Prolific mystery writer Martha Grimes is back with her her very first editor, thanks to a new seven-figure, three-book deal with Holt. Grimes, previously published by Knopf, will now be edited by Holt senior editor Ray Roberts, who worked on her first 11 mysteries at Little, Brown. Rumor had it that Knopf decided not to meet Grimes's previous high-six-figure per book price for a new contract, so an auction was held by agent Peter Lampack. Holt also had another emotional appeal in the deal: CEO Michael Naumann was Grimes's German publisher. Lampack told PW that two of the novels, the first to be published by Holt in fall 1997, will continue Grimes's Scotland Yard detective Richard Jury series, while the third may introduce a new American series character.