Anyone would be a fool not to tap into George R.R. Martin's other works of fiction, after Game of Thrones turned out to be such a major TV hit. 

So, it's not surprising when Mr Martin announced on Saturday that the HBO-owned Cinemax has optioned the rights to his 1989 novella Skin Trade. And while the series lacks dragons and white walkers, it does involve mystical werewolves. 

The story was originally part of an anthology that included stories from the horror kings, Stephen King and Dan Simmons. It follows a female private investigator called Randi Wade and her friend Willie Flambeaux – who just so happens to be a werewolf. 

So, when mutilated, skinless bodies start to show up around town, Randi is on the case.

Martin won't be writing or running the show, though. If the pilot gets picked up, George and Cinemax have hired Prison Break alum Kalinda Vasquez – and George is quite confident that she will write the show well.

"[She] seems to get Willie and Randi, and her pitch to Cinemax was one of the most polished and professional I've ever heard."

It seems only good things can come from this!