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Simon & Schuster has pre-empted rights to debut author Kate Ruby's novel Mummy Dearest.
Bethan Jones, commissioning editor, secured the deal with Marilia Savvides and Eugenie Furniss at 42. Publication is slated for July 2021.
The psychological thriller revolves around a ruthless family with dark secrets that begin to ruin the middle daughter's life. The synopsis explains: "As Rachel’s partying descends into addiction, her parents are forced to step in. Her mother, Lily, is desperate, both for the welfare of her daughter but also to protect the darkest secret of all, one that she has successfully kept hidden for years. Lily hires renowned therapist and healer Amber as a last resort. But when Rachel puts all her faith in Amber and alienates herself more than ever from her family Lily grows increasingly suspicious that there is another, more dangerous, reason for Amber's arrival in all their lives.
"Loosely based on a true story, Kate Ruby uses the fraught and complicated family dynamics to explore how lies can come back to haunt you and how, sometimes, your fiercest protector can be the one to hurt you the most."
Jones said: "I read this in one, satisfying sitting and within a few chapters knew I had to publish it. There is something so quietly creepy about Amber’s character, and the slow crumbling of this complicated family, while tragic, was both compulsive and delicious to watch. Kate’s vast experience of screenwriting and producing means she effortlessly hits the beats of the reveals and the wonderfully layered writing is all underpinned by incredible plotting and pacing. I’m very excited to launch Mummy Dearest next year."
Kate Ruby is a pseudonym for a TV drama producer and screenwriter, represented by Lucinda Prain at Casarotto for Film/TV. With several previously published novels (two of which are currently under option to Element Pictures) and original TV projects developed at the BBC and Sky, she balances her writing career alongside her role as an executive producer.
Commenting on the acquisition, she said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Bethan and the incredible team at Simon & Schuster on Mummy Dearest. Despite being a big believer in therapy, I wanted to explore the profession’s shadow side, and just how wrong it can go when we trust a stranger with our sanity. I also wanted to get under the skin of a complex mother/daughter relationship, loving and toxic all at once."