Deborah Crombie's "A Bitter Feast"

Deborah Crombie is a New York Times bestselling author and a native Texan who has lived in both England and Scotland. She now lives in McKinney, Texas, sharing a house that is more than one hundred years old with her husband, two cats, and two German shepherds.

Here Crombie dreamcasts an adaptation of A Bitter Feast, her 18th Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James novel:

What a fun concept this is, but it’s so hard! Because A Bitter Feast is the latest in a long-running series, I have quite definite ideas about how my main characters look, and that makes it challenging to fit an actor into the part—and of course they all must be British. Also, my recurring cast has expanded to four main characters, but the more the merrier.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid—Duncan is now in his mid-forties, tall, brown-haired, grey-eyed. He comes from Cheshire, so should have a slightly northern accent. I’d choose Richard Armitage, for the fabulous voice as well as the looks. Or John Simm, because, well, he’s John Simm, and he has the contained quality that I always see in Duncan. I have a soft spot for James McAvoy as well.

Detective Inspector Gemma James—Duncan’s wife, and former partner. I adore Honeysuckle Weeks. She’s a bit older than Gemma is now in the books, but she is so perfect in personality and coloring, and with her wonderful warmth and smile, she would convey Gemma’s essential qualities beautifully. I had dibs on Jodie Whittaker, too, but then she became The Doctor, so I expect she’s tied up for the foreseeable future.

Detective Sergeant Doug Cullen—Duncan’s partner. Ben Whishaw. But blond, with round glasses. He’s wonderfully nerdy and intense, and can play socially awkward.

Detective Sergeant Melody Talbot—Gemma’s partner. Jenna Coleman. She is so perfect for Melody. She’s petite but tough, and could show Melody’s conflicted core.

Visit Deborah Crombie's website.

--Marshal Zeringue