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THE BIRDER MURDER MYSTERIES ARE COMING TO TV
SHAFTESBURY AND COMPANY PICTURES COME TOGETHER TO OPTION ACCLAIMED CANADIAN BOOK SERIES: BIRDER MURDER MYSTERIES
Birder Murder Mysteries is a series of novels written by best-selling author
Steve Burrows
TORONTO, CANADA: Feb 28, 2020 — Shaftesbury, the award-winning production company behind the global hit TV series Murdoch Mysteries, is partnering with the BAFTA-winning U.K. producer Company Pictures (Wolf Hall, Inspector George Gently, Shameless) to option Canadian author Steve Burrows’ book series Birder Murder Mysteries. The international partnership, which will bring together a roster of both Canadian and U.K. screenwriters, is the first joint venture for the two production companies.
The series’ protagonist is Domenic Jejeune, a Canadian detective and avid birdwatcher who has been transplanted to the town of Saltmarsh, in Norfolk, U.K. Domenic has become a poster boy for the U.K. police service, using clues from the world of birding to give him a unique perspective on the most complex crimes.
“Steve Burrows’ gripping books have engaged a vast audience of crime readers in Canada and the U.K. It will be exciting to see his homegrown stories reach an even larger audience with this new partnership,” Christina Jennings, Chairman & CEO, Shaftesbury.
“We are extremely lucky to have the wonderful Nick Hicks-Beach bringing Steve’s enigmatic detective to life for the screen. And with such distinctive stories and the haunting beauty of the Norfolk coast as the setting, I think this has the makings of an iconic and memorable new series.” Michele Buck, CEO, Company Pictures
“I’m absolutely delighted. I can’t imagine a better way to bring the Birder Murder Mysteries to the screen than through this terrific partnership between Shaftesbury and Company Pictures.” Steve Burrows, Author, Birder Murder Mysteries
About Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television, film, and digital. Shaftesbury’s current slate includes 13 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, three seasons of detective drama Frankie Drake Mysteries for CBC and UKTV, three seasons of critically acclaimed horror series Slasher for Netflix, two seasons of Hudson & Rex for Citytv/Rogers Media, and several new primetime series including Departure for Global/Corus Entertainment and NBC Universal, Dead Still for RTÉ, Acorn TV, and Citytv/Rogers, and The Sounds for CBC, Acorn TV, and Sky NZ. Building on a library of award-winning kids’ programs, Shaftesbury has an extensive slate of new kids and family programming with series centred on inspiring interest in STEAM, including The Solutioneers, Miikshi, Stinky Science, and Emerald Code. Shaftesbury’s branded division produces original entertainment projects for brands, including the global phenomenon Carmilla for U by Kotex/Kimberly-Clark,Turning the Tables for göt2b®/Henkel, and Futurithmic for Nokia. Shaftesbury’s technology division works with leading healthcare institutions and researchers to explore and develop clinical applications for immersive media experiences including augmented and virtual reality, including a recent focus on children’s therapeutic support tools. www.shaftesbury.ca
About Company Pictures
Founded in 1998, All3Media owned, Company Pictures has produced hundreds of hours of critically acclaimed, award-winning drama. Company Pictures has produced major drama series for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, WGBH, HBO, Starz and other leading broadcasters all over the world and was the producer of triple Golden Globe award winning period drama Elizabeth starring Helen Mirren. Company Pictures’ credits include the Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall for the BBC starring Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, seminal BBC dramas The Lakes, The Village and Inspector George Gently. Their multi award-winning drama Shameless ran for eleven series and their hugely popular teen drama Skins enjoyed a six-year run, both for Channel 4. Their much-loved long running family series Wild at Heart ran for seven years on ITV. Company Pictures continues to produce high quality, distinguished drama that attracts the best talent and a global audience including The White Princess and The White Queen. Agatha Raisin (Series 2 and 3) starring Ashley Jensen and a re-make of the upcoming detective drama, Van Der Valk starring Marc Warren.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Collins
PR, Executive – Shaftesbury
+1 (647) 323-8874
jcollins@shaftesbury.ca
Iain Christiansen
Manager, Publicity – Shaftesbury
+1 (647) 338-4590
ichristiansen@shaftesbury.ca
U.K. Events Details
I’m pleased to be able to announce the details of my U.K. events. I’m looking forward to meeting U.K. readers of the series, so I hope you can make it to one of these events.
September 10th 20:00
Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club
www.rnsyc.net/wordpress
Presentation and Book signing
September 12th 18:45
Cley Marshes Visitor Centre
https://www.tickx.co.uk/event/1985537/steve-burrows-from-birder-to-birder-murder/
Slideshow Presentation and Book signing
September 13th (time t.b.a.)
Jarrold’s Cromer
Literary Lunch
SOLD OUT
September 13th 18:30
Noirwich Crime Writing Festival
https://noirwich.co.uk/the-line-up/
Panel discussion with James Henry
I’ll post further details and updates as soon as they become available.
A DANCE OF CRANES
U.K. PUBLICATION DATE: SEPT. 4
Book Launch Events
A Dance of Cranes
July 6 and July 7
I am delighted to announce the locations of the book launches for
A Dance of Cranes
have now been confirmed.
Saturday, July 6th
(16:30)
sees us continuing our long-standing tradition of book launches at
Different Drummer Books
513 Locust St., Burlington, L7S 1V3
On Sunday, July 7th
(13:30)
we will once again be joining our friends at
Sleuth of Baker Street,
907 Millwood Rd., East York, M4G 1X2
Hope you can join us at one of these events for book signing, conversation and, of course, cake!
Here’s the official poster for my Springsong 2019 appearance.
I can honestly say I never thought I’d see the day when I’d appear on the same poster as…
a yellow-billed cuckoo.
STEVE AT SPRINGSONG 2019!
I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I’ve been invited by Margaret Atwood to be the Honoured Guest Author at two events connected with the 2019 Springsong Festival.
2019 marks the 18th year of the festival, and I am joining an impressive list of authors who’ve shared this honour previously (Alice Munro, David Suzuki, Miriam Toews – last year, Madeleine Thien!)
Wed. May 8th will feature a reading/talk at a fundraising dinner for the Pelee Island Bird Observatory. Tickets and further information can be found from Suzanne Friemann Suzanne.friemann@pibo.ca.
Sat, May 11th features another reading and a banquet in support of the Pelee Island Heritage Centre. Info and tickets for this event are available at www.peleeislandmuseum.ca/events/
I’ll look forward to seeing everyone there. I’m told a great time is had by one and all, and remember, too, that you’ll be supporting a couple of great causes. Don’t delay, though, as the events generally sell out well in advance.
Note: I’ll be preparing two separate presentations, which means if you plan on attending both events, you’ll get double the number of birding puns!
PUB. DATE SET FOR BIRDER MURDER #6
June 29, 2019 is the new publication date for the Canadian edition of A DANCE OF CRANES, the sixth installment of the Birder Murder Mystery series featuring Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune.
Two separate continents, one shared fate: Death knows no boundaries
Newly estranged from his girlfriend, Lindy, Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune has returned from the U.K. to the news that his brother has gone missing in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park while conducting research on Whooping Cranes. But even if Jejeune can find his brother in the vast, remote wilderness, keeping them both alive afterwards might prove a far greater challenge.
Back in the U.K., Sergeant Danny Maik is on a missing person’s search of his own. Jejeune’s plan to protect his ex-girlfriend’s abduction by a sociopathic killer has failed. But the disturbing circumstances of Lindy’s disappearance suggest that even if Danny can find her, the threat to Lindy’s life may still not be over.
Across two continents, the lives of Domenic and Lindy are spiraling towards a similar fate. And there seems to be nothing anyone can do to help them.
Release dates for A Dance of Cranes in the U.K. and U.S.will be posted as soon as they become available. Stay tuned for details.
Reviews for the Birder Murder Mysteries
“Riveting from first page to final line.” — Globe and Mail
“A most entertaining read.” — The Times UK
“…intertwines avians with the classic whodunit in a completely original way.”
— Audubon
STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST STEVE BURROWS SIGHTINGS, CHECK OUT HIS EVENTS HERE.