S&S scoops 'sublimely creepy' gothic by Thomas

Simon & Schuster UK (S&S UK) has scooped the rights to The Sleepwalkers, a contemporary gothic by Scarlett Thomas, author of The End of Mr Y (Canongate).

Scribner’s editorial director, Chris White, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates. In a separate deal, Olivia Taylor Smith acquired North American rights for Simon & Schuster US from Dan Mandel at Sanford J Greenburger Associates.

S&S describes the title, which will publish in spring 2024, as a “sublimely creepy” contemporary gothic, which delves into an unravelling relationship.

The synopsis reads: “After learning an unspeakable secret at their wedding, Evelyn and Richard arrive on a tiny Greek island for their honeymoon at the exclusive Villa Rosa. Already reeling from the revelations of the wedding, they are unsettled further by the strange and sinister atmosphere at the hotel. Hearing talk of a married couple who stayed there and notoriously drowned in the nearby sea, Evie decides to investigate further: a decision that will plunge the newlyweds into a nightmare where they must confront their own darkest truths in order to understand what really happened to ‘The Sleepwalkers’."

Thomas said of the upcoming title: “The Sleepwalkers is about bad relationships, terrible secrets and the dark side of holidays. I have long been fascinated by the way so many shameful things in our culture are hidden in plain sight, and I wanted to write a novel that also works in this way.”

Commenting on the acquisition, White said: “I have been a fan of Scarlett’s for the longest time, so when Veronique offered me the opportunity read her new book, I leapt at the chance. Scarlett has woven an intricate tapestry of dark and mysterious delight. When you sit back and look at the whole you realise it’s a thing of perfectly constructed beauty but when you’re reading it, when you are in it, all you want to do is turn the next page, desperate to find out what happens next. Take Du Maurier’s Rebecca mix it with ’White Lotus’ and sprinkle a dash of Patricia Highsmith on top and you will still only get the merest hint of the rich and deeply satisfying flavours on offer here."