The Bookseller reported today that HBO has optioned screen rights to Marlon James novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings, for a series adaptation.  The books tells the story of the attempted assassination of a popular Jamaican singer and its aftermath. Most believe “the singer” is Bob Marley even though his name is not mentioned.  The book’s primary setting is a violent period in Jamaica in the 1970s and early 80s, when guns were flooding in and CIA agents had a presence on the island.

HBO plans to produce an ongoing series from the book. Award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth, who has been very successful in adapting books into screenplays, will be penning the script for the series.

A Brief History of Seven Killings is Marlon James’ third novel. His debut novel John Crow’s Devil and  second novel The Book of Night Women were both published in 2010.