Joffe Books signs Joy Ellis’ Black Notice
Joffe Books has acquired Black Notice, the 11th book in Joy Ellis’ Fenland-based police procedural series featuring detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans.
Publishing director Kate Lyall bought world rights directly from the author, with publication scheduled for autumn 2025.
The book’s synopsis reads: “A bloodstained man stumbles onto a retired detective’s doorstep, pleading for help – but vanishes into the fens before the police arrive. That same day, a stylishly dressed woman marches into the local police station demanding to see Detective Marie Evans. ‘I want you to find my husband.’”
Then, the synopsis continues, “a homeowner clearing undergrowth in his back garden makes a horrifying discovery. The decomposing remains of five bodies huddled in an old Second World War pillbox. Detectives Jackman and Evans are about to embark on their most baffling investigation yet”.
Lyall said: “A missing computer whiz. A wild-eyed man out loose on the fens. A bunker full of bodies. I’m so excited to have acquired Joy’s latest Jackman and Evans, which has to be her most ambitious and twistiest mystery to date!”
Ellis said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign over my latest DI Jackman and Marie Evans book to my lovely publisher, Joffe Books. I am both thrilled and honoured that they have accepted it for publication. Jackman and Evans are now like good friends to me and I love writing about their lives and the investigations that they have to tackle. This book sees them tested to the limits by a techno genius and an almost Gothic series of murders. No wonder they are stressed to the max! So hope that you enjoy it!”
Television rights to the Jackman and Evans series have been optioned by White Boar Films and Sprout Pictures. The TV series is currently in development with Richard Armitage, who will produce and star.
