Viking snaps up Heather Darwent's 'unsettling novel' set in a wellness retreat

Viking has acquired A Sharp Scratch, the second novel from bestselling writer Heather Darwent.

Vikki Moynes, editorial director at Viking, bought world all-language rights from Emily Glenister at the DHH Literary Agency. It is scheduled for May 2025. 

The blurb reads: "A Sharp Scratch is a beguiling, unsettling novel that asks a pressing question of our time—how do you get well in a world that is making you sick? Like so many of us, Betsy struggles with the demands of life. But, unlike most people, Betsy is offered the chance to go to Carn—an exclusive, luxurious wellness centre. There, she discovers that she’s not broken, only special.

"They promise her she can be healed if she follows Carn’s rules. But what if trying to get better only makes her feel worse? This upmarket psychological suspense novel blends the claustrophobic locked room setting of The Sanatorium with the cultish twisted friendships of The Girls, and the darkly compelling, untrustworthy narration of ‘Girl, Interrupted’."

Moynes says: "Heather is a dazzlingly compelling new talent. In this new book, she explores society’s complex relationship with mental health with startling sophistication, making the seductively dangerous world she depicts an enticing place to observe drama unfold. A Sharp Scratch is utterly original and yet immediately resonant—any of the women I know would see an aspect of themselves reflected in it. We couldn’t be prouder to be continuing to publish this brilliant author on our list."

Darwent’s début novel The Things We Do To Our Friends (Viking) was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and was shortlisted for both the 2023 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize. 

The author said: "It’s been such a pleasure working with the team at Viking on A Sharp Scratch. Their unwavering cheerleading when it came to pushing the narrative into dark and unsettling realms made the editing process a joy. I’m excited for them to publish my second novel."

Glenister commented: "Working with an author who has the mind of someone like Heather is the stuff an agent’s dreams are made of—dark, imaginative and full of surprises. After the success of The Things We Do To Our Friends, I am delighted that the team at Viking will be publishing her second book."