Sphere signs two-book deal with Mackintosh and launches first crime series

Sphere will publish two more titles from thriller author Clare Mackintosh as it launches her first ever crime series featuring “echoes of Agatha Christie and Scandi-noir". 

Executive publisher Cath Burke and fiction publisher Lucy Malagoni acquired world rights in two thrillers in a deal with Sheila Crowley at Curtis Brown. It will see Sphere publish the second in a new crime series featuring DC Morgan along with one other book. The announcement comes ahead of the first DC Morgan mystery, The Last Party, scheduled for August and acquired as part of a two-book deal in 2020, with the second in the series scheduled for 2023.

“The series will be set against the wild, beautiful backdrop of Snowdonia, Mackintosh’s home, and star the fiery DC Ffion Morgan,” Sphere said. “The Last Party is a mystery with echoes of Agatha Christie and Scandi-noir but with a modern edge all of Mackintosh’s own, and features her signature strong characters, heartfelt emotion and unpredictable twists and turns.” It also draws on the author’s own experiences as a former police officer.  

In the new book, Rhys Lloyd, a home-grown hero who has returned to build controversial holiday homes on the shore of Llyn Drych (Mirror Lake), is found floating dead in the water on New Year’s Day, the morning after a party that brought together the feuding villagers and locals. DC Ffion Morgan has to investigate her neighbours, friends and family in a village with this many secrets. 

Mackintosh will be undertaking a major tour to mark the start of the series, travelling throughout Wales sharing proofs of The Last Party with bookshops as well as visiting stores across the UK.  

Malagoni said: “I can't wait to invite readers to The Last Party this summer and introduce them to the brilliant DC Ffion Morgan. Myself and the team at Sphere have had the privilege of working with Clare and Sheila since the launch of I Let You Go, and it never ceases to be a thrill. Clare raises the bar with every book she writes, and we are as ambitious as ever for this exceptional new series.”  

Mackintosh commented: “I have an incredible team at Sphere, not only in editorial, but across marketing, PR, sales and more. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be staying with this stellar crew for another two books, and I can’t wait to introduce DC Ffion Morgan to my readers.”  

Crowley said: “It is wonderful working with Clare Mackintosh who is always finding new ways to reach her readers, and works tirelessly with the Sphere team in developing innovative campaigns. This exciting new series will bring Clare to an even wider audience.”  

Mackintosh’s books have won multiple awards and been translated into 40 languages.