By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee, and Emily Retford
Acquisition News
Orion Fiction Acquires Rights to Two Mystery Novels
In a striking two-book deal, Orion Fiction has gained world all-language rights to two mysteries from Historic Royal Palaces and N R Daws. The first murder mystery, Murder at the Palace, is set to launch in March 2025 with a hardback, eBook and audio formats included. Murder in the Palace follows a woman murdered in the Hampton Court Palace apartment she shares with her sister. Although the police suspect an unknown intruder, the palace housekeeper remains sceptical. Eager to investigate, she soon uncovers a series of untold truths that will forever change palace life. Will you be reading this intriguing novel? Keep an eye out for this one.
Headline Lands Ashley Elston’s Latest Thriller
Headline has clinched Ashley Elston’s latest adult novel, Anatomy of an Alibi. The title follows a young woman who provides an alibi for somebody close, making her the prime suspect! A suspenseful, full-of-twists thriller, Anatomy of an Alibi is stylish, sharp and impossible to put down (The Bookseller). Publisher, Sherise Hobbs acquired the UK and Commonwealth to the novel from Rachel Clements of Abner Stein. US rights were given to Pamela Dorman of Pamela Dorman Books/Viking. Testament to her writing prowess, Elston’s first novel, First Lie Wins, was a New York Times bestseller, with a TV series currently in development with Hulu. Hobbs told The Bookseller that there is no surprise at Elston’s large global fanbase, as she creates characters and plot twists that keep readers hooked. Anatomy of an Alibi is due to be published as a lead hardback in early 2026.
From Book to Screen
The Idea of You on Prime Video
Based on Robinne Lee’s novel, The Idea of You stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine in a romantic comedy. Announced in 2018 for a film adaptation, the story follows a divorced mother, Solène, who takes her daughter to a music festival and strikes up a romantic love affair with Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of one of the biggest boybands – August Moon. Will you be tuning in to see how this love story will evolve? Catch the film now on Prime Video.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is out this April
Henry Cavill returns to our screens leading this action-packed film adaptation of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, directed and co-written by Guy Ritchie. It is based on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops by Damien Lewis. This historical tale tells the remarkable story of a British special force’s unit and its missions against the Germans throughout the Second World War. It features a star-studded cast including the likes of Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, Henry Golding and Cary Elwes. The official trailer was released last month and gave fans an insight into how Guy Ritchie’s signature flair would be woven into the action-comedy. You can watch The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare in cinemas from 19th April 2024.
In the Works
Missing You adds well-known stars To Cast
Jessica Plummer, Richard Armitage, Lenny Henry, Steve Pemberton, Paul Kaye, Samantha Spiro, Lisa Faulkner and Mary Malone are set to join Rosalind Eleazar in Netflix’s Missing You. The adaptation is based on the book of the same name by Harlan Coben, continuing Netflix’s run of releasing Coben’s adapted works. It is being produced by Quay Street Production, who produced Coben’s Fool Me Once adaptation and are set to produce another Coben novel, Run Away. Harlan Coben’s Missing You follows Kat Donovan, a detective who discovers her missing fiancé on a dating app, forcing her to reflect on the past and her father’s mysterious murder. This adaptation sets the action in the North-West of England rather than the book’s setting of the United States. The book is being adapted for the screen by Victoria Asare-Archer, who wrote two episodes of the Netflix adaptation of Stay Close. She told Deadline, “Kat Donovan was a thrill to write to – she’s such a brilliantly messy, complicated woman. I’m really excited that we have a hugely talented ensemble cast on board – it’s a dream! I can’t wait to see them dive into Harlan’s world.” Missing You will be comprised of five hour-long episodes.