'Serial-style' thriller to Orenda

Orenda Books is to publish Six Stories, a "Serial-style" debut thriller by Matt Wesolowski.

Karen Sullivan, publisher of Orenda Books, acquired world rights to the title directly from the author.

The novel is constructed as a series of podcasts, in which an investigative journalist describes the circumstances around the death of a teenaged boy in an outward-bound centre, interviewing witnesses, suspects and people close to the incident. Their six accounts form the six stories of the title, creating a "chilling and compelling, page-turning thriller that also delves deep into notions of truth, perception and loyalty".

Sullivan said: "Last September, at Bloody Scotland festival, Matt pitched this novel to the 'Pitch Perfect' panel, of which I was a member, and I was instantly intrigued. The final product more than lives up to the pitch, and I was utterly entranced both by the effortless prose, the carefully structured plotline, and the fresh, contemporary feel of the book and the author’s voice. This is an ideal read for armchair detectives and fans of Serial, as each of the stories presents a new revelation or twist, and the reader is forced to assess the veracity of each narrator. Matt has made a name for himself in the short horror genre, but this is something quite different, an exceptional, exciting novel that I cannot wait to publish. A perfect addition to the growing Orenda crime list."

"Serial" is a podcast hosted by journalist Sarah Koenig. In the podcast, Koenig narrates a nonfiction story over multiple episodes.

Wesolowski said: "To have my first deviation from horror to crime signed up by Orenda Books, home to some of the finest crime-writing talent out there right now (and some of my favourite authors) is deeply humbling. To share the stark shadows of Hiekkapelto, the frozen blizzards of Jónasson and the poetic grimness of Tuomainen is an honour beyond all honours."

Six Stories will be published in 2017.