Sphere acquires 'phenomenal' plague-set novel from Burn

Sphere has acquired The Hemlock Cure by Joanne Burn, a historical novel set in the Peak District against the backdrop of the Great Plague in 1666.

The Hemlock Cure will take inspiration from the real stories of the people of Eyam, a small village in the Derbyshire Dales, famous for going into voluntary isolation during the plague. 

The novel will follow Mae, the youngest daughter of the fanatical apothecary, and Isabel Frith, the village midwife, as they navigate womanhood in an age of religious conflict and witch trials. Meanwhile terror of the plague is growing in Eyam. Just when it is decided that nobody can leave the village, Mae makes a horrifying discovery. Isabel is the only person she can turn to. But helping Mae will place both women in unimaginable peril and will bind their fates forever. 

Commissioning editor Rosanna Forte acquired world rights from Ella Kahn at DKW. Publication is slated for early 2022. 

Forte said: "I couldn’t be more excited to be publishing The Hemlock Cure. Like the finest historical fiction, this novel is meticulously researched and glitters with authentic detail. But this is never at the expense of Joanne’s phenomenal storytelling. Mae and Isabel’s story captivated me from the very beginning, and I cannot wait to share it in a year’s time."

Burn commented: "I'm completely delighted that Sphere will be publishing The Hemlock Cure. Knowing that Rosanna and the whole team at Sphere share my passion for this story makes bringing it out into the world all the more exciting."

Burn is the author of Petals and Stones (Legend Press, 2018)