Esperance author Fleur McDonald scores four-book deal of new series The Prospect with HarperCollins

Esperance author Fleur McDonald has scored a four-book deal with major publisher HarperCollins. McDonald, a best-selling Australian author known for her Detective Dave Burrows series, secured the partnership which will see the release of a fresh series of novels across the Australian crime genre. The Prospect will be published in April, with a second novel to follow later next year. Set in the lawless town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the novel is a gripping tale of crime, conspiracy, and redemption as Senior Constable Jack Higgins and his investigative journalist partner Zara Ellison uncover a dangerous plot involving gold smuggling and political corruption. McDonald said she was grateful for the opportunities she had working with Allen and Unwin during the past 15 years, which saw their support in publishing 24 of her books, but was now excited by the new partnership brokered by publisher Anna Valdinger and agent Gaby Naher. “A change has been in the air for some time, and I’m excited to join HarperCollins and work with Anna Valdinger,” she said. “Anna’s reputation for brilliant crime fiction and challenging the authors she works with is widely known in the industry, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have her as my publisher. “I have always had a deep personal love for reading crime fiction, and that transitioned to my own writing. To be under Anna’s guidance is very exciting. I have never been one to shy away from a challenge, so this will be a great partnership. “Having a wonderfully supportive team behind me means I can get on doing what I do best — writing riveting and engaging stories for my loyal readers.”