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Puffin bags the first children's title from Janice Hallett in three-book deal
Puffin has bagged the first children’s book by British Book Award winner Janice Hallett, A Box Full of Murders, in a three-book deal.
Publisher Jane Griffiths acquired world rights from Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates on exclusive submission. A Box Full Of Murders will be published in February 2025 for readers aged eight and over with the sequels to follow in February 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Told through Hallett’s "trademark" epistolary storytelling style, A Box Full Of Murders features a cold case from the 1980s framed in a modern-day investigation with siblings Ava and Luke. Readers will have the chance to uncover clues alongside the protagonists to sole the mystery themselves.
The synopsis reads: "When siblings Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box of files in their dad’s attic they are instantly intrigued. And, as they read through letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and notarised secret recordings, they realise that a decades-old, still unsolved, murder case is unfolding right in front of them. Determined to discover what really happened, Ava and Luke turn detective to try and crack the case. But soon they realise that the killer might still be out there – and might be closer than they think."
Hallett commented: "The chance to connect with younger readers is a dream come true, so it’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with the wonderful team at Puffin. Together we’re going to treat readers aged eight and over to a gripping historical mystery told in a cool, contemporary, multi-media style.”
Griffiths added: “Janice’s skill in crafting twists and turns to keep readers guessing is second-to-none and the brilliant way she uses different medium to carefully unravel a mystery. will hook younger readers as they try to work out ’whodunnit’ alongside Ava and Luke. A Box Full of Murders has all the elements you’d expect from the ’Queen of Crime’ and will delight readers aged eight and over looking for their next mystery fix."
