Profile Books acquires Paul Baker's history of murder mysteries

Profile Books has acquired Murder Mystery, the next book by Fabulosa! (Reaktion Books) author Paul Baker, who is also a professor of English Language at Lancaster University.

Cecily Gayford, publishing director of Profile Books, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Emma Bal at Madeleine Milburn Agency, and Murder Mystery is scheduled for publication in September 2027.

"The first major history of one of the world’s most popular genres, Murder Mystery will explore the origins of murder mysteries and their enduring appeal today – from Arthur Conan Doyle and the Golden Age of Crime to Scandi Noir and psychological thrillers," the synopsis says. "With their murderous delights, carefully plotted puzzles and hair-raising games of deception, mysteries offer readers a thrill – but, as Baker reveals, the fact that stories of violence and mayhem have such an enduring hold over us raises deeper questions about what we find entertaining and why."

Gayford said: "As a long-term murder mystery fanatic, I am delighted to welcome Paul Baker to the Profile list with his fascinating investigation into the history of this beloved genre – and what it can tell us about ourselves. Nerdily passionate in all the right ways, it’s the product of a lifetime of research, and full of twists and turns and unexpected revelations that Agatha Christie herself would be proud of."

Baker added: "From the age of 12, every weekend I’d spend all my pocket money on Agatha Christie, PD James and Arthur Conan Doyle stories. Researching this book has been an incredible experience, opening my eyes to the global diversity of the genre."