Film Adaptation Considered for Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice

Vulture is reporting that Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood) is interested in adapting -- and may indeed have already written a treatment for -- Thomas Pynchon's comic crime novel Inherent Vice.

In the book, private gumshoe Doc Sportello's ex-girlfriend, who he hasn't seen in a while, suddenly shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer with whom she just happens to be in love. It's the tail end of the psychedelic sixties in L.A., and Doc knows that "love" is another of those words going around at the moment, like "trip" or "groovy," except that this one usually leads to trouble.

The reclusive Pynchon narrated the entertaining trailer for the book when it was published in 2009. You can watch it below:

Twilight Director may also Direct Film Adaptation of The Maze Runner

The Playlist is reporting that Twilight director Caterine Hardwicke may direct the upcoming film adaptation of The Maze Runner by James Dashner (who is also writing the screenplay).

In the first book of what is expected to be a trilogy of young adult thrillers, Thomas wakes up in a lift and the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Read the first chapters of The Maze Runner below; the second book in the series, The Scorch Trials, was published in October.

Film Adaptation of 21 Jump Street to Begin Production in Spring 2011

In a press release today (Deadline|Hollywood has a copy), Columbia Pictures confirmed that Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum will star in a contemporary film adaptation of the late 1980s Fox television series 21 Jump Street. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will direct a Michael Bacall written screenplay, based on an idea by Hill and Bacall.

Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad said, "Jonah helped create a smart and funny vehicle that is tailor-made for him and Channing. They are a perfect duo for this film and Phil and Chris have a terrific, accessible take on the material. We love how this movie has come together and are very excited to begin production this spring."

In the original series, a group of young-looking cops (notably Johnny Depp as Officer Thomas Hanson and Holly Robinson as Detective Judy Hoffs) went undercover to investigate under-age criminals or troubled youths. This new film, which has been in various stages of development since at least early 2009, is expected to be a more comedic version of the series.

Film Rights Optioned for The Grounding of Group 6 by Julian F. Thompson

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Tom Sheppard has optioned the film rights to The Grounding of Group 6, the 1983 young adult thriller by Julian F. Thompson. Sheppard plans to direct his own screenplay adaptation.

In the book, five 16-year-olds arrive at what they believe to be an exclusive high school. As part of their orientation, they hike into the woods unaware and that their teacher is a murderer for hire ... and that their parents do not plan for them to come out alive.

Hard Case Crime to Resume Publication of Mysteries in September 2011

Publishers Weekly is reporting that the Hard Case Crime series of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels will resume publication in September 2011 with a hardcover edition of Getting Off by Lawrence Block writing as Jill Emerson, a pseudonym the author used years ago. Hard Case Crime is publishing its new books in association with Titan Publishing, which is distributed in the US and Canada by Random House.

Other titles expected soon thereafter include Quarry’s Ex by Max Allan Collins and Choke Hold by Crista Faust.

Series editor Charles Ardai expects to publish four books a year in a combination of formats (trade paperback, mass market paperback, and the occasional hardcover).

Harlequin Worldwide Mystery Titles for December 2010

eHarlequin.com has announced the December 2010 titles for their Worldwide Mystery imprint, your partner in crime. Amateur sleuths, traditional cozies, police procedurals and private-eye fiction, written by award-winning authors. For more information or to purchase any of the books below, click on the book title or book cover. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

— ◊ —

On the Twelfth Night of Christmas by Jo A. Hiestand
A Brenna Taylor Mystery (3rd in series)

As holiday festivities wind down, Derbyshire investigator Brenna Taylor is roused from a cozy office and called to a frozen pond—and a waiting victim. Mercedes Salt mysteriously drowned during her morning walk on her rambling family estate. Tensions mount for the CID team as one of their own, Mark Salt, brother-in-law to the victim, is among the possible suspects.

As a clash of jealousy, blackmail and greed emerge, detectives conclude the woman's death was no accident. She had been planning on asking for a divorce and leaving the lucrative family business, thereby wreaking financial havoc on the Salts. Brenna, convinced of Mark's innocence, discovers he may have been illicitly involved with the victim. And when the killer strikes again, it's dangerously clear that murder is the final price of too many family secrets.

— ◊ —

Hark! The Herald Angel Screamed by Mignon F. Ballard
An Augusta Goodnight Mystery (7th in series)

Holiday festivities are in full swing for Lucy Nan Pilgrim and her resident guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight—until murder meddles with the good cheer. No one recognizes the man pushed to his death from the balcony at Lucy Nan's abandoned ancestral estate. Still, Lucy Nan can only wonder who committed this dark deed: the centuries-old family ghost…or a very human killer?

But it's just the start of a season of mayhem and mistletoe in Stone's Throw, North Carolina, as someone drugs Idonia Mae Culpepper and steals an antique locket recently given to her by her new beau, Melrose DuBois. Naturally, neither Lucy Nan nor Augusta trust this newcomer, especially after his landlady falls to her death from the church balcony. Soon the plot is as thick as Christmas trifle and just as sticky for Lucy Nan as she tries to outwit a murderer before she's the next to be decked in the halls.

— ◊ —

Cold Winter Nights by Anne White
A Lake George Mystery (5th in series)

It promises to be the best and brightest winter season yet for the picturesque Lake George town of Emerald Point. Mayor Loren Graham, newly engaged, anticipates goodwill and glad tidings—everything but murder. When a kind and well-liked nurse from town is found dead in her home, all clues point to a mysterious local man, an elusive mountain hermit called "the Woodsman." His immediate arrest upsets Loren, who knew the strange but kindhearted man from her childhood. Now he needs her help to prove his innocence.

Digging deeper into the circumstances of the murder, she discovers the victim had a few secrets of her own, including some close relationships with several men. When one of them turns out to be the husband of her dear friend, Loren is determined to clear his name, as well. Soon a sordid string of jealousy, lies and desperation draws into a dangerous stranglehold around Loren. Because all that stands between a killer and the perfect crime is a mayor asking too many questions …

— ◊ —

A Timely Alibi by Ilsa Mayr
A Cybil Quint Mystery (1st in series)

Assigned to her first big case, apprentice investigator Cybil Quindt goes undercover for a wealthy industrialist who suspects insider theft. Cybil soon learns her client is right. The company is losing tens of thousands of dollars a month to someone clever enough to hide the trail. Cybil may be inexperienced, but she nows how to play it cool. Even so, she can't stop one curious employee from tumbling to her death. Murder or accident?

The answer seems clear when Cybil then finds the company's chief accountant shot dead in the conference room. And when a third victim turns up, she's wondering if she's stirred up more trouble than a greenhorn can handle. Uncovering a scheme of blackmail, greed and foul play, she pursues a killer, knowing her first case might just become her last …

— ◊ —

Keep up to date by subscribing to eHarlequin.com's free newsletter that contains the latest information about their series of books as well as informing you about subscriber-only special offers and new products. Click on the banner below to subscribe for free:

Firsts on the 1st: New Series Characters Being Introduced in December 2010 Mysteries

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books recently updated its list of December 2010 hardcover mysteries as well shelved new December paperbacks on The Mystery Bookshelf.

In this series of monthly posts, which we call Firsts on the 1st, we're introducing readers to new series characters who will make their mysterious debut during December.

— ◊ —

Title: Death and the Running Patterer
Author: Robin Adair
Series Character: Nicodemus Dunne
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Nicodemus Dunne is a former London policeman living in New South Wales in this series of "curious murders" set in the early 1800s.

His first case: Sydney in 1828 is a city built on the backs of exiled convicts. But in a colony of criminals, how do you narrow down the list of suspects when a murderer is on the rampage?

Nicodemus Dunne now lives in Sydney after being deported on trumped up charges of assault, making his living in New South Wales as a running patterer, spreading the news of the day by word of mouth. Confronted with a series of gruesome and horribly inventive murders, the governor seeks out Dunne for his investigative skills and his ability to infiltrate all levels of society.

With each mutilated body, the murderer has left clues for Dunne to decipher. Can he put the pieces of the puzzle together and catch his elusive quarry without becoming prey himself?

— ◊ —

Title: Circle of Lies
Author: Douglas Alan
Series Character: John Delaney
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: John Delaney is an ex-NYPD detective turned lawyer, married to Katherine Adams, also a lawyer.

Their first case: Delaney is asked to defend Ted Jordan, a childhood friend who has been arrested for the torture and murder of his law partner. Jordan adamantly maintains his innocence but the police have traced his fingerprints to the dead man's house and a half-million dollars to his bank account. On his way to interview Jordan at the jail, Delaney is approached by a mysterious woman who identifies herself as Ted's friend. She offers to post his bond and warns Delaney to be careful if anyone from the Tissinger Corporation contacts him in connection with the case.

Ted insists he has been set up by Tissinger because he accidentally stumbled onto data showing they deliberately concealed information about suicides in a test group for their latest depression medication.

As Delaney and Adams start to dig, they are confronted by an NSA agent who tires to warn them off. When a second dead body is found in Jordan's condominium and Jordan disappears they are left with more questions than answers. But Delaney isn’t someone who takes no for an answer and he and Katherine will stop at nothing to find the truth.

— ◊ —

Title: If Walls Could Talk
Author: Juliet Blackwell
Series Character: Melanie Turner
Format: Mass Market Paperback

What we know about the character: Melanie Turner remodels haunted houses in San Francisco.

Her first case: Melanie has made quite a name for herself remodeling historic houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. But now her reputation may be on the line.

At her newest project, a run-down Pacific Heights mansion, Mel is visited by the ghost of a colleague who recently met a bad end with power tools. Mel hopes that by nailing the killer, she can rid herself of the ghostly presence of the murdered man-and not end up a construction casualty herself ...

— ◊ —

Title: Red Station
Author: Adrian Magson
Series Character: Harry Tate
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Harry Tate is a former soldier, loyal Security Services (MI5) officer and a servant of the State. He does what he's told, fighting the war against terrorism, drugs and high-level criminal gangs.

His first case: When things go bad, and two civilians are shot dead during a drugs intercept, Harry agrees to take an immediate posting to a place called Red Station, to help the agency avoid embarrassing media questions.

All Harry knows is, it's in a remote place where he will be under strict orders to stay off the radar -- a No Contact Rule. That includes former colleagues, friends, family - everyone.

What his bosses haven't told him, however, is that Red Station is a punishment posting for washed-out spooks from MI5 and MI6 ... and that Harry won't be coming home.

Which is where they have seriously underestimated their man. Because the loyal servant has his limits, and when he finds that the set-up behind Red Station is not all that it seems, and his life is in imminent danger, not only from an invading Russian army but a government assassination team known as The Hit, he decides to fight back.

— ◊ —

For a list of more mysteries scheduled for publication during December, please visit our New Mysteries home page. If you're interested in new paperbacks, visit The Mystery Bookshelf, where you can discover a library of new mysteries, also updated with December 2010 releases.

Please also visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books where we are committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Harlequin Mira Mystery and Suspense Titles for December 2010

eHarlequin.com has announced the December 2010 titles for their Mira imprint, the brightest stars in women's fiction. From all titles available, we've only listed those that are mystery, thriller, or suspense on this page. For more information or to purchase any of the books below, click on the book title or book cover. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

— ◊ —

Bone Cold by Erica Spindler
Non-Series

Twenty-three years ago Anna North survived a living nightmare. A madman kidnapped her, cut off her pinkie, then vanished. Today Anna lives in New Orleans, writing dark thrillers under another name. She finally feels safe.

Suddenly Anna's quiet life takes a frightening turn. Letters start to arrive from a disturbed fan. Anna is followed, her apartment broken into. Then a close friend disappears.

Anna turns to homicide detective Quentin Malone, but Malone's more concerned with the recent murders of two women in the French Quarter. But after a third victim is found—a redhead like Anna, her pinkie severed—Malone is forced to acknowledge that Anna is his link to the killer…and could be the next target.

Now Anna must face the horrifying truth—her past has caught up with her. The nightmare has begun again.

— ◊ —

The 4th Victim by Tara Taylor Quinn
The Chapman Files (4th in series)

Kelly Chapman, psychologist and expert witness. She's unattached, but 100 percent committed to her clients, her foster child, her friends.

Clay Thatcher, FBI special agent: Missing Persons. A loner and, like Kelly, he too is unattached but 100 percent committed to his job—and only his job.

That's why he's in Chandler, Ohio. Kelly Chapman has disappeared. Is it because she testified against someone who now wants revenge? Or is she the fourth victim of a killer responsible for three recent deaths?

Searching for her, Clay has to work against the clock. And Kelly soon becomes more than just another case to him …

— ◊ —

Keep up to date by subscribing to eHarlequin.com's free newsletter that contains the latest information about their series of books as well as informing you about subscriber-only special offers and new products. Click on the banner below to subscribe for free:

Watch an Amazing Fan-Made Film Adaptation of The Hunger Games

Earlier this month we learned a film adaptation of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was in the works. The first book in the futuristic Hunger Games trilogy, the storyline features Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called "The Hunger Games."

The budget for the film is reported to be in the $60 million range (about 50% more than Twilight cost to make), but watch below a short film that a fan made on what is almost certainly a tiny fraction of that amount. It's pretty amazing. (Spoiler alert: some plot elements of the book are revealed in this video.)

Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply (Book Review)

Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply. A Brady Coyne Mystery. Minotaur Books Hardcover, November 2010.

The intricate plot of this final book in the series is one of misdirection, deception and lies, and well suited to the investigative approach taken by Brady Coyne that relies far more on deductive reasoning than action. One of the most likeable characters in crime fiction; he (and his creator) will be missed.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply.

— ◊ —

Read the first chapters of Outwitting Trolls below.

— ◊ —

Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Film Prequel Approved for USA Series Burn Notice

Deadline|Hollywood is reporting that USA Network has given the go-ahead for a film prequel to its hit series Burn Notice.

The untitled film will be set in late 2005 and will focus on Sam Axe's last mission as a Navy SEAL. Bruce Campbell, who plays ex-agent Axe in the series, will also star in the film. Jeffrey Donovan, who plays burned covert operative Michael Westen in the series, will direct.

Burn Notice recently completed production on its fourth season. The network has renewed the series for a fifth season.

Second Season of Archer Premieres January 27th, 2011, on FX Networks

FX Networks has announced that the second season of its animated spy spoof series, Archer, will premiere on Thursday, January 27th, 2011 at 10 PM (ET/PT).

The series features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin as suave master spy Sterling Archer, whose less-than-masculine code name is “Duchess;” Jessica Walter as Malory Archer, his domineering mother and head of the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS); and Aisha Tyler as his ex-girlfriend and current co-worker, Agent Lana Kane.

The first season of Archer is being released on DVD next month and is available to pre-order from Telemystery: Archer.