Two-book deal for R&J competition winner Frear

Bonnier Zaffre, part of Bonnier Publishing, has acquired two more novels from debut author Caz Frear, winner of its 'Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller' competition.

Mark Smith, c.e.o. of Bonnier Zaffre, acquired world rights from Eugenie Furniss at Furniss Lawton for two more novels featuring Frear’s detective constable Cat Kinsella.

Frear won the competition for first-time unpublished writers, run by Bonnier Zaffre in conjunction with Furniss Lawton and WH Smith, in January this year for her crime thriller Sweet Little Lies. Since the book published at the end of June, it has shifted nearly 32,000 copies across editions, according to the publisher.

Katherine Armstrong, editorial director at Bonnier Zaffre, said the voice of protagonist Kinsella was "absolutely irresistible". 

"I am beyond thrilled to be publishing Caz for at least another two books," she said. "Cat’s voice is absolutely irresistible, as attested by the number of fans Caz and Cat have acquired already. I can’t wait to see where Caz takes her next."

Frear said: she had been "blown away" by the response to Sweet Little Lies from readers, reviewers and the crime fiction community. "This response has been in no small part down to the passion and commitment of the BZ team, in particular my fantastic editor, Katherine, who I’m thrilled to be working with again," she added.

Bonnier Zaffre will publish the next book in summer 2019, with the following book in summer 2020.