In the near future, the only thing growing faster than the criminal population is the Electric Church, a new religion founded by a mysterious man named Dennis Squalor. The Church preaches that life is too brief to contemplate the mysteries of the universe: eternity is required. In order to achieve this, the converted become Monks — cyborgs with human brains, enhanced robotic bodies, and virtually unlimited life spans.

Enter Avery Cates, a dangerous criminal known as the best killer-for-hire around. The authorities have a special mission in mind for Cates: assassinate Dennis Squalor. But for Cates, the assignment will be the most dangerous job he’s ever undertaken — and it may well be his last.

Sound interesting? It should. That is the summary of The Electric Church, the first in a series of sci-fi novels by Jeff Somers. Sony has recently picked up the rights, and has hired Trevor Sandis to write a big screen adaptation which will be produced by Jimmy Miller. Sony is calling this undertaking The Avery Cates Project, after the main character of the series. Somers has written three books so far and may write more, and Sony hopes to be able to develop films, coinciding with each release. [THR]

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