Pan Mac Swoops for Internationally Bestselling Author Deon Meyer
Alex Saunders, Editorial Director at Pan Macmillan, has acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada, including South Africa) rights from Isobel Dixon of the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency for Scorpio and two further novels in the Benny Griessel series by Deon Meyer.
Deon Meyer is an internationally bestselling and prize-winning author whose books reach the bestseller lists in several countries, and are immediate #1 titles in both Afrikaans and English in his home country of South Africa. His books are translated into English by K.L. Seegers and have been published in 28 languages in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Scorpio will be the 9th instalment in Deon Meyer’s bestselling series featuring Benny Griessel. As an international security forum convenes in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, detectives Griessel and Cupido race against time to uncover a plot that could shake international foundations. With the threat of a sinister plot looming over the prestigious gathering of global leaders, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Scorpio will be published on the Macmillan imprint in hardback, ebook and audiobook in early 2027, and by Pan Macmillan South Africa in trade paperback and ebook in October 2026. The Afrikaans edition will be published by NB Uitgewers/Publishers in late 2025.
Alex Saunders comments: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Deon Meyer, an extraordinary storyteller and a master of the crime thriller genre, to Pan Macmillan. Deon’s ability to weave compelling thriller narratives with rich character development, as seen in his award-winning and much-loved Benny Griessel series, has captivated readers around the world. We eagerly anticipate this new chapter with Deon and look forward to bringing his wonderful writing to an even larger audience of readers.’
Terry Morris of Pan Macmillan South Africa comments: ‘Benny Griessel, the flawed but endearing Detective Inspector created by Deon Meyer, holds a special place in the hearts of South African readers. We at Pan Macmillan South Africa, alongside our UK colleagues, are proud to publish the English edition of Deon’s latest Griessel novel, Scorpio, and to build on the success of the series. As ardent fans of Deon Meyer’s writing we are delighted to expand his reach and fanbase.’
Deon Meyer comments: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Pan Macmillan family. Their passion for and excellence in international publishing — and crime fiction in particular — is legendary, the team’s enthusiasm and energy are contagious, and I couldn’t be more excited about this new chapter in my writing career. And, just for the record, Benny is pretty chuffed about his new home too.’
Isobel Dixon comments: ‘It’s an exciting new season for Deon Meyer and Benny Griessel – along with his partner-in-crime-solving Vaughn Cupido and an ensemble cast of characters beloved around the world. Deon surpasses himself with every book and I know that these enthralling stories will be in excellent hands with the brilliant UK and South African teams at Pan Macmillan.’
ENDS
For more information, please contact Mbalenhle Simelane, mbalenhle@panmacmillan.co.za at Pan Macmillan South Africa
Notes to Editors
About the Author
Deon Meyer is a South African crime fiction author and screenwriter. A former journalist, advertising copywriter, internet manager and brand strategist, Deon has published sixteen novels and two short story collections. His books have been published in 28 languages in more than 40 countries world-wide.
He has also written several series for television, and four screenplays for feature films. Deon has produced and directed movies in his native Afrikaans. Accolades for his books include Best Adult Fiction and Book of the Year at the SA Book Awards for Leo (2024), Le Grand Prix de Littérature Policière (2003) and Le prix Mystère de la critique (2004) from France, the Deutsche Krimi Preis (2006, 2009), the Swedish Martin Beck Award (2010), the ATKV Prose Prize (2000, 2003, and 2004), the ATKV Suspense Fiction Prize (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2019), the M-Net Award for Most Filmic Novel (2009, 2012), and the Barry Award for Best Thriller in the USA (2010).
Deon was born in Paarl in 1958 and matriculated in Klerksdorp in 1976. He studied at the Universities of Northwest, Free State and Stellenbosch, and holds a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. He lives in Stellenbosch with his wife Marianne, and is passionate about South Africa, Mozart, mountain biking, cooking, photography, as well as the Free State Cheetahs and Springbok rugby.