Joanna Campbell Slan's "Death of a Schoolgirl"

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Joanna Campbell Slan’s first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her latest book, Death of a Schoolgirl, the first novel in The Jane Eyre Chronicles, which features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth:

If they make Death of a Schoolgirl into a film, I'd love for Keira Knightley to play the part of Jane Eyre. I realize that most people would think Keira is too stunning for the part of the overlooked orphan, but when Ms. Knightley played the lead in Bend It Like Beckham, she downplayed her looks and seemed fragile. Jane Eyre is slight of build and small, with a beauty that glows from within, and I think Keira Knightley has the same radiance. See for yourself in the photo at right.

For Mr. Rochester, I'd choose Jeremy Northam. He's not classically attractive, and when he wants to, he can look rather rough. Also, he's 6'2" and Edward Rochester was a tall man. Certainly, in The Winslow Boy, Northam managed a tortured expression, a pained befuddlement that would make him a wonderful Edward Fairfax Rochester, as I think that a lot of the men who've played Edward had made him seem too violent. I think of Edward as hurting and confused.

The photo on the left shows Northam looking hopeful, a feeling that Jane brought back into his life.

For my two "new" characters, Lucy Brayton and her brother Bruce Douglas, I would choose Renée Zellweger and Owen Wilson. Ms. Zellweger can be flamboyant and dainty all at once. She has the most exquisite pout, and Lucy is a pouter par excellence. I absolutely adore Owen Wilson's nose. Since Bruce is a brawler, I think Mr. Wilson would be perfection in that role! Both actors bring a lot of energy to the screen, and that's a perfect balance to Ms. Knightley's restraint and Mr. Northam's smoldering emotions.

Learn more about the author and her work at Joanna Slan's website and blog.

Read--Coffee with a Canine: Joanna Slan & Rafferty and Victoria.

The Page 69 Test: Death of a Schoolgirl.

Writers Read: Joanna Campbell Slan.

--Marshal Zeringue