You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
HarperNorth has landed a ghost story set in the Scottish Borders by debut writer Mathew West.
Genevieve Pegg, publishing director, acquired world all language rights for The House of Footsteps from Doug Young at PEW Literary. It will publish in hardback, audio and e-book in February 2022.
The book is set in the 1920s and follows Simon Christie. Its synopsis states: "From the moment he alights the train at a silent village, he realises his work cataloguing an infamous art collection, will not be straightforward. The dark family history of his employer, the noises that echo through the house at night, and the captivating story told to our hero by the woman in the library will take Simon – and the reader – on a terrifying journey."
West said: "I'm really excited for people to read The House of Footsteps. I hope that it will appeal to anyone who, like me, loves a classic spooky story with a bit of gothic melodrama — and has a slightly twisted sense of humour, as well."
Pegg added: "Reading Mathew’s novel for the first time was like a cold hand round mine, gripping ever tighter. As chilling as it is compelling, it’s rare to find a debut that reads with such authentic period voice – but cuts to the quick with its modern sensibility."