Tor snares Dracula prequel The Brides by debut author Charlotte Cross

Tor UK, part of Pan Macmillan, has announced the acquisition of The Brides, a "Gothic horror Dracula prequel" by debut author Charlotte Cross.

Editorial director Sophie Robinson pre-empted world all-language rights from Francesca Riccardi at Kate Nash Literary Agency in a six-figure, two-book deal that includes one further yet-to-be named novel.

Robinson said: “Devastating. That’s the word that kept coming back to me each time I’ve read this extraordinary novel. The reader knows how this ends for three of the women in the novel, but not who they were, their dreams and desires, before they were made into monsters. It gives voice to the ‘minor’ characters that made the classic novel what it was. And the dread, the sapphic romance turned toxic and the inevitable pursuit left me reeling. This is the gothic horror Dracula prequel I had always hoped for and will be beyond privileged to publish.”

Cross said: “I’ve been a huge fan of Gothic fiction for many years, and The Brides is my love letter to the genre. Working with Sophie has been a true pleasure, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that The Brides has found a home with Tor UK.”

Riccardi said: “Charlotte writes desire and longing paired with deliciously sinister undertones to give these previously silent women the perfect voice. Sophie and the wider Tor UK team’s enthusiasm for the book is wonderful to see, and I can’t wait for readers to meet The Brides.”

Cross writes historical speculative fiction, having been fascinated by stories of the past since she was a child. She grew up in southern England in a small town with a rich history, and spent many happy hours at the local museum where her grandmother was a volunteer. She now lives in central Scotland with her partner.

Tor UK will publish The Brides in hardback in Spring 2026.