'Warm and witty' crime novel to Sandstone

Sandstone Press is to publish YA author Rachel Ward's first book for adults, The Cost of Living: An Ant and Bea Mystery.

Sandstone Press m.d. Robert Davidson bought world English language rights from Kirsty McLachlan of David Godwin Associates.

The novel is the first in a series and focuses on Bea Jordan, a smart but unfulfilled checkout girl and her unlikely ally Ant, the seemingly gormless new trainee. Colleagues and customers become suspects and secrets are uncovered in this "warm and witty" crime novel.

Ward's first book was a YA novel titled Numbers (Chicken House). It was published in 2009 and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She has also been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won regional prizes in the UK and Germany including the Angus Book Award, the Oxfordshire Book Award and the Salisbury Schools Book Award. The Cost of Living is Ward’s first book for adults.

Davidson said: "Rachel Ward already has a strong following as a Young Adult author. With The Cost of Living she brings the same qualities of humour and suspense to the world of crime fiction. This book is going to be a great success for her and I am proud that she has come to Sandstone Press to take it into the world."

Ward said: "I’m absolutely thrilled that Sandstone Press are publishing The Cost of Living. The book was a joy to write and I’m very happy to be starting a new chapter in my writing life in the company of Ant and Bea, and their families and friends. I'm grateful to Kirsty McLachlan at David Godwin Associates for pairing me with Sandstone."

The title will be released on 21st September.