EXCLUSIVE: 'It's incredible to see my dream come to life!' Fiery legal star Nancy Grace unleashes her latest mystery novel and upcoming made-for-TV movie as she prepares to exit her long-running HLN show for Fox News

  • TV host Nancy Grace is leaving her eponymous HLN show this week
  • It was revealed on Monday that she has accepted a job at Fox News
  • Her latest novel, Murder in the Courthouse: A Hailey Dean Mystery will be released tomorrow
  • Grace, who wanted to be a literature professor, became a prosecutor after her fiancé Keith Griffin, 23, was murdered before her wedding day in 1979
  • Tough-talking Grace, now the mother of twins, says she named her character 'after the daughter I never thought I'd have 
  •  In the book, Dean becomes embroiled in the mysterious death of a sheriff found sliced in half by a garage door
  • Kellie Martin stars in the Hallmark made-for-TV movie airing October 23
  • Nancy will also appear in the movie - as a defense lawyer!  

She's known for battle cry:  'Unleash the lawyers!' on her no-holds-barred TV show. 

But Nancy Grace has unleashed her own writing talent with her new crime novel - Murder in the Courthouse: A Hailey Dean Mystery - just two days before the final episode of her long-running TV show airs on HLN.

Grace has accepted a position at Fox News, where she will 'focus on getting justice for victims of violent crimes', a source close to the the TV host told In Touch Weekly.

Grace, a controversial tough-as-nails host, has presented her eponymous show since 2005. She has become an outspoken media fixture following her coverage of high profile cases including Michael Jackson's trial and Anna Nicole Smith's death.

Grace pictured at her home last year for an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com. She is leaving her eponymous show later this month

Grace pictured at her home last year for an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com. She is leaving her eponymous show later this month

Grace and her movie's star, Kellie Martin. Grace will have a cameo in an upcoming Hailey Dean movie for Hallmark - as a defense lawyer

Grace and her movie's star, Kellie Martin. Grace will have a cameo in an upcoming Hailey Dean movie for Hallmark - as a defense lawyer

But Grace is leaving when her contract expires this month. The series, which focuses on high profile legal issues, is HLN's highest-rated show.

In the TV star's latest thriller - the third in the series - heroine Hailey Dean has a perfect prosecution record - just like Grace, who studied the law after her fiancé Keith Griffin, 23, was murdered right before her wedding day in 1979.

'I named her [Dean] after the daughter I never thought I'd have after my fiancé was killed. She is brave, brilliant and beautiful...a crack sharpshooter that hates guns and a crime sleuth!' Grace told the DailyMail.com. 

In the book, Dean becomes embroiled in the mysterious death of a sheriff found sliced in half by a garage door.

The character will also be front and center in an upcoming movie for Hallmark, Murder With Love, which premieres October 23. The leading role will be played by Kellie Martin.

Grace is an executive producer on the film - but will also make an appearance as a defense lawyer, the complete opposite role to her days as a prosecutor. 

'The twins are staying up late!! We are going to celebrate with friends and family watching with us! And lots of popcorn, of course!' Grace told DailyMail.com,

'I dedicated the book to my dad, Mac Grace, who read every book and never missed my crime show, not even once! He went to Heaven just before I finished it. I know he will be with me Sunday night, cheering with the angels.' 

Grace with her fiancé Keith Griffin, who was just 23 when he was murdered by one of his coworkers. Grace is now married to investment banker David Linch
Grace has described David as 'the guy everybody wants to find and marry'

Grace with her fiancé Keith Griffin, left, who was just 23 when he was murdered by one of his coworkers. Grace is now married to investment banker David Linch

After the murder of her fiancé Nancy, 19, gave up her dreams of becoming a literature professor and switched to law school instead, determined to crack down on violent crime.

As a prosecutor in inner-city Atlanta, Georgia, she built up a perfect prosecution record, convicting some 100 felons with no losses.

After a chance meeting with the founder of Court TV, Steven Brill, she began co-hosting a show with James Cochran, OJ Simpson's defense attorney. 

The Nancy Grace show on HLN, CNN's sister network, began in February 2005 and the final episode will air on October 13. 

The timeslot will be taken over by Ashleigh Banfield, former anchor of the Legal View on CNN.

A formal announcement about Grace's new position at Fox News is expected to follow her final show with HLN, a source close to the television personality told In Touch Weekly. 

Grace is known for her combative manner on her TV series, which has run since 2005

Grace is known for her combative manner on her TV series, which has run since 2005

'Nancy was approached by Fox News months ago, and she made the decision over the summer that the best move for her career and family, was to move to Fox,' the source said.

Grace announced her departure from HLN in June. 

At the time she said: 'This fall, I'll be leaving HLN, my longtime TV home, with a full heart and endless gratitude. 

'The network has been my extended family for nearly a dozen years, and I am proud of the amazing work we've produced together.

'We created an unparalleled platform that gave crime victims a voice and succeeded in helping to find missing people and spotlight unsolved homicides.' 

The source said that Grace is 'so excited' for her new position at Fox.   

Grace's book is the third Hailey Dean novel

Grace's book is the third Hailey Dean novel

'Nancy is so excited to make the move to Fox, which is a much better fit for her,' the source said. 'Fox has a much larger viewing audience, and unlimited resources. 

'This will be an amazing platform for Nancy to focus on getting justice for victims of violent crimes.' 

Grace's legal-analysis program is famous for its host's combative manner.

'As long as there's breath in my body I intend to keep fighting for crime victims in whatever capacity I can,' she exclusively told DailyMail.com last year.     

Grace has attracted controversy for her strongly opinionated coverage of crime cases. 

In one incident she came under fire for her coverage of the death of toddler Caylee Anthony. The two-year-old vanished in 2008 and her skeletal remains were found in the woods five months after she disappeared.

Grace pursued the case across multiple episodes of her show and became a vocal critic of Caylee's mother Casey. 

After Casey was found not guilty, Grace said 'somewhere out there, the devil is dancing tonight'. 

Grace, 56, is married to investment banker David - whom she has described as 'the guy everybody wants to find and marry' - and the couple have twin children, Lucy Elizabeth and John David, 8

Murder In The Courthouse, which comes out on October 11, is her fifth book, and her third in the Hailey Dean series.

Her first book, Objection! was published in 2005 and lays out Grace's concerns with the American legal system.


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