A further three novels and a short story collection by prize-winning Afrikaans author Deon Meyer have been acquired by Nick Sayers at Hodder through Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann. Hodder have already published six of his thrilling books in the UK.

Nick Sayers said: 'Deon is already a bestseller in many countries, including his own, of course, and his nomination for the 2010 CWA International Dagger for the year's best crime novel translated into English from another language simply confirms what we already knew - that he is one of the finest crime thriller writers in the world.  With these new books, we will bring him to a much wider readership again.'

The deal sees Hodder continue to publish Meyer in the UK where his latest novel, THIRTEEN HOURS, was published in April to a flurry of outstanding reviews. Joan Smith of the Sunday Times writing: 'Some of the best crime fiction is rooted in contemporary events. Twenty years after the release of Nelson Mandela, South Africa remains a troubled place, and Meyer's novels give rare insight into the texture of everyday life. Above all though, this is a vigorous, exciting novel that combines memorable characters and plot with edge-of-the-seat suspense.' Ahead of its US publication by Grove Atlantic in September the novel has already been praised in Publishers Weekly as a book to 'further enhance Meyer's reputation as a deft storyteller.' The UK paperback edition of THIRTEEN HOURS will be published by Hodder in February 2011 and Deon Meyer will be the Translated Featured Guest Author at CrimeFest in May 2011.

THIRTEEN HOURS has also been published by Random in Canada (April 2010). The title has been sold to nine other territories and in addition to English will be translated from the Afrikaans into French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Norwegian, Russian, Slovenian, Swedish and Turkish. Film rights have been optioned to Robert Fig and Malcolm Kohll with Roger Spottiswoode (UNDER FIRE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES) attached to direct.

Deon Meyer is the author of six thrillers and a collection of short stories and has been sold in 23 territories. He has won the Deutsche Krimi Preis, the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and the Le Prix Mystère de la Critique, as well as four ATKV prizes in South Africa. He was also shortlisted for the 2010 CWA International Dagger alongside Arnaldur Indriðason, Johan Theorin, Andrea Camilleri, Tonino Benacquista and Stieg Larsson.

More Praise for Deon Meyer:

'Deon Meyer is one of the unsung masters. THIRTEEN HOURS proves he should be on everyone's reading list. This book is great!'  
--Michael Connelly
 
'THIRTEEN HOURS has breathtaking suspense, psychological understanding, and one of the most inspiring detectives ever. Deon Meyer deserves his international reputation.'         
--Thomas Perry

'I've been reading a new book by Deon Meyer, a South African writer of crime fiction, set in his homeland. I love crime fiction and I'm always on the lookout for a new talent and Mr Meyer certainly fits the bill.'                      
--Michael Parkinson, from his website

'Deon Meyer's novel is one of the most exciting thrillers I've read for a long time. Take it on a journey which may involve delays, but you won't even notice them as THIRTEEN HOURS, as it were, passes in a flash...You get insight into the political situation quite apart from an exceptional narrative...I shall look out for Deon Meyer in future, and meanwhile, the tapestry that is South Africa has gained in richness for me.'  

--Antonia Fraser, The Lady