Legend Press has acquired UK & Commonwealth excl Canadian rights for Night Climbing by Sarah Day. The novel will be published on 18th September 2024. Rights were acquired by Lauren Wolff-Jones, Commissioning Editor at Legend Press, from Kiya Evans on behalf of Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment. 

Night Climbing is a powerful and emotionally gripping novel inspired by the true story of ‘The Black Forest Tragedy’. In April 1936, a group of schoolboys on a trip from London left their youth hostel in Freiburg to go hiking, led by their German teacher, Kenneth Keast. By midnight, four of the children would be dead. The novel follows the desperate race against time to search for a missing boy, set against the frightening sweep of Nazi support in rural Germany. Two strong women must stand up for what they believe is right, risking imprisonment or worse, during one of the most pivotal moments in history. Night Climbing explores the ways in which science, propaganda, media and misinformation can have an impact on both global historical events and people’s day to day lives.

Sarah Day’s debut novel, Mussolini’s Island (Tinder Press) received a 2018 Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown. With a background in science communication, she has worked as a press officer, magazine editor and freelance writer, and was Writer in Residence at Gladstone’s Library in 2019. Sarah lives in London.

Lauren Wolff-Jones, Legend Press Commissioning Editor comments: ‘From the moment I started reading Sarah’s novel, I found myself utterly captivated. The narrative resonates deeply, skilfully weaving a tapestry that immerses you in the tension of Germany teetering on the brink of war. Suspicion and fear seep into a once-tight-nit community, and desperation unfolds in the frantic quest for survivors. A powerful narrative of resilience and love that transcends the pages.’

Juliet Mushens comments: ‘Sarah’s writing is stunning and atmospheric – I was so impressed by Lauren’s vision for the novel and can’t wait to see it published.’