King's Ransom (novel)

King's Ransom: An 87th Precinct Mystery is a novel by Ed McBain (Evan Hunter) published in 1959, part of his 87th Precinct series of police procedural novels and short stories. It centers on the moral dilemma faced by a wealthy man when he is forced to choose between using his wealth to fulfill a personal ambition or saving the life of a kidnapped child.

Adaptations

 * The 1963 Japanese film High and Low, directed by Akira Kurosawa, is loosely based on the novel.
 * "King's Ransom", episode 21 of the American television series 87th Precinct, is based on the novel. It was broadcast February 19, 1962.
 * A remake of the Kurosawa film was announced in February 2024 and was developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures. The film has a script written by Alan Fox and Spike Lee, who also directs, and the film is produced by Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures. Spike Lee is also an executive producer through his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.