The British productioncompany behind Heidi, the family film remake which Warner Bros isreleasing in July, has optioned The Roman Mysteries, an 18-book seriesset in first century Rome.

Martyn Auty and Ian Gordon,partners in Suitable Viewing, have optioned the books with Dashiell Productionsto adapt into a family film. Written by Caroline Lawrence, the stories featurethe adventures of feisty young heroine Flavia and her crime-fighting friends.The first crime they set out to solve leads them to the tombs of the dead.

Heidi is the first film from Suitable Viewing, which Autyand Gordon formed last year to produce films and TV programming in the familygenre. Charlotte Mann at the UK's Rod Hall Agency announced the deal on TheRoman Mysteries.