Kate Parkin and Margaret Stead at Firefinch are delighted to announce the acquisition of three novels by crime writer Kate London. Firefinch will publish the first novel in the Stoke Rising series, Black Earth, in July 2026. They acquired UK & Commonwealth rights excluding Canada and including audio, in three novels from Alice Lutyens at Curtis Brown.

The Stoke Rising series spans three decades, from the miners’ strikes of the early 80s to the rise of New Labour and the far right in the early 00s. The first novel in the series, Black Earth, is set against the background of the miners’ strikes of 1984 and a family divided, as one brother is on the front lines of the strike in Silvertown and the other a serving police officer. It will cement Kate London as a uniquely talented writer to watch.

Kate London is a former detective on the Met’s homicide command. She resigned in 2014 to focus on her writing. She is the author of four books in the Tower series, which have been adapted and broadcast by ITV.

Kate London said: ‘I am very excited that my new series has found a home with Firefinch. These stories are set in my home town and are very close to my heart. Margaret Stead was my first editor, and I know that together we can tell powerful stories.’

Alice Lutyens said: ‘I feel that Kate has found the perfect home for the resonant and thrilling Black Earth with this dynamic and exciting new publishing venture, Firefinch’

Margaret Stead said: ‘Kate is one of the most creative and collaborative authors I’ve ever worked with. These new novels are very close to her heart as she was raised in Stoke. As a former Detective she knows the world of policing first hand. She’s also a writer of dazzling range and true humanity. She’s a joy to work with and we’re absolutely delighted to have convinced her to join Firefinch with this ambitious new series.’

Black Earth by Kate London will be published by Firefinch Publishing in July 2026