Starting early in 2012 Amazon.com's crime fiction imprint, Thomas & Mercer, will began releasing new trade paperback editions of 47 books in Ed McBain's 87th Precinct and his Matthew Hope series. The works will also be available in digital and audio versions.
"McBain is a master of the mystery genre and we are thrilled to be able to repackage, publish and promote his unrivalled body of work," said Philip Patrick, Head of Rights & Licensing at Amazon Publishing. "One of the things we think Amazon Publishing can do is offer signature authors a new life for great backlist titles. Our agreement with the McBain estate is a perfect example of this approach."
Patrick’s comment followed the company’s June 22, 2011 announcement that Amazon Publishing had acquired publication rights to 35 of the 55 titles in McBain’s 87th Precinct series as well as to 12 of the 13 titles in his Matthew Hope series. The 87th Precinct books were originally scheduled to be released in fall 2011; and the Matthew Hope titles, in spring 2012.
Publication dates for each of these series have been moved back, however. Amazon.com now lists Feb. 28, 2012 as the release date for the 87th Precinct books. The Matthew Hope books will be released on Sept. 11, 2012.
McBain, who died in 2005, also published standalone novels such as the 1953 classic, The Blackboard Jungle, under his real name, Evan Hunter. In 1986 he received the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award. McBain was also the first American winner of the Cartier Diamond Dagger award from Great Britain’s Crime Writers Association.
"Evan was always an innovator and I am thrilled that these books will be available again for his countless fans as well as a new generation of readers," Dina Hunter, Evan Hunter's widow, said of the arrangement with Thomas & Mercer. Thomas & Mercer, launched May 18, 2011, is Amazon's fifth publishing imprint.
Comments