A novel by a Scottish writer which has been short listed for the Man Booker Prize is to be made into a movie or TV series.
Scottish production company Synchronicity Films have secured the film and television rights to His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae Burnet.
The novel, published by small independent Glasgow publisher Saraband, was recently short listed for the leading literary award and now looks set to be translated to the screen.
The project is now in "active development" and early discussions are underway with a "major UK broadcaster".
Screenwriters are now being considered by the production company to bring the literary thriller to the screen.
Claire Mundell, creative director at Synchronicity Films said: "We are honoured to be adapting Graeme’s fantastic literary thriller.
"Roddy’s story gripped us from page one and kept us guessing all the way to the end.
"The question of whether he is victim or persecutor is one we can't wait to explore on screen.
"We are delighted to have discovered this wonderful novel on our own doorstep. It’s also great to work with an indie publisher who also believes in backing undiscovered talent as much as we do."
Mr Macrae Burnet said: "I’m thrilled to have optioned rights for His Bloody Project to Synchronicity Films, an award-winning independent production company based in Glasgow.
"Great credit is due to Claire Mundell for picking up the book long before its shortlisting for the Man Booker Prize, something which demonstrates both her passion for the book itself and her willingness to back her own instincts.
"I’m very excited by the prospect of working with Claire and her team to develop the novel for the screen."
Sara Hunt, of Saraband, which published the novel through its crime and thriller imprint Contraband, said: "Graeme’s wonderful, evocative novel is a story that we are really looking forward to being adapted for the big screen.
"It's great to be working with an outstanding independent producer who has shown such commitment to the book since long before its recognition by the Man Booker judges."
Ms Mundell said she discovered the book following the novel’s publication in late 2015.
After spotting its potential for a screen adaptation, Synchronicity Films proceeded to option the story in early 2016.
Published by Contraband, the crime and thriller imprint of Scottish independent publisher Saraband, His Bloody Project tells the story of a triple murder in 1869 in a remote Scottish crofting community, leading to the arrest of seventeen-year old Roddy Macrae.
The producer say the novel is a "compelling rumination on power and circumstance, set against the harsh and beautifully desolate Highlands of Scotland."
The £50,000 winner of the Man Booker Prize 2016 will be announced on 25 October at an awards ceremony at London’s Guildhall.
Synchronicity Films co-produced theThe Weekend and gave Dr Who actress Karen Gillan her first leading role in the film, Not Another Happy Ending.
It is currently in the advanced stages of development with writer and producer, Jacquelin Perske, working on a six-part, domestic-set, emotional thriller, The Cry for BBC1.
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