CSI Creator Launches New Integrated Storytelling Experience

NEW YORK: Anthony Zuiker, the creator of the CSI franchise, is executive producing the new prime-time reality show Whodunnit?, a competition series for ABC that will be accompanied by digital books that extend the story lines.

Hyperion is on board to publish a series of Whodunnit? mysteries. The first, Whodunnit?: Murder in Mystery Manor, will be digitally released on June 18, a week prior to the premiere of the ABC series. A second original Whodunnit? mystery will be published in August to coincide with the show’s season finale.

Ellen Archer, president and publisher of Hyperion Books, said: “Hyperion is thrilled to be publishing these ground-breaking tales in collaboration with Anthony E. Zuiker and ABC Entertainment. Zuiker is a brilliantly creative television executive and novelist. We believe his forward-thinking approach to over-the-top complementary storytelling in print and television will generate legions of readers and viewers.”

Zuiker added: “Ever since I was a kid, I had a passion for mysteries and crime solving, so I jumped at the opportunity with Whodunnit? to create a cross-platform storytelling experience where the book tees up the show and the show then tees up the book. The best part for fans is that, once you’ve finished the first season of the show, you’ll be able to transition back into not just the second book but a whole series.”