Bookouture acquire cosy crime series by Millicent Binks

We’re excited to share that Commisioning Editor Nina Winters has acquired World English Language rights for three books in a brand new historical cosy crime series by debut author Millicent Binks.

Binks is a writer, and former costume designer and burlesque performer. Her work includes a column for The Evening Standard and a cover story for The Sunday Times Magazine that was optioned for TV by NBCUniversal. The first book, featuring English milliner and amateur sleuth Opal Laplume, is set in Paris and will publish in May 2025.

Nina says,

‘When I started reading Millicent’s first book, I fell head over heels with the fabulous characters and the atmospheric setting. Millicent has a sharp eye for fun, glitzy settings and her work contains a lot of wonderful period detail that makes it an immersive read. Her mysteries are carefully crafted and our sleuth, Opal, is a tour-de-force – clever, stylish and never loses her English cool. Millicent’s ideas are a fresh take on the historical cosy crime genre and her books will have fans hooked from the very first page!’

Millicent says,

‘What a champagne moment!  I’m overjoyed to sign with Bookouture at Hachette UK and feel lucky to have found my brilliant editor Nina who shares my passion for the themes within Opal’s world.  I also want to thank my excellent agent Morwenna.’

Morwenna says,

‘In Opal Laplume, Millicent Binks has created an inimitably stylish and captivating new heroine, and I am over the moon to be partnering with Nina and the whole brilliant team at Bookouture to bring her to life for generations of readers to come.’

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