TThe fourth book in Mike Carey’s series about gumshoe exorcist Felix Castor is just published. THICKER THAN WATER is set on a housing estate in South London, where his name has been written in blood. “Carey drives this thriller like Chandler at the wheel of a runaway hearse”, says The Daily Express.

Having completed the twelve novel sequence about Abbess Helewise and her Crusader friend Sir Josse, Alys Clare has begun a new series set in 1087. OUT OF THE DAWN LIGHT is about a young woman who gets caught up with a friend and a mysterious but handsome stranger who’s looking for a hidden crown. In a period of civil unrest, this powerful object is the last thing Lassair should be involved with. Noted for “weaving medieval history into a rousing and mystical tale” (Kirkus) Alys has also been called “top-notch!” by Booklist in a starred review.

Anna Dean’s series of mystery novels set in the Regency period continues with A GENTLEMAN OF FORTUNE (published in hardcover by Allison and Busby). Early advance notices include “Decorative and thoughtful, this is a worthy addition to the historical crime tradition” (Laurie R King) and “A masterpiece of detection, a Miss Marple-esque character both razor-sharp and kindly” (Louise Penny).

Daniel Depp’s debut novel LOSER’S TOWN is receiving excellent reviews. “A stunner!” said The Independent. “Laugh out loud funny,” said The Telegraph. “Wickedly funny, hugely entertaining,” said The Scotsman. Daniel will be a panellist at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival in July, and the Edinburgh Book Festival in August.

Chalie Elder’s account of his year-long quest to spot the 40 birds on the Red List was published by Bantam in March. WHILE FLOCKS LAST was well-received, being described by the Sunday Telegraph as “compelling” and “a classic of its kind”

Brian Keaney is having a very busy month. NATHANIEL WOLFE AND THE BODYSNATCHERS, the second novel in his series for 9-12 year olds, featuring the charming young detective Nat Wolfe who specializes in solving supernatural mysteries, has just had its first foreign sales and was reprinted in the first week of publication by Orchard Books. The second in his Dr Sigmundus trilogy for older children, THE CRACK’D MIRROR (called GALLOWGLASS in the UK, also published by Orchard Books here) has just had a rave review in the US School Library Journal: ‘With themes that address good versus evil and demonic forces at work, this suspenseful series reads like Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies” (S & S) and “Midnighters” (HarperCollins) series combined.’

BUDAPEST PROTOCOL by Adam LeBor will be published on 12th May by Reportage Press in the UK. A tense, gripping, political thriller set in Hungary Adam not only draws on true, secret historical documents but also sets an all too credible scene of riots, terrorism and emerging political extremism – as The Times’ correspondent in Eastern Europe, he has used his researches into the darker side of life in the former Soviet Union to craft a frighteningly plausible scenario. The book already has great quotes from Alan Furst, Boris Starling and Jonathan Freedland.

Acclaimed science fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin was honoured with her sixth Nebula Award for her young-adult novel POWERS, the third in her Annals of the Western Shore series. Ursula’s novel, LAVINIA, is published by Gollancz on 21st May . ‘A novel that deserves to be ranked with Robert Graves’ I, Claudius’ – Publishers Weekly

Margaret Leroy’s THE DROWNING GIRL is published this week by Mira. Media coverage and bookshop and supermarket promotions are all in place, in the UK and in Ireland (where the novel is partly set), promising a major presence in the trade for this outstanding author. Both beautiful and disturbing, THE DROWNING GIRL is the story of a mother’s love, a daughter’s nightmare and the secrets they unearth as they delve into the past.

Fresh from TV, radio and blanket press coverage for Ava McCarthy in her native Ireland, her first novel THE INSIDER (published by HarperCollins) is now taking the UK by storm. Just reviewed in the Daily Mail: ‘What a delight… this is a book with an impressive grasp of computers and Texas Hold ‘Em, not to mention a heroine you can truly root for’, it’s gone straight in at no 5 in the Bookseller’s Heatseekers Chart. As Sainburys Book Club’s book of the month, and promoted in Waterstones, Borders and Smiths, and sold in twelve countries already, Ava’s brilliant thriller looks set to be an international bestseller.

Anne Perry’s latest hardcover, EXECUTION DOCK, has been on the New York Times, together with the paperback edition of BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS. She’s also just been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic.

“Take a gang of unlikely friends, a wet summer, a dead body with a missing eye and a pickle factory, mix well with a wicked sense of humour and you have a cracking debut.” The Bookseller says of Rebecca Promitzer’s debut children’s book THE PICKLE KING. This is out this month from Chicken House. Waterstone’s agrees: “This is a fantastic oddball story. I’d recommend it to any child from ten upwards with a thirst for adventure and a love of all things weird and wonderful.”

Out this month is Johnny Sharp’s CRAP LYRICS: A Celebration of the Very Worst Pop Lyrics of All Time...Ever! From pretentious twaddle to dodgy sentiments, no rhyme against humanity is overlooked in Johnny’s hilarious review of over 120 shamelessly bad songs.

We have just received first, rave quotes for Janet Skeslien Charles first novel, MOONLIGHT IN ODESSA, which Bloomsbury publish in September:

“This is a delicious novel--wise, witty, wonderfully written--and its narrator--street-smart, tender-hearted Daria K--a pleasure to spend time with. If I ever get to Odessa, I hope Daria will be there to show me around. – Vivian Gornick, author of Fierce Attachments and The Men in My Life

“In a comically touching travelogue through the international romantic wasteland, Janet Skeslien Charles brings you Daria… A heroine for the twenty-first century Ukraine—or as close to the twenty-first century as you can get in the Ukraine—she’s street-smart enough to outwit several flawed suitors but can’t fend off the lure of the American dream as she fails to recognize the one unwavering global truism: Sometimes people aren’t entirely honest on the Internet.” –Dave Boling, author of Guernica

Bestselling fantasy author Elizabeth Vaughan’s second book in her trilogy, WHITE STAR, is published in hardcover by Gollancz this month. This features a female mercenary with a tough past. “Continue please to enthral me with your story-telling,” says Anne McCaffrey.

Catherine Webb is taking a short break from her series of children’s books about Horatio Lyle: her first book for adults is published in hardcover by Orbit, under the pseudonym Kate Griffin. A MADNESS OF ANGELS introduces Matthew Swift, who finds himself resurrected two years after his death. What he has to contend with is very urban magic.

Catherine Woodman’s TRUST ME I’M A VET was definitely one of our most successful titles at the London Book Fair. With a hotly contested auction for Germany rights (won by Blanvalet), and a big piece in the trade press about the sale of the novel to Emma Rose at Random House, foreign publishers were queuing up to hear all about it. Random House are describing the book as ‘Animal Hospital’ meets Katie Fforde – they will publish next spring and have commissioned a second novel from Catherine in the ‘Otter House Vets’ series.

NEW CLIENTS…

JWe are delighted to welcome Lowri Potts, truly a Renaissance writer of short stories, poetry, plays, opera libretto and a wonderful childrens novel, JUGGERNAUT, about a young boy who, when his trucker father dies suddenly, decides to take to the road himself and has all sorts of adventures involving illegal smuggling and kidnapping. A great adventure for 9-12 year olds (and first in a series) which we will be submitting shortly.

Ex-marine, Nick Schofield, has joined us. A proposal for his memoir about what it is like to be trained up as a killing machine, sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, and then suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, should be circulating shortly.

We’re proud to represent Jacqui Tong, an inspiring woman who has worked on the frontline for Medicins san Frontieres for the last 15 years. In POSTCARDS FROM HELL she will tell of her time in the world’s war zones.

Poppy Wellby’s trip to Nepal turned out to be life-changing due to her encounters with the Kumari. The remarkable phenomenon of these child goddesses is examined in her fantastic travelogue, BLOOD INNOCENT. Manuscript available from Susan Smith.

For foreign rights information on any of these titles please contact Stella Kane (stella@mbalit.co.uk)

For information regarding Film and TV rights please contact Dana Ondrejmiskova (dana@mbalit.co.uk)

THEATRE

Emma Adams’ hit debut play FORGOTTEN THINGS, is to have a new production by Red Ladder at the Edinburgh Fringe prior to a national tour.

Jeremy Burnham’s stageplay, A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE, based on the book by Angela Lambert, has been optioned by Bill Kenwright Productions

Lisa Evans’ adaptation of Melvyn Bragg’s THE MAID OF BUTTERMERE has been a sell-out at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, who are making her Associate Playwright and commissioning a new play for 2011. Meanwhile, Lisa’s play UP THE DUFF premieres at York Theatre Royal in November, prior to a national tour with Fresh Glory. This is a warm, poignant look at pregnancy.

RED FLY / BLUE BOTTLE is a play with music (book by Stephanie Fleischmann) which has premiered in New York in April. “...moody, driving music…lyrical monologues, otherworldly videos and an ingeniously eerie set...[Red Fly/Blue Bottle is] a purposefully elusive work, a poetic meditation...” said The New York Times. And BUST: “Eye candy, fantastically creepy music, and an expert dash of steampunk fill the stage in this deliciously haunting concert...”

Gervase Phinn is at the SHAW THEATRE, Euston Road on 24th June at 7.30 pm. This is a special performance in aid of two charities, Treehouse, The National Charity for Autism Education, and The Spike Milligan Statue Fund. Gervase is currently on tour with his one-man show and is playing to excellent audiences. This is a chance to see him in London. Tickets from the Shaw Theatre Box Office 0871 594 3123.

Dean Stalham has had a couple of highly successful readings for his new play BOBBY’S GIRL with another one to be scheduled shortly. He’s also been commissioned to write a play for the Eden Project, which will be on display at the Chelsea Flower Show.