Simon & Schuster wins three-way auction for ‘high concept’ debut from Callaghan  

Simon & Schuster has won a three-way auction for In the Blink of an Eye, the “thought-provoking” crime debut from Jo Callaghan.  

Katherine Armstrong, deputy publishing director for fiction, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sue Armstrong at C&W. Rights have been pre-empted for six figures in a two-book deal in Germany by Piper and have sold in Sweden (Modernista) and Hungary (21st Szazad). The novel is also in development for the screen with Neal Street Productions. In the Blink of an Eye will be published in January 2023 as Simon & Schuster’s debut crime thriller of the year.  

S&S wrote: “In the Blink of an Eye sees DCS Kat Frank return to the police force after extended compassionate leave. Her new assignment is heading a pilot project that involves trialing an AIDE (Artificial Intelligence Detective Entity) to help with cold cases. AIDE Lock might look and sound like a person, but it is a hologram with amazing capabilities, able to do the work of 20 police officers in a fraction of the time. While Kat initially resents Lock – how can a machine understand human emotions and complexities? – the two must form an uneasy alliance when the case they’re working on becomes personal.”  

Katherine Armstrong said: “I absolutely loved Jo’s fresh take on the procedural when I read In the Blink of an Eye. This is a fast-paced narrative with a very unique detective duo that deftly explores futuristic scenarios (that might not be all that far away!); and at a deeper level looks at what it really means to be human.”  

Sue Armstrong commented: “In the Blink of an Eye is such a delightfully fresh and thought-provoking take on a police procedural but what I love most about Jo’s writing is her ability to bring warmth and humanity to crime fiction. Her characters intrigue me as much as the case to be solved and that makes for a truly captivating read.”  

Callaghan added: “Katherine Armstrong is one of the most respected editors in crime fiction, so it is hugely exciting to have Katherine and the whole team at Simon & Schuster championing In the Blink of an Eye, a story that I wrote initially for myself as a distraction from grief. Katherine’s affection and enthusiasm for DCS Kat Frank and her AI partner AIDE Lock has been a complete joy, and I cannot wait to share this story of love, loss and what it means to be human with readers.”