Tom Watson pens political thriller for Little, Brown

Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party, is making his fiction debut with a political thriller for Little, Brown with The House.

Sphere Fiction publishing director Ed Wood, who signed the deal for world rights with Rory Scarfe of The Blair Partnership for Watson’s début novel, said it would be "the political thriller of a generation". It is co-written with author Imogen Robertson, who is represented by Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency. 

Watson said: "My first novel with Imogen will explore the themes that lubricate our political system: ambition and failure, trust and betrayal. In a world where virtue is seen as a rare commodity, The House will introduce you to the heroes and villains engaged in a struggle for fame, power and revenge."

"Tom Watson is one of the most significant, influential and deep-thinking politicians in this country," commented Wood. "His insights into the workings of politicians’ minds and Parliament are eye-opening, dramatic and sometimes almost unbelievable, and his and Imogen’s story is one that will hold an iron grip on readers and undoubtedly generate headlines. This will be the political thriller of a generation."

The House will publish in autumn 2020.

It follows the early success of Watson's non-fiction book on weight loss and health, Downsizing, published by Kyle Books, which  has already sold 4,284 copies, according to Nielsen BookScan, after it was published on 2nd January.