Quercus has signed Charlotte Duckworth’s new standalone suspense novel Connie. Cassie Brown bought world English Language rights from Caroline Hardman. Connie is out in January 2026.

The novel follows Connie Cross, once a trusted pharmacist from south London who is now serving a whole-life sentence for the murders of at least seven strangers. Former police officer Olivia Laing first met Connie twenty years ago, when she was just a teenager, and now Olivia is desperate to understand what drove Connie to murder. But as she begins to uncover the truth about the UK’s most notorious female serial killer, Olivia risks revealing secrets she’s kept hidden for years.

Charlotte Duckworth said “After a little bit of a break, it’s so thrilling to be back with another suspense novel and to be working with the amazing team at Quercus again. Connie is the most complicated character I have ever written, and it’s safe to say she truly got under my skin… I’m very excited for readers to meet her next year and form their own opinions!”

Cassie Brown said “This is such a delicious and twisty whydunnit, with a brilliantly satisfying true crime feel. Charlotte Duckworth has done it again and I cannot wait to introduce Connie to all her readers and fans next year.”

The Bookbrunch article can be read here.