W.F. Howes, an RBmedia international publishing brand, has acquired the audio rights for two new Karen Pirie titles from bestselling Scottish crime writer Val McDermid.
 
The deal will see McDermid team up with her long-time audiobook publisher for the 2023 release of Past Lying, book seven in the immensely popular crime series, as well as the untitled eighth novel, slated for publication in 2024.
 
Hot on the heels of the series’ critically acclaimed ITV adaption, the latest audiobooks will deliver yet more crime-solving adventures and cold cases from the nation’s favourite fearless Fife detective.
 
Lauren Lyle, the Scottish actor who plays Karen Pirie herself in ITV’s adaptation—and also stars in Outlander and BBC drama Vigil—has been cast to perform the first of the forthcoming audiobooks.
 
Val McDermid commented: “I’m delighted that Lauren Lyle will be voicing the new Karen Pirie, Past Lying. She’s already established herself as the personification of the character I wrote onto the page, and I can’t wait to hear her perform the book.”
 
Since Val McDermid’s relationship with W.F. Howes began in 2005, she has become one of the company’s bestselling authors of all time. The author-publisher duo have published 39 titles across multiple series together, with fans listening to over 10 million hours of McDermid’s audiobooks.
 
The UKBC unabridged audio rights were acquired from Lizzy Kremer and Maddalena Cavacuiti at David Higham Associates by W.F Howes’ Acquisitions Manager, Laura Smith.
 
Smith said: “There is a reason why Val is among the best crime writers this country has ever produced and our bestselling and most popular author. She is a powerhouse who combines natural writing flair and talent with hard work and dedication—and the success of her books are a testament to that. We are honoured to continue as the audiobook publisher for this thrilling series.”