Short Takes

Bruce Nichols at the Free Press (Richard Clarke's editor) bought a book by the New York Times's James Risen about the CIA's ups and downs during the tenure of the recently resigned George Tenet; it was a world rights buy from Tina Bennett at Janklow & Nesbit.... Warner's Jamie Raab, buying for Kristen Weber at Mysterious Press, made a three-book deal for Cosmopolitan editor Kate White, for two new Bailey Weggins mysteries and a nonfiction book that's a frank and funny guide to men and what turns them on. The deal, a big one, was signed with Coast agent Sandra Dijkstra for North American rights.... Dublin agent Marianne Gunn O'Connor made two American deals: one for a novel called Recipe for a Perfect Marriage by Morag Prunty, about two women generations apart and their marital struggles, sold to Peternelle van Arsdale at Hyperion; the other a four-book deal for crime writer Ken Bruen with Ben Sevier at St. Martin's/Minotaur.... HM's Susan Canavan bought a book about a legendary fight between Depression-era boxers Max Baer and James Braddock by Jeremy Schaap, ESPN anchor and son of famous sportswriter Dick Schaap; the agent was Scott Waxman.