Viking pre-empts two thrillers by Jean in a six-figure deal

Viking has pre-empted The Next Girl and another thriller by author Emiko Jean in a six-figure deal.

Editorial Director Rosa Schierenberg acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Lorella Belli at The Lorella Belli Literary Agency on behalf of Erin Harris at Folio Literary Management. North American rights went to Carina Guiterman at Simon & Schuster in a near-seven figure deal, with further rights sold in Germany, Hungary and Japan.

The Next Girl is set to publish in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in May 2024. It is the author’s first thriller and is described as "an intoxicating and timely conversation-starter about society’s protection of women, and what happens when that fails". 

The synopsis reads: "Since her sister mysteriously died 20 years ago, Japanese American detective Chelsey Calhoun has fought to keep women safe, filling the void of her own family tragedy. So when local teenager, Ellie Black, is found alive two years after her disappearance, Chelsey sees a lifeline: a case she can solve and a girl she has a chance of saving. But Ellie’s not the person Chelsey expects and soon her dead-end answers are sabotaging the investigation. It’s clear she’s hiding something, but can Chelsey find out what that is before the next girl is taken?"

Schierenberg said: "With razor-sharp tension and an absolutely jaw-dropping twist, this is one of the most addictive books I’ve read in years. But that’s not all: at its heart, this is a story about women, their safety and survival, and rebuilding themselves in the face of loss."

Jean added: "I am humbled and thrilled that The Next Girl has found a home in the UK with Viking. Rosa and her team have been a dream to work with, and I’ve been incredibly touched by their enthusiasm and support. I am very excited to share Ellie Black and Chelsey Calhoun with readers far and wide."

Belli commented: "The Next Girl marks Emiko’s exciting foray into adult thrillers and she does it in style. It’s dark, tense and thought-provoking fiction, turning the classic ’missing girl’ narrative on its head. It was wonderful to see Rosa and her team at Viking share the same enthusiasm and ‘wow’ reaction we had when we first read it!"