Patricia Cornwell turns to screenwriting for ABC

The American crime novelist is developing a new character destined to come to life on television in a new ABC series, Deadline.com reports.

Seconded by "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" writer Stephanie Sengupta, Patricia Cornwell will author the screenplay for "Greta Stone," the story of an orphaned policewoman with an uncanny knack for solving crimes.

Cornwell, who is best known for her novels on the fictional chief medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, will co-produce the series alongside "Body of Proof" producer Matt Gross.

In spite of her international fame, Cornwell has never ventured into TV in the past, aside from a single cameo as herself on "Criminal Minds" in 2012.