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Headline heralds Martina Cole’s ‘triumphant return’ with The Stretch
Headline has acquired Martina Cole’s The Stretch, a novel that marks the crime author’s “triumphant return”, says the publisher. The Stretch is Cole’s first solo-written novel since No Mercy in 2019.
Fiction publisher Jennifer Doyle bought world-English language rights from Darley Anderson at the Darley Anderson Agency, and will publish with Cole’s editor, Clare Foss. Publication is scheduled for October 2026, with a new cover look.
The Stretch follows the Raglans, as Johnny Raglan is sentenced to life imprisonment. The synopsis reads: “Doing time runs in the family, and everyone knows the score. But prison life is not easy and Johnny’s wife Janey and their two young sons are about to learn the hard way what it takes to survive...”
Doyle said: “Headline couldn’t be prouder to have published Martina Cole since the beginning of her career. She has an ingenious gift for storytelling and an inimitable voice that has won her legions of devoted readers. Her talent for writing strong characters and her unique wit are here in spades in this gripping novel, and this triumphant return proves, once again, there really is only one Martina Cole.”
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Cole said: “There’ve been times over the past few years when I thought this day would never come. Having faced life-changing health issues – including two strokes and a battle against sepsis – I’m delighted to say that I’m back to where I was before.
“At first, I couldn’t work the way I used to, but thanks to the help and support of family and friends – not to mention my own relentless determination – I’ve put all my energy into getting better and into writing The Stretch for my readers. The story came to me in a dream and once I’d started writing I found I couldn’t stop. At the end of the day, I’m a survivor and I couldn’t be happier to be back writing on my own again."
Anderson said: “Martina Cole is a storytelling genius. And nobody writes about the world of criminals and criminality with Martina’s power, knowledge and authenticity. Dear reader, you are in for a treat. With The Stretch, Martina is back to her brilliant best.”
