April 3, 2013

SPIELBERG'S DIRECTING MY LATEST THRILLER ‘RETRIBUTION’!


                      “HI, NORA! STEVEN SPIELBERG ON THE LINE!”
                       






I was on the phone last night to Steven Spielberg. We were discussing my latest crime *t*hriller, Retribution, which he’s optioned to direct and scheduled for a glittering Hollywood red carpet première in spring 2014. 

We talked about all the usual stuff – investors and rights, casting and locations. I said my own production company (Nora-Johnson Productions Ltd’) would deal with the investment/ production issues and have sole commercial rights for spin-offs, franchises etc. “The movie’s a sure-fire winner,” Spielberg kept repeating excitedly – “an opportunity for everyone to invest early on and make pots of money.” (To get involved, simply send a cheque made out to ‘Nora-Johnson Productions Ltd’, address on my website: (www.nora-johnson.com).

As for casting, I suggested Kate Winslet to play the investigative journalist, Alice Myers. Brad Pitt to play the police investigator, DI Neil Hunter, and Ryan Gosling the criminal profiler and Alice’s ex-lover, Dr Jake Leighfield.


When Spielberg proposed filming in Martha’s Vineyard for its unrivalled coastline, I emphasised the importance of the novel’s setting – an isolated, inward-looking community in the New Forest, Hampshire (pictured) that refuses to move with the times despite the arrival of second-home owners from London in its more accessible parts. But he still preferred Martha’s Vineyard – where he’d set his blockbuster Jaws. Those shark’s teeth then suddenly came into painfully sharp focus - and woke me up with a start!

Yes, that was just a dream – but the novel is real. My just-published crime thriller, Retribution – next in the series featuring the journalist, Alice Myers, from Soul Stealer - deals with the puzzling death of her closest childhood friend.

Sixteen years ago, Ellie suddenly breaks off their friendship in the New Forest. And Alice’s father inexplicably moves the family to London. All these years later, everything changes.

Now back on the death of her grandmother, Alice is still recovering from failure both personal and professional. But when a body is found washed up on the rocks, the deeply-buried secrets of the past threaten everything and she soon becomes caught up in intrigue, murder and mystery.

Could the victim be Ellie? Alice has to confront so much she left behind that summer. Why did Ellie reject her? Is Alice to blame? Why did her father abandon the family so soon afterwards? And what secrets have Ellie’s family and friends been hiding?

When Alice is persuaded to write an obituary about her talented friend, this is for her as much a way of dealing with her own writer’s block as unravelling the mystery of Ellie’s death. But it is only when she and DI Neil Hunter join forces that the truth starts to emerge about this close-knit community’s harrowing past and present.

As she peels back the layers of deception surrounding this and subsequent murders, Alice unearths secrets and confronts truths she can hardly believe.       
                                        
Aah! A lovely dream nonetheless. But if anybody else is interested in Retribution -The Movie (Spielberg’s currently snowed under with, err, other projects) then you know where to find me! Meanwhile, Retribution’s available in paperback and eBook...

LIKE MYSTERY/CRIME THRILLERS? LIKE HELPING CHARITY? 
Want to achieve both aims at the same time? Well, here’s my answer to that dilemma! As my website (www.nora-johnson.com) indicates, all profits from the sale of my novels go to Cudeca - see sidebar opposite (www.cudeca.org). This Costa del Sol (Spain) cancer hospice offers completely free treatment/ hospice care to all in/outpatients but, like charities everywhere but especially in Spain, is suffering considerable hardship in these tough times. 
I am keen to do whatever I can to help (pictured here presenting my first novel The De Clerambault Code and donation to Cudeca's President & Founder, Joan Hunt O.B.E.). So, if you’ve purchased Retribution or any of my novels and enjoyed them, please help me to help Cudeca by writing a review on Amazon to encourage potential buyers to go ahead and make a purchase too. Every little helps as they say and your review could make all the difference!

So, dear readers (at just £0.86 / $1.16 per eBook or $0.99 per iBook – a steal!) with all profits to charity please download now onto your Kindle, iPad or palm of your hand. I don’t mind!

See sidebar or click HERE (Amazon UK)HERE (Amazon.com) and HERE (Goodreads) for reviews and further shameless self-promotion! Thanks so much for your support!

DO YOU LIKE MYSTERY/CRIME THRILLERS?
Do tell me! And do check out other posts  @ Jenny Matlock-Alphabe-Thursday, Monday Mellow Yellows, Ruby Tuesday, RednesdayOutdoor Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday.
And, finally, thank you to all dear readers who visited or commented.

Enjoy!

NORA & LOLA:)





22 comments:

Eden House News and views said...

Hi I really thought youmwerengoing to say April fool . Shame it was only a dream .
Will be popping over to Amazon to purchase book.
What happened with first link ?
Also thank you for visit

Anonymous said...

I sounds intriguing! It's so nice of you to donate to charity.

Anonymous said...

He did and does make wonderful movies ~ Great post for T and photos ^_^

Susan Anderson said...

I'll have to check my Kindle. Sounds cool!

=)

Annesphamily said...

Always a terrific time here! I am care giver to my youngest sons cat Rose as he is away at college. So I started reading these cat mystery novels. One title that comes to mind so late this evening is "The Cat Who Said Cheese". I like a good book anyway way I can get it! Thanks for sharing.

Jim said...

Maybe Woody Allen would produce it for you? Just a thought after I saw him peeking out from 'YOu might also like:' just above.

If he would I'd come up to New Hampshire to watch the filming. Who knows, they might want me for playing a bit part. Besides it would be nice to spend some time there as I lived there for three years way back in an other life.

Really, congratulations on the new book. You have to be excited after it's done and in print. Now that I have Kindle on my iPhone it might find more time for reading.

Did you read about my old book find on eBay? "Traveling with the Innocents Abroad; Mark Twain's Original Reports from Europe and the Holy Land; Edited by Daniel Morley McKeithan."

A $19.95 best I could find so far, I got a decent copy for fifty cents plus 3.88 shipping and three cents sales tax. Jim's Six Words for the 16th
..

Naperville Now said...

I was thinking April 1st too, but hey, this could actually happen, so I, for one, prefer to hold good thoughts for a movie deal (and a cameo by Lola). Congrats on the book.

storybeader said...

Retribution sounds like a fun novel! Like the idea of an investigative journalist in England! And if I do say so, Lola is adorable. Better not tell her; she looks to have a large head to begin with! Hah! {:-Deb

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Great April Fool's!! You had me for a while.

Pride In Photos Beauty said...

I wish it wasn't a dream for your sake!!

Lmkazmierczak said...

Great lead-in for your published novel...you had me going♫ All The best♥

Stacia said...

Congratulations! And I hope your dream comes true one day! :)

Esther Joy said...

You really had me going there for awhile! But at any rate, you deserve congratulations on your achievements!

Granny-Guru said...

Love your fantasy, and why not figure out who is going to play the star parts for your book! Great cause.

betty-NZ said...

Now I need a kindle for Christmas!

Gattina said...

I think you did a good April's fool joke, lol ! If you need an actress I am at your disposal !

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

Oh what a wonderful dream!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Haha, I was going to say "Wow, congratulations" till the end of the post was reveled lol.

Hopping late from Ruby Tuesday.Your comment will be greatly appreciated on my Easter Rubies

Splendid Little Stars said...

We were all dreaming with you! You caught us up in your web of imagination!
How wonderful to help such a great cause, Lola! I hope your book(s)are very successful.

Anonymous said...

Hope you sell those movie rights!

Ralph said...

I'd send a check but Spielberg has more and better connection$ in the monied world (not mine, alas :). So he'll be the executive producer instead...we love to hear about cancer charities since wife Patti is a 2 year survivor and we were/are underinsured and the kindness of charity has made a real difference...

Patti, a writer is thinking of e-books and such...

Jenny said...

Terrific post for the letter T...

I do like Crime Thrillers as long as they aren't too violent...

Thanks for linking.

A+