Blumhouse Acquires Serial Killer Novel The Quiet Tenant

Clémence Michallon’s novel The Quiet Tenant has been acquired by Blumhouse for adaptation as either a series or a streaming movie. The book is about this pillar of the community-type guy named Aidan Thomas, who is, in reality, a serial killer. The information in this article comes to us from Bloody Disgusting and the book’s page on Amazon.

“Jason Blum is one of the most dynamic producers working today, with an enviable slate of motion picture and television credits, and every one of them has viewers tethered to the screen. His vision for bringing The Quiet Tenant to viewers is incredibly strong. I am thrilled he has taken an interest in my work and to be collaborating with him on this project,” said Michallon, who will also be a producer on the show.

The novel, which Amazon calls “a searing thriller and an astute study of trauma, survival, and the dynamics of power,” is told from three different perspectives. There’s Rachel, the latest victim who Aidan is forced to take with him after he has to move following the death of his wife. Cecilia, the killer’s teenage daughter, who may be the key to Rachel escaping. And Emily, a restaurant owner who develops a crush on Aidan.

“I knew from the beginning that my serial killer would not get to speak. I’m a reporter by trade, so I took writing an authentic serial killer novel as a great responsibility. Since the serial killer here victimizes women, there was something important in the centering of female voices,” said Michallon.

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Praise for The Quiet Tenant

The Quiet Tenant, published by Knopf in the US and Abacus in the UK, is one of the most-anticipated novels of the year, according to IndieNext and GoodReads. Megan Abbot, the author of Dare Me, called the book “spell-binding,” while Brad Thor, author of The Lions of Lucerne, called The Quiet Tenant “absolutely brilliant.” As evident by the new movie or series deal, they weren’t the only ones impressed with the novel.

“I read Clémence’s novel in one sitting and was riveted. The story has all the elements of a great screen adaptation,” said Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse.

Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World (adapted as Knock at the Cabin), said the book was “Intelligent and suspenseful.” Other positive reviews of the book come from Vogue, which called it “creepy, claustrophobic, and compelling,” The Big Thrill, who referred to The Quiet Tenant as a “tour de force of suspense and character,” and even the New York Times, who said “An expertly paced psychological thriller…[with] a white-knuckle climax.”

“All…of the expected suspense and psychological tension, but offering a story about women—the ones who didn’t know the evil that lurked within, the ones who tried to placate or fight but still perished, the ones who might actually survive. Haunting but never prurient…truly unforgettable,” said Alafair Burke, author of The Wife.