Serpent’s Tail snaps up Francesca Reece’s 'dazzling' literary novel
Serpent’s Tail has acquired Francesca Reece’s novel Sleaze.
Mehar Anaokar at Serpent’s Tail acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada), including audio, from Seren Adams at Lexington Literary in an auction, for publication in spring 2027. North American rights were pre-empted by Carolyn Williams at Doubleday.
"Sleaze is a sexy, screwball comedy following Mari, an expat freelance translator living in an unnamed Mediterranean city who wakes up to find her one-night-stand dead beside her," the synopsis says.
"After fleeing the scene, only to be blackmailed by his femme fatale wife into finding out what happened, Mari is reluctantly entangled in a scheme bigger than she realises. An unforgettable caper involving break-ins, drugs, wellness cults, a leftist guerilla group and an addictive will-they-won’t-they romance between Mari and her best friend, Sleaze is as witty and entertaining as it is moving."
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Anaokar said: "Francesca Reece is such a talent and I’m delighted to bring her to the Serpent’s Tail list. Her intelligence, humour and confidence are on full display in Sleaze, a dazzling literary adventure that brings together the wit and playfulness of Rachel Kushner with the irreverent melodrama of Drive Away Dolls. Mari is a wonderfully entertaining and incredibly assured protagonist – I know readers will enjoy following her into wellness retreats and literary salons as much as I have."
Reece added: "When I was writing Sleaze, I told friends that I wanted to write a novel that read like mid-career Pedro Almodóvar reimagined by Muriel Spark. Unsurprisingly, I had more fun writing it than anything I’d written before, and I hope that that joy comes through to readers. I’m so delighted that the book has found a home at Serpent’s Tail – I’ve been a huge fan of their list for so long and am honoured to be joining it. I think Mehar is such a smart editor, and I admire her taste so much. I’m equally thrilled to be working with Carolyn at Doubleday US, and above all, I’m endlessly grateful to the wonderful Seren for making all of this a reality – thank you so much for having faith in me and in this unhinged little novel!"
