Portrait: Sally Mitchell, ayr-studio.com

PAGANS

James Henry

Rights Sold: UK & Commonwealth/Moonflower Books; Germany/Lubbe

Rights Available: All other rights handled by The bks Agency

James' debut novel PAGANS is a Saxon police procedural. The Norman invasion never happened and contemporary “Britain” is an uneasy alliance of ancient tribes. The police in question – Aedith and Drustan – are a classic “odd couple” but with better tattoos. As they navigate the choppy political waters of this strange society, we feel familiar themes emerge, of religious conflict, nationalism and prejudice. But they remain recognisable police, even down to the strict station house etiquette (“Aedith had made herself a coffee but not offered Drustan one, a brutal move by police standards”). The plot of PAGANS is smart and satisfying, the dialogue is witty and the world is fascinating.

JAMES HENRY's writing career began with joining the writing team for SMACK THE PONY (Talkback/Ch4), the Bafta award-winning comedy series GREEN WING and CAMPUS, and co-writing ITV sitcom THE DELIVERY MAN. He is currently developing projects with ITV and BBC Studios. His first novel is a crime thriller set in a parallel, but strangely familiar, United Kingdom.