We are thrilled to announce that debut author Anna Britton has signed a deal for three books with Canelo Crime. World English Language Rights were acquired by Siân Heap, commissioning editor at Canelo, from Saskia Leach.
Shot in the Dark is the first book in a three book series, following DS Gabe Martin. Young detective Gabe is tasked with leading her first murder case when seventeen-year-old Melanie Pirt is shot dead on the ancestral Dunlow Estate. Partnered with cold and mysterious DI Juliet Stern, Gabe has her work cut out – Melanie was killed in a remote spot, with no witnesses, and every suspect appears to be lying about their relationship to her. With suspects hiding secrets, a worrying lack of forensic evidence, and an overstretched force drawn towards another case with unsettling similarities to Gabe’s own childhood, is Melanie’s murder destined to remain unsolved?
Anna lives on the Isle of Wight, where she enjoys rambling walks with her chronically clumsy labrador and exploring rivers in her kayak. She is an experienced freelance editor and loves mentoring other writers. When not writing, she’s probably reading or hiding from her towering TBR pile.
Anna says: ‘I am so giddy to be joining Canelo with my crime series. I clicked with Siân instantly and our vision for books, which have compelling characters and twisty plots, totally aligns… And what a brilliant agent Saskia has been. She’s guided and supported me through the rocky waters of submission, and has been such a calm and constant presence throughout.
‘In terms of how I’m feeling – hecking overwhelmed! There has been such a wonderful response to my deal announcement and people have been so kind.’
Saskia says: ‘From the moment I first picked up Shot In The Dark, I knew I was reading something special. I relished the opportunity of being able to examine the evidence and “play detective” in this immersive, twisty crime thriller Anna has created and I cannot wait for readers to meet Gabe and Juliet.’
Shot in the Dark will be published in October 2023 in paperback and ebook, with two further books in the series to follow in 2024.
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