Film potential for the novel: SANDMAN

The psychological thriller 'SANDMAN' offers a great mix of high tension drama affecting an ordinary family caught up in murder, and atmospheric settings: in a real southern England location well-suited to filming. The pictures to the right show the beautiful area used as a backdrop, and there is great potential in the novel to produce a film with wonderful pacing; tension can be built by switching to glorious beach and harbour scenes, morning mists, dreaming horses at the water's edge, lapping waves, etc. A creative producer could have a ball with this adaption.

The setting is in and around Christchurch Harbour in Dorset. Although specifics are usually slightly adjusted in the book, public buildings mentioned — such as cafés — are the real thing, eg the Hiker café and the Beach House café.

There is a very special and dreamy atmosphere on Mudeford Sandbank, set between harbour waters and the sea—almost akin to a desert island. This novel is about a killer and a stalker, and the environment is important; I needed to bring his surroundings to life, so what better way than to use a real-life setting? Another aim was to show how tranquility might only be a heart-beat away from tension or fear. Scenes swiches can further emphasise this point through juxtaposition.

I would love to talk to anyone connected with film about this: from producers to agents. If you fit this bill, please contact me and I will be pleased to send you a copy of the novel so you can evaluate it yourself. The rear cover blurb gives you some overview...

Lazing through hot summer days at their beach hut, life seems just about perfect for the Vincent family—until their peace is shattered by murder. An incident between Paul Vincent and Stevie Clarke—an unbalanced beachcomber known by some as 'The Sandman'—leads Paul to inform the police he believes Clarke is the murderer. This provokes frightening and prolonged reprisals against the family from Clarke. Matters deteriorate further when Leah, Paul’s teenage daughter, unwittingly reveals evidence to the police that implicates her own father. This gripping psychological thriller places turbulent emotions in stark contrast to beautiful surroundings, testimony to the fragile nature of tranquility.

I am limited on this website in what I can say about this novel in order to avoid introducing plot spoilers for readers. So let me just say this psychological thriller includes all the following elements:

• natural dialogue making it easy to adapt for film or TV drama (and my willingness to be involved in this)

• rape scene, murder scene in poor lighting, later scene of the attack of female jogger, who gets the better of her hooded attacker

• murder strongly affecting the life of protagonist (Paul Vincent) and his teenage daughter, Leah

• Paul's jealousy of his beautiful wife Sasha's flirting (this novel/movie is a lot about his mixed emotions)

• Attack of Sasha while jogging at night

• Paul suspected of murder by the police

• gradually building tension resulting from head-to-head conflict between Paul and the strange, dangerous and knife-wielding beachcomber antagonist (Stevie Clarke)

• Worries of Leah when, trying to be helpful to the police, unwittingly implicates her own father in the murder

• Fears of actress, Carol Davis, who is raped by masked man

• Love interest as Paul develops romantic relationship with Carol

• Stalking of Leah

• Kidnap of Leah and her fears of being raped and killed while held captive

• Boat chase and fight when Paul sets out to rescue his daughter, Leah from kidnapper

• Protagonist/antagonist boat chase with dramatic climax

• Ending with boat fire drama - yet happy.

Throughout all this, Stevie, despite his dangerous side, is quite a nature and boat lover, and scenes of him in his boat and while beach combing offer chances for lots of beautifully scenic shots. The novel uses the beauty of the area as a foil to the horror of murder and stalking, and the producer can use it to modulate tension.

Read the reviews...

This debut novel has some great reviews including:

'A gripping psychological read with characters that reach out and grab you. A real
page-turner.' Author Sophie King's cover endorsement

'Sandman touches our primary emotions: jealousy, love, fear, hatred, and grief. As a father, I related to Paul’s unwavering commitment to keep his family safe. I also understood his discomfort with his wife’s tendency to flirt openly with men. Kingsley has written an intriguing mystery/psychological thriller with interesting, believable and well-developed characters. There are twists, turns, red herrings, and a healthy dose of hair-raising fear and suspense to keep even the most fickle reader captivated. The dialogue is authentic, and, along with the scene-painting narrative, you’ll feel like you’re on the beach witnessing the unfolding action.' William Potter for Reader's Choice Book Reviews

'What is intriguing about 'Sandman' is that reading it made me think I was watching a movie focusing on several characters that all are subtly interwoven into the threads of each others' lives... ' Norm Goldman for BookPleasures.com - Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

CLICK HERE to see the full reviews

Locations shown in the pictures, used in the film...

Fig 1 shows a long-shot of the headland. Filming on top during build-up showing surrounding scenery. Fig 2 depicts the harbour setting. Filming within the harbour both before and during main drama. Fig 3 shows the scene looked down on just before Carol is attacked. Figs 4, 5 & 9 show the sandbank between harbour and sea, site of most of the external filming; Fig 5 shows the dunes where a dramatic scene of Stevie spying on Paul and Sasha's beach party takes place. Figs 6 & 7 show the cafe, setting of one of the early conflicts. Fig 8 shows the mouth of the rivers flowing out to the sea, scene of the climax boat chase and fight between Paul and kidnapper. Fig 10 shows the location of Paul's beach hut. Fig 11 shows the little land train that features in Carol's rush for help after her attack, and a trip later on. This location is near the woods where Sasha is later attacked at night. Fig 12 shows the riverside walk where Leah's stalking begins.

Filming Notes

The book describes the Beach House café on Mueford Sandbank as it used to be - without partitions between the terraced tables and the sand - and the latter means verbal exchanges from one to the other are not practical. However it is easy to switch the location of those at terrace tables to the tables outside the cafe entrance, which are right on the sand.

Although it would be possible to film most scenes on site or on set, there is no real version of Stevie's hut. Scenes involving its exterior and location are best avoided unless a fully-funded film is contemplated. Just about all the other scenes are easily filmed on location or real-room interiors.