Kepler moves to Zaffre in 'major' three-book deal

Lars Kepler has moved to Zaffre in a "major" acquisition for the Bonnier imprint, which has bagged two Joona Linna titles and another novel. 

Kate Parkin, m.d. of adult trade publishing for Bonnier Books UK, and Ben Willis, publishing director at Zaffre, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for The Mirror Man and two Joona Linna titles from Niclas Salomonsson at the Salomonsson Agency. The Mirror Man will be one of Zaffre's lead crime titles for 2022 and will publish on 23rd June. 

Lars Kepler is the pseudonym for husband and wife team Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril. They were previously published by HarperCollins in the UK. The Mirror Man follows a detective on the trail of a kidnapper who makes his victims’ worst nightmares a reality.

Kepler said: "We have only positive things to say about our former English publisher, but when we met the Zaffre team it was just like when you meet someone for the first time and feel in your heart that you will become good friends. The conversations were filled with energy, laughter and plans for the future. We are convinced that this is not only the beginning of a long friendship, but also something great for our books and our readers."

Salomonsson said: "I couldn’t be more excited about collaborating with Bonnier Books UK and the Zaffre team on Lars Kepler’s brilliant authorship. I feel very confident with Perminder Mann and her outstanding team and am thrilled to see The Mirror Man and the following Joona Linna novels be published by them.’’

Parkin added: "Like millions of other fans around the world, Lars Kepler’s dark, pitch perfect crime novels have kept me on the edge of my seat long into the night. We are enormously proud to be bringing the most compelling crime thriller voice of a generation to Bonnier Books UK and we can’t wait to introduce his latest novel The Mirror Man to readers and listeners. I can promise them the thrill ride of their life."

Willis also commented: "I still remember the visceral terror I experienced when reading Richard and Judy pick The Hypnotist (HarperCollins) a decade ago, and The Mirror Man is every bit as brilliant. Kepler does something unique: creates disturbing, chilling, gripping crime stories that are also beautifully written. I can’t wait to work with Alexandra and Alexander to bring their sales to the next level."