... will be called <em>The Plague Doctor, </em>set entirely in Venice and be more than a little unusual. It's protagonist is Teresa Lupo, a regular from the Costa series, though this is very much a departure from that, one which sees her acting alone. Here's the press release....<!--more-->

Macmillan and Blake Friedmann are delighted to announce they have agreed a new deal for David Hewson.

Trisha Jackson of Macmillan bought the new novel from Carole Blake at Blake Friedmann.  THE PLAGUE DOCTOR is a novel of Venice, in which the city's dark side  - present and past - is shown in stark contrast to the intoxications of the Carnival.

THE BLUE DEMON, the latest in David Hewson's Rome-set Nic Costa series, was published by Pan in paperback last month, and the next title in the series, THE FALLEN ANGEL will be published in hardback in February next year. Macmillan have  produced superproofs which include a dvd with an author interview about the writing of the novel.   They are now embarking on a programme of reissues of the entire Hewson backlist.  His novels are published in 23 languages.

Of the new deal, David Hewson said:  'After a dozen titles over the last decade, I'm proud to call Macmillan my UK home and its talented and enthusiastic staff my colleagues.'

Trisha Jackson said: 'We are absolutely delighted to have acquired THE PLAGUE DOCTOR. As is true of all David's thrillers, it is a completely absorbing and utterly compelling story. Immensely atmospheric, intricately plotted, and immaculately researched, it's a wonderful novel from a terrific author. We are incredibly proud and excited to continue as David's publisher. He deserves to be right at the top of the bestseller list, and we're determined to get him there.'

Carole Blake said: 'There's a great sense of satisfaction in signing another contract with a publisher as committed to an author as Macmillan is to David Hewson.  Their plans for both frontlist and backlist marketing are aimed at bringing him the bestseller status his writing surely deserves.'

David Hewson has been hailed by other writers:
'David Hewson is one of the finest thriller writers working today. No question. His tight narrative chords carry an air of…intimacy. His plots build layer by layer through carefully selected prose. He has rakish, roguish, and scandalous villains who do battle with a gutsy and vulnerable hero.  David is blessed with a superb imagination and if you have not, as yet, read one of his tales, start here. You will not be disappointed.' -- Steve Berry

'Packs more twists and action into its brilliantly plotted pages than half a dozen other thrillers combined.' -- Linwood Barclay

'David Hewson is one of the finest thriller writers of our time and Nic Costa is a detective for the ages. From the first paragraph, CITY OF FEAR will seize you and not let go until the last page has been turned. If you haven't read a Hewson novel yet, what the cazzo are you waiting for?' -- Douglas Preston, author of 'Monster of Florence'