Publisher to author: Copying is a no-no

A debut spy novel, Q.R. Markham’s “Assassin of Secrets,” was pulled Tuesday after its publisher said it discovered numerous passages taken from other sources.

Little, Brown and Co. said the book, released last week, included material “lifted from a variety of classic and contemporary spy novels” and that stores should return any copies. Customers who purchased the book can return it for a refund from the seller, who will in turn be compensated by the publisher.

Little, Brown had signed Markham, 35, to a two-book deal and said the second novel has been canceled.

“We take great pride in the writers and books we publish and tremendous care in every aspect of our publishing process, so it is with deep regret that we have published a book that we can no longer stand behind,” Little, Brown President Michael Pietsch said in a statement.

Associated Press