DEAL OF THE WEEK
■ Tapper’s ‘Terrorist Detectives’ Goes to Atria
After an auction, author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper has sold North American rights to The Terrorist Detectives to associate editor Sean DeLoan at Atria Books. Sloan Harris at CAA negotiated the deal. Atria said the “deeply reported” book, Tapper’s first nonfiction title in over a decade, tells “the unbelievable story of two assistant U.S. attorneys who, working with others in law enforcement, must race against the clock to build a case against a deadly al-Qaeda terrorist before he’s set free” and explores “the sacrifices and limits of seeking justice in the war on terror.” The Terrorist Detectives is set for a fall 2025 publication.
■ Grand Central Takes ‘Devil’s Bargain’
After an auction, Grand Central editorial director Colin Dickerman has acquired North American rights to author, historian, and journalist Lesley M.M. Blume’s A Devil’s Bargain, which documents how Vincent Bugliosi, Truman Capote, Joan Didion, and others engaged in what the publisher called “a frenzied race to write the definitive account of the Manson murders, exploring the origins and acceleration of America’s true crime obsession.” Jay Mandel at WME brokered the deal. The book has a tentative pub date of spring 2026.
■ Del Rey Wins Skrutskie’s Romantasy
In an exclusive submission, Emily Archbold at Del Rey has taken world rights to Last Night Before the War Was Won by
Emily Skrutskie (The Salvation Gambit). The deal was handled by Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra. Del Rey said the novel will appeal to fans of Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi and Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. It’s “a fantasy romance in which, after a last-chance hookup on the night before the world was supposed to end, two soldiers must reckon with a romantic future they never could have imagined after the realm is unexpectedly saved.” A summer 2025 publication is planned.
■ Ascher “Hell Bent” for Kensington
Elizabeth May at Kensington has acquired world rights to bestselling paranormal and romantasy author Aurora Ascher’s five previously selfpublished titles in her Hell Bent series, plus a yet-to-be published (and as yet untitled) series finale. Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal. Kensington said the series is “a spicy paranormal romance in which six demons escape from hell to party and meet human women in Montreal, unwittingly setting in motion a series of events that will topple the hierarchy of the underworld.” The first book in the deal, My Funny Demon Valentine, which was first published in 2021, will be republished by Del Rey in January 2025.
■ Evanovich Strikes “Plum” Deal with Atria
Atria Books editor-in-chief Peter Borland has acquired world English rights to bestselling author Janet Evanovich’s next three Stephanie Plum novels. The deal was brokered by Celeste Fine at Park & Fine Literary and Media. Evanovich has published 30 Stephanie Plum novels to date, with number 31— Now or Never—set to be released by Atria in November. The deal ensures the Stephanie Plum series will continue through at least book 34. Pub dates for the new books have not yet been announced.
■ Eaton ‘Not Sorry’ for Bloomsbury
Ben Hyman at Bloomsbury has acquired world English rights (excluding Canada) to psychology professor Judy Eaton’s Sorry, Not Sorry. Eaton—whose research, according to her website, delves into “the causes, consequences, and resolution of interpersonal conflict” and the role that “gestures of remorse can play in facilitating forgiveness”—was represented by Max Edwards at Aevitas Creative Management. Bloomsbury said the book will explore “the craft of saying sorry effectively” and draws on “social science, history, and current events to highlight the underappreciated power of apologies to bolster relationships, stabilize communities, and ensure human flourishing.” Sorry, Not Sorry is tentatively set for a winter 2027 publication.