Question: is the show the sinner based on a book

Answer: Yes, The series, described as a ``close-ended series'' by the network, was adapted from the novel of the same name by Petra Hammesfahr; however, the book's darker outlook was toned down and the location shifted from Germany to Upstate New York in the United States. It is the first time that Biel has served as an executive producer on a series, a role she said was ``gold''. Biel stated that she moved into production so that she could develop projects with challenging and interesting roles rather than wait for them to happen.