Embla Books, the digital-first commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has snapped up three more books in Sarah Yarwood-Lovett’s bestselling Dr Nell Ward Mystery series.
Cara Chimirri, editorial director, acquired world English rights from Katie Fulford at Bell Lomax and Moreton.
The first book in the series, A Murder of Crows, introduced readers to ecologist Dr Nell Ward, who finds herself becoming an amateur detective when thrown unexpectedly into a murder investigation. A Murder of Crows was a Kindle #3 bestseller and has been nominated for this year’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers from the Romantic Novelists Association. This was followed by A Cast of Falcons, a Kindle Top 20 bestseller; and the most recent release: A Mischief of Rats.
The series will continue with A Generation of Vipers, A Trace of Hares and A Swarm of Butterflies, scheduled for release from summer 2023 into 2024.
After spending sixteen years as an ecologist, crawling through undergrowth and studying nocturnal habits of animals (and people), Dr Sarah Yarwood-Lovett naturally turned her mind to murder. Forensically studying clues for animal activity has seen Sarah surveying sites all over the UK and around the world. Her unusual career has provided the perfect inspiration for a series of murder mysteries with an ecological twist – so, these days, Sarah’s research includes consulting detectives, lawyers, judges and attending murder trials.
Yarwood-Lovett said: ‘I’m beyond excited to have the chance to write the next books in the Dr Nell Ward series – and doubly delighted to extend my partnership with such incredible powerhouses in Katie and the Embla team. I know that their creativity, passion and talent gave my first three books their very best start, and I can’t wait for our adventures – and Nell’s – to continue.’
Cara Chimirri, Embla’s editorial director, said: ‘Like the rest of the Embla team and countless cosy mystery fans, I have fallen under the spell of Sarah’s wonderful novels and Dr Nell Ward as a truly unique and captivating heroine. Sarah’s wonderful plotting and fascinating ecological slant on crime solving have had me gripped. The phenomenal success of the first books in the series show just how much Sarah has tapped into what cosy crime fans are after. I am over the moon that we will be publishing three more wonderful novels featuring Dr Nell Ward. I know Sarah’s fans are going to be in for a treat!’
Fulford said: ‘I’m so happy to extend the partnership of Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and the stellar team at Embla for another three books. Sarah is such a talented storyteller and has created a wonderful protagonist in Dr Nell Ward, and I am thrilled, although not surprised, that she has found such a loyal readership.’
