Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Lisa Black's "Perish"

Lisa Black has spent over twenty years in forensic science, first at the coroner’s office in Cleveland Ohio and now as a certified latent print examiner and CSI at a Florida police dept. Her books have been translated into six languages, one reached the New York Times bestsellers list and one has been optioned for film and a possible TV series.

Here Black dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Perish:
In Perish, Cleveland forensic specialist Maggie Gardiner investigates a series of murders at a mortgage loan company—which doesn’t sound too exciting until she learns just how cutthroat a field that is. She has become slightly—slightly—more comfortable functioning beside erstwhile serial killer Jack Renner. Jack kills to make the world a safer place, and Maggie can’t expose him without exposing herself. Provided they both focus on solving the murder of Joanna Moorehouse, they can continue their awkward truce without bloodshed. Their own blood, that is. Joanna’s has been spread all over her opulent living room.

Having been addicted to the BBC show Orphan Black, I have always pictured Maggie as something like Tatiana Maslawny. Scary smart but not genius, stubborn but not unrealistic, tough but empathetic, youngish but not arrogant. Unwilling to slack off when something needs to be done. An unspoken but fierce commitment to sticking up for the little guy, or gal, or dog, or principle.

Casting Jack Renner is more difficult. Jack can be terrifyingly relentless, violent, and the teensiest bit unbalanced--but at times he is also hapless and unsure and when we do see a flash of humor, it is quirky and unexpected. He is fiftyish, tall, strong without being buff. I like Ray Stevenson and especially Thomas Kretschmann. Neither is American, but they can lose the accent if needed.

Joanna Moorehouse would be fun to cast, as she is both the victim and the villain of the piece. She is slender (in Hollywood terms, that means anorexic) with long black hair. Obviously as the first victim she doesn’t get a lot of screen time but will be seen in pictures and in a sort of flashback. She needs to be played as someone who is both stunningly beautiful but without any softness or vulnerability—none, nada, nope. Lucy Liu would do a great job, as would Catherine Zeta-Jones. But I doubt they’d be interested in such a small role.

Tyra, while also stunningly beautiful, has all the humanity and caring that Joanna doesn’t. Though she doesn’t get to show those qualities on Gotham, Jessica Lucas fits my mental image perfectly.

Anna, my fervent little Fed auditor, is more down-to-earth, not quite as gorgeous but smart and not about to back down when she knows she’s right. Carey Mulligan has the perfect face for it.

It would be a fabulous movie, I think. But then I’m biased.
Learn more about the book and author at Lisa Black's website.

My Book, The Movie: Unpunished.

--Marshal Zeringue

Monday, January 29, 2018

Matt Hilton's "Worst Fear"

Matt Hilton quit his career as a police officer to pursue his love of writing tight, cinematic American-style thrillers. He is the author of the high-octane Joe Hunter thriller series.

Here Hilton dreamcasts an adaptation of Worst Fear, his new novel in the Tess Grey thriller series:
The principal characters of Worst Fear are private investigator Tess Grey and her partner, Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere, an ex-con from Louisiana. Being the fourth book in the series, I have a firm image of both of them in my mind’s eye while writing. Had a movie been made of the book about twenty years ago the principal actors I’d have chosen would have been Patricia Arquette and Sam Elliot as they come closest to the physical and characteristic descriptions I have in mind. However, right now, I’d be hoping for current star appeal so would cast Scarlett Johansson as Tess, and Hugh Jackman as Po.

In the first book in the series – Blood Tracks – I described Po as looking like a younger Clint Eastwood in his Philo Beddoe days, and I still feel the same, but then again Jackman often reminds me of a younger Eastwood/Beddoe too.
Visit Matt Hilton's website.

Writers Read: Matt Hilton.

The Page 69 Test: Worst Fear.

--Marshal Zeringue

Friday, January 26, 2018

James Anderson's "Lullaby Road"

James Anderson was born in Seattle and raised in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. He is a graduate of Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and received his Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Pine Manor College in Boston. For many years he worked in book publishing. Other jobs have included logging, commercial fishing and, briefly, truck driver. He currently divides his time between Ashland, Oregon, and the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. The Never-Open Desert Diner is his first novel.

Here Anderson dreamcasts an adaptation of his new novel, Lullaby Road:
Lullaby Road, though not a sequel, is a continuation of The Never-Open Desert Diner, meaning you can read either without having read the other. There are some choice, scenery-eating roles in Lullaby Road, like that of Walt Butterfield, the very fit but slightly crazy owner of the diner. An obvious choice would be Clint Eastwood, though I can imagine Sam Elliott and Tommy Lee Jones.

Perhaps the most interesting speculation, at least for me, is the director, and there are some truly unique and gifted female directors who could bring some very special qualities to a film that is both as rough and dark and sweetly human as Lullaby Road, like Sofia Coppola, Kathryn Bigelow, Martha Coolidge and Debra Granik. As I’ve said before, women in Hollywood, especially directors, owe so much to the late Ida Lupino. If she was still alive and active, she would be my first choice.
Visit James Anderson's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Never-Open Desert Diner.

The Page 69 Test: Lullaby Road.

Writers Read: James Anderson.

--Marshal Zeringue

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Jody Gehrman's "Watch Me"

Jody Gehrman is a native of Northern California, where she can be found writing, teaching, reading, or obsessing over her three cats most days. She is also the author of eleven novels and numerous award-winning plays.

Her YA novel Babe in Boyland was optioned by the Disney Channel and won the International Reading Association's Teen Choice Award.

Gehrman's plays have been produced in Ashland, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and L.A. She and her partner David Wolf won the New Generation Playwrights Award for their one-act, Jake Savage, Jungle P.I.

She is a professor of English and Communications at Mendocino College.

Here Gehrman dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Watch Me:
I obsess about the “casting” of my books quite extensively, so this question is right up my alley. I started as a playwright and I’ve written a lot of screenplays, so casting feels like a natural part of the writing process for me. Seeing and hearing the characters is so essential, and assigning a specific actor to the role really helps flesh out their possibilities.

My suspense novel, Watch Me, centers around Kate Youngblood, a thirty-eight-year-old writing professor who fears she’s disappearing. Her husband left her for a younger woman. Her second novel tanked. Her best friend’s having a baby, something she dreads more than she’d like to admit. She feels men’s eyes on her less and less, which is messing with her confidence. All of this forms a perfect storm of vulnerability, making her easy prey for a charming sociopath, Sam Grist. Sam also happens to be her star writing student. He’s stalking her, and he’ll do anything to ensure their future together.

I realize these casting choices would require a time machine, but no matter. They’re useful archetypes.

Kate Youngblood is Cate Blanchett, no doubt. I even borrowed a bit of her name. She has the acting chops to pull off a character who’s both bitingly cynical and hopelessly romantic. Blanchett’s range is so impressive, and her poise remarkable. She would be the hands-down most elegant choice for Kate.

Sam Grist is a young Wes Bentley, circa American Beauty. Bentley has the creepy-charming thing down pat. Sam must be sexy and also deranged; this is not an easy combination to pull off. Bentley would give him just the right edge, while keeping him weirdly likable.

Those are my primary casting choices. If I could get Patty Jenkins to direct, I’d be in heaven. If you know her you should forward her this blog right now. Ditto for Cate and Wes.
Visit Jody Gehrman's website.

Writers Read: Jody Gehrman.

The Page 69 Test: Watch Me.

--Marshal Zeringue

Monday, January 22, 2018

Randall Silvis's "Walking the Bones"

Randall Silvis is the internationally acclaimed author of over a dozen novels, one story collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in virtually every field and genre of creative writing.

Here Silvis dreamcasts an adaptation of his new novel, Walking the Bones:
Walking the Bones is a sequel to the bestselling Two Days Gone and a recipient of a starred review from Publishers Weekly; its cast includes a male and female protagonist, and no fewer than four potential serial murderers, all of whom get a lot of screen time.

The role of Sergeant Ryan DeMarco, the troubled Pennsylvania State Trooper with a noble heart and a haunted past, requires a young Tommy Lee Jones type, such as Josh Brolin. Brolin’s understated portrayal of Frank Chambers in Labor Day could easily be grafted onto Ryan DeMarco. Add a badge and a healthy measure of laconic sarcasm, and you have Ryan DeMarco 2.0.

DeMarco’s partner, Trooper Jayme Matson, displays great strength, intelligence, and beauty: either Claire Danes or Anna Paquin could do the role justice, but for my money Kate Beckinsale would get the nod because of the ferocity behind those stunning hazel eyes. In this second novel of the Ryan DeMarco series, Matson has not only infiltrated DeMarco’s defenses to become his lover and spiritual nurse, but she displays her chops as an investigator, proving that she can be just as savvy and tenacious as her man. Kate Beckinsale would be more than credible in any of those roles.

As for the four suspects: Rev. Royce, played by Forest Whitaker; Todd Burl, played by Seth Green with a few extra pounds and a bad toupee; Dr. William Friedl, played by Frank Langella; and Virgil Helm/Emery Summerville, played by David Dean Bottrell.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t single out another of my favorite characters from Walking the Bones: mountain mama Cat. She’s nasty and tender, tough and soft—part Florence Nightingale, part Nurse Ratched. She drives a four-wheeler, loads her shotgun with slugs, and makes a mean pot of soup. But underneath those dirty jeans and flannel shirt, a raw sexuality seethes. Who could pull off such a role? Paula Malcomson, that’s who.

And there they are, my dream cast for Walking the Bones. From my keyboard to David Fincher’s ears….
Learn more about the book and author at Randall Silvis's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Boy Who Shoots Crows.

My Book, The Movie: Only the Rain.

--Marshal Zeringue

Friday, January 19, 2018

Ellie Alexander's "Another One Bites the Crust"

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.

Here Alexander dreamcasts an adaptation her new novel, Another One Bites the Crust:
One of my favorite things about writing a series is getting to develop the characters over time. Not just the lead heroine, but also the supporting cast. In the 7th installment of the Bakeshop Mysteries, Another One Bites the Crust, one of the secondary characters, Lance, gets to take center stage. Lance is the artistic director at my fictional version of the real-life Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Lance has a penchant for dramatics. He and Juliet (aka Jules) have become fast friends and sleuthing partners over the course of the series. He tends to take a flippant approach to murder. However, in this book that changes when he becomes the prime suspect.

Jules and Lance have such a natural rapport and witty chemistry that I would love to see them fleshed out on the screen.

In my mind Lance can be played by none other than Robbie Williams. He’s debonair, devilishly handsome, impish, a singer (why yes, of course he would belt out Oklahoma at random), and can pull off an ascot. He and Jennifer Garner as Jules would make movie magic with their playful banter. I’d love to see them sneaking through Ashland’s downtown plaza and backstage at the Elizabethan theater. Jennifer Garner as Jules is simply perfect casting. She’s equally gorgeous and goofy. She wouldn’t take herself too seriously, and her mad baking skills would have customers drooling over her artisan pastries and sugary confections. Seriously, have you seen her Instagram? The woman knows her way around a kitchen!

To round out the cast, I want Matthew Rhys to play Jules’ high school boyfriend and Ashland’s most loveable deputy. Matthew would bring a natural warmth and kindness to the role. Plus, he’s pretty dreamy and could give Carlos (Jules’ estranged husband) a run for his money. Carlos would be played by Gilles Marini, because have you seen Gilles Marini? I mean, yes. Nothing more needs to be said, except maybe that even though Marini is French, I’m convinced that he could pull off a Spanish accent which would make Jules and viewers go weak in their knees.

While Jules is busy deciding between Matthew and Gilles, her mom Helen will be finding love with Ashland’s resident detective and Shakespeare aficionado the Professor. Played by the amazing Patricia Clarkston and Gary Oldman respectively. Don’t you want to see them as a couple? Just the thought of them together on-screen makes me want to write a wedding scene.

The crew at Torte, the family bakeshop featured in the series, would include Maiara Walsh as Bethany, Sara Paxton as Stephanie, Freddie Storma as Andy, and Ben Barnes as Sterling. Their unique styles would mesh beautifully with the aromatic espressos and dainty petits fours they’d be crafting together in the kitchen.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. Let’s go find a casting director and get this baby into production—stat!
Visit Ellie Alexander's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Steph Post's "Walk in the Fire"

Steph Post is the author of A Tree Born Crooked (2014) and Lightwood (2017) as well as a short story writer, reader, teacher and dog lover (among many other things...).

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Walk in the Fire:
Walk in the Fire is the sequel to my 2017 novel Lightwood and therefor many of the casting choices are the same as the list I created for that book. I will stand by Margo Martindale playing Sister Tulah until the day I die…

As with any new story, however, there are additions to the line-up and so here are my actor choices for the characters new to the Cannon saga.

Clive Grant- Seth Gilliam

Gilliam might not be the most well-known actor, but you’d recognize him for sure if you’ve ever seen The Wire (Sgt. Carver) or The Walking Dead (Father Gabriel). I actually had Gilliam’s earnest smile in my head as I writing Clive’s character, so I think he’d be perfect for the role.

Everett Weaver- Javier Bardem

This is hard one, because although I can see Weaver so clear in my head, I didn’t have anyone particular in mind when I was writing the character. Javier Bardem could certainly pull off the creepiness of this character, but I’d give a chameleon actor like Gary Oldman a chance in a heartbeat.

George Kingfisher- Lance Reddick

Reddick is the actor that first comes to mind when I think of Kingfisher. This part needs an actor who could completely control a room just with his eyes and I think Reddick could do so. I wouldn’t say no to Idris Elba, though, if he was interested in the role…

Victoria Lopez- Zoe Saldana

In the novel, we only hear Lopez through her phone conversations with Clive, but I’m sure she’d have screen time in the movie. This role requires a tough, no-nonsense type of woman and I think Saldana would be perfect.

Miguel- Oscar Isaac

It’s a small role, but I’d love to see Isaac take it on.

Lesser- Freddie Highmore

Another small role, but an important one, and Highmore could definitely make the most of his limited screen time.
Visit Steph Post's website.

Coffee with a Canine: Steph Post & Juno.

My Book, The Movie: Lightwood.

--Marshal Zeringue

Monday, January 15, 2018

Jennifer Fronc's "Monitoring the Movies"

Jennifer Fronc is an associate professor of history at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst. She is the author of New York Undercover: Private Surveillance in the Progressive Era.

Here Fronc dreamcasts an adaptation of her recent book, Monitoring the Movies: The Fight over Film Censorship in Early Twentieth Century Urban America:
Monitoring the Movies: The Fight over Film Censorship in Early Twentieth Century Urban America doesn’t sound like it would make the most exciting movie. But after sitting with the idea for while, I am now convinced that it could work—given a huge budget and the directorial talents of Oliver Stone. Monitoring the Movies would be a period political drama, set in the early 1920s, and the main characters would be the women hired to travel the southern United States, speaking to audiences about the danger that government censorship of motion pictures posed to democracy.

In 1915, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an Ohio censorship law; because motion pictures were not considered part of the nation’s press, they were not entitled to First Amendment protections. Following that decision, dozens of state legislatures introduced motion picture censorship legislation, which was largely supported by women, who had recently won the right to vote. In response, a group of activists and organizers in New York City—the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures—set out to fight censorship of movies. W.D. McGuire headed the National Board, and he was passionate about “free speech for the movies.” Liam Neeson will star as McGuire, who was often impatient with the people he was trying to win over. For example, he once asked an audience, “Are we going to say to D.W. Griffith because little Mrs. Smith hasn’t any brains and doesn’t know how to bring up her children, you must present only fairy tales?” Thus, the National Board hired women to speak to audiences of women’s clubs, religious leaders, and local Chambers of Commerce about the wisdom of local, voluntary motion picture regulation. Mary Mason Speed was one of those organizers. She was a native Virginian and the great-great granddaughter of George Mason; she often described her work to protect motion pictures from censorship as part of her lineage. Reese Witherspoon should play Speed, who was steadfast in her belief that her cause was righteous. Frances McDormand would be ideal as Louise Connolly, educator, suffragist, and librarian, whom the NB hired to travel through North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida in 1921. While she was well respected in the urban Northeast, Louise had a harder time winning converts in the South. “There is nothing wrong with the Southern mind,” she wrote. “The trouble is that they are thinking of something else when they look at you with their sympathetic manner.” In addition to the drama of political campaigns, this movie will also bring lost silent films back to life. Theda Bara, who is on the cover of my book, was a star during this period, often appearing in dark revenge fantasies. Christina Ricci has Theda Bara eyes, and could bring that sensuality to life. Oscar Micheaux was an accomplished African American director and producer who was routinely scrutinized by the Virginia censors. I would cast Jordan Peele as Micheaux, who can also bring dark humor to the frustration of Micheaux’s situation.

The dramatic climax in Monitoring the Movies comes when New York, Virginia, and Florida all adopt state censorship boards within months of each other, in many ways, indicating that Mary, Louise, and McGuire had failed in their efforts—but of course, it’s not as simple as that! If your curiosity is piqued, you don’t have to wait for Oliver Stone to option this project. The book is available now.
Learn more about Monitoring the Movies.

--Marshal Zeringue

Friday, January 12, 2018

Mark Pryor's "Dominic"

Mark Pryor grew up in Hertfordshire, England, and now lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and three young children.

Over the years, he has been many things: ski instructor, journalist, personal trainer, and bra folder (he lasted one day: fired for giggling at the ridiculousness of the job. If it's any excuse, he was just nineteen years old.)

His first real career was as a newspaper reporter in Colchester, Essex. There, he covered the police and crime beat for almost two years. He also wrote stories on foreign assignments, including accounts from Northern Ireland while with the British Army, and from Romania where he covered the first-anniversary celebrations of that country's revolution.

Pryor moved to America in 1994, mostly for the weather. He attended journalism school at the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, and then law school at Duke University, graduating with honors and a lot of debt.

He is currently an Assistant District Attorney with the Travis County DA's office.

Here Pryor dreamcasts an adaptation of Dominic: A Hollow Man Novel:
The title character, Dominic, is a special kind of man. Handsome, charming, a lawyer and musician... but he's also a psychopath. He's not your aggressive, murderous, stabby kind, though, he'd much prefer to spin his web of deceit and destruction with no one noticing. After all, he's smart enough to know that normal people will have nothing to do with him if they know who he truly is, so he tries to live his life as an "empath," mimicking feelings and emotions. But when he really needs to, when his life and freedom is threatened, he's more than willing to let his inner psychopath out to play....

I think it takes a special kind of actor to be able to pull of the likeable (or at least vaguely sympathetic) psychopath, don't you? I didn't really have anyone in mind but, ironically, it was after seeing James Norton play the crime solving vicar in the BBC's Grantchester that I decided he was perfect for the role of Dominic. That's because I'd also seen him in Happy Valley where he plays the bad guy, and so clearly he has the charm, charisma, and range to play a guitar-wielding psychopath. And even having kept my eye out for other options, I have never seen anyone who I think would do a better job. Now we just need to let Mr. Norton know, eh?!

As you might expect of a novel like Dominic, since he's the main narrator he doesn't allow much room for other characters to grow too large. But one who does is the beautiful girl in the green dress, the one character who resists Dominic and sees him for who he is. Saoirse Ronan would be my pick for that role, because she's beautiful but also has the perfect mix of intelligence and mystery about her.
Visit Mark Pryor's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Jillian Medoff's "This Could Hurt"

Jillian Medoff is the acclaimed author of I Couldn’t Love You More, Hunger Point (both national bestsellers) and Good Girls Gone Bad. Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, This Could Hurt:
I love movies. To me, there’s nothing more satisfying than sitting in a darkened theater and losing myself in a story. And yet, although all my novels have been optioned by Hollywood at one point or another, I rarely, if ever, consider potential screen adaptations while I’m writing. As a novelist, my goal for each book is to create a unique self-contained universe, one that’s separate from real life, so thinking about current events and celebrities throws me off.

Once I’m finished, however, it’s a whole different story. I love to speculate. My first novel, Hunger Point, was optioned for a feature film and then eventually adapted into an original cable film in 2002 (Hunger Point, starring Barbara Hershey and Christina Hendricks); to see the book acted out by living, breathing human beings was a truly gratifying experience. But again, the movie came long after the book was finished. Plus, I didn’t have any say in the casting, though the director, Joan Micklin Silver, did a great job of pairing up actors with their book counterparts.

Full disclosure: This Could Hurt is currently under consideration with a prestigious production company, so I’m hoping it gets the same wonderful treatment as Hunger Point. Casting This Could Hurt is even more fun because the characters are so diverse. The book examines the relationships among several employees in an HR department, so there’s a wide range of ages, genders/sexual orientation, marital status and other demographics. Unlike large financial companies in New York where the staff skews white, male and young, Ellery Research takes pride in their diverse hires. To this end, Rosa Guerrero, the Chief of HR is a Latina woman in her mid-sixties who’s facing the end of her career, and she’s determined to make sure Ellery’s staff reflects the larger world. So here’s who I envision in the lead roles:

Rosa Guerrero, HR Chief, mid-sixties: Rosie Perez, Elizabeth Peña, or Mercedes Ruehl

Peter Dreyfus, VP Operations, early sixties, bachelor, silver fox type: Ted Danson

Lucy Bender, VP Communications, late thirties, funny and high strung: Elizabeth Banks, Amy Adams or Isla Fisher

Leo Smalls, VP Benefits, mid-forties, Rosa’s right-hand man, chubby and lonely: Bobby Cannavale

Rob Hirsch, VP Training, mid-forties, burned out Gen-X: Greg Kinnear or John Cusack

Kenny Verville, Director of Compensation, early thirties, cocky, self-assured: Donald Glover

Katie Reynolds, Rosa’s assistant, mid-twenties, caring and compassionate: Dakota Fanning
Visit Jillian Medoff's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Monday, January 8, 2018

Laura Creedle's "The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily"

Laura Creedle writes about her experiences as an ADHD writer at her website and blog. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Here Creedle dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily:
When you start to write a YA book with actors in mind they will age out of your role before you finish. I always imagined Lily as Emma Stone at her absolute House Bunny goofiest.

Selena Gomez as her best friend Rosalind.

Dylan Minette would be perfect for Abelard and he’s actually the right age.

J.K. Simmons would make a great Coach Neuwirth.

In the book I compare Dr. Brainguy to Claude Rains in Now Voyager, but in my mind I always saw him as John Cassevetes. Still, I could imagine any of a dozen actors currently around playing Dr. Brainguy, sharp eyes to the world, figuring out the dynamics of everybody and everything.

Scott Eastwood as Dr. Golden.
Visit Laura Creedle's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily.

--Marshal Zeringue

Friday, January 5, 2018

Randall Silvis's "Only the Rain"

Randall Silvis is the internationally acclaimed author of over a dozen novels, one story collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in virtually every field and genre of creative writing.

Here Silvis dreamcasts an adaptation of his new psychological suspense novel, Only the Rain:
For the film version of Only the Rain, I would cast Ryan Gosling in the lead. I suspect that Gosling is an intelligent individual, but that deadpan, pensive look of his could also convey confusion, uncertainty, and regret—qualities in full flower in the novel’s protagonist, Russell, a man who, while suffering from PTSD, struggles to do what’s best for his family, even if it means breaking the law.

Two other males play pivotal roles in the novel: Pops, who is Russell’s grandfather and mentor, and Phil McClaine, the antagonist. When I envision Pops, a veteran of bloody Hamburger Hill, I see someone like Ed Harris, a man with great affability but who is also tough and tenacious when the chips are down—someone who, despite his age, would still be a match for bad guy Phil.

Ralph Fiennes and Mark Strong are both capable of projecting the necessary aura of malice that surrounds meth cook Phil McClaine, but Gary Oldman would be my pick thanks to the easy, ominous smirk he pairs with those chilling blue eyes. Oldman is famous for his “big” acting style, but imagine him with every move and every word restrained, every subtle gesture rife with sinister subtext. Neither Oldman nor McClaine is a big man, but both possess an intimidating presence.

As an Amazon First Reads pick for December 2017, the digital version of Only the Rain has already been downloaded over 100,000 times. Here’s hoping that one of those copies finds its way onto a Hollywood producer’s e-reader.
Learn more about the book and author at Randall Silvis's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Boy Who Shoots Crows.

--Marshal Zeringue

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Barry Wolverton's "The Sea of the Dead"

Barry Wolverton has been writing for children for over 20 years, helping create books, documentary television, and online content for Discovery Networks, National Geographic, the Library of Congress, Scholastic, and Time-Life Books, among others.

His debut novel, Neversink, was named the Children’s Book of Choice by Literacy Mid-South for their Read Across America program in 2014.

Wolverton's latest novel in The Chronicles of the Black Tulip is The Sea of the Dead.

Here the author shares some thoughts about an adaptation of the series:
When I think about The Chronicles of the Black Tulip being brought to the big screen, I actually fantasize about a single animated movie condensing all three books, made by the legendary Studio Ghibli (Princess Mononoke; My Friend Totoro; Spirited Away). That may seem odd — perhaps more commercially plausible would be something akin to Steven Spielberg’s Tintin movie. But when I think about what my series is really about, and all the passages involving Asian folklore and mythology, I can’t help but think of the haunting, sometimes surreal, sometimes humorous, dark-fable qualities I love in those Miyazaki movies. There is a classic, timeless storytelling to his work, along with a singular artistic vision, that would elevate the Chronicles beyond typical adventure-fantasy fare, which is what I tried to do with the books themselves.
Visit Barry Wolverton's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Vanishing Island.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Susan Furlong's "Splintered Silence"

Susan Furlong is the author of the Georgia Peach Mystery series. She also contributes to the New York Times bestselling Novel Idea Mysteries under the pen name Lucy Arlington. She has worked as a freelance writer, academic writer, ghost writer, translator, high-school language arts teacher, and martial arts instructor. Raised in North Dakota, Furlong graduated from Montana State University with a double major in French and Spanish. She and her family live in central Illinois.

Here Furlong dreamcasts an adaptation of her new suspense novel, Splintered Silence, the first in the Bone Gap Travellers series:
Splintered Silence is set in deep Appalachia and portrays a secretive subsect of American culture, the Irish Travellers. I like to think of it as My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding meets The Fall meets The Outsiders, with a dark and twisted tone.

When I think dark and twisted, I think of Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, played by actress Maisie Williams. Fast forward Arya about ten years and you have Brynn, an Irish Traveller and the protagonist of Splintered Silence. Brynn is damaged, but strong and carries a deep sense of justice. She loves her family, and especially her dog and K9 partner, Wilco. An ex-marine, Brynn is a warrior, powerful, aggressive, and willing to fight and die for a cause. As Arya Stark, Maisie Williams epitomizes this type of woman. She’d be a perfect Brynn.

In my mind, Sheriff Frank Pusser, Brynn’s nemesis and later mentor, is a thirty-year police veteran, life-weary, straight forward and a bit of a smart ass. In my mind, he looks and acts a lot like Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini—just trade the Italian Mob mentality for a good ol’ boy attitude, and you’ve got the ideal actor.

Rounding off Splintered Silence’s cast would be an actor for Wilco, Brynn’s K9 partner and best friend. Wilco is a military-trained HRD (Human Remains Detection) canine. As a Marine, he served alongside Brynn for three tours, the final tour ending when they were both struck by an IED. Like Brynn, Wilco is injured, damaged, suffering from PTSD and, some might say, beyond usefulness. But despite being deaf and missing a rear leg, Wilco still strives to serve. His spirit is truly indomitable. He’s both loyal and fierce. There’s only one dog actor who could play Wilco—Bear, the Dutch Shepherd from the CBS drama, Person of Interest. Bear, a Belgian Malinois whose real name is Graubaer’s Boker, displays enough intelligence, stamina and strength to pull off Wilco’s role.
Visit Susan Furlong's website.

--Marshal Zeringue