TV rights for debut Rattle snapped up

Freelance journalist Fiona Cummins' debut novel Rattle (Pan Macmillan) is being adapted for television by Stephen Susco, screenwriter behind "The Grudge" and "Red".

In Rattle, Cummins tells the tale of a ruthless and obsessive psychopath, a family who has what he wants and a detective who knows what he needs.

Archery Pictures acquired television rights to the novel after "fierce competition". The book publishes with Pan Macmillan on 26th January 2017, after it acquired UK and Commonwealth rights through Conville & Walsh in 2015. 

Cummins is a freelance journalist based in Essex, and a former showbusiness reporter for the Daily Mirror. She said: “'The publication of my debut novel is a moment I've been waiting for my whole life - I can hardly believe it's almost time. Working with Trisha Jackson and the team at Macmillan has been a privilege and a pleasure. I'm so excited to see my characters and their stories brought to life on screen, and I couldn't be more thrilled that Stephen, who is bursting with brilliant ideas, has agreed to write the script."

Trisha Jackson, Pan Macmillan editorial director, said: "Debut thrillers of the quality and accessibility of Rattle are incredibly rare, and we feel enormously privileged to be publishing it. Fiona is so talented, and is as much of a gem of an author as Rattle is a jewel of a book."

Susco's first film, "The Grudge", produced by director Sam Raimi, claims to be one of the most financially successful horror films of all time after grossing nearly $200m worldwide. His most recent film, "Beyond the Reach", a thriller he developed and produced with Michael Douglas, premiered at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival. He said: “Rattle is one of the most emotional and chilling thrillers I’ve read in some time, and I’m delighted to be working with Archery Pictures in bringing it to the screen.”

Archery Pictures Founder, Kris Thykier, added: “Stephen Susco is one of the most dynamic and exciting writers of his generation. The opportunity to work with a screenwriter of his calibre and international success on a UK-based television drama is thrilling.”