Simon Beckett’s The Chemistry of Death has been streaming on Paramount+ since January 12, 2023. The books by the British author are particularly popular in this country. Now the first film adaptation of the David Hunter novels has started as a 6-part series. In it, the forensic anthropologist helps to unravel the mysteries of dead bodies. But when he tracks down a murderer, the cadaver expert played by Harry Treadaway finds himself in danger.
Simon Beckett interviewed for The Chemistry of Death
When you see the 63-year-old Simon Beckett like this, you wouldn’t think that behind the short, white beard and thick glasses there are stories that keep the whole of Germany in suspense. Nevertheless, this polite Brit with the quiet voice has created a real bestseller series in which things are fast and deadly. The first two volumes of the David Hunter mysteries, The Chemistry of Death * and Cold Ashes *, have now been adapted into a thriller series. In the Moviepilot interview, the journalist and writer talks about the scientific approach to corpses, his preferences for horror and his writing process.
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Do you know that your David Hunter books are extremely popular, especially in Germany? Can you explain that?
Simon Beckett: I have heard of this phenomenon. That’s great and I’m very grateful for that. You have good taste in reading.
[lacht]
I guess I just struck the right note.
Before The Chemistry of Death became a series, did you have faces for its characters or even real-life role models in mind when you were writing?
No, when I wrote the books I even did extra careful not to describe David Hunter. It was a very conscious decision because I wanted the readers to make up their own minds about him. Maybe a person or two went through my head, but no finished person. I tended to have ideas about certain qualities in my head. I think Harry Treadaway makes a very good David Hunter. He fits the role visually and captures the right character traits.
How much influence did you have on the series adaptation?
I was more involved in the early stages. When it really started, I am took a step back and let the production and script team do it. Because there comes a point where it doesn’t help anymore if I was involved. But I was visiting the set in Norfolk, England, which was great.
Regarding role models: Was there another book adaptation in the past that you as an author particularly liked?
I think of that immediately The silence of the Lambs a. That The book was fantastic and so was the film. This was an example of two different mediums that both worked great in the same way.
Paramount+
The Chemistry of Death: Harry Treadaway as David Hunter
Do you personally watch crime series, thrillers or horror films in your free time?
I actually look more horror movies. I watch which crime thrillers I watch or read, otherwise that’s one thing [zu] similar playground to what I am writing about. Of course I watch a few representatives of this genre, but they are usually very different from my material.
What was the last horror movie you saw and liked?
I don’t know if that’s good for my reputation [lacht] but I have Troll seen on Netflix. It was fun. I prefer supernatural horror to slasher horror.
In contrast, there are some “real” scary details in your books. Are there things that you are disgusted or afraid of yourself?
The details in the books? No, I hope they come across as rather intriguing. Because David Hunter is a scientist. I’ve tried things like that in the novels Decomposition from a research perspective and as a natural process showcase. Because as an amateur I find it interesting myself.
Is that how you approach your new books? That you find inspiration in something scientific and then build a story around it?
It’s different for every story. It can be a scene that has potential. Or an exciting reason why something happened. I don’t think I’ve ever had a forensic idea and thought I’d have to build a story around it. It’s more that I’m wondering what forensic approach would fit the story I have in mind right now. It is everything is very unstructured and unorganized for me. [lacht]
Paramount+
The Chemistry of Death
You visited the “Body Farm” forensic science facility in Tennessee, where decaying corpses are dumped on a large compound for research purposes. After that you started writing The Chemistry of Death. Were you interested in decay and death even before this visit?
no i had no interest whatsoever in decomposition or forensicsbefore I [als Journalist] was sent to the body farm. Going to such a place for research left a deep impression on me. I wrote an article about it, but felt it had even more potential. Learning what goes on behind the scenes in a criminal investigation has inspired me.
You have started a new book series with Missing*. Are you done with David Hunter or will there be more books?
It was always my intention to take a break from David Hunter and then come back to him. I am currently working on his next novel. He comes back. I don’t really like talking about unfinished books, but I can say that [der neue 7. David Hunter-Roman] plays in a place where it’s cold.
Chemistry of Death & Co.: These are the David Hunter books by Simon Beckett: There are also the David Hunter short stories Cat and Mouse * and Snowfall *.
The Chemistry of Death has been streaming as a series since January 12, 2022 Paramount+ *.
Podcast: The 20 Best Series Starts of January including The Chemistry of Death
Need more fresh streaming tips? The most exciting series that you can stream in January on Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and more can be found here in the monthly preview:
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Do you know the novels by Simon Beckett? Will you be watching The Chemistry of Death series?