Walker Books scoops 'super-slick and compelling' Oxford-based YA thriller

Walker Books has won two "super-slick and compelling" dark academic thrillers from Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted Rachael Davis-Featherstone in a five-way auction.

Senior commissioning editor Gráinne Clear secured world rights (excluding North America) in a six-figure deal from Jasmine Richards at Storymix. Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books bought North American rights from Allison Hellegers at Stimola Studio.

The first book, Oxford Slays, is described by the publisher as a "riveting story of revenge, secret cults, privilege and murder" set at the University of Oxford. It is slated for publication in spring 2025. It will be Davis-Featherstone’s first book for teenagers; she has previously written picture books and illustrated non-fiction for younger readers under the name of Rachael Davis. Among that work was the Secret Beast Club series, also developed with Storymix, for Puffin. Her picture book with illustrator Beatrix Hatcher, I am Not a Prince! (Orchard Books), was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023.

The initial concept for Oxford Slays was created by inclusive fiction studio Storymix founder Richards and her team. Davis-Featherstone, who is represented by Alice Williams Literary, aims to bring her own voice and experience to the execution of the story. She said: “I loved studying Maths at Oxford University but I always had a secret dream to be a writer. Never in a million years did I think I’d get the chance to write a thrilling murder mystery set in a fictional Oxford college during the student interview week. Oxford Slays is the book I wish I’d had as a mixed-race teenager in a state school getting ready for my Oxford interview.”

Clear said: “This smart and compelling novel is the YA thriller we’ve been waiting for at Walker, full of narrative twists and turns, complex and appealing characters and a captivating setting that is so authentically drawn, all against the backdrop of an incredibly important message about privilege.”

Richards added: “Oxford Slays is Storymix’s first-ever YA project and launches our YA slate for LBF. This compelling thriller continues our work to centre kids and teens of colour in blockbuster stories that change the conversation. Rachael is a dream to work with and brings lived experience and bags of talent to create an unputdownable thriller.”