Zaffre scoops first novel in 'nail-biting' new La Plante series

Zaffre Books has scooped the first novel in a “nail-biting” new series from Lynda La Plante following DC Jack Warr of the Met Police.

Kate Parkin, m.d. of adult trade publishing at Bonnier Books UK, acquired world rights to Buried from Nigel Stoneman, head of development at La Plante Global. It will be published in March 2020.

Its synopsis states: “Charming but aimless, Jack can’t seem to find his place in the world – until he’s drawn into an investigation that turns his life upside down. In the aftermath of a fire at a derelict cottage, a badly charred body is discovered, along with the burnt remnants of millions of stolen, untraceable bank notes, the hidden legacy of Dolly Rawlins and her gang of widows. 

“Jack’s assignment to the case coincides with an investigation into his own past. As he searches for the truth about his identity, Jack finds himself increasingly drawn into a murky underworld of corruption and crime. Those millions have not been forgotten – and Jack will stop at nothing to find the truth.”

La Plante explained: “I'm so excited to introduce a brand-new series to my readers featuring a new protagonist, Jack Warr. Whenever I create a character, I live and breathe them - I really do love them. And Jack is no exception. He's a detective with a past that forces him to dig deep, question himself and gain shocking insight into who he is. Will he stay on the straight and narrow, or find himself slipping to the wrong side of the law?”

Parkin added: “We are really excited to be bringing the first of this landmark contemporary new series to Lynda La Plante’s many fans around the world. Lynda’s genius for a nail-biting plot and character development is shown at its brilliant best here in her depiction of the gradual hardening up of Jack Warr into a man to be reckoned with. Buried has all the hallmarks of a bestseller.”