Twin Peaks books

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The cult classic television series Twin Peaks has spawned several successful books and audio books due to its popularity. In 1990 and 1991, Pocket Books released three official tie-in books, each authored by the show's creators (or their family) which offer a wealth of backstory. More official tie-in books would be released in 2016 and 2017, written by Mark Frost.

Contents

Official releases

There are six novels based on Twin Peaks which have been released in book and/or audio book format and are written by authors involved with the series. These books are intended to be canon to the franchise and expand upon the storylines portrayed in the series and film; they do contain some continuity errors and contradictions, however - some of which may be intentional.

TitleAuthor(s)ReleasedISBN
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer Jennifer Lynch September 15, 1990 ISBN   978-0-671-73590-6
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer is the first spin-off novel based on the television series Twin Peaks. The book was written by Jennifer Lynch (daughter of series co-creator David Lynch) [1] and was published between the airing of the first and second season. The fictional diary is "As seen by Jennifer Lynch," and written in a matter-of-fact tone [2] from the point of view of Laura Palmer: a small-town teenager —a "good girl gone bad" [3] — who is abused and terrorized by the demonic entity BOB. [4] The book begins on Laura's 12th birthday in 1984, [3] and steadily matures in writing style and vocabulary. [5] It recounts standard teenage concerns of her first period, her first kiss, and her relationship with her parents, alongside experiences of sexual abuse, promiscuity, cocaine addiction, and her obsession with death. [2] [4] Laura's poetry foreshadows her murder. [6] Her slow realisation of BOB's identity is described, although pages are 'missing' from the end of the diary, which ends with an undated entry in late 1989, [3] leaving the reader unable to reach a firm conclusion. [4] Lynch said that "the careful reader will know the clues and who the killer is." The book reached number four on The New York Times paperback fiction best seller list in October 1990. [7]
"Diane..." The Twin Peaks Tapes of Agent Cooper Scott Frost October 1, 1990 ISBN   978-0-671-73573-9
"Diane..." The Twin Peaks Tapes of Agent Cooper is an audio-only release written by Scott Frost (and interspersed with clips from the series). [8] Originally released on cassette by Simon & Schuster Audio, the tape consists of newly recorded Cooper messages to his never-seen assistant, Diane, mixed in with monologues from the original broadcasts. The tape begins with a prologue monologue in which Cooper discusses his impending trip to Twin Peaks, continues with the initial monologue heard in the pilot, and continues to a point after his recovery from being shot. Kyle MacLachlan was nominated for a Grammy Award for best spoken-word performance for his work on the tape.
The Autobiography of F.B.I. Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes Scott Frost May 1, 1991 ISBN   978-0-330-27280-3
The Autobiography of F.B.I. Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes is the second spin-off novel based on Twin Peaks. It was written by Scott Frost (brother of series co-creator Mark Frost) and consists of a collection of transcripts from Agent Dale Cooper's audio tapes. The book begins with Cooper's childhood, including his upbringing in Philadelphia, family, and eventually education at Quaker institutions Germantown Friends School and Haverford College. It also explains his first stumbles with love, obsession with the FBI, and the relationship between him, Windom Earle, and Earle's wife, Caroline. The book ultimately concludes with the day he is assigned to Laura Palmer's murder. Many of these tape transcripts are dictated to "Diane," though a later tape states that Cooper enjoys the thought of Diane listening to his tapes so much that he will address all tapes to her whether she'll hear them all or not.
Welcome to Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town David Lynch, Mark Frost, Richard Saul Wurman June 1, 1991 ISBN   978-0-671-74399-4
Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town is the third spin-off novel based on Twin Peaks. The book is a parody of a traveler's guide book, as published by the "Twin Peaks Chamber of Commerce," and is illustrated with photographs, line drawings, and color maps. Inside, fans can find anything from a history of the Native Americans around the area, to the history of the Packard Sawmill, to a list of specials at the Double-R Diner. A character synopses is also included in the guide.
The Secret History of Twin Peaks Mark Frost October 18, 2016 ISBN   978-1-250-07558-1
A dossier-style novel written by series co-creator Mark Frost, "places the unexplained phenomena that unfolded in Twin Peaks in a layered, wide-ranging history, beginning with the journals of Lewis and Clark and ending with the shocking events that closed the finale." [9] Structured as a secret dossier. Assembled by a mysterious “archivist” and annotated by FBI agent Tammy Preston, known throughout the book as TP, this enigmatic collection includes undiscovered Lewis and Clark diary entries, UFO sightings, and personal journals of Twin Peaks residents, some of which answer unresolved plotlines from the show's second season. Released October 18, 2016 on Audio & Book format. [10]
Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier Mark Frost October 31, 2017 ISBN   978-1-250-16330-1
A follow-up to The Secret History of Twin Peaks, titled The Final Dossier and written by Mark Frost. The novel fills in details of the 25 years between the second and third seasons, and expands on some of the mysteries raised in the new episodes. [11]

Unofficial releases

Below is a partial list of books relating to Twin Peaks by authors not involved with the franchise. These are not considered canon or part of the franchise.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Twin Peaks</i> American drama television series (1990–91, 2017)

Twin Peaks is an American mystery drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on ABC on April 8, 1990, and ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 1991. The show returned in 2017 for a third season on Showtime.

<i>Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me</i> 1992 film by David Lynch

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a 1992 psychological horror film directed by David Lynch and written by Lynch and Robert Engels. It serves as a prequel to the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991), created and produced by Mark Frost and Lynch It revolves around the investigation into the murder of Teresa Banks and the last seven days in the life of Laura Palmer, a popular high school student in the fictional Washington town of Twin Peaks. Unlike the series, which was an uncanny blend of detective fiction, horror, the supernatural, offbeat humor, and soap opera tropes, Fire Walk with Me has a much darker, less humorous tone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheryl Lee</span> German-born American actress

Sheryl Lee is a German-American film, stage, and television actress. After studying acting in college, Lee relocated to Seattle, Washington to work in theater, where she was cast by David Lynch as Laura Palmer and Maddy Ferguson on the 1990 television series Twin Peaks and in the 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. After completing Twin Peaks, she returned to theater, appearing in the title role of Salome on Broadway opposite Al Pacino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Palmer</span> Fictional character from Twin Peaks

Laura Palmer is a fictional character in the Twin Peaks franchise and the primary focus of the series. She is portrayed by Sheryl Lee and was created by the series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost. She first appears in the ABC original series Twin Peaks. A high school student whose death is the catalyst for the events of the series, Palmer is the protagonist in Lynch's prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), which depicts the final week of her life leading up to her murder. Laura also appears in the novels, Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), and a variety of merchandise based on the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrey Horne</span> Fictional character

Audrey Horne is a fictional character from the ABC television series Twin Peaks, played by Sherilyn Fenn. The character was created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. She was introduced in the pilot. The daughter of Ben and Sylvia Horne, sister of Johnny Horne, her storylines focused on her infatuation with the series protagonist Dale Cooper, infiltrating the brothel/casino One Eyed Jacks and becoming an activist through civil disobedience.

Shelly Johnson (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) Twin Peaks character

Shelly Johnson, is a fictional character in the Twin Peaks franchise. She was created by the series creators Mark Frost and David Lynch and portrayed by Mädchen Amick. She is a main character in the original series, and has a supporting role in the prequel films Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014). Shelly returns in the 2017 revival series. In the original series, Shelly dropped out of high school to marry the trucker Leo Johnson, who began to abuse her after their marriage. Shelly works as a waitress at the Double R Diner and has an affair with Bobby Briggs. In Twin Peaks: The Return, it is revealed that Shelly married Bobby and still works at the Double R Diner. Her main storyline focuses on her trying to save their troubled daughter, Becky Burnett, from her own marriage to an abusive drug addict.

Pilot (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) Pilot episode of Twin Peaks

The pilot episode, also known as "Northwest Passage", of the mystery television series Twin Peaks premiered on the ABC Network on Sunday, April 8, 1990. It was written by series creators Mark Frost and David Lynch, and directed by Lynch. The pilot follows the characters of Dale Cooper and Harry S. Truman as they investigate the death of popular high school student Laura Palmer; Cooper believes the murder has connections to a murder case that occurred a year earlier. In addition to setting the tone for the show, the episode sets up several character and story arcs and marked the appearance of several recurring characters. The episode received a strong Nielsen household rating compared to other season one episodes, and was well received by fans and critics alike. The original title for the series was Northwest Passage, but this was later changed.

Episode 2 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 3rd episode of the 1st season of Twin Peaks

"Episode 2", also known as "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer", is the third episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, and directed by Lynch. It features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Ray Wise and Richard Beymer; and introduces Michael J. Anderson as The Man from Another Place, Miguel Ferrer as Albert Rosenfield and David Patrick Kelly as Jerry Horne.

"Episode 1", also known as "Traces to Nowhere", is the second episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, and directed by Duwayne Dunham. "Episode 1" features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, and Richard Beymer.

"Episode 3", later also known as "Rest in Pain", is the fourth episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by Harley Peyton, and directed by Tina Rathborne. "Episode 3" features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean and Ray Wise, and introduces Sheryl Lee's second role, Maddy Ferguson.

Episode 14 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 7th episode of the 2nd season of Twin Peaks

"Episode 14", also known as "Lonely Souls", is the seventh episode of the second season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series co-creator Mark Frost and directed by series co-creator David Lynch. It features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Ray Wise and Richard Beymer; and guest stars Frank Silva (uncredited) as Killer BOB, Hank Worden as The Waiter, Julee Cruise as Singer, and David Lynch as Gordon Cole.

"Episode 5", also known as "Cooper's Dreams", is the sixth episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series co-creator Mark Frost and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter. "Episode 5" features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean and Richard Beymer, with guest appearances by Chris Mulkey and David Patrick Kelly.

"Episode 4", also known as "The One-Armed Man", is the fifth episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by Robert Engels, and directed by Tim Hunter. "Episode 4" features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Piper Laurie and Richard Beymer, and introduces series co-creator David Lynch in the role of Gordon Cole.

"Episode 7", also known as "The Last Evening", is the eighth and final episode of the first season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. Series co-creator Mark Frost wrote and directed the episode. It features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Piper Laurie and Eric Da Re, with guest appearances by Chris Mulkey and Walter Olkewicz.

Episode 8 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 1st episode of the 2nd season of Twin Peaks

"Episode 8", also known as "May the Giant Be with You", is the first episode of the second season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by series co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, and directed by Lynch. It features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Ray Wise and Richard Beymer; and guest stars Grace Zabriskie as Sarah Palmer, Chris Mulkey as Hank Jennings, Miguel Ferrer as Albert Rosenfield, Don S. Davis as Major Garland Briggs, and Victoria Catlin as Blackie O'Reilly.

<i>Twin Peaks</i> season 3 2017 season of television series

The third season of Twin Peaks, also known as Twin Peaks: The Return and Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series, consists of 18 episodes and premiered on Showtime on May 21, 2017. Developed and written by creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, with Lynch directing, the season is a continuation of the 1990–1991 ABC series and its 1992 theatrical prequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. An ensemble of returning and new cast members appear, led by original star Kyle MacLachlan.

<i>The Secret History of Twin Peaks</i> Novel by Mark Frost

The Secret History of Twin Peaks is an epistolary (dossier-style) novel by Mark Frost, which provides background information on the history of the fictional town and characters from the television series Twin Peaks. The book was published in October 2016, several months before the debut of a new season of the series in May 2017. A follow-up book, Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier, also written by Frost, was released after the new season aired. The audiobook release features four original cast members from the original and sequel television series, Kyle MacLachlan, Russ Tamblyn, Michael Horse, and David Patrick Kelly, joined by original cast member Chris Mulkey and cocreator Mark Frost, and introduces 2017 season actors Amy Shiels, Robert Knepper, and James Morrison.

Episode 9 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 2nd episode of the 2nd season of Twin Peaks

"Episode 9", also known as "Coma", is the second episode of the second season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. The episode was written by Harley Peyton, and directed by series co-creator David Lynch. It features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Ray Wise and Richard Beymer; and guest stars Chris Mulkey as Hank Jennings, Miguel Ferrer as Albert Rosenfield, David Patrick Kelly as Jerry Horne. Don S. Davis as Major Garland Briggs, Victoria Catlin as Blackie O'Reilly, Don Amendolia as Emory Battis, Frances Bay as Mrs. Tremond, Grace Zabriskie as Sarah Palmer, and Catherine E. Coulson as the Log Lady.

Part 18 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 18th episode of the 3rd season of Twin Peaks

"Part 18", also known as "What Is Your Name?", is the 18th and final episode of the third season of the TV series Twin Peaks. It was written by Mark Frost and David Lynch, directed by Lynch, and stars Kyle MacLachlan. "Part 18" was broadcast on Showtime along with "Part 17" on September 3, 2017, and seen by an audience of 240,000 viewers in the United States. The episode received critical acclaim.

<i>Lauras Ghost</i> 2020 book written by Courtenay Stalling

Laura's Ghost: Women Speak about Twin Peaks is a 2020 book by Courtenay Stallings. The book explores the legacy of the fictional character Laura Palmer, whose death was the precipitating event in the television show Twin Peaks. Laura's Ghost features interviews with and essays from women involved with Twin Peaks including Sheryl Lee, who played Laura Palmer, as well as actress Grace Zabriskie, and Jennifer Lynch, daughter of the series’ director David Lynch.

References

  1. Stanley, Alessandra (October 28, 1990). "Are the Owls What They Seem?". The New York Times .
  2. 1 2 Jakicic, Cathy (October 20, 1990). "Spinoff book tells all, if you're the Log Lady". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Tucker, Ken (October 5, 1990). "The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Lavery, David (1995). Full of secrets: critical approaches to Twin Peaks. Wayne State University Press. p. 7. ISBN   0-8143-2506-8.
  5. Zekas, Rita (October 13, 1990). "Like father, like daughter". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  6. O'Connor, Tom. "Bourgeois Myth Versus Media Poetry in Prime -time: Re-visiting Mark Frost and David Lynch's Twin Peaks". Poetic acts & new media. University Press of America. ISBN   0-7618-3630-6.
  7. "Paperback best sellers: October 28, 1990". The New York Times. October 28, 1990. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807013422/http://braddstudios.com/2012/01/20/scott-frost-talks-twin-peaks/ Scott Frost Interview
  9. "'"The Secret History of Twin Peaks" Book By Mark Frost Out October 18, 2016: Pre-Order Audio & Book". Welcome to Twin Peaks. February 18, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  10. Kenneally, Tim (October 16, 2014). "'Twin Peaks' Book to Reveal TV Show Characters' Fates". The Wrap. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  11. "A new 'Twin Peaks' book is coming this fall". Los Angeles Times. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.