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ABC's 'Castle' presents a mystery in a mystery
ABC
Nathan Fillion plays Richard Castle and Stana Katic plays Kate Beckett in ABC's "Castle."
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Published: November 16, 2009
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It's not often that a fictional TV mystery series creates a real-life mystery.
But some fans of ABC's "Castle" are wondering who really wrote the sizzling crime thriller "Heat Wave," a book that is part of the plot on the Monday night drama and also a real bestseller.
Some may actually think fictional character Richard Castle wrote the novel. His name does appear on the book jacket. And Castle is a handsome, glib New York crime novelist who helps police solve murders.
But Castle is played by Nathan Fillion of "Firefly" fame. He's an actor, not a writer.
A spokesperson for "Heat Wave" publisher Hyperion Books says that someone who has appeared on the show wrote "Heat Wave."
That means it could be James Patterson, Stephen J. Cannell, Sue Grafton or Michael Connelly, crime novelists who play themselves as Castle's poker playing buddies.
"Heat Wave" debuted at No. 10 on the Publishers Weekly a month ago and got as high as No. 6. It has been in the top 30 on the New York Times and Amazon bestseller lists.
"Heat Wave" introduces New York police homicide detective Nikki Heat who is modeled after the fictional NYPD detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic.
In the book, Nikki investigates the death of a real-estate tycoon while being shadowed by a wise-cracking magazine reporter named Jameson Rook who is a lot like Richard Castle.
Fictional characters based on fictional characters? Is this a case of art imitating art?
At 208 pages, "Heat Wave" is a fun read and it's sexier than "Castle" which has been a modest success for ABC. It was recently renewed for a full season.
VIDBITS: With "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" coming to theaters this week, you might what to check out "10 Vampires We Love" (10:30 tonight on E!): This special explores the vampire phenomenon and counts down the 10 sexiest vampires of all time.
Move over Gordon Ramsay. A new series "Chef Academy" (11 tonight on Bravo) introduces French-born Jean Christophe Novelli, voted "World's Sexiest Chef." The passionate, hunky cook takes in nine students for a proposed branch of his culinary institute in Los Angeles.
And keeping with the hunky guy theme of this column, "Stud Finder 2009" at 10 Friday on DIY is a special featuring five handyman finalists in head-to-head competition to find the next DIY host.
A short-run reality show "Find My Family," will air Mondays on ABC beginning Nov. 23. Host Tim Green and Lisa Joyner and a team of researchers help people reconnect with relatives they haven't seen or contacted in years. The premiere reunites a woman with parents who gave her up for adoption 29 years ago.
SEE A SHRINK:To celebrate its annual "Expedition Week," The National Geographic Channel's Web site has a cool "headshrinker" feature that allows you to make your own shrunken head (nationalgeographic.com).
The network kicked off the week with a Sunday night special about headhunters. Tonight at 9 is "Expedition Great White."
TUNE IN TONIGHT:
"Lie to Me," 9 p.m., Fox
A troubled teen believes he was abducted as an infant and wants to learn about his past.
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