Tag: Book to Movie

Don Winslow’s ‘Broken’ and the Movie Adaptation of Crime 101

Crime 101 is one of the short stories in Don Winslow’s Broken. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Broken by Don Winslow: From Gritty Crime Fiction to the Big Screen

“No matter how you come into this world, you come out broken…”

Don Winslow’s Broken is a blistering collection of crime stories that showcases why he’s long been considered one of the most powerful voices in contemporary crime fiction. Now, one of its standout stories—“Crime 101”—has made the leap from the page to a major motion picture, bringing Winslow’s razor-sharp storytelling to an even wider audience.

About the Book: Broken

Hailed by Stephen King as “one of America’s greatest storytellers,” #1 international bestselling author Don Winslow returns in Broken with six intense short novels. Some feature familiar characters, others introduce new ones, but all are connected by Winslow’s signature themes: crime, vengeance, guilt, and redemption.

With his trademark blend of insight, humanity, dark humor, and propulsive action, Winslow delivers stories that feel both immediate and timeless. These are tales of people living by codes, moral, criminal, or personal, and the devastating consequences when those codes are tested or broken.

Spotlight on “Crime 101”

At the heart of Broken is “Crime 101,” a tightly wound crime story that reads like a perfect noir film waiting to happen.

A series of high-level jewel heists along California’s Pacific Coast Highway has baffled law enforcement for years. The crimes are initially attributed to Colombian cartels, but Detective Lou Lubesnick suspects something else entirely: a lone thief operating under a strict personal philosophy known as Crime 101.

The jewel thief has followed his rules flawlessly, until now. As he plans one final, legendary score, Lou decides to do the unthinkable: break every rule of Crime 101 to stop him.

It’s a story about obsession, intuition, and the thin line between hunter and hunted, and it’s no surprise Hollywood came calling.

About the Movie: Crime 101

The film adaptation of Crime 101 brings Winslow’s story to life with an all-star cast and sleek, tension-filled direction.

Plot Overview

A jewel thief named Mike Davis has executed a series of daring heists along the 101 freeway, leaving police completely stumped. When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of insurance broker Sharon Colvin. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Lubesnick believes he’s finally cracked the thief’s pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job.

Film Details

  • Written and Directed by: Bart Layton
  • Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry

Crime 101 premiered on January 28, 2026, in London and is scheduled for U.S. release on February 13, 2026.

About the Author: Don Winslow

Don Winslow is the author of twenty-six acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including eight New York Times bestsellers such as Savages, The Cartel, The Force, The Border, and his epic City trilogy (City on Fire, City of Dreams, City in Ruins).

A former investigator, anti-terrorism trainer, and trial consultant, Winslow brings lived experience to his fiction, lending it an authenticity that sets his work apart. He has also written award-winning short stories for Audible, narrated by four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris. Winslow currently lives in California and Rhode Island.

Final Thoughts

With Broken, Don Winslow once again proves his mastery of crime fiction, and Crime 101’s transition from short novel to feature film feels both natural and inevitable. Whether you encounter this story first on the page or on the screen, one thing is certain: Winslow’s world is gripping, morally complex, and impossible to forget.

Photo: Google

Stephen King’s Dystopian Classic ‘The Running Man’ Gets a Bold New Adaptation in 2025

The new book to movie adaptation starring Glen Powell hits theaters on November 7. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Stephen King’s “The Running Man” Returns — and Hits the Big Screen

Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1982, The Running Man later appeared as part of The Bachman Books collection in 1985. Now, this dark, dystopian thriller is making its way to the big screen, with Paramount’s new adaptation set to premiere on November 7, 2025.

A Deadly Game of Survival

In the world of The Running Man, survival is the only goal.

Ben Richards has lost everything—his job, his savings, and nearly his hope. With a sick daughter in need of urgent medical care, he takes a desperate gamble and signs up for the nation’s most popular (and brutal) reality show: The Running Man, where contestants are hunted for sport.

If Ben can stay alive for thirty days, he’ll win a billion dollars. The catch? No one has ever survived more than eight days. Pursued by a lethal strike force trained to kill, Richards must navigate a world where every step could be his last.

It’s a chilling story about desperation, power, and the lengths one man will go to save his family.

The Film Adaptation

The Running Man (2025)
A man joins a game show where contestants can run anywhere in the world—while professional “hunters” track them down.

  • Director: Edgar Wright
  • Writers: Michael Bacall, Stephen King, Edgar Wright
  • Stars: Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, Josh Brolin
  • Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy, Survival, Action Adventure
  • Running Time: 140 minutes

With Wright’s trademark style and a powerhouse cast, this adaptation promises to bring King’s high-stakes vision to thrilling, satirical life.

About the Author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent works include Never Flinch, You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (co-written with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges Trilogy: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch.

King is the recipient of numerous honors, including:

  • 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award
  • 2014 National Medal of Arts
  • 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Photo: Paramount Pictures

The Monster Lives On: Frankenstein’s Legacy and Guillermo del Toro’s New Film

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein will have a limited theater release starting October 17. Photo: TV Insider

Frankenstein: From Mary Shelley’s Gothic Classic to Guillermo del Toro’s New Film

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. At just 18 years old, Shelley began the story that would become one of the most enduring works of literature. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818 when she was only 20, with her name appearing for the first time in the second edition, published in Paris in 1821.

The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature through an unorthodox experiment—assembling it from different body parts. What begins as an ambitious pursuit of knowledge quickly becomes a haunting tale of responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. (Wikipedia/Barnes & Noble, 2025)

The Lasting Appeal of Frankenstein

For over two centuries, readers have been captivated by the dark atmosphere and moral questions at the heart of Shelley’s masterpiece. Themes of creator vs. creation, knowledge vs. consequence, and the search for humanity make Frankenstein a timeless story.

Its influence spans both Gothic and science fiction traditions, inspiring countless adaptations—from early silent films to Universal’s iconic monster movies, and modern reimaginings that explore empathy, fear, and morality in new ways.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025)

The fascination with Frankenstein continues today with acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation. His 2025 American Gothic science fiction film is based directly on Mary Shelley’s original novel and features a star-studded cast:

  • Oscar Isaac
  • Jacob Elordi
  • Mia Goth
  • Felix Kammerer
  • Lars Mikkelsen
  • David Bradley
  • Lauren Collins
  • Charles Dance
  • Christoph Waltz

The film had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. It is set for a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, followed by a global Netflix release on November 7, 2025. (IMDb, 2025)

A Tale That Endures

At its core, Frankenstein is the story of a brilliant but egotistical scientist who dares to play God—only to unleash a tragic chain of events. The novel’s haunting exploration of ambition and its consequences continues to resonate, making it as relevant in 2025 as it was in 1818.

With del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation, a new generation of audiences will experience the enduring power of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece—proof that Frankenstein is far more than just a monster story.

Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Allure of Cozy Mysteries: Spotlight on ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman is now a Netflix movie. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Charm of Cozy Mysteries

Cozy mystery books offer readers a delightful escape into charming worlds filled with intrigue but softened by warmth and comfort. Unlike darker crime novels, cozies balance suspense with lighthearted settings—small towns, bookshops, bakeries, or quaint villages—where everyday life continues even amid mystery.

Their appeal lies in clever puzzles, quirky characters, and the absence of graphic violence, allowing readers to enjoy the thrill of solving a crime without the heaviness. Often featuring amateur sleuths, cozy mysteries invite readers to feel part of the investigation. They’re the perfect blend of relaxation and mental challenge, making them irresistible comfort reads.

Spotlight: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

One of the most popular cozy mysteries in recent years is The Thursday Murder Club, the first installment in Richard Osman’s bestselling series.

Here’s the setup:

  • Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves
  • A female cop tackling her first big case
  • A brutal murder
  • And a retirement village with secrets to spare

In a peaceful retirement community, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes. Together, they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.

When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph beside the body, the group suddenly finds themselves facing their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, the unorthodox but brilliant gang must race to catch the killer—before it’s too late.

From Page to Screen

The Thursday Murder Club is now a Netflix film, directed by Chris Columbus with a screenplay by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. The star-studded cast includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.

The story follows four irrepressible retirees who spend their days solving cold cases for fun, only to stumble into a real whodunit. With its blend of humor, heart, and suspense, the adaptation brings the cozy mystery spirit to life on screen.

About the Author

Richard Osman is an author, producer, and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club was his debut novel, and it quickly became a New York Times bestseller.

Beyond writing, Osman is well known for his work on TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As creative director of Endemol UK, he has worked on popular programs such as Deal or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular face on panel shows like Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You, and Taskmaster.

✨ Cozy mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club prove that crime-solving can be clever, funny, and comforting all at once. If you’re looking for a mystery that keeps you guessing while wrapping you in charm, this series is the perfect place to start.