PMJ snaps up ‘delicious debut tale of murderous intrigue’ by Bustle’s Rosenblum

Penguin Michael Joseph has pre-empted a debut novel from Emma Rosenblum, chief content officer of the online magazine Bustle, as a major lead for 2024. 

Publisher Jessica Leeke acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Bad Summer People, a “delicious tale of small-town drama, infidelity and murderous intrigue”, from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown on behalf of Alexandra Machinist at ICM, for publication in summer 2024 as a major lead debut. North American rights were also pre-empted by Megan Lynch at Flatiron.

The synopsis reads: “Every summer, from Memorial Day until Labour Day, privileged New Yorkers flock to second homes on Fire Island trailing children, nannies and picnic baskets. They exchange busy jobs and city lives for gossip, tennis and adultery, and the summer of Bad Summer People sets out to be no different – until a body is discovered by the side of the boardwalk.  

“As the summer goes on, cracks begin to show between the perfect couples and their perfect lives. None of them would admit to being particularly good. But who among them is actually capable of murder?”

Leeke said working on the debut was “the most fun we’ve had between the pages of a book for so long” and that Rosenblum skewers the rich, white, Botoxed elite to revel in themes crucial to all great summer beach reads.

“Come for the sun-drenched escapism, stay for the satirical swipes and bad behaviour, this page-turning treat of a novel will be on every deckchair come publication,” she said. 

Rosenblum added: “It’s a dream to join the iconic Penguin Michael Joseph team, and to work with them to bring this book to life. I grew up going to Fire Island, and I’ve always been fascinated by this little community of privileged, complicated New Yorkers who spend their summers by the sea. I’m excited to introduce readers to this world and to these characters (who aren’t totally bad!).”