found nerding out in art museums, exploring flea markets, and playing string instruments badly. Her debut novel, What Meets the Eye, was nominated for a Shamus Award for best first PI novel.
Here Kenna dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Burn this Night:
Burn This Night follows Kate Myles, a former cop, who became a private detective after an accident and resulting pain pill addiction ended her police career. Early in the book, she learns that the man who raised her is not her biological father, and that she’s distantly related to a cold case killer. Kate looks into this mystery after she’s hired to investigate an arson murder that occurred in the same small town. In the arson case, Jacob, a mentally ill man is accused of setting the blaze that killed his sister, Abby. Along the way, Kate finds romance with Sam, a local chain saw artist and bar owner.Visit Alex Kenna's website.
KATE – I originally envisioned Kate as the Irish actress, Jessie Buckley. Buckley has incredible emotional range and a vulnerability that fits the character. However, after seeing Shailene Woodley in Big Little Lies, I’d have to choose her to play Kate. Woodley excels at playing strong, introverted characters who hold their cards close to the vest. When Burn This Night picks up, Kate has lost her career. She’s renting her house and living with her mother to save money for a custody battle, and she’s just learned that her dad is not her dad. As an ex-cop, Kate is also someone who rarely complains and is good at suppressing her own emotions – for better or for worse. Woodley has a great ability to show strength and vulnerability at the same time. She can play an understated character while projecting emotional nuance, which makes her a perfect fit for Kate.
JACOB – Jacob is a troubled man, who makes a series of bad decisions that lead him down a path of crime. Tormented by his own mistakes, Jacob turns to methamphetamine as an escape. He progressively loses touch with reality over the course of the book. My first choice for this role would be Andrew Garfield based on his incredible performance in the 2007 independent movie, Boy A. That film follows a young man trying to build a life after being released from juvenile detention following a horrific crime. Jacob is a decent human being who is tormented by his own terrible mistakes. Garfield exudes warmth and pain at the same time and would allow Jacob’s humanity to shine through. Garfield also has a frenetic energy that works for a character with an unsettled mind.
ABBY – Abby is Jacob’s devoted sister. She starts out as a failing actress and later decides to study social work as she watches her brother’s rapid decline. Like Jacob, Abby is sensual, restless and feels things intensely. But she has heightened empathy and self-awareness, which keep her from self-destructing. She would do anything to help her brother. My first choice to play Abby is Brie Larson. She has the delicate beauty of a Hollywood actress, but also excels at playing strong, adaptable women motivated by familial love (Room, Lessons in Chemistry). I think she would also have believable platonic chemistry with Garfield.
SAM – Kate’s love interest, Sam, is a charming an unassuming local bar owner, who spends his spare time making chain saw art and playing the fiddle. Like Kate, he’s also a single father and has suffered the loss of his professional dreams. My first choice for Sam would be Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton from Yellowstone). He is good at playing easy going characters with a quiet intensity, and he has a rugged sex appeal. He can also convey a sense that there is a lot going on emotionally under a calm surface.
Q&A with Alex Kenna.
My Book, The Movie: What Meets the Eye.
Writers Read: Alex Kenna.
The Page 69 Test: Burn this Night.
--Marshal Zeringue