We are thrilled to announce that Jo Bell has sold world English language rights to a new historical mystery series by Douglas Skelton to Assistant Editor Kit Nevile in a three-book deal.
Set in the early 1700s, the suspense-filled series begins with An Honourable Thief. It is 1715, and Great Britain is alive with a rumour that Queen Anne, upon her death bed, inscribed a secret will promising the nation to her half-brother James, instead of George I of Hanover. With Jacobite rebels, James’s supporters, massing across the border, those in power know that they must uncover the truth to restore order. Enter Jonas Flynt: thief, gambler, killer, and man of honour.
An unwilling member of a top-secret intelligence group, the Company of Rogues, Jonas is ordered to recover the document, if it exists, whatever the cost. The trail takes him from London to the Edinburgh of his childhood where he is embroiled in a long overdue family reunion, a street riot, jail break and a lynching before he can find the answers he seeks - not just about the missing will, but the dark secrets of his past.
Kit Nevile says:
‘It is a very difficult task to combine a rapier-sharp mystery plot with a historical setting that feels both deeply realistic and wholly authentic. Douglas has achieved this expertly, in a novel that I was absolutely blown away by. His characterisation is exceptional, as is his world building, and from the murky depths of London’s cutthroat back alleys, to the terrible, raucous clamour of the Edinburgh gallows, we follow a fascinating collection of people and a wonderfully original tale. I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Douglas to bring this fantastic new series to publication.’
Douglas Skelton says:
‘The idea for the Flynt Adventures occurred to me when I read a single line that mentioned Queen Anne and a mysterious letter that she penned to her half-brother. Over time this grew into An Honourable Thief. I’m delighted that my agent Jo Bell, Kit and the team at Canelo are confident that Jonas is a series character and I’m looking forward to seeing his adventures reaching readers.’
