Conn Iggulden moves to Hodder Fiction with new historical thriller trio

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired three new historical thrillers from global bestselling author Conn Iggulden.

Hodder Fiction will publish the trio of standalone historical thrillers, based on famous battles in history, kicking off with the first provisionally titled Arnhem, scheduled for publication in June 2027 in hardback. 

World English-language rights were acquired by Jo Dickinson, executive director of publishing, brands and process from Victoria Hobbs at AM Heath. Asya Muchnick at Little, Brown US will publish the first book alongside the UK team.

Iggulden is one the UK’s bestselling novelists who began his career with HarperCollins and has been published by Penguin Michael Joseph for the past decade. Most of his titles have been set in the ancient world with series on Roman emperors and Mongol warlords.

Of his new novel, Arnhem, he said: “Thirty thousand men and as many extraordinary stories, created over a few miles of land and one key bridge. This one is for my father, who flew to Arnhem in September 1944.”

Based on the Second World War battle, the novel tells the story of two brothers who were brought down over the Dutch city of Arnhem, dropping from the sky into hell on earth. With a ragged crew of misfits, they just have to survive long enough for reinforcements to punch through. While the task is simple, the reality is the firefight of their lives. They will be tested in the houses and streets of a peaceful town – and on the bridges over the Rhine.

Hobbs said: “With this exciting new juncture in Conn’s extraordinary career, as he moves into the 20th century for the first time, he is telling a story which intersects with his own father’s history as a Second World War fighter pilot.”

Dickinson called Iggulden a "magnificent storyteller", adding: "I am incredibly excited and honoured to be working with him. The early material for this first novel, based partly on Conn’s family history, has already moved me to tears. I cannot wait to bring this epic novel to Conn’s legions of existing fans and to new readers across the world.”

Muchnick said: “Conn is one of the finest writers of historical fiction at work today, with a gift for bringing the past to life with vivid characters and riveting storytelling. In Arnhem, he turns his skills to the Second World War with a story that is as intimate and personal as it is sweeping and cinematic.”