An award-winning Prestwich author has landed an American book deal following the huge successes of her previous books.

Cynthia Murphy, 38, shared the good news with fans online as all three of her books have been picked up by the US publisher, Delacorte.

Having found out in August this year, Cynthia has said it has been one of the hardest secrets she has ever had to keep.

Read more: Prestwich's Cynthia Murphy wins Lancashire Book of the Year 2022

She said: “I went to Ireland to see family and I was getting the bus back up to Dublin when I got the e-mail.

“I nearly missed the bus and had to run for it so when I jumped on and sat down I just squealed, I couldn't help it, I was just so excited.”

Having already won four awards, the former St Monica's High School pupil has been granted the deal on all three of her books, “Last One to Die”, “Win Lose Kill Die” and “The Midnight Game”.

As well as awards, Cynthia, who grew up and taught as a teacher in Bury, has received viral TikTok fame for her second title and she is set to release the third in January.

Read more: Prestwich author to read exclusive extract of new book

She said: “I've been waiting for a US deal for ages and then my book went viral on TikTok so they had another look and I ended up with two different offers and got to choose.

“Because the first book was done around three years ago now, I felt a bit like I had missed the boat for any US publication and that they weren't going to come back and offer again.

“Now I don’t have a deal on just one book but all of them!”

With the re-spelling of words to American English and repackaging, it is expected to take around 12 months for Cynthia’s titles to hit the shelves in the USA, something she said she is beyond excited for.

Read more: 

If you have a story tweet @BuryTimes or @Heywoodharriet_ or email Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk.