Velton turns hand to contemporary thrillers for Quercus

Quercus is publishing a contemporary upmarket thriller from historical fiction author Sonia Velton.

Jane Wood, publisher at Quercus, acquired The Image of Her from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment, for publication in July 2021.

The book's plot follows two strangers, Stella and Connie, who have been brought together by two traumatic events linking them forever. One is a woman living in suburban England and the other an ex-pat mother-of-two in Dubai, with their stories to intertwine despite their many differences.

Sonia’s previous novel, Blackberry and Wild Rose (also Quercus), a historical fiction title, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown.

Wood said: "When Sonia told me the subject matter of her new book, I was shocked and then hugely impressed. The Image of Her is one of the bravest, most audacious and challenging novels I have ever published. We are looking forward to sharing it with the widest possible audience next summer."

Velton said: "A few years ago I heard something on the news that I found both chilling and awe-inspiring. I knew straight away that I wanted to write a book inspired by what I’d heard, but I’m not sure I'd have tackled such an ambitious subject if it hadn’t been for the support and encouragement of my agent, Juliet Mushens, and my editor, Jane Wood. I’m so grateful to them both, and absolutely thrilled to be working with Quercus again."