D. E. Carr's "When Squirrels Fly"

D. E. Carr has a career that spans the fields of neuropsychology, community health, and recreation management. She has a distance runner’s appreciation for the outdoors and thoroughly enjoys the humor and the brilliance of the residents of her adopted hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, When Squirrels Fly:

When Mel Caldwell makes an animated, middle of the night phone call to her niece, Allie, but hangs up before explaining herself, Allie initially shrugs it off. Her aunt has always been a little eccentric. But when Aunt Mel disappears from her home less than 24 hours later, Allie drops everything and travels to Michigan to search for her. Shortly after her arrival in Ann Arbor, Allie meets her aunt’s enigmatic next-door neighbor, George Bennet. She reluctantly accepts help from George unaware he hides a dangerous secret that will complicate the search. The duo becomes a trio when Allie’s affable, but annoyingly irreverent younger brother, Nick, arrives to help. To find Aunt Mel, they’ll need to work together to determine how a neighborhood trellis, virtual reality goggles, migraine research, and an itinerant chihuahua, are all connected to the case.

When Squirrels Fly blends the popular genres of Cozy Mystery and light Science Fiction, both of which transition well to the screen. Although Ann Arbor, Michigan is a bit bigger than the typical small town cozy mystery setting, the action is mostly contained in a two-mile radius encompassing the historic Old West Side. The movie could be filmed on location in Ann Arbor where the somewhat quirky ambience allows the characters an easy backdrop for comic relief. There will be no shortage of extras with a wonderfully diverse population to choose from.

To imagine this cozy mystery-sci fi movie, think Hallmark Mysteries blended with a toned-down version of Everything, Everywhere, All At Once - Mystery 101 meets Something, Somewhere, Once in a While. This will be the vibe of When Squirrels Fly, the movie. I can already picture some entertaining special effects.

True to the cozy mystery genre, Allie Caldwell is an amateur sleuth; also, an accomplished associate professor of neuroscience from Colorado. I see her being played by Jennifer Lawrence whose characters are typically strong, clever, intuitive, witty and a tiny bit clumsy. She also has great chemistry with Bradley Cooper who I see as George Bennet. George is a sympathetic neighbor, but he’s complicated. The banter will flow easily between these two actors, just as it does in the book.

Allie has a playful, chaotic relationship with her younger brother Nick, whose world view is at opposite ends of the spectrum from hers. I think Chris Pratt – the one seen in television’s Parks & Recreation and not the raptor-whispering hero in Jurassic World – has the demeanor, comedic timing, and charisma to be a good Nick.

Mrs. Oakley, the spirited 85-year-old ballet instructor who doesn’t look a day over 65, lives across the street from Mel and knows a lot more than she lets on. I see her being played by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Finally, the floppy-eared, 8-pound, roving Chihuahua, Chidi, can only be played by my dog Cheech. He’ll need to lose a few pounds to fit the role, but he’ll think he owns the set by week two.

In order to maintain production deadlines, the film will need a director that can handle Chihuahua obstinacy. Wes Anderson is my ideal choice.

Visit D. E. Carr's website.

--Marshal Zeringue