Polygon has acquired World rights for Murder Comes to Whisky Castle and a third novel by crime author Natalie Jayne Clark. The two-book deal was brokered by Jenny Brown of Jenny Brown Associates, who says, ‘The Malt Whisky Murders was one of the brightest and most successful crime debuts of recent years, so we are thrilled to be working with the brilliant Polygon team on two further novels. Murder Comes to Whisky Castle plays to all Natalie’s strengths as a bold and inventive writer – and as a certified whisky ambassador.’
‘This is the perfect follow-up to The Malt Whisky Murders, with more (mis)adventures for Eilidh and Morag,’ says Polygon’s Senior Editor, Alison Rae. ‘Think Knives Out. Think The Traitors. Murder Comes to Whisky Castle is a highly entertaining whodunit in which Natalie takes a sharp-eyed look at the world of celebrity whiskies and toxic influencer culture.’
‘If you told me, right now, that I had won the big jackpot, I know that my stellar debut experience with The Malt Whisky Murders would top that feeling. I am so proud of everything we have achieved together, and I am delighted to be working again with the incomparable team at Polygon and my world-class agent Jenny Brown to delve deeper with you all into the delicious world of whisky and intrigue in its sequels. My lottery numbers are still welcome to come up of course!’
–Author Natalie Jayne Clark
When Eilidh and her wife Morag receive an invitation to spend Christmas in rural isolation at the sumptuous Whisky Castle, they pack their bags immediately. A week in Dufftown, Speyside – the Malt Whisky Capital of the World – is just what they need after the stress of getting their Campbeltown distillery up and running. Along with other industry professionals, they’ll be creating content for a celebrity couple who are keen to rebrand themselves and shift from reality TV into the whisky business.
Unfortunately, events take a sinister turn when Eilidh discovers a body in the castle turret. As a snow storm engulfs the castle, trapping all the guests, and Eilidh has to navigate whisky tastings, power cuts and secret passageways, everyone becomes a suspect.
Murder Comes to Whisky Castle will be published in July 2027. Natalie’s third novel in the trilogy will be published in July 2028.
Natalie Jayne Clark is a neurodivergent writer, editor and producer based in Perth. Natalie writes for SNACK Magazine, is the Associate Producer for StAnza Poetry Festival, and works across the arts and culture industry in a variety of roles. Her poetry can be found in anthologies from Flapjack Press, Speculative Books and Open Book, and she has won several poetry slams. She is also a certified whisky ambassador and is partial to a Springbank or a Bruichladdich. Her first novel, The Malt Whisky Murders, was published by Polygon in 2025, and was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and longlisted for the ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger.
