Warner Bros. has optioned the film rights to crime novelist Don Winslow's 2011 bestseller Satori. Winslow will co-write the adapted screenplay with Shane Salerno, who co-wrote the adapted screenplay for another of Winslow's books, Savages.
The lead character in the book, Nicholai Hel — genius, mystic, and the perfect, formidable assassin — is expected to be played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
It is the fall of 1951, and the Korean War is raging. Twenty-six-year-old Hel has spent the last three years in solitary confinement at the hands of the Americans. Hel is a master of hoda korosu, or "naked kill", is fluent in seven languages, and has honed extraordinary "proximity sense" — an extra-awareness of the presence of danger. He has the skills to be the world's most fearsome assassin and now the CIA needs him.
The Americans offer Hel freedom, money, and a neutral passport in exchange for one small service: to go to Beijing and kill the Soviet Union's commissioner to China. It's almost certainly a suicide mission, but Hel accepts. Now he must survive chaos, violence, suspicion, and betrayal while trying to achieve his ultimate goal of satori — the possibility of true understanding and harmony with the world.
(Source: Deadline|Hollywood.)
Monday, October 03, 2011
Warner Bros. Options Film Rights to Satori by Don Winslow
Production Underway for Swedish Crime Drama The Fjällbacka Murders
A couple of weeks ago, principal filming began on The Fjällbacka Murders, a combination of 10 made-for-television movies and 2 theatrical films based on the original universe created by Swedish crime novelist Camilla Läckberg.
The producer, TrustNordisk, has announced pre-sales into the Benlux countries as well as Australia, and today Swedish television network SVT announced that it has scheduled the first of the telemovies to air in December 2012. The first theatrical film, to be adapted from the fifth book in the series, Tyskungen — it's given several different English translations, including The Hidden Child (as published in the UK) and The German Child — is expected to be released in mid-2013. (These seem like incredibly long production schedules to us …)
"It's amazing to see my characters come to life in Fjällbacka and it's so impressive to see them in an international film production of this scale. I really like that the rest of the world will get to know my very own Fjällbacka", says Läckberg.
The series has been described as a Swedish version of Midsomer Murders … which sounds very promising to us.
TrustNordisk intends to continue its presales at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, where it will also promote an existing series, Those Who Kill, written by Danish crime novelist Elsebeth Egholm — of whom we are unfamiliar; it doesn't appear as if any of her series or stand-alone novels have been translated into English — but not apparently based on any of her books.
(Source: TrustNordisk.)
BBC to Broadcast Danish-Swedish Crime Drama The Bridge
A month or so ago we were reporting on a number of new crime dramas that were to premiere this fall on SVT, Sweden's television network. And we were also speculating that it might not be long before English-speaking audiences had a chance to see them.
For at least one of the dramas, The Bridge, that may be sooner than later. BBC has acquired the series — a Danish/Swedish co-production — together with another, Sebastian Bergman, for BBC4.
Sue Deeks, the head of BBC program acquisition, said: "Both The Bridge and Sebastian Bergman are character-based, suspense-filled murder mysteries, with a cinematic atmosphere and style. Following in footsteps of Spiral, Wallander and The Killing, they are outstanding additions to BBC Four's slate of European crime drama."
With the series in hand at BBC, it likely won't be too long before they hit this side of the Atlantic on BBC America.
About The Bridge: The body of a woman is found in the middle of the Øresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. Half the body belongs to a Swedish politician and the other half to a Danish prostitute
A bi-national team of inspectors is put together to solve the crime: laid-back Danish family man Martin, and Swedish single Saga who puts facts above empathy. The killer is a "moral terrorist," who lays out his agenda in messages addressed to the media and designed to show us how corrupt we have become. Indeed, the spectacular murders he stages actually do bring public opinion to his side ...
(Source: WorldScreen.com.)
The Mystery Bookshelf: Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason, an Icelandic Thriller
The Mystery Bookshelf, where you can discover a world of mystery and suspense, is pleased to feature a new crime novel we recently received from the publisher.
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Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason
An Icelandic Thriller
Picador (Trade Paperback)
Publication Date: October 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-61059-3
About Hypothermia (from the publisher): Inspector Erlunder has spent his entire career struggling to evade the ghosts of his past. But ghosts are visiting him, both in the form of a séance attended by a dead woman and also in the reemerging puzzle of two young people who went missing 30 years ago. And there’s the ghost of the detective’s disastrous marriage, which, despite the pleas of his drug-addled daughter, he is unwilling to confront. In addition, he’s still obsessed with the disappearance of his brother, who vanished without a trace when they were boys.
He can only run from his ghosts for so long, and, when they finally catch up with him, Erlunder is forced to face the heart shattering truth of his past.
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About the author: Arnaldur Indriðason worked at an Icelandic newspaper, first as a journalist and then for many years as a film reviewer. He won the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel for both Jar City and Silence of the Grave, and in 2005 Silence of the Grave also won the CWA Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel of the year. The film adaptation of Jar City was Iceland’s entry for the 2008 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. He lives in Reykjavík with his family.
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Lionsgate Acquires Film Rights to the Chaos Walking Trilogy of YA Thrillers
Lionsgate has acquired the film rights to the young adult thrillers collectively known as the "Chaos Walking Trilogy" by Patrick Ness.
Published in 2008, the first book in the series, The Knife of Never Letting Go, introduces Todd Hewitt, the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him — something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World?
"Apart from the story elements, the world in the stories is so vividly imagined," said Lionsgate co-COO and motion picture group president Joe Drake. "These are books, much like The Hunger Games, that we feel truly beg to be brought to life on film."
The other two books in the trilogy are The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men.
(Source: The Hollywood Reporter.)
Telemystery: SyFy Developing Series based on The Adjustment Bureau
SyFy is reportedly developing a television series based on the recently released film The Adjustment Bureau, itself an adaptation of the Philip K. Dick short story "Adjustment Team". Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin (No Ordinary Family, Smallville) are writing the pilot screenplay.
What happens when you discover that the life you've been living has been carefully planned by someone else … and that your future is also in their hands? That the choices you've made and will make are the result of subtle — and sometimes not so subtle — changes in your environment initiated by a third party? This is the premise of The Adjustment Bureau, a film we generally liked, though we didn't really buy the whole romantic relationship subplot involving David Norris (played by Matt Damon) and Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). (You can read Mr. E.'s full review here.) What worked best in the film is what would probably work best in a series, the opportunity to explore a bit more how the Adjustment Bureau (or Team) perform their tasks to achieve their objectives.
(Source: Deadline|Hollywood.)
Medicus by Ruth Downie is Today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Medicus by Ruth Downie as today's Barnes & Noble Nook Daily Find. The daily find price of $2.99 is valid only for today, Monday, October 03, 2011.
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Medicus by Ruth Downie
A Gaius Petreius Ruso Mystery (1st in series)
This book was originally published in the UK in 2007 as Ruso and the Dancing Girls and later as Medicus and the Dancing Girls. There are currently four books in the series. (Note: The B&N website is currently showing the wrong image for the book, displaying the cover of Caveat Emptor instead.)
About Medicus (from the publisher): Divorced and down on his luck, Gaius Petreius Ruso has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. In a moment of weakness, after a straight thirty-six-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to compassion and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner. Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and cant cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar. Now Ruso must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer … who may be after him next.
Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice, so please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
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Telemystery: Bored to Death, Detective Montalbano, Lie To Me, and Perry Mason, New This Week on DVD
Telemystery, your source for one of the most comprehensive listings of crime drama, amateur sleuth, private investigator, mystery and suspense television series, mini-series and made-for-television movies, now available on or coming soon to DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling four series being released this week.
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Jason Schwartzman stars as New York writer, romantic, and unlicensed private investigator Jonathan Ames in Bored To Death.
Now that his second novel has been completed (and rejected), Jonathan is augmenting his income by moonlighting as a creative-writing teacher, while taking on some new, desperate clients, ranging from a kinky policeman to the publishing rival of his sexagenarian pal, George Christopher. How he solves anything is a mystery.
Bored To Death: Season Two is available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, and consists of 8 episodes that originally aired on HBO from September through November 2010.
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Luca Zingaretti stars as Commissario Salvo Montalbano in Detective Montalbano, an Italian crime drama based on a character created by mystery author Andrea Camilleri and set in the small (fictional) village of Vigata.
Airing on an irregular schedule since 1999, a total of 22 episodes have been produced to date.
Detective Montalbano: Episodes 19-20 is available on DVD this week, as are Detective Montalbano: Episodes 21-22, also available on DVD. Both DVDs are in Italian with English subtitles. All four episodes originally aired earlier this year on RAI in Italy.
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Tim Roth stars as Dr. Carl Lightman, the head of an organization that assists Federal law enforcement, government agencies, local police and private individuals with their most difficult cases in Lie to Me, which concluded its series run with this season.
Inspired by the scientific discoveries of a real life psychologist, who can interpret clues embedded in the human face, body and voice, this enthralling drama series exposes the truth and deception in compelling mysteries.
Lie to Me: Season Three is available on DVD, Amazon Instant, and iTunes, and consists of 13 episodes that originally aired on Fox from October 2010 through January 2011.
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Raymond Burr stars as Perry Mason in this long-running series, in which the brilliant Los Angeles-based defense attorney stops at nothing to crack the most impossible cases and uncover the truth.
Perry Mason is one of the best television courtroom dramas ever produced, and still remains one of the most highly rated dramas of all time.
Perry Mason: Season Six (Volume 1) is available on DVD and consists of 14 episodes that originally aired on CBS from September 1962 through January 1963.
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Visit the Telemystery website to discover more television mystery series currently available on and coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray disc, or video on demand.
A Brisket, A Casket by Delia Rosen is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature A Brisket, A Casket by Delia Rosen as today's second free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so we urge you to download it while it is still available for free.
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A Brisket, A Casket by Delia Rosen
A Gwen "Nashville Katz" Silver Mystery (1st in series)
Kensington
About A Brisket, A Casket (from the publisher): Gwen (nee Katz) Silver heard the brisket at her uncle’s Jewish deli, Murray the Pastrami Swami — the only one of its kind in Nashville, Tennessee — was “to die for.” But she didn’t realize that meant literally …
When Gwen learns she’s inherited Murray’s, the native New Yorker leaves her chaotic career and messy divorce behind to start over in Nashville. But the venture seems doomed from the start. Murray’s taken his recipes and secret list of food suppliers to the grave with him, and ruthless real estate developer Royce Sinclair will stop at nothing to try and sandwich Murray’s into his already overstuffed portfolio. Then, on Kosher Karaoke Night, longtime customer Buster Sergeant bites into his brisket … and bites the dust. The coroner says food poisoning, but Gwen’s not convinced. Now, with the help of hunky police detective Beau McClintock, “Nashville Katz” — as Gwen is quickly nicknamed — will find herself adding “private investigator” to her resume — and a new love to her life.
Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice, so please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
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For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb is Today's Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb as today's free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so we urge you to download it while it is still available for free.
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Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb
A Southern Cousins Mystery (1st in series)
Kensington
The Southern Cousins mysteries feature Callie Valentine Jones and her dog Elvis, who is the reincarnated spirit of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The fourth book in the series, Elvis and the Tropical Double Trouble, is published this month.
About Elvis and the Dearly Departed (from the publisher): Normally, Callie Valentine Jones spends her days fixing up the hairdos of the dead, but when the corpse of local, prominent physician Dr. Leonard Laton goes missing, it's bad for business. So Callie and her cousin Lovie (Eternal Rest's resident wake caterer) have no choice but to go in hot pursuit of the recently embalmed, last seen bound for Vegas by way of downtown Tupelo.
In Vegas, Callie and Lovie hit the jackpot when they find the dearly departed inside a freezer owned by his showgirl mistress, Bubble Malone. But their luck runs out when Bubble decides to join her man in the afterlife. With the poisonous Laton family tree providing plenty of rotten suspects, Callie, along with some help from her basset hound, Elvis, is determined to crack this case — and have a killer singing "Jailhouse Rock" in time for her next haircutting appointment …
Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice, so please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
