Puffin takes third Hatmakers tale from Merchant in two-book deal

Puffin has acquired The Troublemakers, the third “irresistible” title in Tamzin Merchant’s Hatmakers series, alongside an additional middle-grade tale. 

Editorial director Natalie Doherty acquired world rights for both titles from Claire Wilson at RCW Literary Agency. The Troublemakers is illustrated by Paola Escobar.

Merchant’s The Hatmakers was voted Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month in January 2022. So far, the Penguin Random House rights team has sold her books into 10 territories.

“Return to the spellbinding magical world of the Hatmakers in this sweeping, epic and exciting new adventure on the high seas,” the synopsis reads. “Cordelia Hatmaker has finally united the warring Maker families and restored the kingdom’s faith in Maker magic. In just one week, King George will overturn a centuries-old law, and Making will at last be open to every person in the land.

“But there remain those who do not trust the Makers, particularly when mysterious outbreaks of chaotic magic begin to happen across London. And then the unthinkable happens: Cordelia is accused of treason. As the guards close in, she must flee London at once.

“Together with her best friends Sam and Goose, Cordelia sets sail on her family’s ship, the Little Bear, for the adventure of a lifetime. But the further they sail from home, the more danger they find themselves in, for soon they are deep into the territory of a band of legendary pirates: the Troublemakers, captained by a fierce and unstoppable pirate queen.”

Doherty said: “I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with the phenomenally talented Tamzin on more stories set in her magical, atmospheric and adventure-packed alternate Georgian world. The response to The Hatmakers and its brilliant sequel, The Mapmakers, has been incredibly strong from readers, reviewers and booksellers alike, and the team at Puffin can’t wait to introduce The Troublemakers next year.”

Merchant added: “I feel like I’ve swallowed the Hatmakers’ entire supply of sunbeams! I am absolutely thrilled to be making two more books with my wonderful editor Nat and her brilliant team at Puffin. Creating the first two stories was such a joy and I am utterly delighted to be continuing Cordelia’s adventures with such a passionate group of story-makers. I can’t wait to share the next adventures with readers and booksellers who took Cordelia and her magical world into their hearts. Here comes trouble...”

“It has been a joy to see Tamzin’s unique magic make its way out into the world over the past year, and to see the way readers and booksellers have taken Cordelia so warmly to their hearts,” Wilson said. “I am delighted to be looking ahead to two more irresistible books under the expert care of Natalie and the team and can’t wait for the story to continue.”