games, mysteries, and science fiction and has taught writing and filmmaking for more than three decades at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Here the author dreamcasts an adaptation of The Spiral, her new thriller set in 1979 New York City:
I will admit that I pictured this book as a movie as I wrote it from the start. Nina’s paranoid world of fear, built from her past traumas and the crime ridden setting of New York City in 1979, was vivid in my head with intense close-ups, skewed wide angles, and pounding music. Due to the fact that I lived some of this story in that place and time, I visualized it as I wrote it. I’ve often thought about which actors would play the lead roles and in the last few years some interesting possibilities have come to light.Visit Rosanne Limoncelli's website.
I could easily see Mikey Madison (Anora, The Social Reckoning) playing Nina. She has the look, petite with dark hair and eyes, and I can see her playing the vulnerability as well as the inner strength that the character requires.
For Nina’s love interest, the lead detective Frankie Lopez, I picture Diego Tinoco (On My Block, Knights of the Zodiac) I can see him carrying himself like a cop, but also play the sweet and understanding nature that Frankie has.
The third main character is Nina’s quirky bartender friend Benny. Older than Nina, he has a tough guy personality, bigger than life and physically strong, but also a bit nerdy. Someone like Alan Ritchson (Reacher, Ordinary Angels) would be wonderful in that part. He has the strong hero’s physique, and the emotional range that the part demands. He would be a captivating version of the character.
My Book, The Movie: The Four Queens of Crime.
The Page 69 Test: The Four Queens of Crime.
Q&A with Rosanne Limoncelli.
Writers Read: Rosanne Limoncelli (July 2026).
--Marshal Zeringue
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