dhs literary show + tell: October 2006

October 23, 2006

Hale Smith Hails Hollywood

Alan Peppard reports in The Dallas Morning News:

"Lethal Weapon and Matrix producer Joel Silver's decision to raise $240 million directly from Wall Street is sweet music to Dallas literary agent David Hale Smith. The first film Joel's Dark Castle Productions plans to make is based on Greg Rucka's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Whiteout. David and his Dallas-based DHS Literary represent Mr. Rucka. The Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb.com) has already suggested Reese Witherspoon is attached to star.

"I can't confirm or deny that," says David."

October 19, 2006

So Fresh and So Clean

Dim the lights and turn up the volume. Here's a sneak peek at what Michael Connelly calls "a wonderful discovery. Tight, taut, and tough". Behold Sean Doolittle's new noir masterpiece, THE CLEANUP.

October 18, 2006

Big love from Kirkus

"What looks like a routine traffic stop ends with Deputies Chris Hummel and Wade Childers shot to death. Lt. George Hastings, of St. Louis Homicide, might think the shooting was unpremeditated or drug-induced if a machine gun hadn't been the weapon. But the evidence suggests that the two victims were lured into a trap…Mike Dillon, the machine-gunner, has already executed his own driver in his determination to cover his tracks; and more murders will follow apace. The search for Dillon, who's hiding out from cops and criminals alike, will reveal deep fault lines in both communities—fractures Hunt traces as deftly as George Pelecanos.

Densely woven, economical and utterly assured. Relative newcomer Hunt plots like a veteran of urban warfare."
- Kirkus Reviews

October 16, 2006

Greg Rucka's WHITEOUT Goes to Hollywood

Greg Rucka's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel WHITEOUT is going to be adapted for the big screen via Joel Silver's new "mini-studio within the studio" at Warner Brothers. After this story about it ran in the New York Times yesterday, Variety reports today that Silver's Dark Castle Prods. has raised $240 million from half a dozen investment firms to make 15 films over the next six years, with Warner Bros. aboard to distribute the entire slate. WHITEOUT has been announced as the first First Dark Castle film to be made under the deal. The pic is expected to start production this winter for release in the first quarter of 2008.

Of course, we've known about this for a while, but its nice to see it "officially" announced to the world. Congratulations, Greg. The fun is just beginning.

October 13, 2006

Shine on

After describing Theresa Schwegel's Edgar-winning OFFICER DOWN as an "impressive, gripping first novel", Publishers Weekly is smitten again.

"Seems like everyone in Chicago is crooked, and starry-eyed rookie patrolman Ray Weiss learns the cops are no exception when he’s told to rob a jewelry store as part of his initiation onto the force in Edgar-winner Schwegel’s fast-paced second crime novel (after 2005’s Officer Down)...the genuinely intriguing story leaves no time for impatience or disengagement."

For a good time...

Pick up The Blonde. She plays dirty and brings her own cuffs. Satisfied customers write:

"Swierczynski’s The Wheel Man (2005) was an adrenaline-charged thrill ride through the streets of Philadelphia, and this one is, too. But where Wheel Man offered an inventive take on a traditional crime scenario—the heist gone wrong—The Blonde serves up more high--concept fare....If the premise sounds hard to swallow, it’s worth taking the bait. This is another fast, funny, and action-packed outing from a writer who, fortunately for us, doesn’t seem to know how to slow down."
Booklist

"Imagine an episode of 24 written by Robin Cook, and you've got a pretty good idea of Swierczynski's (The Wheelman) second novel. Two parts adrenaline rush, one part medical thriller, this twisted story starts with a bang and rarely slows down....Full of offbeat characters, excruciatingly reckless twists, and sardonic humor, this fun ride shows great promise for a rising author. Recommended for most thriller and crime fiction collections."
l Library Journal Starred Review