We are delighted to announce that Alan Parks, the award-winning author of the Harry McCoy series, has joined Baskerville, the literary crime and thriller imprint of John Murray, with his new World War II-set thriller trilogy GUNNER. Yassine Belkacemi, Editorial Director at John Murray and Baskerville, acquired UK and Commonwealth Rights (excluding Canada) from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. Following his international acclaim for McCoy, publishers have also secured translation rights for the first book, GUNNER, in France (Editions Payot & Rivages) and Italy (Bompiani), while all three books in the series have been sold in Spain (Tusquets).

Joseph Gunner, an ex-cop of Swedish heritage, arrives back in Glasgow after being wounded in combat. His old boss persuades him to help investigate a body found in the wreckage of a bombed-out building. But when the body turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner finds himself embroiled in a high level conspiracy that may well cost him his life. Partly inspired by the true story of Rudolph Hess’ secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during WWII, GUNNER is a thrilling and compelling novel.

Alan Parks said: ‘I’m delighted to be embarking on this new series with Yassine and all at John Murray. Gunner has found a great home.’

On behalf of John Murray, Yassine Belkacemi added: ‘I’ve been a huge admirer of Alan’s work for a number of years and I’m buzzing that he has entrusted his brilliant new series to us at Baskerville. GUNNER is a riveting and extremely stylish work and Alan’s latest creation, Joseph Gunner, shows a great depth of humanity and complexity. I can’t wait for readers to meet him. The whole Baskerville and JMP team are delighted to welcome Alan and we can’t wait to launch the first book in this fantastic trilogy.’

‘Alan has so many ardent fans for his McCoy series – of which more in the future too – and it’s wonderful to see Alan’s new hero Joseph Gunner winning publishing admirers around the world already,’ said Isobel Dixon. ‘We are so thrilled that the GUNNER trilogy has found such a fine home with Yassine and Baskerville – a perfect match.’

About Alan Parks

Alan Parks worked in the music industry for over twenty years before turning to crime writing.

His debut BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, FEBRUARY’S SON was nominated for an Edgar Award, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER won the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, the Prix Mystère de la Critique in the foreign fiction category, and was shortlisted for the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel and THE APRIL DEAD was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The fifth Harry McCoy book, MAY GOD FORGIVE, was published in April 2022 and won the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2022. It was shortlisted for the 2023 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and longlisted for the 2023 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. Most recently, TO DIE IN JUNE, the sixth entry in the series, was published by Canongate in 2023. The Harry McCoy series is optioned for television.

Alan was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city as well as spending time in London.

Praise for Alan Parks

‘One of the great Scottish crime writers’ – The Times

‘Tipped to become an enduring classic of tartan noir.’ – Sunday Post

‘The Harry McCoy books by the bold Alan Parks just get better and better… If you’re not already reading these books, get onto them now.’ – Liam McIlvanney

‘Noir has long been the dominant colour in the palette of such Scottish writers as Ian Rankin and Denise Mina, but Parks manages to find a deeper shade of black… A must for those who take their noir straight, no chaser.’ – Bill Ott, Booklist

‘The birth of a new kind of intuitive old detective; rogue, stubborn, and Scottish... the new smash hit of Scottish noir.’ –Laura Fernández, El País

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