In a ground-breaking agreement, Lifetime Television will become the first network ever to adapt acclaimed international author Patricia Cornwell’s novels for television. Her #1 New York Times bestseller, At Risk, and its sequel, The Front, to be published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in May, have been optioned by the Network.
In making the announcement, Tanya Lopez, Senior Vice President, Original Movies, said: “As we continuously re-invent our popular Lifetime Original Movies, we’re expanding the genres and including more works by America’s leading women writers. Patricia Cornwell is in a class by herself and we are honored she has chosen Lifetime as the vehicle to bring these two brilliant novels to television.”
Patricia Cornwell said: “I am excited and honored by this new creative partnership with such an outstanding network, and believe that together we can bring to life stories and characters unique to the crime writing genre.”
Stanley M. Brooks and Jim Head of Once Upon a Time Films (LMN’s “The Capture of the Green River Killer” — Lifetime Movie Network’s highest-rated movie in its 10-year history; Emmy® Award-winning “Broken Trail”), Russell Werdin and Lane Bishop of Twinstar Entertainment and Patricia Cornwell will serve as executive producers.
Other bestsellers that have been adapted to Lifetime Original Movies include Joyce Carol Oates’ “We Were the Mulvaneys,” Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Mermaid Chair,” and a quartet of Nora Roberts’ novels. Recent movies include Kim Edwards’ “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” starring Dermot Mulroney, Emily Watson and Gretchen Mol and Jodi Picoult’s “The Tenth Circle” starring Kelly Preston and Ron Eldard, premiering Saturday, June 28 (9PM ET/PT) on Lifetime.
At Risk features Cornwell’s quicksilver, cut-to-the-bone style and extraordinary cast of characters and has been met with wide critical acclaim. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said, “At Risk is Cornwell’s finest novel. It works in every way possible – fascinating characters, solid plot, great pacing and expertly crafted prose.” Added The Denver Post, “Absolutely the best. Here’s hoping we’ll see more of Win, Monique, Nana and Sykes in the coming years. They are the best characters to emerge from Cornwell’s creative pen since . . . well, Kay Scarpetta.”
At Risk centers on Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano, a shrewd man of mixed-race background and a not inconsiderable chip on his shoulder, D.A. Monique Lamont, a hard-charging woman with powerful ambitions and a troubling willingness to cut corners, and Garano’s grandmother, who has certain unpredictable talents that are not to be ignored.
At Risk was originally published in January 2006 as a 15-week serialization in the New York Times Sunday Magazine. When it was published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in May 2006, it became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. The Front is set to be released by Putnam next month on May 20th.
