In the book series that kicked off with Spillane’s I, the Jury, Mike Hammer is a private investigator who plays by his own rules and carries a torch for assistant Velda. Baby, It’s Murder is billed as the final book in the series and was released this year.

Matthew McConaughey is reportedly set to play the titular private investigator in a new adaptation of 'Mike Hammer'.

True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto is writing a surprising crime book adaptation, with Matthew McConaughey set to star.