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HarperCollins Acquires Two Novels from Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas with award winning author Sheila McClure

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We are thrilled to announce that Jo Bell and Ashley Vallance at InterTalent Group have sold world all language for two books in The Sequin Mysteries series, a duo of cosy crime novels that waltz through the glittering and highly competitive world of ballroom dance, by Strictly Come Dancing head judge and Queen of Latin Ballroom Shirley Ballas, co-writing with award-winning author Sheila McClure to Editorial Director at HQ Emily Kitchin.

Emily Kitchin said: ‘HQ has been bedazzled by The Sequin Mysteries. No one is better placed than Shirley to give readers a delicious sneak peek into what really goes on in the world of dance, where conspiracy, passion and love affairs abound. Murder on the Dancefloor is quite simply fabulous, packed with glamour, glitter, larger-than-life characters, drama and danger… not to mention lashings of hairspray. HQ is thrilled to be publishing this fantastic series, and I’m so excited for readers to meet dance-detective duo Lily Richmond and Susie Cooper.’

Shirley Ballas said: ‘My industry, the world of competitive ballroom, is full of intrigue and passion. Pouring a lifetime of experience into a cosy crime series is the perfect twist to my career. Working with Emily, Sheila, and the rest of the team at HQ has been a delight. I simply can’t wait for readers to get their hands on these books!’

Sheila McClure said: ‘Writing fictional murders on the dance floor with the real Queen of Latin ballroom is pure magic – the more we write, the more the sequins are flying. Working with Shirley Ballas and Emily Kitchin at HQ is a dream come true.’

The first book in the series, Murder on the Dancefloor, is a delicious crime caper that shows readers that behind the sequins and the sparkle, when it comes to international dancing competitions, danger is afoot and sometimes death-drops are literally just that. When a promising young performer is murdered during the opening tango of Blackpool’s (in)famous Dance Festival, Lily Richmond, dance legend, teacher and one-time world champion, partners with her former student and private detective, Susie Cooper, to unravel the rumours from the rumbas and reveal the murderer’s identity before the bodies start to pile up.

Murder on the Dancefloor will be published in hardback, eBook and audio in October 2023 by HQ.