Jon Talton's "High Country Nocturne"

Jon Talton's many novels include the David Mapstone Mysteries and the thriller Deadline Man. He is also a veteran journalist, including the former business editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Here he dreamcasts an adaptation of High Country Nocturne, the latest David Mapstone Mystery:

Authors have rich fantasy lives, so of course I have always dreamed of my novels being made into films or, in this �new golden age of television,� a TV series. One challenge is that my ideal actors �age out.�

Hence, Mapstone could have been played well by Liam Neeson or Harrison Ford. Both can handle the paradox of man of reflection/learning and man of action. Carrie-Anne Moss and Jill Hennessy might have made ideal Lindseys. But time is not on their side.

Claire Danes, without the Homeland crazy, would still make a great Lindsey.

Many people see Edward James Olmos as Peralta; again, the age problem. Also, Peralta is a big guy. Javier Bardem would be great in gravitas and emotional range � but he�s only 5�11�. Maybe camera angles could make him work. Otherwise, there�s Antonio Banderas.

Which brings us back to David Mapstone: Matthew McConaughey has potential, as does Ben Affleck � if they could play the intellectual who wears it lightly. On the other hand, this might be best served by a relative unknown as his breakout role.

Learn more about the book and author at Jon Talton's website.

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