Wildfire nets two more in Hammer’s ‘remarkable’ Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan series

Wildfire has signed two more “unmissable” Chris Hammer books in the Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan series, with the first, Dead Man’s Creek, set shortly after the events of most recent instalment, Opal Country.

Fiction publisher Jack Butler acquired UK and Commonwealth rights including Europe to the two titles, the second as-yet unnamed, from Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown on behalf of Grace Heifetz at Left Bank Literary. Australia and New Zealand rights were sold to Allen & Unwin.

Dead Man’s Creek, which will be published in e-book in September 2022, and in hardback, trade paperback and audio in January 2023, follows the story of a rogue environmentalist who has blown up a small river dam at the heart of Australia’s largest redgum forest, accidentally uncovering the skeletal remains of a murder victim from 80 years ago. Detectives Lucic and Buchanan are called in to investigate – and the case holds particular significance for Nell, because she grew up in a nearby town. She takes the lead, but when another body is found, it soon becomes clear that her own family knows more than they are letting on – and someone is intent on making sure those secrets never reach the surface. 

Butler said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be working with Chris on two further books in this remarkable series. Opal Country has captivated Chris’ vast readership and helped his books reach an even broader audience than before, with the unforgettable Ivan and Nell at the helm, and Chris’ trademark blend of atmospheric tension, vibrant characters and perplexing intrigue. Dead Man’s Creek ups the ante in every way possible; it should not be missed.”

Hammer is a former journalist with more than 30 years’ expertise reporting on Australian federal politics and international affairs. His first novel, Scrublands, was published by Wildfire in 2018 and won the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger. His latest book, Opal Country, marked the beginning of a new series and was named the Times Crime Book of the Month on launch.

He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to sign once again with Jack and Wildfire. They’ve done such a brilliant job bringing my books to a British audience and building a readership across their territories, starting with Scrublands, Silver and Trust in the Martin Scarsden series and continuing with the Ivan Lucic/Nell Buchanan series. I look forward to many more years of successful collaboration!”