The new twisty locked-room mystery crime thriller perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz for 2026! - A major, global launch for HarperCollins in 2026, supported by a HUGE campaign. - A modern take on AND THEN THERE WERE NONE with the publishing insider commentary of YELLOWFACE with the self-referential humour of KNIVES OUT. - Acquired at auction - HQ beat 8 other publishers. - Harper will be publishing in the US, having won an 11 publisher auction. - Sold in 11 languages to date, many of which were pre-empts and auctions. The debut murder mystery from Evelyn Clarke - the pseudonym for Number One Sunday Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab, and screenwriter and YA author Cat Clarke.
A modern take on AND THEN THERE WERE NONE with the publishing insider commentary of YELLOWFACE and the self-referential humour of KNIVES OUT. Smart, propulsive, hilarious, THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF cherry picks tropes from every genre, expertly blending them to explore the many delights and . faults of the publishing industry in this wickedly funny portrayal that will also please die-hard murder mystery fans. Author identities were revealed in Sept 2025 at Bloody Scotland during the Ian Rankin event and secured national coverage. Huge buzz already building: - Early endorsements from Stephen King, Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter, Kate Mosse and many more. - Selected for numerous 2026 Ones to Watch: BBC News, Express, Audible, Stylist, Scotland on Sunday - Several special editions announced (Indies, Portobello Books, Waterstones) A major, global launch in 2026, supported by a HUGE campaign including multiple runs of bound proofs, early advertising, stunt activity, bespoke merch (t-shirts, character-led boxes, badges, typewriters, trilbies!), significant schedule of author events. Harper publishing in the US, having won an 11-publisher auction. Sold in 13 languages to date, many of which were pre-empts and auctions.
Competition: The;And Then There Were None;Magpie Murders;Yellowface;Hunting Party;The Impossible Fortune;Yesteryear;Marlow Murder Club;. By;Agatha Christie;Anthony Horowitz;Rebecca RF Kuang;Lucy Foley;Richard Osman;SophieHannah;Frieda Mcfadden;Robert Thorogood;Peter James;Reverend Richard Coles;Susei Dent.