Sunday, June 27, 2010

New Hardcover Mysteries for July 2010

New Hardcover Mysteries from the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated its list of new hardcover mysteries with books scheduled for publication in July 2010. Please note that some titles may publish early (and may already be available) and some may be delayed, published at a later date.

Below we're listing those authors with returning series characters, new series characters, and non-series or stand-alone mysteries in separate sections. All titles are available on our July new mystery books page (which will become the default home page for the site on July 1st).

• Authors with mysteries featuring returning series characters (in parentheses) this month:

Jane Adams (Rina Martin, 4th), Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow, 12th), Christine Barber (Lucy Newroe, 2nd), Aileen G. Baron (Lily Sampson, 3rd), Andrew Britton (Ryan Kealey, 4th), James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux, 18th), Cassandra Chan (Phillip Bethancourt and Jack Gibbons, 4th), John Connolly (Charlie Parker, 10th), Arthur Conan Doyle and Kelley Jones (Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel, 2nd), Elizabeth J. Duncan (Penny Brannigan, 2nd), Tana French (Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox, Murder Squad, 3rd), Jamie Freveletti (Emma Caldridge, 2nd), Lisa Gardner (D. D. Warren, 2nd), Michael Genelin (Jana Matinova, 3rd), Lee Goldberg (Mr. Monk, 10th), David L. Golemon (Event Group, 5th), Jane Haddam (Gregor Demarkian, 15th), David Hagberg (McGarvey, 14th), Parnell Hall (Stanley Hastings, 17th), Dorothy Howell (Haley Randolph, 3rd), Alex Kava (Maggie O'Dell, 8th), Chris Kuzneski (Jonathon Payne and David Jones, 5th), Lynda La Plante (Anna Travis, 5th), Mary Logue (Claire Watkins, 8th), Keith McCarthy (Lance Elliot, 2nd), Hilary Norman (Sam Becket, 4th), Barry Ozeroff (Ben Geller, 2nd), Barbara Corrado Pope (Bernard Martin, 2nd), Bill Pronzini (Nameless, 35th), Frederick Ramsay (Ike Schwartz, 6th), Christopher Reich (Jonathan Ransom, 3rd), John Shannon (Jack Liffey, 12th), Daniel Silva (Gabriel Allon, 10th), Robert K. Tanenbaum (Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi, 22nd), Martin Walker (Bruno, Chief of Police, 2nd), Inger Ash Wolfe (Hazel Micallef, 2nd)

• Authors with mysteries introducing new series characters (in parentheses) this month:

Susan Wittig Albert (Darling Dahlias), Alexander Campion (Capucine Le Tellier), Shamini Flint (Inspector Singh), Christobel Kent (Sandro Cellini), Deryn Lake (Nick Lawrence), Anne Zouroudi (Greek Detective)

• Authors with non-series or stand-alone mysteries this month:

Hal Ackerman, Bill Cameron, Lorenzo Carcaterra, David Carnoy, Gianrico Carofiglio, Michael Castleman, Rajorshi Chakraborti, Dan Fesperman, Laurence Gonzales, Keir Graff, Carl Hiaasen, Gregg Hurwitz, Susan Isaacs, Rebecca James, Jerry B. Jenkins, Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen, James Patterson and Adam Sadler, Cherie Priest, John Rector, Chevy Stevens, John Verdon, Don Winslow

For more information on any of these titles, please visit the July new mysteries page on our website. If you're interested in new paperbacks, visit The Mystery Bookshelf where you can discover a library of new mysteries, also updated with July 2010 releases.

Please visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books where we are committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Miss Marple in "The Blue Geranium" Airs Tomorrow on PBS Masterpiece Mystery!

PBS Masterpiece Mystery

Tomorrow, Sunday June 27th at 9 PM (ET/PT, but check your local listings), PBS airs the third and final episode in the fifth series of Miss Marple mysteries starring Julide Mc Kenzie as the amateur sleuth.

In "The Blue Geranium", Mary Pritchard, disliked even by the village reverend, is panicked that she is about to die, and a visit by a veiled fortune teller only fuels more paranoia about her fate. But when the wealthy Pritchard is actually found dead, reportedly from the shock of seeing the pink geranium in her wallpaper turn blue, the tension and accusations in Pritchard's small village blossom wildly. Is it possible that Pritchard was scared to death? Miss Marple, in town visiting an old friend, mingles with the villagers, uncovering any number of people who share in the hatred for Pritchard and also harbor their own deadly sins. More deaths occur in short order, leading Miss Marple into a tangled case rooted in desire, deception and greed.

"The Blue Geranium" was originally published in 1932 as part of a collection of Miss Marple short stories under the title The Thirteen Problems in the UK, and The Tuesday Club Murders in the US.

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (100626)

Book Trends: Reviews of Young Adult and Children Books

Book Trends, a review site for young adult and children books, published several new book reviews this past week. We're presenting here a summary of those in the mystery / suspense category.

The Case of the Phony Masterpiece by Fred Rexroad. The second mystery in the Whiz Tanner series, recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student who writes, "I found The Case of the Phony Masterpiece to be a greatly intriguing story full of fun, humor, and action. This story would make a perfect childrens' movie, for everything came out in scenes."

Conspiracy 365: April by Gabrielle Lord. The fourth thriller in the Conspiracy 365 series, recommended for readers aged 13 and older. Lexile measure: 820L. Reviewed by a 6th grade teacher who writes, "The Conspiracy 365 series is quite possibly the most ingenious series created for kids. To coincide with Cal’s countdown to New Year’s Eve, the pages in each book appear in descending order. Each book is packed with action, perfect for any reluctant reader! Plus, as characters develop, the reader is drawn in even more."

For more reviews of children and young adult books of all genres, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you!

Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood, a New Mystery Game from BFG

Games of Mystery

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. You can find out more about these games by visiting our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

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Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood
Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood

Set off on an adventure to help Kate Arrow travel deep into the jungle to find her grandfather in this exciting hidden object game. Pack your bags and use your wits to avoid dangerous situations, even make it through a plane crash! Track down your grandfather and deliver the powerful idol that he has promised to the tribe that saved his life many years ago.

Also available: Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood Strategy Guide.

Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (131.49 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

Watch a preview video below:

Get any standard game for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Other benefits include the $2.99 Daily Deal, Tomorrow's Game Today, and special member rewards. And if you purchase any 6 games within a single month, you earn a free game with the Big Fish Game Club Monthly Punch Card! (Collector's Editions earn 3 punches each, half-way towards your free game!)

Read Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic, and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations!

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets, a New Mystery Adventure Game from BFG

Games of Mystery

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. You can find out more about these games by visiting our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

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A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets
A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets

Explore a mysterious maze and discover an ancient tower wrapped in a dangerous curse.

You, Reylin of Winderalth, are hired by a monk to break a dangerous curse on a haunted tower deep within the wilderness. To solve the mystery of the cursed tower, you must navigate a strange maze full of traps and puzzles. Upon your adventure, you will meet strange beings, most who wish to do you harm, and a few who wish to help you succeed on your quest.

Finding the tower is only the beginning. Once you break the curse, you discover a secret that puts everyone you love in jeopardy. Are you clever enough to outsmart the Tower of Secrets and save all that you love?

Also available: A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets Strategy Guide and a A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets Game Walkthrough.

A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (50.23 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

Watch a preview video below:

Get any standard game for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Other benefits include the $2.99 Daily Deal, Tomorrow's Game Today, and special member rewards. And if you purchase any 6 games within a single month, you earn a free game with the Big Fish Game Club Monthly Punch Card! (Collector's Editions earn 3 punches each, half-way towards your free game!)

Read Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic, and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations!

Mystery Bestsellers for June 25, 2010

Mystery Bestsellers

A list of the top 15 for the week ending June 25th, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Not much change in the list this week, with the third and final thriller in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson, retaining the top position, though by only a narrow margin. One new title debuts into the top 15 this week and is a likely candidate for the top spot next week!

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Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
More information about the book

The 16th numbered title in the Stephanie Plum series, Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich, enters the list strongly at number 8.

The Trenton, New Jersey, bounty hunter has inherited a “lucky” bottle from her Uncle Pip. Problem is, Uncle Pip didn’t specify if the bottle brought good luck or bad luck ...

Bad luck ...

Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, has run up a gambling debt of $786,000 with mobster Bobby Sunflower and is being held until the cash can be produced. Nobody else will pay to get Vinnie back, leaving it up to Stephanie, office manager Connie, and file clerk Lula to raise the money if they want to save their jobs.

Good luck ...

Being in the business of tracking down people, Stephanie, Lula, and Connie have an advantage in finding Vinnie. If they can rescue him, it will buy them some time to raise the cash.

Bad luck ...

Finding a safe place to hide Vinnie turns out to be harder than raising $786,000. Vinnie’s messing up Mooner’s vibe, running up pay-per-view porn charges in Ranger’s apartment, and making Stephanie question genetics.

Good luck ...

Between a bonds office yard sale that has the entire Burg turning out, Mooner’s Hobbit-Con charity event, and Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle, they just might raise enough money to save the business, and Vinnie, from ruin.

Bad luck ...

Saving Vincent Plum Bail Bonds means Stephanie can keep being a bounty hunter. In Trenton, this involves hunting down a man wanted for polygamy, a turnpike toilet paper bandit, and a drug dealer with a pet alligator named Mr. Jingles.

Good luck ...

The job of bounty hunter comes with perks in the guise of Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, and the dark and dangerous security expert, Ranger. With any luck at all, Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle will have Stephanie getting lucky -- the only question is ... with whom?

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The top four mystery bestsellers this week are shown below:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson61 Hours by Lee ChildDead in the Family by Charlaine HarrisInnocent by Scott Turow

Please visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books where we are committed to providing readers and collectors of with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Paul Levine to Donate Proceeds of Sale of Jake Lassiter eBook to Children's Cancer Fund

To Speak for the Dead by Paul Levine
More information about the book

Legal thriller author Paul Levine has posted on his website that the ebook edition of the first book in the Jake Lassiter series, To Speak for the Dead, is now available (for a limited time only) for just $2.99. Or, as he puts it, "less than your double mocha latte, and far fewer calories."

Best of all, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original hardcover publication of the book, Paul is donating all all proceeds of the ebook to the Four Diamonds Fund, which supports cancer treatment for kids at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. (Click on the cover to the right to purchase the Kindle edition from Amazon.com; other links to purchase are on the author's website.)

About To Speak for the Dead (from the publisher): If dead men could talk, Miami trial lawyer Jake Lassiter would be out of a job. As it is, the “ex-football player, ex-public defender, ex-a-lot-of-things” has an uncanny knack for digging up the truth ... and the trouble that usually comes with it.

This time, he’s defending Dr. Roger Salisbury, an orthopedic surgeon and enigmatic womanizer charged with medical malpractice in the death of wealthy Philip Corrigan. But what appears to be a routine case takes a sinister turn when Susan, the dead man’s daughter, insists that the doctor and her sexy stepmother, Mrs. Melanie Corrigan, conspired to kill her father. Now, Susan wants Lassiter to prove it.

Lassiter would love to help the lovely and willful Susan, but how can he defend his client for malpractice while building a case against him for murder? Meanwhile, Corrigan’s beautiful widow makes a play for Lassiter, even as she continues to hold the brilliant surgeon under her spell.

Turning for help to his old friend, retired coroner Charlie Riggs, Lassiter hopes to get the evidence he needs from the dead man himself. Could the late Philip Corrigan reveal whether his death was accidental or homicidal?

Soon, Lassiter finds himself embroiled in murder, missing persons, grave robbery, kinky sex, and deadly drugs as he searches Florida’s steamy streets and tropical waterways for a cold-blooded killer.

Karin Slaughter to Adapt her Novella Martin Misunderstood

Martin Misunderstood by Karin Slaughter
More information about the book

GalleyCat is reporting that mystery author Karin Slaughter has signed a deal to adapt her novella Martin Misunderstood into a film for release by the retail giant Tesco, which announced earlier this year a program to offer exclusive DVD adaptations of bestselling authors.

The 2008 book is currently only available outside the US (though it is available to purchase as an audiobook here).

About Martin Misunderstood (from the studio): Crime fiction obsessive Martin Reed is the proverbial butt of everyone's jokes. Working as a glorified accountant at Southern Toilet Supply and still living with his cantankerous mother, he has become resigned to the world in which he lives - the school bullies now pick on him in the workplace, women still spurn him and his arch enemy is now his supervisor. But then he arrives at work one morning to find the police on site. A co-worker has been brutally murdered and her body abandoned in a ditch. And the overwhelming evidence points to Martin -- especially when he can't or won't admit that he has an alibi. When a second victim is found in the company bathroom, things really conspire against Martin. The one bright star on his otherwise bleak horizon is the beautiful and sympathetic Detective Anther Albada, but even she's beginning to have her doubts about his innocence. Could Martin be guilty? Or is he just misunderstood?

Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower (Book Review)

Mysterious Reviews: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller and Crime Novel Reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

Review of Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower

College reference librarian and six-time bridesmaid India Hayes turns amateur sleuth to clear her brother, who's been accused of murder, in Maid of Murder, a chick lit-ish whodunit-style mystery, the first in a new series by Amanda Flower.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
Buy Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower

Maid of Murder

An India Hayes Mystery

Five Star (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59414-864-3 (1594148643)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59414-864-4 (9781594148644)
Publication Date: June 2010
List Price: $25.95

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air Collector's Edition, a New Adventure Game of Mystery from BFG

Games of Mystery

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. You can find out more about these games by visiting our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

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Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air Collector's Edition
Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air Collector's Edition

The epic Dream Chronicles saga continues in this fourth edition of the award-winning adventure series. Play as Lyra, Faye's daughter, who finds herself trapped in a strange dimension on the day before her 18th birthday. Following clues sent by her grandfather, she flies across the realm in search of the Clockmaker who will help her restore time and return home. Solve intriguing puzzles and search for items that will reunite Lyra with family and friends.

This special Collector's Edition, which pre-dates the standard edition by several weeks, includes bonus locations and gameplay, a built-in strategy guide, and a sneak peek at the next game in the series.

Also available: Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air Collector's Edition Game Walkthrough.

Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air Collector's Edition may be downloaded and purchased for $19.95 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (147.57 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

Watch a preview video below:

Get any standard game for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Other benefits include the $2.99 Daily Deal, Tomorrow's Game Today, and special member rewards. And if you purchase any 6 games within a single month, you earn a free game with the Big Fish Game Club Monthly Punch Card! (Collector's Editions earn 3 punches each, half-way towards your free game!)

Read Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic, and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations!

New Trailer for RED, based on the Graphic Novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner

RED by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner
More information about the book

Summit Entertainment has released the first trailer for its film RED, based on the graphic novel RED by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. The film's stellar cast includes Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, and Helen Mirren.

If this trailer, which can be seen below, is representative of the film as a whole, this looks like one terrifically entertaining movie. It hits theaters October 15th.

About RED (from the studio): Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich), and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents -- but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracieis and cover-ups in government history.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle (Book Review)

Mysterious Reviews: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller and Crime Novel Reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

Review of Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle

Freelance reporter and stay-at-home dad Jack McMorrow's peaceful world in Prosperity, Maine is rocked by two separate sources of potential violence in Damaged Goods, the ninth mystery in this series by Gerry Boyle.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle
Buy Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle

Damaged Goods

A Jack McMorrow Mystery

Down East (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-89272-796-9 (0892727969)
ISBN-13: 978-0-89272-796-4 (9780892727964)
Publication Date: May 2010
List Price: $24.95

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Rookie Blue Premieres Tomorrow, June 24th, on ABC

Rookie Blue (ABC)

Tomorrow, Thursday June 24th, the new crime drama series Rookie Blue premieres on ABc at 9 PM (ET/PT).

Five young, ambitious cops, fresh out of the Academy, are plunged into the world of big city policing on their very first day on the job, a world where even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences, coupled with some serious emotional fall-out. Missy Peregrym stars as Andy McNally, the soul of this close-knit group. She and her uniformed family of boyfriends, best friends, mentors and competitors will undergo extreme trials and tribulations, share their triumphs, cherish their camaraderie and revel in their competition. These rookies are about to learn that no amount of training can prepare them for life on the street.

In the premiere episode, titled "Fresh Paint", triumph turns to humiliation when a high-stakes takedown of a suspect goes awry. Andy has made a critical rookie mistake, ruining a long-running undercover drug sting, and tries to make up for it by going face to face with a volatile gunman who already has one man's blood on his hands.

Watch a sneak peek of the series below:

Peter Temple Wins the 2010 Miles Franklin Award

Truth by Peter Temple
More information about the book

Crime writer Peter Temple has won the Miles Franklin Award for his novel Truth. The award is given annually for the best Australian "published novel or play portraying Australian life in any of its phases." It is the first crime novel to win Australia's most prestigious literary prize since the award's inception in 1957.

About Truth (from the publisher): Inspector Stephen Villani, head of homicide in Melbourne, Australia, has a full agenda: a murdered woman in a penthouse apartment, three men butchered in a sadistic rampage, a tattoofaced drug dealer corrupting his rebellious daughter, a crumbling marriage. As these seemingly unrelated events begin to unfold, Villani finds himself immersed in an unfamiliar world of political scandal and ethical ambiguity. He must navigate the inept bureaucracy that is the police department, all the while maintaining a solid front and trying to keep the press, his family, and his own past from breaking him completely. With each twist and every turn of this taut crime novel, Villani is forced to question whom he can trust.

The Pull of the Moon by Diane Janes (Book Review)

Mysterious Reviews: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller and Crime Novel Reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

Review of The Pull of the Moon by Diane Janes

Set in the present day, a woman recalls the events of the summer of 1972 after receiving a letter from the mother of her long dead fiancé, in which she writes "I must find out what happened to my son," in The Pull of the Moon, a stand-alone thriller by Diane Janes.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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The Pull of the Moon by Diane Janes
Buy The Pull of the Moon by Diane Janes

The Pull of the Moon

Non-series

Soho Constable (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-56947-639-X (156947639X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-639-0 (9781569476390)
Publication Date: May 2010
List Price: $25.00

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

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