Arabesque

ARABESQUE

2012

This was my second YA crime thriller. My agent at the time wasn't prepared to send it out because it lacked romance. This was frustrating as I'd already done an elevator pitch of the story to Non Pratt, the editor of Clash. She liked the sound of it, contacted my agent and requested a copy. She made an offer just a few days later. Arabesque went on to be shortlisted (1 of 3) for the Stockport Children's Book Awards and was translated into German as Perfekte Diebin (Perfect Thief). 

The story is focused on two teenage gymnasts involved in a botched kidnapping. When one of the girls manages to disarm the leader of a larger criminal gang, his response is more interest than alarm. He could use a girl like that. 

Looking back, I think I missed a trick with the title. I'd always wanted to use "Arabesque" as a title, but it does absolutely nothing for the story, whereas the German title does.