Charlotte Essex’s ALL SHE BURNS sparks major international deals!
Charlotte Essex photographed by Bertie Peek
A gripping new voice is entering the psychological thriller scene with ALL SHE BURNS, the debut novel by Charlotte Essex for fans of Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas, Karin Slaughter and Frieda McFadden. Positioned as the first installment in a major new series, the book is already generating significant buzz.
In the UK and Commonwealth, the novel and a second book in the series were acquired by Rachel Hart at Wildfire, while North American rights were acquired by Lindsey Rose while at Dutton, and will be published by Rachael Kelly. Both publishers are planning a Spring 2027 release.
Internationally, ALL SHE BURNS has already secured seven deals, with further acquisitions to come. In Germany, rights sparked a competitive auction before being acquired by Rowohlt in a two-book deal. Italy followed a similar path, with Newton Compton winning the auction. In France, La Martinière moved quickly with a pre-empt, as did Bertrand in Portugal and Psichogios in Greece, both securing two-book agreements. Spain’s auction was won by Planeta, while in the Netherlands, Meulenhoff acquired rights in a three-book deal.
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Dr Catherine Jenkins, known as Red, is the UK’s best fire investigator. Called out to crack the origins of deadly blazes, she understands fire like no one else. Because Red is also a serial arsonist.
It’s a powerful addiction born from painful memories, but she can keep her impulses in check – most of the time. But after trauma bursts from the haze of Red’s past, she burns down an empty derelict house just to keep breathing.
The next day, she is called to the scene by the police, led by the indomitable DS Lina Karim. Red’s tasked with establishing the origins of the blaze. Simple, routine work. Except this time is different: a body has been found. Who is the victim? Did Red cause the death? Or does somebody know more about her than they should?
As Red and Lina get closer, more than one game of cat and mouse is being played, but one thing is for sure: someone is going to get burned.
Coming soon in Spring 2027!
