Usborne sails away with 'cosy-crime-at-sea' series from 'Horrible Histories' actor Emma Swan

Usborne has sailed away with Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea, the children’s debut from "Horrible Histories" actor Emma Swan. 

Rebecca Hill, fiction editorial director, acquired world rights in a two-book deal from Sam Copeland at RCW Literary Agency. Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea will be published in July 2025 and publication will be supported by a "first class" marketing and publicity campaign. Copeland called the book "so much fun", adding that "Emma has a wonderfully natural style, and I am so excited to pair her up with Usborne". 

Inspired by her childhood growing up on cruise ships, Swan’s "cosy-crime-at-sea" series is told in a diary design format with interactive magazine-style elements and quizzes. The books will also include "riotous" black and white illustrations from Katie Saunders. Louise Knight, head of rights, said that "the fresh interactive diary style format" and the illustrations will "make this sail all over the globe". 

Hill commented: "Cruise Ship Kid is a dream series! Solving mysteries around the world, alongside a colourful crew and an adorable gang of over 80-year-olds—I was totally onboard from the minute I met Silver and her friends, and knew Usborne had to publish this brilliant cosy-crime-at-sea series. Emma is a natural writer, with astute social observations and sparkling, child-friendly humour. This book is filled with joy and is an absolute must-have for young readers.”

Swan added: “My childhood was shaped by Usborne books, so to be published by them is truly a dream come true. I can’t wait for readers everywhere to meet Silver and her Gang of over-80s, cake-eating, line-dancing, crime-solving pals!”