Monday, January 30, 2012

New Poster for 21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street (2012)

We're not entirely sure this is a new poster for the film remake of the late 1980s television series 21 Jump Street (right; click for a slightly larger version), but we haven't seen it before. The poster's tagline: "They thought the streets were mean. Then they went back to high school."

We have to admit, we're torn about this film. On the one hand, we enjoy crime action comedies as a change of pace to the often dark, brooding suspense films that we typically gravitate towards. And then there's Channing Tatum, who is undeniably adorable. On the other hand, there is so much that could go wrong with the film, from the script to the direction to — need we say it? — Jonah Hill being Jonah Hill that we cringe a little every time we see something new about the film.

We have previously posted the red band trailer for 21 Jump Street; below is the green band version. The film opens in US theaters March 16th, 2012.

Nominees for the 2012 Left Coast Crime Awards Announced

Mystery Book Awards

The nominees for the 2012 Lefty Awards have been announced by the organizers of Left Coast Crime. In addition to its annual awards for best humorous mystery (the "Lefty") and best historical mystery, awards will be given this year to the best mystery set in California (the "Golden Nugget") and best first mystery (the "Eureka!").

The winners will be announced during Left Coast Crime at a banquet on Saturday, March 31st, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

Lefty Nominees:
The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews (Minotaur Books)
Getting Old Can Kill You by Rita Lakin (Dell)
October Fest by Jess Lourey (Midnight Ink)
Magical Alienation by Kris Neri (Red Coyote Press)
Dying for a Dance by Cindy Sample (L & L Dreamspell)
The Albuquerque Turkey by John Vorhaus (Crown)

Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award Nominee:
Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen (Berkley)
A Game of Lies by Rebecca Cantrell (Forge Books)
Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker (Poisoned Pen Press)
A Killing Season by Priscilla Royal (Poisoned Pen Press)
Troubled Bones by Jeri Westerson (Minotaur Books)
A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear (Harper)

Golden Nugget Nominees:
Disturbance by Jan Burke (Simon & Schuster)
The Drop by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
Bit Player by Janet Dawson (Perseverance Press)Review of Bit Player by Janet Dawson
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton (Putnam)
City of Secrets by Kelli Stanley (Minotaur Books)

Eureka! Nominees:
The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper by Sally Carpenter (Oak Tree Press)
Nazareth Child by Darrell James (Midnight Ink)
Dead Man's Switch by Tammy Kaehler (Poisoned Pen Press)Review of Dead Man's Switch by Tammy Kaehler
Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab (Berkley)

Mysterious Reviews indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews.

(Hat tip to Mystery Fanfare for alerting us to this list.)

Mystery and Suspense Films, New This Week on DVD (120131)

Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller Films on DVD and/or Blu-ray Disc

Checking through our list of films currently scheduled for release this week on DVD and/or Blu-ray disc, shown below are those that fall into the mystery, suspense, thriller and adventure categories.

See also a list of current mystery and suspense DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD deals on Amazon.com.

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Drive
Purchase/Rental Options
Available on DVDAvailable on Blu-ray DiscAvailable on Amazon Instant VideoAvailable on iTunes

Drive (2011)

Film Synopsis (from the studio): Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Though a loner by nature, Driver can't help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a vulnerable young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac).

After a heist intended to pay off Standard's protection money spins unpredictably out of control, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). But when he realizes that the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash in his trunk—that they're coming straight for Irene and her son—Driver is forced to shift gears and go on offense.

Adapted from the 2005 crime novel Drive by James Sallis. Rated R. 100 minutes.

Watch a trailer for the film below:

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The Double
Purchase/Rental Options
Available on DVDAvailable on Blu-ray DiscAvailable on Amazon Instant VideoAvailable on iTunes

The Double (2011)

Film Synopsis (from the studio): When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Soviet assassin code-named Cassius, who was long-thought to be dead. Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him. Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) is a retired CIA operative who spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe. Ben Geary (Topher Grace) is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer's every move. Ben thinks he knows Cassius, but Paul knows he is dead wrong. Now, time is running out to stop this merciless killing machine before he finds his next target.

Directed by Michael Brandt from a screenplay co-written by Brandt and crime novelist Derek Haas. Rated PG-13. 92 minutes.

Watch a trailer for the film below:

Telemystery: Diagnosis Murder and Poirot, New This Week on DVD

Telemystery, the most complete selection of detective, amateur sleuth, private investigator, and suspense television mystery series now available or coming soon to DVD

Telemystery, your source for one of the most comprehensive listings of crime drama, amateur sleuth, private investigator, mystery and suspense television series, mini-series and made-for-television movies, now available on or coming soon to DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling one series season and a reissue of episodes from a popular British series.

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Diagnosis Murder: The Television Movie Collection, a Telemystery Crime Series

Dick Van Dyke stars as Dr. Mark Sloan in Diagnosis Murder, a crime drama that often included a lot of humor that aired on CBS for eight seasons. The character was introduced on an episode of Jake and the Fatman during its fourth season.

The series also stars Barry Van Dyke as Sloan's son Steve, an LAPD detective, and Victoria Rowell as Dr. Amanda Bentley, who is often instrumental in helping Sloan solve his weekly murder.

Prior to the series getting a regular slot on the network's schedule, three made-for-television movies aired. And following the eighth and final season, two additional made-for-television movies were produced. These five movies comprise the Diagnosis Murder: The Television Movie Collection, which is being released this week on DVD.

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Poirot: Series One, a Telemystery Crime Series

He needs no introduction. David Suchet is, has been, and always will be Hercule Poirot.

He first appeared in 1989 in a series of one-hour — and the occasional two-hour — episodes adapted from Agatha Christie's novels and short stories. Released in an almost random fashion on DVD years ago, Acorn Media is now reissuing these early episodes, remastered and in the original order in which they aired on ITV.

Two series (seasons) of Poirot are being released this week.

Poirot: Series One is available on DVD and Blu-ray and consists of 10 episodes that originally aired on ITV during the Spring of 1989.

Poirot: Series Two is available on DVD and Blu-ray and consists of 9 episodes — 8 one hour plus the feature-length version of Peril at End House — that originally aired on ITV during the Spring of 1990. (Note: The Mysterious Affair at Styles also aired during ITV's second season of Poirot, but this episode is being included on Acorn's third set, scheduled for release in March 2012.)

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Visit the Telemystery website to discover more television mystery series currently available on and coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray disc, or video on demand.

Teaser Trailer for Season 5 of True Blood

True Blood (HBO)

True Blood — based on characters created by crime novelist Charlaine Harris — doesn't return until this summer but HBO has released a short teaser for its fifth season: "In Bon Temps nothing stays buried forever." (That's about all there is to the trailer.)

Each season to date has been based, at least in part, on books from Harris's "Southern Vampire" series of mysteries. Season 4 ended with a series of cliffhangers that will presumably be resolved in the opening episodes of Season 5. Though we have no specific information on the plotline of this upcoming season, the fifth book in the series is Dead as a Doornail, which may provide a few key plot points the screenwriters may choose to include.

New Trailer for HBO's Game of Thrones, Season 2

Game of Thrones (HBO)

HBO has released a new trailer for the second season of Game of Thrones; we've embedded it below. The trailer's tagline: "You win … or you die."

Adapted from the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels by George R. R. Martin, this epic series documents the struggle for the Iron Throne.

The second season premieres on Sunday, April 1st, at 9 PM (ET/PT).

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for January 30, 2012

A new has been created by the editors of the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is now available on our website.

Godoku is similar to Sudoku, but uses letters instead of numbers. To give you a headstart, we provide you a mystery clue to fill in a complete row or column (if you choose to use it!).

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Mystery Godoku Puzzle for January 30, 2012

This week's letters and mystery clue:

B E G H I N O R U

London resident Ellie Quicke investigates the murder of this appropriately spelled individual in the 12th mystery of this series by Veronica Heley (9 letters).

We now have two weeks of our puzzles on one page in PDF format for easier printing. Print this week's puzzle here.

Previous puzzles are stored in the Mystery Godoku Archives.

Enjoy the weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle from the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, and Thanks for visiting our website!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Enter to Win One of Ten Kindle Fires during the Big Kindle Boogie

Big Kindle Boogie

Bestselling thriller writers J. A. Konrath, Blake Crouch, J. Carson Black, Lee Goldberg, and Scott Nicholson have teamed up to give away 10 Kindle Fires, 75 ebooks, and a $500 library donation!

Visit the Big Kindle Boogie website for details on how to enter to win one of ten Kindle Fires. And mark your calendars to return on February 1st or 2nd to download your free ebooks. (We'll post a reminder on January 31st.)

Winners of the Kindle Fires will be selected on February 7th and announced on the Big Kindle Boogie blog and Facebook event page.

Finalists for the Minnesota Book Awards Announced

Mystery Book Awards

The finalists for the 24th annual Minnesota Book Awards have been announced honoring books written by a Minnesota-based author and published during 2011 … and while there is separate no "mystery" category, all four finalists in Genre Fiction are mysteries.

The winners will be announced at a gala event on Saturday, April 14th, 2012 in St. Paul.

The Bone House by Brian Freeman (Minotaur Books)
Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger (Atria Books)Review of Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger
Death of the Mantis by Michael Stanley (Harper)
Big Wheat by Richard A. Thompson (Poisoned Pen Press)

Mysterious Reviews indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews.

Review: The Silent Oligarch by Chris Morgan Jones

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Special Offer: Thirteen More Poisoned Pen Press eBooks for 99 Cents Each

Poisoned Pen Press

Earlier this month Poisoned Pen Press offered ten of its mystery ebooks for 99 cents each. And as of the date of this post, they're all still available at this special price … but — and here's the exciting news — this past week the publisher added 13 titles to the list, most first in series.

We've have read and reviewed books by most of these authors — not always the book listed, however — and have linked to our reviews for the four we did review.

For your convenience, we've listed all 13 books below with links to purchase these specially priced ebook mysteries from Amazon.com and iTunes. (Barnes&Noble does not appear to be participating this time around … or if so, they're late in updating their website.) There's no indication on the publisher's website how long these books will be available at this price, thus, as always, please confirm the price of your download before completing your transaction.

Primitive Secrets by Deborah Turrell Atkinson. Storm Kayama, a lawyer living in Hawaii.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook | Review

Screenscam by Michael Bowen. Melissa and Rep Pennyworth, respectively an English professor and attorney.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook | Review

Till the Cows Come Home by Judy Clemens. Stella Crown, a dairywoman by day, biker by night in Pennsylvania.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

Dangerous Undertaking by Mark de Castrique. Barry Clayton, a funeral home owner in North Carolina.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook | Review

Shadows in the Night by Jane Finnis. Aurelia Marcella, an innkeeper in Roman Britain.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

Heartshot by Steven F. Havill. Sheriff Bill Gastner of Posadas County (New Mexico).
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

Mad Dog and Englishman by J. M. Hayes. "Mad Dog" Harvey Edward Maddox and Sheriff English of Benteen County, Kansas.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

The Commission by Michael Normal. Sam Kincaid, the Chief of the Special Investigations Branch of the Utah Department of Corrections.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook | Review

Silver Lies by Ann Parker. Inez Stannert, a saloon owner in 1880s Leadville, Colorado.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

Family Claims by Twist Phelan. Arizona lawyer Hannah Dain.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

HardScape by Justin Scott. Ben Abbott, a real estate agent in Connecticut.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

Done Deal by Les Standiford. Amateur sleuth John Deal.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

A Case of Imagination by Jane Tesh. Madeline Maclin, a private investigator in North Carolina.
Amazon Kindle | iTunes iBook

MystereBooks: The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay, published earlier this month and currently available at a very special price (ebook editions only). This is the first in a trilogy of mysteries to feature ex-monk — and soon-to-be ex-cop — Tenzing Norbu.

The publisher — Hay House — has set the price of this ebook at $0.99 as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.

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The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay

The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay
A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
Publisher: Hay House

About The First Rule of Ten (from the publisher): Don't ignore intuitive tickles lest they reappear as sledgehammers. That's the first rule of Ten.

Growing up in a Tibetan Monastery, Tenzing "Ten" Norbu dreamed of becoming a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. So when he was sent to Los Angeles to teach meditation, he joined the LAPD instead. But as the Buddha says, change is inevitable; and ten years later, everything is about to change — big-time — for Ten. One resignation from the police force, two bullet-wounds, three suspicious deaths, and a beautiful woman later, he quickly learns that whenever he breaks his first rule, mayhem follows.

Important Note: This ebook was priced at $0.99 on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Download Link(s):

Amazon Kindle Daily DealAmazon Kindle Edition.

Barnes&Noble Nook Daily FindB&N Nook Book.

John Grisham's The Partner to be Adapted for Film

The Partner by John Grisham

John Lee Hancock (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The Blind Side) will direct his own adaptation of John Grisham's 1997 legal thriller The Partner for New Regency.

The Partner is the eighth book written by Grisham, with all seven of the novels that preceded it — A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, and The Runaway Jury — having been adapted for film.

The book is centered on a man named Danilo Silva, a man living a quiet life, alone, on a shady street in Brazil. A simple life in a modest home, certainly not one of luxury. Certainly no evidence of the fortune they thought he had stolen. He was much thinner and his face had been altered. He spoke a different language, and spoke it very well.

But Danilo had a past with many chapters. Four years earlier he had been Patrick Lanigan, a young partner in a prominent Biloxi law firm. He had a pretty wife, a new daughter, and a bright future. Then one cold winter night Patrick was trapped in a burning car and died a horrible death. When he was buried his casket held nothing more than his ashes.

From a short distance away, Patrick watched his own burial. Then he fled. Six weeks later, a fortune was stolen from his ex-law firm's offshore account. And Patrick fled some more.

But they found him.

(Related article: Deadline.com.)

Poisoned Pen Press Announces Discover Mystery Award

Poisoned Pen Press

Poisoned Pen Press has announced the inauguration of its Discover Mystery Award, a first book contest specifically for unpublished writers trying to break into the mystery genre. The winner will receive a cash prize and a publishing contract with Poisoned Pen Press.

Founded in 1997, Poisoned Pen Press is one of the country's leading independent mystery book publishers. For the first time in its history, Poisoned Pen Press is opening their submissions to previously unpublished writers through the Discover Mystery Awards Program. Writers now have the opportunity to submit their manuscripts to Poisoned Pen Press without the need for a query letter — or the worry of having a manuscript rejected outright.

"We take our mission to discover mystery very seriously and pride ourselves on finding great new voices in the world of mystery fiction," said Jessica Tribble, Publisher as Poisoned Pen Press. "We are looking for fresh, new voices and created the Discover Mystery Award as a means of giving unpublished mystery writers an open invitation to submit their manuscripts to Poisoned Pen Press. We would like to encourage writers to pull out that manuscript they've had hidden in their desks, dust off the keyboard, and finish that mystery, or finally do something about that novel idea that has been bouncing around in their heads. We can't wait to see what we'll discover."

Entries of unpublished manuscripts between 60,000 and 90,000 words must be received by the publisher by April 30th, 2012, and an entry fee does apply. Entries will be judged by members of the Poisoned Pen Press editorial staff, along with celebrity guest judge crime novelist Dana Stabenow. The Discover Mystery Award will be presented on May 31st, 2012.

Visit the Discover Mystery Contest page on the Poisoned Pen Press website for more information.

Murder in Store by D. C. Brod is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Murder in Store by D. C. Brod as today's third free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.

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Murder in Store by D. C. Brod

Murder in Store by D. C. Brod
A Quint McCauley Mystery
Publisher: Tyrus Books

This first mystery in a series of five introduces Chicago private investigator Quint McCauley.

About Murder in Store (from the publisher): Preston Hauser, owner of a famous department store, asks his head of security, Quint McCauley, to investigate some threatening letters he has received. No sooner does Quint take on the job, than Preston is poisoned by one of his own vitamin pills. With Quint looking on. Suspicion falls on Hauser's young wife, Diana, but Quint quickly learns she's not the only one who might benefit from the millionaire's death.

Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Download Link(s):

Amazon Free Kindle Book Amazon Free Kindle Edition Download Link.

Barnes&Noble Free Nook Book B&N Free Nook Book Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

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