‘Game-changing’ debut bought by Michael Joseph

Rights to Laure Van Rensburg’s debut novel, The Downfall, and a second book, Eden Lost, were won by Clio Cornish at Michael Joseph in a six-figure deal after a six-way auction. Clio Cornish acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Juliet Mushens.

The debut has also caused a stir internationally, with North American rights sold at auction to Wes Miller at GCP by Jenny Bent acting on behalf of Mushens. German, Norwegian and Italian pre-empts concluded before the English language rights were sold, and the novel has also gone on to sell at auction in Brazil, Finland, France and Holland.

In The Downfall, "Ellie – a young, inexperienced student – is preparing for a romantic weekend away with Steven, an older, charismatic teacher. Excited to get to know one another better away from prying eyes, they escape to a remote cabin. But when a snowstorm strands them it becomes apparent that they both have dark secrets – and that only one of them will escape the weekend alive."

The book will be a "major" launch for Michael Joseph, publishing in hardback, e-book and audio in early 2022, with a paperback to follow.