HarperCollins UK unveiled plans to publish the first-ever new Agatha Christie short story collection, fully authorized by Agatha Christie Ltd., to be penned by an immensely talented group of internationally recognized writers. The deal for World English Language rights was negotiated by HarperCollins UK and William Morrow in the US with Agatha Christie Ltd., along with representation for the contributing authors. The collection will be published simultaneously in the US and UK in September 2022 by HarperCollins.

Contributors include:

• Naomi Alderman, represented by Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates

• Leigh Bardugo, represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary

• Alyssa Cole, represented by Lucienne Diver at The Knight Agency

• Lucy Foley, represented by Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown

• Elly Griffiths, represented by Rebecca Carter at Janklow & Nesbit

• Natalie Haynes, represented by Peter Straus at RCW Literary Agency

• Jean Kwok, represented by Suzanne Gluck at WME

• Val McDermid, represented by Jane Gregory at David Higham Associates

• Karen M. McManus, represented by Rosemary Stimola at The Stimola Literary Studio

• Dreda Say Mitchell, representing herself

• Kate Mosse, represented by Mark Lucas at The Soho Agency

• Ruth Ware, represented by Eve White at Eve White Literary Agency

This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author included in the new publication will reimagine Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery. Miss Marple was first introduced to readers in a story Christie wrote for The Royal Magazine in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930’s The Murder at the Vicarage. It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie’s last Marple novel, Sleeping Murder, was published posthumously in 1976, and this collection of ingenious new stories by twelve Christie devotees will be a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains the most famous fictional female detective of all time.

“It feels very exciting to allow this formidable selection of authors the opportunity to come up with new adventures and mysteries for Miss Marple. It is time for readers to rediscover Marple and I personally cannot wait to read the resulting stories,” notes James Prichard, Chairman and CEO, Agatha Christie Ltd and great-grandson of Agatha Christie.

David Brawn, Publisher of Estates at HarperCollins, said: “The opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of Miss Marple with a book of short stories – not unlike Agatha Christie’s inaugural The Thirteen Problems (aka The Tuesday Club Murders) – was irresistible, and our authors reflect the very broad and international appeal of the character.”

“This truly remarkable group of authors showcases the extent of Agatha Christie’s influence over the last century. With Miss Marple, Christie gave a voice to women who were often overlooked, and we are deeply honored that these twelve writers have come together to pay homage to that ambition,”