Investigation Discovery (ID) today announced a development deal with renowned author James Patterson to write and executive produce a six-part, fully scripted series for the network. The series will be based on all-new, ID-branded, true crime stories written for Patterson's new line of novella-length stories, BookShots - pulse-pounding thrillers available for under $5 and 150 pages or less - featuring mutually agreed-upon story topics. ID-branded BookShots will be released in conjunction with the on-air premiere of this series, set to debut on ID in 2017.
"As the best-selling author, around the world, since 2001, there is no bigger name than James Patterson," said Henry Schleiff, Group President, Investigation Discovery,
AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL and Destination America. "Patterson is the ultimate storyteller, and for a television network known for its own powerful storytelling, to now have him as our "partner in crime" is truly a match made in heaven for his readers and ID's viewers.
Patterson added, "Imagine me saying this, but truth can definitely be stranger than fiction. My plan is that we will create a groundbreaking series that shatters the true crime mold and attracts the widest possible audience for Investigation Discovery, and also BookShots."
Patterson has sold over 355 million books worldwide, and holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. In Patterson's series with ID, each episode will tackle a new true crime story following the intimate first-hand experience of a given case's key characters. As every step of the crime unfolds, viewers will become a one-stop court of public opinion - and in the end, serve as the ultimate judge of right and wrong.
Developing the deal for
Investigation Discovery are Jane Latman, senior vice president of development, Sara Kozak, senior vice president of production, Kevin Bennett, general manager, and Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery,
AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL and Destination America. Bill Robinson and Leopoldo Gout will executive produce for James Patterson Entertainment.
About James Patterson James Patterson has created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today with his Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women's Murder Club, Private, NYPD Red, Daniel X, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. As of July 2016, he has sold over 355 million books worldwide and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Florida with his family.
About BookShots BookShots are all-new, original stories that feature a complete, cinematic storytelling experience in 150 pages. Characters include favorites like Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, and the Women's Murder Club. For readers with busy schedules, BookShots is the answer. BookShots features a website and mobile apps available on iOS and Android, that let readers discover, purchase, and read BookShots ebooks and audiobooks across all devices. BookShots.com is operated by Hachette Book Group, Inc., The Random House Group Ltd and Penguin Books Ltd and powered by REAAAD, Inc., through the Glose Platform (https://glose.com/)
About
Investigation Discovery Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading mystery-and-suspense network on television. From harrowing crimes and salacious scandals to the in-depth investigations and heart-breaking mysteries behind these "real people, real stories", the "always revealing" network challenges our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. One of our nation's fastest growing cable networks, ID delivers the highest-quality programming to more than 85 million U.S. households and is available in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD). For more information, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com, facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID.
Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.
