HarperFiction signs Ben Miller's debut novel
Actor, comedian and bestselling children’s author Ben Miller will be publishing his debut novel with HarperFiction.
Managing director and publisher Frankie Gray and commissioning editor Morgan Springett acquired world all-language rights for three books in this exhilarating new adventure from Luigi Bonomi at LBA. The first book, A Very Dangerous Pursuit, will be released in May 2026.
HarperCollins said it “is gearing up for a bold campaign, with ambitious plans to share A Very Dangerous Pursuit with readers worldwide and to ensure the widest possible audience joins Ben Miller on this thrilling new adventure”.
A Very Dangerous Pursuit transports readers to the early 20th century, following the intrepid Richard Hannay – based on the character first imagined by John Buchan – as he embarks on a thrilling journey from a coffee house in Constantinople across the continent. “Tasked with safeguarding a mysterious washbag, Hannay’s adventure takes him from the luxurious Orient Express to the ill-fated Titanic, all the while dodging the nefarious Count Schwabing and the enigmatic Madame Zara,” HarperFiction said. “The fate of Europe hangs in the balance as Hannay races to unravel a web of deception and danger.”
Miller is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 13 children’s books, including The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale and The Boy Who Made the World Disappear. He is also known for his appearances across film, television and stage, best known for the BAFTA-winning The Armstrong and Miller Show, and his roles in Bridgerton, Death in Paradise, Professor T and Austin.
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Miller said: "Publishing A Very Dangerous Pursuit with HarperCollins is the adventure of a lifetime, and I couldn’t hope for more enthusiastic collaborators than Frankie Gray and Morgan Springett. I’ve been a devotee of John Buchan for as long as I can remember, and I can’t wait to send Richard Hannay hurtling back into danger for a whole new generation of readers. Expect fiendish riddles, femmes fatales, ruthless villains and a somewhat-out-of-his-depth hero who never quite knows when he’s beat…"
Gray said: “A Very Dangerous Pursuit marks not only the launch of Ben Miller’s novel-writing career, but also the start of an exciting new series, filled with adventure, danger and derring-do. It is full of humour, ingenuity and imagination and showcases Ben at his sparkling best. The whole team at HarperFiction are hugely excited to be publishing A Very Dangerous Pursuit with all of the fanfare and aplomb that it deserves.”
Springett said: “Ben Miller has crafted an exceptional narrative that combines historical richness with gripping suspense. A Very Dangerous Pursuit is a testament to his ability to weave complex characters and high-stakes scenarios into a truly compelling read. We cannot wait to share this extraordinary tale with a global audience.”
Bonomi said: “Ben Miller is one of the hardest-working individuals I know. That he manages to achieve so much while coming up with brilliantly inventive storylines and superb writing is worthy of the greatest praise. He is also very clever with a great sense of humour. I think readers will absolutely love A Very Dangerous Pursuit – a rollercoaster of a ride across Europe that is pure escapism and huge fun.”
