Fox 2000 has bought Tom Rob Smith's debut novel thriller, Child 44 for Ridley Scott to direct and produce through his Scott Free Productions.

Set in Stalinist Russia, the story line revolves around an officer in the secret police who is framed by a colleague for treason. Variety adds on the run with his emotionally estranged wife, he stumbles upon a series of child killings and launches his own rogue investigation, even though it means risking his own capture.

No production schedule has been set yet for Child 44.