Sphere scoops 'classic Christie-esque' mystery by Reid

Sphere has scooped Death of a Diplomat, a "classic Christie-esque locked-room mystery" by Eliza Reid, the First Lady of Iceland.

Editorial director Rosanna Forte acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to this book and a sequel from Samanatha Haywood and Evan Brown at the Transatlantic Agency. Sphere will publish in hardback in early 2025, while North American rights have been sold to Anna Michels at Sourcebooks and Nita Pronovost at S&S Canada.

The synopsis says: "Death of a Diplomat is set on the remote Westman islands and follows the wife of the Canadian ambassador to Iceland, Jane, as she attempts to solve a murder at a diplomatic dinner party before her husband falls under suspicion. The book is the first in a planned series and has all the hallmarks of the best in genre: an immersive setting, an interconnected cast of colourful characters, and members of the elite world behaving very badly indeed."

Forte commented: "Eliza and I share a longstanding love affair with Agatha Christie, and her passion for the genre really shines through in this delightfully fresh take on the locked-room mystery. I loved the brooding sense of place, the diplomatic glamour and the feminist sensibility of Eliza’s novel, and I know readers will adore it too."

Reid said: "After having caught the writing bug through my bestselling non-fiction book, I’m thrilled to be launching a new mystery series under the wise guidance of three terrific editors. I hope readers enjoy a classic whodunit set in my beloved adopted homeland of Iceland as much as I have enjoyed writing it."

Haywood said: "Death of a Diplomat has all the elements of my favourite reading experience, a feminist throughline, wildly interesting characters trapped on an exotic island, plus a story that truly requires you to read right to the last page. I’m already excited for the next in the series!"