S&S Children's snaps up Matuluko's debut in six-figure pre-empt

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has acquired ’Til Death, a YA Lagos-set mystery thriller from debut author and BookTokker Busayo Matuluko in a “significant” six-figure pre-empt.

World all-language rights in two books were acquired by Carla Hutchinson, senior commissioning editor, from Gyamfia Osei at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, marking Hutchinson’s first acquisition since her arrival at Simon & Schuster in October.

Set to publish early in 2025, ’Til Death is described as “a thrilling, compulsive mystery that celebrates the nuances and dramas of Nigerian family and culture”.

The synopsis says: “True crime-obsessed Lara Oyinlola is heading to Lagos for her favourite and closest cousin’s wedding. But all is not perfect in the bride’s world. For the past six months, she has been receiving anonymous threats instructing her to cancel the wedding . . . or face the consequences. This is the moment that Lara has been waiting for: put her sleuthing knowledge to work and solve a real-life mystery. But, with chaos ensuing as the wedding approaches, what Lara doesn’t expect is for her investigation to uncover a web of secrets which promise to tear the family apart for good.”

Hutchinson said: “I have been dying (pun intended!) for a stand-out YA mystery thriller by a Black British author with a Black British lead, and Busayo has delivered just that with ’Til Death. It’s slick, addictive, chaotic and intriguing – exactly what we want in a mystery thriller. With family secrets, bitchy bridesmaids, annoying exes and a protagonist who unashamedly loves gossip and true crime in equal measure, Busayo’s storytelling is masterfully multi-layered. Busayo is a true talent and I’m overjoyed that her phenomenal debut will be taking pride of place on the formidable S&S YA list.”

Matuluko said: “It makes me tearful to think of how my story has landed in the best hands. Firstly, with my phenomenal agent, Gyamfia, who understood my story wholly and held my hand throughout the entire process. To now finding a home with the wonderful S&S team, and Carla specifically, who is the perfect editor for my ‘cosy-until-it’s-not’ British-Nigerian mystery.”

Osei added: “Busayo is a rising star and I am enormously excited to see both her and ’Til Death soar to great heights. Spring 2025, here we come!”