5 recent crime novel adaptations that make for perfect and less scary Halloween weekends

Written by Australian writer, Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies made it to the New York Times Bestseller list very soon after publication. Moriarty’s insightful characters, conversational writing style that builds up to a quite an unimaginable twist. The story revolves around three women, Jane, Bonnie and Celeste whose kids are just starting pre-school. The series uncovers the seemingly perfect lives of these three women as each one comes with their own set of problems- Jane was raped left to raise Ziggy on her own, Bonnie has a troubled past and Celeste often abused by her rich banker husband, Perry. The bestselling book was made into a series in 2017 which became a quick hit. Entertaining and enlightening,
Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley’s brilliant performances make the characters relatable while the show is poignant, nuanced and exceptionally well-crafted.

One of the most riveting psychological thrillers of the decade, Gone Girl was a global bestseller by Gillian Flynn and with good reason. It tells the story of a toxic couple, Nick and Amy Dunne. The novel revolves around the disappearance of Amy and how Nick becomes a strong suspect for it. The novel was highly praised for its ‘unreliable narration, plot twists, and suspense’. It was later adapted for a movie in 2014 and was directed by David Fincher. Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck as Amy and Nick along with Fincher’s directorial style gives the movie a dark, intelligent and stylish style. It is sure to leave you disturbed but in a more awestruck kind of way.

One of Agatha Christie’s best work, Murder on the Orient Express is a murder mystery drama which was published in 1934. The book is still widely loved 80 years after the publication which is why we saw it being made into a major motion picture only last year. The cast boasted of some big names like Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh. Beautifully crafted by Kenneth Branagh, Murder on the Orient Express is nostalgic classical mystery with a little bit of violence. You can find out who committed the Murder on the Orient Express on Thursday, 18 October at 9pm on Star Movies Select HD.

Gillian Flynn does with again with Sharp Objects. A disturbing and twisted tale, Sharp Objects tells the story of Camille Preaker, a journalist who has just got out of the psych hospital for harming herself. She is sent to her hometown to investigate a brutal murder of a young girl and about another one who is missing. She faces her neurotic, hypochondriac mother a step sister she hardly knows.

As she investigates further, she starts bonding with her step sister who has an eerie control over the town’s teens. The book was made into a hit HBO series where outstanding performances by the very talented, Amy Adams, who plays Camille, Patricia Clarkson who plays the icy and mysterious mom, Adora, Eliza Scanlan who plays the snaky and terrifying Amma are sure to leave you disturbed and engaged in mystery.

A psychological thriller by Paula Hawkins, Girl on the Train is a story about Rachel Watson’s life post-divorce. In 2015, it became the fastest selling adult novel and was on the New York Times bestseller list for four months. It was adapted for the big screen in 2016. Emily Blunt who plays the role of Rachel Watson delivered an outstanding performance. Rachel’s life falls apart after the divorce but she takes solace in the life of Megan and Scott who she sees from the train every day and whose life she idealizes. However, her life gets entangled in a missing person’s investigation and sends shockwaves through her entire life.