Universal acquires 'Dog' novel

Jeff Lowell to adapt 'Chet and Bernie Mystery'

By MICHAEL FLEMING

In a six-figure spec package deal, Universal Pictures has acquired the Spencer Quinn novel "Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery," with "Hotel for Dogs" scribe Jeff Lowell set to write the script.

Published by Simon & Schuster, the book is the story of a down-on-his-luck private eye who sets off, accompanied by his loyal dog, to solve a missing persons case. The story is told from the vantage point of Chet, a dog that flunked out of K-9 school.

New Line and Summit also chased the dog tale.

Pic will be produced by Film 360's Daniel Rappaport and Ben Forkner and Mandalay's Cathy Schulman. Mandalay has a first-look deal at Universal.

The book was sold by Wachter, Sanford, Rabineau and Harris.