Jane Wood of Quercus contracted Craig Russell's first two books in the Lennox series just days before the Frankfurt Book Fair 2008. Now, in the last days before the London Book Fair 2010, she has commissioned two more.

LENNOX, dark and witty, was launched very successfully last summer, and the paperback is Waterstone's Crime Book of the Month for May.  THE LONG GLASGOW KISS will be published in July.

LENNOX has been hailed by other writers:

'A crime story that transcends the genre. This is storytelling at its very best!' -- Michael Connelly

'A private eye for the ages - tough, uncompromising and insightful, with concrete fists and a heart of gold.' -- Michael Robotham

'Vivid and compelling, with a dark sense of place, even darker characters, and deliciously noir humour.  A great writer at the very top of his game.' -- Peter James

Jane Wood said:  'We couldn't be happier to have signed up two new thrillers from Craig Russell.  Set in 50s Glasgow and narrated by Lennox, a PI who operates on both sides of the law, these thrillers are pungent with life, atmosphere and dark humour.  Irresistible and heading for the bestseller list.'

Craig Russell said: 'It's great to work with a publisher who is enthusiastic and creative, and cares about my writing.  I'm very excited about what the future holds for the Lennox series.'

The deal was concluded by Carole Blake of Blake Friedmann who says: 'In these risk averse times, it's wonderful to see a confident publisher launch a stylish series and sign up for more before the first contract is completed. I'm delighted with this partnership.'

The Lennox series is published by Allen Unwin in Australia and sold to Luebbe in Germany, Roca in Spain and Calmann-Levy in France.

Russell also writes the Fabel series (Random House UK and 21 other publishers around the world). The Fabel novels won the 2008 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award, and Craig was shortlisted by the Crime Writers' Association for the 2007 Duncan Lawrie Dagger.