The new standalone thriller, Heartbreaker, follows Daphne Monroe, a bereaved mother whose children were brutally murdered. When she realises she too is now in the sights of a serial killer, Daphne sets out across America to hunt down the truth before she too is murdered. With the police convinced of her guilt, Daphne has no choice but to pursue justice alone, drawing readers into a dark world of medical obsession, hidden histories and revenge.
A fast-moving thriller driven by personal stakes rather than police procedure, Heartbreaker blends the tension of a serial-killer hunt with the emotional force of a woman who has nothing left to lose.
Alongside the two new standalone thrillers – the second, a medical thriller set in an IVF clinic, is scheduled for 2027 – Pellerin Books will also republish O’Reilly’s acclaimed Michael North action-thriller series: Killing State, Curse the Day and Sleep When You’re Dead. These novels follow ex-soldier and assassin Michael North through high-stakes missions spanning Westminster politics, artificial intelligence and a remote Scottish cult. They come festooned with quotes from thriller writers like Lee Child, Mick Herron and David Baldacci and LJ Ross, and will be reintroduced to the market in February 2026.
Laura and Jessie said: “Jude writes thrillers that hit every beat readers expect, but with an emotional depth and intelligence that sets her apart. Heartbreaker is propulsive, unsettling and deeply human, with a heroine whose grief and determination power the story in a way you don’t often see in the genre. We can’t wait for more readers to discover Jude’s satisfying, page-turning storytelling through her new standalones and her republished action thrillers.”
Jude O’Reilly said: “I love Laura and Jessie’s ambition for my Michael North thriller series and their determination that my new crime novel, Heartbreaker, reaches the widest possible audience. They’re keen to do things differently in terms of positioning, marketing, communications, and – critically – accessing potential readership. It’s an exciting prospect to be part of.”
