One More Chapter snaps up intense medical thriller in two-book deal from Masters 

One More Chapter has snapped up The Trial, a “claustrophobic, high-concept thriller” from S R Masters.  

Commissioning editor Jennie Rothwell acquired world English-language rights from Jo Swainson at Hardman & Swainson in a two-book deal. The novel will be published in July 2022.  

“I couldn’t be happier to have Jennie and the brilliant team at One More Chapter publishing S R Masters’ new high concept thriller,” said Swainson. “I love Simon’s writing which is always chock-full of ideas and know it will be in the best possible hands.”  

The synopsis reads: “Would you sign up to a clinical trial if you didn’t know the possible side effects? It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive luxury trip abroad—all you need to do is take a pill every day and keep a diary. Except you don’t know anything about the drug or what its side effects might be. The headaches start, a dull ache at first. Every day worse than the last. Then a body is found. You don’t know who has taken the placebo and who has taken the real drug. Everyone is a suspect. Anyone could be a killer. Even you.” 

Rothwell said: “The moment Simon pitched me his idea for The Trial I was captivated. He knows how to tell a brilliant, fast-paced thriller and at every turn I didn’t know what was going to happen next. This is a timely and addictive high-concept idea and I’m delighted to be working with Simon to bring his writing to readers.”  

Masters added: “HarperCollins books were constant companions growing up so I’m absolutely thrilled. One More Chapter is such a modern and innovative division and their dynamic approach to publishing is genuinely exciting. I knew as soon as I heard Jennie’s vision for the novel that we’d work brilliantly together.”