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Sphere has netted Mark Billingham’s first new series for more than 20 years.
Publishing director Ed Wood acquired three new novels from Sarah Lutyens at Lutyens & Rubinstein. One of the titles kicks off Billingham’s first new series since his first Tom Thorne novel more than two decades ago.
The first in the new series will be published in 2023 and “introduces a true one-off,” Sphere said. “Detective Miller is unique, unconventional and criminally underestimated, investigating a double murder in a seedy seaside hotel following the death of his wife. Notably warmer in tone than the Thorne novels, the Miller series will give Billingham a chance to flex both his renowned thriller-writing skills and give freer range to his wit, born of his previous career as a comedian.”
The crime writer celebrated his two-decade career anniversary in 2020 with Cry Baby, a prequel to his bestselling Thorne series and follows them with Thorne thriller The Murder Book (both published by Sphere) in 2022.
Wood said: “Mark is one of the original crime fiction mavericks, whose psychological manipulation of the reader has always paired with deeply humane and intelligent storytelling. With the Miller series, he does something new again, a highly character-driven work that will draw readers in via empathy, mystery and dry humour.”
Billingham said: “I could not be more thrilled to continue working with the amazing team at Little, Brown which has been my publishing home since book one. I know that they share my excitement at starting my first new series in more than 20 years and we can’t wait to introduce readers to a brand new character.”
Lutyens added: “The excitement at L&R and from everyone at Little, Brown is palpable."