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Avon has scooped a "non-stop, action-packed adventure" alongside three more novels from David Leadbeater.
Cara Chimirri, senior commissioning editor, acquired world all language rights to The Vatican Secret directly from Leadbeater. It will publish in March 2022.
The Vatican Secret follows the story of ex-MI5 operative Joe Mason, who is thrown into the hunt for the Vatican’s most treasured possession – a book of secrets, passed down from pope to pope – when it’s stolen by an ancient clandestine society. Mason and his rag-tag crew become embroiled in a global chase to find the book before the Vatican’s deepest secret can be revealed.
Chimirri said: "The whole team at Avon are beyond excited to have David joining our list! His novels read like your favourite blockbuster film and The Vatican Secret is no exception. Get ready for non-stop, action-packed adventure as you join our unlikely band of heroes on an international treasure hunt full of drama, danger and code cracking. Fans of The Da Vinci Code and Jack Reacher will be absolutely hooked!"
Leadbeater said: "Forty years ago, I began my writing journey, dreaming of this day. Writing this book was as much an adventure as the story itself and I can't thank the wonderful team at Avon enough for their support and enthusiasm. I'm really excited to share Mason with readers, old and new."
Leadbeater has published more than 40 novels. His books include the Matt Drake series and the Relic Hunters series, which won the inaugural Amazon Kindle Storyteller award in 2017. The Vatican Secret is the first book in the new Joe Mason series, and his first book with HarperCollins.