Canelo Crime set to publish new Sarah Ward novels

Commissioning editor Siân Heap has acquired UK & Commonwealth ex. Canada rights to a new series by Sarah Ward from Kirsty McLachlan at Morgan Green Creatives in a three-book deal. Rights to new titles in the Mallory Dawson series have also been acquired in a separate two-book deal. 

The first book in the series, Death Rites, follows archaeology Professor Carla James who takes a job at an elite college in New England following the death of her husband. Immediately after starting, she is asked to represent the department at a murder site. Although she initially believes there is nothing interesting about the scattered debris that surrounds the body, there is more to the site than meets the eye. This body is just the latest in a series of unsolved deaths and although they appear unliked, Carla is convinced there is a methodical and calculated killer operating in darkness. Can she uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim? 

Sarah Ward is a critically acclaimed crime and gothic thriller writer. Her book, A Patient Fury, was an Observer book of the month and The Quickening, written as Rhiannon Ward, was a Radio Times book of the year. Sarah is on the Board of the Crime Writers Association, Derby Book Festival and Friends of Buxton International Festival. She is an RLF Fellow at Sheffield University.

Siân Heap says: ‘I’m so excited to be publishing more books by Sarah. She’s a brilliant author to work with and has such a fantastic grasp of plot and atmosphere. I’m very pleased to be publishing two more Mallory Dawson novels and to bring her new series featuring Professor Carla James to readers later this year.’ 

Sarah Ward says: ’I’m delighted that Canelo has acquired my new series set in New England featuring archeologist Carla James. Their enthusiasm for the book was clear from the start and I’m thrilled to be working again with Siân and the rest of the team to bring Carla to my readers alongside my Welsh-based series. Thank you to my agent, Kirsty McLachlan, for finding this perfect home for the book.’

Kirsty McLachlan says: ‘I couldn’t be happier that Canelo has acquired the first three books in Sarah’s compelling new crime thriller series and two more Mallory Dawson novels.’

Death Rites will be published in October 2024, in ebook and mass market paperback, with future novels to follow in 2025 and 2026. For more information please contact [email protected]