Zaffre snaps up Furniss' murder mystery in four-book, six-figure deal

Zaffre has acquired a murder mystery by Jo Furniss. 

Senior commissioning Editor Kelly Smith acquired world English language rights from Jordan Lees at The Blair Partnership. Smith bought four books in total in a six-figure deal. The first book, Dead Mile, will be published in paperback, audio and e-book on 4th July 2024. 

Dead Mile is set on a motorway during rush hour. The synopsis says: “Sergeant Belinda ’Billy’ Kidd is driving home from the airport, jet-lagged and ready to resign from a career that has left her traumatised. Menopause has robbed her confidence too — now she’s a traffic cop who’s afraid to drive. When brake lights haemorrhage up the motorway, the cars grind to a halt. Moments later she finds a dead driver in a black sedan…” 

Smith said: “Jo’s whip-smart writing took me to the fast lane as I raced through Dead Mile on submission. It’s the most relatable locked-room mystery I’ve ever read and I’m so thrilled to be steering this through to publication.” 

Furniss added: “Writing Dead Mile was a fun ride, especially when it delivered me to a new publishing home at Bonnier Books UK. Kelly Smith and the whole team have championed this novel and its irascible narrator, Sergeant Belinda ‘Billy’ Kidd. I’m excited to see where a journey of four books will take us.”