Walton to pen 'Water Rat' for Strada

TORONTO -- Scribe Karen Walton ("Gingersnaps") will adapt Ian Hamilton's Ava Lee crime novel series for that bigscreen, Toronto's Strada Films introduced Friday. "Water Rat of Wanchain," featuring the youthful globe-trotting Asian forensic accountant Ava Lee, would be the first title within the planned franchise. Strada's Sandra Cunningham ("Moth Journals") and Robin Cass ("Amal") will make the photos and therefore are going after worldwide financing and creating partners. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com