Castle

[alanajoli]

I'll admit it.

I helped Heat Wave hit the New York Times bestseller list. (It was at 26 last week when we checked; this week it's at 28. I'm curious where it placed its premier week, but I thought, tie-in mystery novel for a TV show? How could that hit the New York Times? Silly me underestimating the power of the media.)

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, character Richard Castle, played by Nathan Fillion, is an author who has insinuated himself into a NYC homicide unit with the excuse of "researching" his new novel series. The model for his new character is Detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic. The show (Mondays on ABC) features not only the usual crime solving, but also plenty of references to how writing and plotting a novel, particularly a mystery, is like solving a murder. The dialog about the writing process (and Castle's rants on proper use of grammar) have endeared the show to me more than any of the other crime shows out there.

It's like Murder She Wrote if Jessica Fletcher had been a celebrity bestselling author. It's very, very much fun.

Castle's new novel, Heat Wave, hit real world stores (with Fillion doing actual book signings) in September; it's just been released in the show. It's all right -- it's short and fast paced, and due to the show tie-ins, ends up being fun. I don't think it really stands alone as a mystery outside of its connection to the show, but overall, it's a fun read. (It's also blurbed by Stephen J. Cannell and James Patterson, who, along with Michael Connelly, have appeared on the show as Castle's poker buddies.) I love the multimedia aspects (and I especially love that mystery writers are guest starring). I have no idea how this is impacting overall book sales for those folks, but I like to think that each of them got a little bump from appearing on TV.

Just some random thoughts post tonight's Castle episode and before heading to bed. Coming up soon: guest blogs from slwhitman and seanan_mcguire.

Comments

[bccreations.livejournal.com]

I've heard that criticism elsewhere, about needing to watch the show to really get the book.

If I recall correctly, it premiered at 16, but I could be wrong.

[caitrin.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll admit I went so far as to preorder it from Amazon, although I haven't actually had a chance to read it yet. :)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

So who actually wrote the book? Not the actor, surely?

writing instruction

[(Anonymous)]

was there ever a writer who hasn't toyed with the idea of writing a mystery? have you? i think of it once in a while but don't think i've quite the mind for it. think of the outlining and scaffolding needed. the tv show sounds like a painless way of getting instruction, very entertaining. i'd watch it!--if we had a tv.

Re: writing instruction

[notadoor.livejournal.com]

I've just been watching it on Hulu. No tv necessary!

[stargatedragon.livejournal.com]

I bought off the shelf of my local Borders - giggling like a schoolgirl the entire time!

Totally good read to boot - and it's just plain old fun!

(did you read pg 150! w00t!)

*snickers*

Best. Marketing. Plan. Ever.

Re: writing instruction

[bccreations.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I don't watch any "television" on television. I stream it all through my computer (either watching on screen or hooking it up with the HDMI cable to my tv). I am the future of television watching.

[princessdarky.livejournal.com]

i think i will buy this book just so i can have nathan fillion sign it.

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I was tempted to go into New York to have him sign one while he was at the Apple Store...

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

I don't think you have to watch the show to get the book -- the book makes sense and is cohesive as a story without it. But I think all of the references back to the show and the characters we know from watching them on TV is where a lot of the fun of the novel comes from. Without those, it might just be sort of... meh.

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

*laugh* We had a bunch of people who wanted to borrow our copy, so I had a very short window of reading opportunity before it started circulating. :)

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

We can't find out -- and believe me, the Browncoats are looking. If someone knew, there'd be news. I'm sure it's not the actor, and while I'm vaguely guessing it might be one of the screen writers for the show (due to the intense familiarity with the show shown in the novel, in throw away details), I've got no evidence to support that. (And one presumes that they're busy writing, you know, the episode scripts.) There are rumors that one of the blurbers is actually the ghost writer, but again, I'm not sure I buy into that.

The Library of Congress lists the author as Richard Castle. So, for now, the world has no idea. ;)

Re: writing instruction

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

I think if I were to write a mystery, it would probably have so many paranormal elements that it would get shelved somewhere else. :) I suppose the YA that's currently my WIP has mystery elements to it -- and I could probably use some of the storyboard ideas they discuss in the show! :)

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

Crap, I don't remember what was on page 150! (I did love that they referenced page 105 in the show -- and that is, in fact, where the "action" takes place. Tee hee.)

Our copy's out with various friends now, circulating from the Abbott library, so I can't even check. *sigh*

[stargatedragon.livejournal.com]

150 *was* the "action" scene, IIRC...

or maybe it's all 45!

LOL!

[macbeaner.livejournal.com]

I bought it too. Haven't had time to read it though due to pressing reviews that need done... looking forward to it though

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

It won't take you long when you get to it. It appears much larger on television! (TV adds 15 pounds? *g*)

[vita-ganieda.livejournal.com]

So I grabbed the first disc of Castle for Halloween weekend watching, based on your post and that clip with Nathan Fillion in Browncoat gear in the graveyard. Am loving.