Jordan Lees

Agent

Jordan is currently closed to submissions.

I primarily represent crime and thrillers, upmarket/literary fiction and some children’s, as well as true crime and non-fiction written by journalists and experts in their respective fields. I’m typically drawn to writing with an upmarket edge, and I’m open to anything high-concept, speculative or which blends one genre with another.

I’m interested in any kind of crime/thriller, whether commercial or literary or high-concept. I read very widely across the genre, whether it’s Belinda Bauer, John Grisham, Fiona Barton, Nikki French, C.J Tudor, Tana French, Karin Slaughter or Ruth Ware.

I’m eager to find elegant literary thrillers in the vein of Leila Slimani’s books, and am fascinated by folklore, fable and horror – so anything which includes those kind of elements will likely grab my attention, whether in crime/thrillers, historical fiction or upmarket/literary. In this space I loved MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by Oyinkan Braithwaite, SISTERS by Daisy Johnson and PINE by Francine Toon.

I’m also a big fan of detective fiction so very keen to find new writers in this area. I’d love to find something which innovates or subverts the genre in the vein of EVELYN HARDCASTLE by Stuart Turton, EIGHT DETECTIVES by Alex Pavesi or something fun and clever like KNIVES OUT.

In non-fiction, I’m drawn to accessible and original ways into complex topics, like THE SECRET BARRISTER, WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe or PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY by Tim Marshall. I’m keen to hear from experts in any field who feel they have a fresh, smart take on a subject, as well as journalists who specialise in particular fields or have a big story to tell. I’m also very interested in authentically told true crime, such as THE FIVE by Hallie Rubenhold and I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK by Michelle McNamara.

I also represent a select list of children’s authors. I’m particularly keen to find more middle-grade, especially fantasy with original world-building and a big hook. I’d also love to see cosy crime/detective fiction for a middle-grade audience (like the MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE series) and anything with a sci-fi or horror edge in the middle-grade space.

My favourite authors include Patricia Highsmith, Max Porter, Angela Carter, John Fowles, Belinda Bauer, Neil Gaiman, Italo Calvino, Leïla Slimani, Cormac McCarthy, Marlon James, Gillian Flynn and Raymond Chandler.

I am not currently looking for spy novels, sci-fi and fantasy (outside the children’s space) or women’s fiction.