Atlantic acquires Cornish’s “The Missing Mother”

Atlantic Books Australia has acquired ANZ rights to Mali Cornish’s adult novel The Missing Mother in a deal brokered by Martin Shaw at Shaw Literary.

The publisher describes The Missing Mother as “razor-sharp psychological suspense for fans of Gillian Flynn about the family secrets that bind us – and break us”.

The novel follows Elspeth after she returns from New York to her hometown, Geelong, after her mother, Simone, vanishes. When she moves in with her sister, old family wounds reopen. Elspeth’s jittery, secretive behaviour soon attracts the interest of the police.

Geelong-born Cornish’s debut novel, Judgement Day (as Mali Waugh, 2023), was shortlisted for the Danger Awards’ debut fiction award in 2024, and her writing has featured in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Guardian. A practising lawyer, she lives in Melbourne with her family.

Publishing director Cate Paterson said, “Mali’s writing is imbued with an acerbic wit and an all-knowing eye. She plays in the shadows and brings to the surface what is really going on behind the action. The Frank family appear as free-wheeling bohemians, but there is always a price to pay for such abandon.”

Cornish said, “I’m so happy to be reunited with Cate Paterson at Atlantic Books. I am excited to share this gothic yet modern story, set in my hometown, with audiences next year.”

Atlantic Books Australia plans to publish The Missing Mother in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2026.

Photo credit: Carmen Zammit.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions