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Vendor
Fritz Agency
Christian Dittus
Original language
English

GRAVE EXPECTATIONS

Alice Bell

Claire and Sophie aren't your typical murder investigators...

Claire Hendricks is a hapless 30-something true crime fan working as a freelance medium. When she is Invited to an old university friend's country pile to provide entertainment for a family party, her best friend Sophie tags along. In fact, Sophie rarely leaves Claire's side, because she's been haunting her ever since she was murdered at the age of 17.

When the pair arrive at The Cloisters it's clear this family is hiding more than just the good china, as Claire realizes someone has recently met an untimely end at the house. Teaming up with the least unbearable members of the Wellington-Forge family - depressive ex-cop Basher and teenage reactionary Alex - Claire and Sophie determine to figure out not just whodunnit, but who they killed, why and when.

Together they must race against incompetence to find the murderer before the murderer finds them, in this funny, modern, media-literate mystery for the My Favourite Murder generation.

Alice Bell is the deputy editor of Rock Paper Shotgun, a popular PC gaming website, and in 2019 she was named one of the 100 most influential women in the UK games industry.
Available products
Book

Published 2023-05-01 by Corvus

Comments

“Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core. Alice Bell is one to watch!” — Janice Hallett “A very funny, entertaining, twisted take on the country house murder mystery. Wonderful.” — S J Bennett “An addictive, hilarious, rollicking debut - fresh, original and utterly brilliant” — Sam Blake “A really unique concept paired with whip-smart writing and lots of heart” — Heather Darwent, author of The Things We Do to Our Friends “Clever, unpredictable and a genuinely humorous modern day country house murder mystery which left me guessing.” — Nadine Matheson “This book positively lit up my weekends . . . a story that will both send chills down your spine and wrap you up in a hug.” — Ally Wilkes “Witty, addictive, and breathes some much needed (undead) life into the cosy crime murder mystery genre” — Adam Simcox “Funny, fast, sharp, original, and addictive, Grave Expectations is a unique breath of fresh air. Brilliant!” — Andrea Mara

Quote Praise

Mentioned in the "cosy crime" category in the Evening Standard's "six blockbuster trends for 2023"

Noteworthy Client

"Read this fabulous book, you will not regret it!" —Ben Aaronovitch “I absolutely adored Grave Expectations from the first line – it's a murder mystery that is full of heart and humour, filled with memorable and relatable characters you can't help but root for despite their flaws and foibles. It reads like the perfect mash-up of 'Ghosts' and 'Knives Out'. I couldn't be happier to be working with the clever, funny and hugely talented Alice Bell on this incredibly entertaining and endearing new series.” —Sarah Hodgson, acquiring editor "A clever and playful contemporary cosy mystery by the talented Alice Bell. Think “Ghosts” meets “Knives Out”." - Catherine Kirwan "Knives Out vibes with added ghosts. Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable." - Catherine Ryan Howard "Utterly delightful - like the BBC show "Ghosts" mixed with Cluedo" - Simon Toyne

Quote Praise

USA: Vintage;

Foreign licence Client

Lead fiction title for Atlantic in 2023

Noteworthy Client