The Charm School is a 1988 spy thriller novel by American author Nelson DeMille, set in the Soviet Union.
In a 2010 FBI investigation, striking similarities were noted between a real-life case and DeMille's book.
Plot The novel's hero is U.S Air Force Colonel Sam Hollis, a former F-4 Phantom Fighter pilotNelson DeMille, The Charm School, Warner Books, 1988, page 67: "There were times when he wished he were in his old F-4 Phantom with nothing more to worry about than MiGs and missiles converging on his radar screen". who fought in Vietnam. Hollis was shot down during the warNelson DeMille, The Charm School, Warner Books, 1988, page 110: "I spent four years at the Air Force Academy. I graduated and went on to fighter school. I did a tour in 'Nam in 1968, then another in 1972. That's when i was shot down over Haiphong". and was disqualified from flying. Later on he was transferred to US Air Force Intelligence and served as an intelligence officer and air attaché at the American embassy in Moscow. A young American MBA graduate driving in the Russian countryside encounters another American, claiming to have escaped a secret Russian POW camp—leaving numerous others behind who are still captive and being used to "Americanize" Soviet spies. When the information reaches Hollis, he begins to investigate and discovers a secret so dangerous that it might cost him his life.
Potential film adaptation The films rights were first optioned in 1992 by producer Robert Kline.
In March 2003, Variety reported that Crusader Entertainment had optioned the book, with Kevin Bernhardt penning the script, and Howard Baldwin producing.
In March 2005, it was reported that Frank Marshall had signed on as producer.
In August 2009, DeMille reported that Ericson Core was hired as director, and the screenplay was to be penned by Frank Pearson.
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