Canelo set to publish three twisty new thrillers from J.M. Hewitt

Commissioning editor Leodora Darlington has acquired World English Language rights to new thriller books by J.M. Hewitt from Laetitia Rutherford at Watson Little in a three-book deal.

In The Life She Wants Paula worries that her marriage to Tommy is hanging by a thread. So when Tommy suggests a cruise getaway for the two of them, Paula is thrilled. He’s fighting for this marriage, and he’s even promised that they will talk about growing their family. It’s Paula’s dream come true. Until the couple meets beautiful Anna and everything starts to go horribly wrong.

J.M. Hewitt is the author of five crime thrillers. Her work has also been published in three short story anthologies. Her novels explore the darker side of human behaviour. In contrast to the sometimes dark content of her books, she lives a very nice life in a seaside town in Suffolk with her dog, Marley.

Leodora Darlington says: ‘Jeanette delivers pacy, hold-your-breath-while-reading fiction. I couldn’t tear myself away from The Life She Wants the first time I read it, and as readers follow Anna and Paula’s deadly game of cat and mouse, I know they won’t be able to either. Knowing what’s in store for the next books, too, I’m really excited about the journey Jeanette’s publishing is about to go on, with eye-wateringly good books set to come out for thriller fans in 2021 and 2022.’

J.M. Hewitt says: ‘Early in 2020 I began to write a novel where the main character finds herself in a situation from which there is no escape. Perhaps subliminally inspired by the restrictions of the first lockdown, my protagonists find themselves on a cruise ship, far out at sea, with no place to run. Like many others in that strange year, I also found myself a new passion: the night sky and the mystery of the Northern Lights. The manuscript and the new hobby merged, and lo and behold The Life She Wants was born. I am utterly thrilled to be working alongside Leodora Darlington at Canelo on three books. Her insight, ideas and support are everything I could wish for in an editor. I’m so excited for readers to climb aboard The Ruby Spirit and experience The Life She Wants, a psychological thriller to be published in July.’

Laetitia Rutherford says: ‘J.M. Hewitt is such a cunning and relatable writer, who knows how to deliver twist after twist. I’m thrilled to see Canelo take her forward through their innovative publishing and with Leodora’s flair and energy.’

The Life She Wants will be published in July 2021, in simultaneous print and ebook formats. For more information please contact publicity@canelo.co