Canelo Crime set to publish new detective series by debut author Anna Britton

Commissioning editor Siân Heap has acquired World English language rights to a new crime series by Anna Britton from Saskia Leach at Kate Nash Literary Agency in a three-book deal. 

Shot in the Dark is the first book featuring DS Gabe Martin, a young detective, who, for the first time, is tasked with leading a 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 for her if she’s going to find the culprit – 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 Britton lives on the Isle of Wight with her husband and their chronically clumsy Labrador. An avid reader, she began writing around ten years ago and hadn’t stopped since. Anna works as a freelance editor and loves helping out other authors. When not filling her head with stories, she enjoys baking (and eating) cakes and exploring rivers in her kayak.

Siân Heap says: ‘Shot in the Dark captured me from its first pages with its gripping pace and pieces of evidence cleverly interspersed throughout, all tied together with Anna’s engaging voice. Gabe is a new generation of detective, and I was drawn to her and her partnership with Juliet instantly. I’m so thrilled to bring Anna to the Canelo Crime list!’ 

Anna Britton 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. I can’t wait for you all to meet Gabe and Juliet – two female detectives I hope will storm their way into your hearts. It’s been my dream to become an author for a long time, and it’s finally coming true!’

Saskia Leach 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 mass-market paperback and ebook, with two further books in the series to follow in 2024. For more information please contact kate@canelo.co