCW. The book will publish in hardback, e-book and audio on 1st February 2024. US rights have been sold to Celadon, and rights have already been acquired in 12 languages, with further offers already received.

The Fury begins as the story of a small gathering of friends, on a private island in Greece, which is destined to end in murder. But dangerously charming narrator Elliot Chase has more than one trick up his sleeve – and even he won’t see this ending coming.

Michaelides is the author of The Silent Patient (Orion), which has sold more than 6.5 million copies around the world according to the publisher. The rights have been sold in 50 countries and has been optioned for film by Plan B. His second novel, The Maidens (W&N), has been optioned for television by Miramax Television and Stone Village.

Michaelides said: “I’m happy to be joining the team at Penguin Michael Joseph. It feels like a great fit for my writing.”

Richardson said: “The Fury is one of the most original thrillers I’ve read. With a dangerously charming narrator and a classic set-up, the first half had me completely hooked. Alex has a rare gift for writing thrillers that are at once irresistibly page-turning and effortlessly sophisticated.”