S&S acquires Michelle Prak debut thriller

Simon & Schuster Australia (S&S) has acquired ANZ rights to Michelle Prak’s debut thriller The Rush, via literary agent Melanie Ostell.

 

The Rush is described by the publisher as a ‘gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller’.

 

‘After Quinn discovers a body lying in the middle of a deserted rural road, this propulsive novel unfolds through the alternating perspectives of a cast of compelling characters while readers piece together the mystery behind Quinn’s macabre discovery,’ S&S said. The novel is set around the Pindarry—the ‘iconic and isolated pub where Quinn works’—where ‘an imminent deluge and lack of phone reception conspire against her attempts to seek assistance’.

 

‘From the moment I started reading The Rush, I just knew I had to publish it,’ said publisher Cassandra Di Bello. ‘This is Aussie noir at its best and what sets it apart is how it flips the typical remote Australian setting on its head, creating a much more sinister atmosphere than we’ve seen before. Every page is fraught with tension and looming floods serve to build that tension to the novel’s terrifying climax, which is shocking—and sadly, incredibly relevant.’

 

‘I had a lot of fun writing The Rush and hope readers experience the same thrill when they encounter the story,’ said Prak. ‘I’m overjoyed it’s found a home at Simon & Schuster. From the very beginning, Cass Di Bello and the team showed amazing passion and enthusiasm for the book. They really “get” The Rush, its themes, and its potential to excite an audience.’

 

S&S plans to publish The Rush in May 2023.