Welbeck takes two from Gray in six-figure deal and four-way auction

Welbeck has landed two books by Kate Gray in a six-figure deal following a four-way auction. 

Rosa Schierenberg, editorial director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to The Honeymoon and one other from Juliet Mushens. It will be a lead hardback for Welbeck in July 2023.  

Gray has previously published six commercial women’s fiction novels with HQ as Katy Colins. This is her first psychological thriller. 

The synopsis says: “Two happy couples. One dead body. A whole load of secrets. Married life wasn’t meant to start like this… On honeymoon in Bali, you hit it off with another newlywed couple and celebrate your last night at a fancy cliff-side restaurant. No one predicted the evening would end with a dead body. But it was an accident, right? A tragic accident. The honeymoon may be over but it soon becomes clear that there’s another side to this story, and your life depends on uncovering it. Many marriages can survive anything, but when it starts on a lie, is it really ‘til death do us part?” 

Schierenberg said: “The Honeymoon is everything you’d want from a thrilling summer read. Propulsive, dark and utterly compelling, it turns the trip of a lifetime into your worst nightmare. If you love Lucy Foley and T M Logan then Kate Gray is one to watch.” 

Gray added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Rosa and the talented team at Welbeck. Their excitement and passion for The Honeymoon has been palpable, and I know they will bring out the very best in this book. I’m also hugely grateful to my agent, Juliet Mushens, for finding The Honeymoon a wonderful home.” 

Mushens commented: “The Honeymoon delivers twist after twist in a read I devoured in one sitting – Welbeck’s pitch to acquire the book was so compelling and I can’t wait for people to read the novel.”