The Borough Press scoops Imani Thompson’s 'addictive' debut in 10-way auction 

The Borough Press has acquired Imani Thompson’s “blistering and addictive” debut novel Honey, about a PhD student at Cambridge University who develops a compulsion for murder.

Commissioning editor Jo Thompson won UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Nicola Chang of David Higham in a “fiercely fought” 10-way auction over the course of Frankfurt Book Fair.

US rights were acquired by Marie Pantojan of Random House after a nine-way auction and German rights were pre-empted by Rowohlt within 24 hours of submission, with further translation rights in multiple international territories now sold or under offer.

The novel’s synopsis states: “Yrsa is tired: of her PhD, of the undergraduates she teaches, of the useless or manipulative men in the world. When she flicks a bee into one such man’s San Pellegrino, she has no idea what she’s starting. But that one half-accidental murder awakens a taste for more, and suddenly Yrsa is alive."

Jo Thompson said: “Imani’s writing is wickedly funny and intelligent. This is a galloping novel about female rage – a serial killer finding her calling – but it’s also a penetrating take on race and justice which deeply rewards and surprises at every turn.”

The author commented: “I wrote this novel because I wanted to explore race and rage in a way that subverted tropes and stereotypes, and also felt relatable. As such, I’m very happy that people have loved my vengeful protagonist as much as I do. Both Jo and Marie have such exciting visions for the book, and I can’t wait to work with them towards publication.”