UCLan acquires musical theatre centric mystery from YA author Ava Eldred

UCLan Publishing has acquired a musical theatre centric mystery from YA author Ava Eldred. Hazel Holmes, Publisher at UCLan Publishing, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Exit Stage Death from Lucy Irvine at Peters Fraser and Dunlop. The book, publishing in June 2025, is set at a musical theatre summer camp and is the author’s second YA novel; her debut novel, The Boyband Murder Mystery, was published in 2021 by Puffin.

The publisher described Exit Stage Death as a "twisty mystery packed full of secrets, betrayal, romance, and of course, a deep love of musical theatre".

It follows Livi Campbell as she tries to have the best final summer at Camp Chance, the elite musical theatre camp where she spends each August. However, during her stay a fellow camper turns up dead under mysterious circumstances and she must team up with her campmates to catch the culprit before they kill again.

Holmes said: "I was so excited to receive this submission, I’ve been looking for a pacy murder mystery for a while, and then this landed in my inbox with the added bonus of a musical theatre setting. Such a treat. We’re so happy to be welcoming Ava to our list!"

Eldred said: "I’m so pleased to have found the perfect home for Exit Stage Death in UCLAN. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book, and to have found a team that completely get it, and have embraced the theatricality of this musical murder mystery, has made the whole process a joy. I can’t wait for it to be out in the world, and for readers to meet the performers of Camp Chance for themselves."