by Jackie Houchin
After reading Maggie King’s intriguing post last week about writers and an old movie, I realized that many of the mysteries we watch on cable (Acorn and others) are based on books by mystery writers.
We have watched many of The Murdoch Mysteries, set in late 1800s Toronto. The original writer of the books is British Canadian author Maureen Jennings. Her most recent book (2019) is HEAT WAVE, which introduces Murdoch’s son as a police detective in 1936. It has not been made into a TV show (as yet.) She is 86.
We enjoy most of the episodes, and although they have evolved into semi-comedic, some are absolutely silly. We stopped watching them for a while!
How much can an author control content once the series is bought? (Probably none.)
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We have also enjoyed many, many episodes of The Midsomer Murders. Caroline Graham is the British author of the Inspector Barnaby mysteries. Her first five Barnaby books formed the basis of the Midsomer episodes.
The plots are complex and sometimes dark but have a touch of comedy, primarily as Barnaby interacts with his wife, dog, and sergeant. As of Oct. 2024, Graham was still alive at age 93.
Can an author still write books after her books are bought for television? Would they automatically be a part of the filmed series? Hmm.
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P.D. James is the author of the darker Adam Dalgleish mystery series, which has 14 books and a few TV episodes we have just begun watching. She (Phyllis Dorothy James) was an English Baroness. She wrote 14 books about the Poet/Detective and was planning a 15th when she died at age 94.
If you have watched them, have you ever noticed how they frame his face with a peculiar expression for the last few seconds of the episode? I like it.
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Of course, Dorothy L. Sayers wrote the clever and popular Lord Peter Whimsey novels adapted into a TV series. Along with mystery, there was the added pleasure of a romance. (Such a handsome and wealthy sleuth!) Sayers lived 64 years.
My absolute favorite Lord Peter Whimsy book was THE NINE TAILORS. I wonder if it was ever made into a TV episode or film?
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Very recently on PBS, we watched the 4-season adaptation of Frank Tallis’ book, Death in Vienna, the diary of Dr. Max Liebermann (based on Sigmund Freud), a fictional Viennese crime solver, with his pal Detective Oskar Rheinhardt, in the series Vienna Blood.
They were well-written, had strong plots and vivid characters, and were very cinematic. The setting (Vienna and Istanbul) was gorgeous.
They say there will not be another season because the story in Tallis’s book is finished. Hey, that didn’t stop Midsummer Murders….
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Two more present-day shows follow.
Dark Winds is a new series on Acorn (4 episodes so far) based on Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee novels.
It is on my list to begin watching. I’ve read many of Hillerman’s mysteries, so I hope these are good.
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And lastly, we have also tried the new series on Acorn, Case Histories, based on Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie private investigator books, also set in England.
The first one was pretty good. Brodie investigated and unraveled several cases, either distinct or entwined with each other. There was a sex scene, however, which I didn’t enjoy watching.
We will try another and decide.
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Of course, we have watched many old and newer adaptations of Agatha Christie’s and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Sherlock Holmes novels.
And I know YOU can name many more shows that you watch.
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My first question is, which do you enjoy more, books or screen adaptations? And what is the “why?” for your choice?
I enjoy the books, but I must admit that my decreasing vision makes reading fine print daunting these days. I get more involved in watching the actors (especially the settings) in the series’ episodes.
My second question for authors is, other than the monetary reward, why would you like (or dislike) to have your books made into a TV series?
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The Writers in Residence 
I’m sorry this was late. I guess I didn’t schedule it for the early morning correctly. Thanks G.B. for the reminder!
Hope to hear from you all from the questions at then ending.
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I wish I could get the Acorn channel on the DISH. I’d like to watch those British shows. We watched some of the older mystery shows that popped up on channels we could get, but none of the new ones are available at the moment. Eventually they will show up on one of the channels. I like to read as well as watch the shows. If I see the TV version first, the actors are definitely the ones I imagine while reading the corresponding book. I wouldn’t mind they make a TV series out of my Johnny Casino stories or the Chance McCoy ones. They are written as short stories which are basically TV series length. Since writers have next to no say in who plays the characters or what they do to the story, you just hope for the best.
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Johnny and Chance would make terrific TV series characters! I picture Chance as an older character. Who would YOU have in mind?
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It’s always fun to see stories I’ve read made into TV shows or movies, but like others I don’t have a lot of access to them on my TV. I wouldn’t mind having one or more of my own book series made into TV shows–maybe my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries, or one of my current Harlequin Romantic Suspense series. Of course they all have dogs, so trainers would be required, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there were lots of people watching them for the dogs!
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I agree, Linda. Although trainers would be needed, lots of people would enjoy them.
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We watch shows on Acorn and BritBox. Current picks are Vera and Shetland, based on series by Ann Cleeves. Father Brown is quite entertaining. Jackie, I’ve seen all the shows you’ve mentioned here. Sometimes I read the accompanying books, but often I just enjoy the shows. As to having my books made into shows, I’d be thrilled. I’m sure the writers would make significant changes, but maybe they’d make the stories better!
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Thought-provoking post, Jackie. I’ve enjoyed several TV series based on mystery novels, although I tend to go for the darker tones. I’ve found that most series amalgamate several storylines into each season. Dark Winds is excellent; I think Mr. Hillerman would be pleased. I also love the Harry Bosch and Longmire series, although the latter is not for the faint of heart. To answer your questions, I still prefer the physical books; I find it easier to follow the storyline and can page back to refresh my memory on some of the plot developments. Also I can enjoy them for a longer time. On your second question: I’ve heard several authors remark that once their book is sold to “Hollywood,” they’ve learned to walk away and not look back. If I were to sell any of my books to a producer, I’d at least request they check in with me on major changes from the book itself, but I know that unless you’re someone like Stephen King or John Grisham, you have zero control over what they do with your work. I’d still take the money and walk away with the hope that some viewers would be interested enough to check out my books. That is how I discovered the Longmire book series, and they’ve been a delight to read.
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We enjoyed Longmire, too, and were sorry to see it end. There’s a newer show out now – at least on Acorn – titled DNA. It’s pretty dark and one that the audience really doesn’t know if the main character is a good guy or bad guy. I bounce from one side to another, hoping he’s good, but seeing all the evidence piling up, I don’t know. It stars Tom Conti.
I don’t think book writers have much influence over the screen versions, even “big” authors. I saw a film by a famous thriller author (David Baldacci, I think) in which they changed the ending grossly. In the book, the main character dies, but in the film, he goes on living. HUH??
Thanks for your thoughts!
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Oh, and by the way, we have watched the first 6 episodes of Dark Winds now. Very well done – though scary at times – that evil woman!! (haha). These episodes show how Leaphorn and Chee first got together.
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I tape all those wonderful Agatha Christie Poirot and Miss Marples shows – to watch when I have the time!
They have produced several recent ‘based on…’ productions, which are well-produced and don’t stick strictly to the originals. I don’t always agree with the tv version of books I have read – but they’re entertaining.
I’d be open to having my books produced for tv or film – but understand the only resemblance that may remain could be the title! The money would be nice and it gets my name out there. But I know I would have to emotionally let it go and not have any expectations……
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So true about “letting our babies” go, but as you said, the cash would be nice.
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I’ve enjoyed a few book series turned into television series on various streaming platforms. Longfellow, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Reacher come to mind, not only for their stories but for the actors in the lead roles. They’re enjoyable to watch (in more ways than one wink wink). As for my series, like Rosemary I’d worry about how much the studios would change it. Before I finished my first novel, I pitched it to a group of screenwriters. Several thought my orphaned eight year old character, temporarily sheltered by a couple, should be changed to a teenager who sleeps with the husband.
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