Severn House buys Hewson’s Nic Costa series

Severn House has acquired books four through 10 in David Hewson’s Rome-based Nic Costa mystery series, bringing the full series under Canongate’s Severn House imprint.

World English rights were acquired directly from the author by Rachel Slatter, commissioning editor and acting editorial director at Severn House. The series will be relaunched in paperback and e-book by Severn House in spring 2024.

The publisher says: “The books boast an ensemble cast, led by young detective Nic Costa, who first meet after a savage death in the Vatican Library in A Season for the Dead and over the course of the series delve into Italian art, culture and food in Rome, Venice and (briefly) San Francisco.”

Slatter said: “I’m absolutely delighted that David is bringing the full Nic Costa series to Canongate – and specifically to Severn House. We’re so excited to introduce the series to fans of his Venetian mysteries, as well as new readers and armchair travellers who haven’t yet experienced David’s pacy, thrilling novels.”

Hewson said: “Readers never stop asking me about the Nic Costa series and those Roman characters they love so much. It’s wonderful to see them getting a new life under Severn House/Canongate. I can’t wait for them to be back.”

Martin Brown, senior brand manager at Severn House, added: “It’s a delight to bring all the books in David Hewson’s Nic Costa series under one roof – especially on the 20th anniversary of the publication of A Season for the Dead. We can’t wait to re-introduce readers to David’s unique blend of gripping mystery and Italian art and culture.”