Sept. 7, 2022 — Angry Robot Books announced today the launch of Datura Books, a new crime fiction imprint focused on titles with a strong sense of voice and place that push the boundaries of the genre, while playing with readers’ favourite tropes.
“Datura is founded on what sets Angry Robot apart - direct connection with our readers,” said Publisher Eleanor Teasdale. “As avid readers in this genre, our team all believe that we can offer something special by using our experience with Angry Robot to choose the titles we would be so excited to pick up in a bookshop.”
Along with Teasdale, Datura is led by a seasoned team of Angry Robot editors spanning a range of tastes, including Simon Spanton, Gemma Creffield, Daniel Culver and Ella Chappell, who is a judge for this year’s CWA Daggers. They are also supported by author and editor Bryon Quertermous who brings his intimate knowledge of the genre in the US to the team.
“I like well-written psychological horror and literary crime,” said Culver. “I’d also be keen to see an old-fashioned whodunit in the vein of Clue or Knives Out.”
Teasdale is on the hunt for brilliant translation projects, reinventions of sub genres and classic police procedurals. Spanton’s passion lies in crime set in the American South during the civil rights era, as well as 1930s and 1970s/1980s settings in Britain. Chappell, who says, “A locked-door mystery with a small cast of unforgettable characters never goes amiss!” seeks gripping, modern psychological thrillers. Creffield recently commissioned a title previously set for self-publishing by a popular TikTokker due to enthusiasm on the platform, which exemplifies Datura’s mission of seeking submissions based first and foremost on what readers want.
“We are delighted to be expanding our fiction publishing into the world of crime and thriller with Datura,” said Deputy Managing Director Vicky Hartley. “The launch list is an exciting mix of styles, authors, and most importantly, fantastic writing.”
Datura also aims to speak to an emerging younger readership. The imprint’s debut release Death Of a Dancing Queen is the adult debut by YA mystery author Kimberly G. Giarratano on February 14, 2023. Six titles are already committed to publish over the next year and will be distributed internationally by Penguin Random House, as well as sales, design and production support from Watkins. Find more at daturabooks.com.
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