Raven Books secures two more in Kayode’s Philip Taiwo series

Raven Books has secured the next two books in Femi Kayode’s Philip Taiwo series.

Publishing director Alison Hennessey acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Harry Illingworth at the DHH Literary Agency. Josh Kendall at Mullholland (Hachette) has acquired the US rights to the two books and will publish alongside the UK.

The series follows investigative psychologist Taiwo, who has moved back to Nigeria with his family after years spent working in the US. The first two books in the series see him investigating a lynching in a university town and the potential framing of a pastor.

Kayode’s debut, Lightseekers (Raven Books), was selected as a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and has been optioned by Michael Shulman at Sand & Snow Entertainment. Kayode’s follow-up, Gaslight, was published this month at Raven Books and has already been chosen as a Waterstones Crime Book of the Year, while the as-yet-untitled third book in the series will be published in 2025, with the fourth following in 2027.

Hennessey said: "In Philip Taiwo, Femi has created an iconic character: an optimist, a family man, someone committed to uncovering the truth, whatever the cost. He is exactly the kind of character that readers will come back to again and again and I could not be happier to have two more books featuring him signed up for the Raven Books list. Anyone who has met Femi will know what a brilliant, passionate ambassador he is for his books and I am so delighted to be working with him again."

Kayode added: "I am excited to continue Philip Taiwo’s journey with the team I started it with. Their belief in this character motivates and inspires me, and I can’t wait to get cracking on Taiwo’s next adventure."

Illingworth said "I’m delighted that Alison and the dynamic Raven Books team will continue to publish Femi’s wonderful series. Philip Taiwo is a breath of fresh air in the genre, and I can’t wait to see where the next books lead him, and for new audiences to discover this entertaining and atmospheric crime series."