Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Mystery Bookshelf: Don't Cry, Tai Lake by Qiu Xiaolong, a Chen Cao Mystery

The Mystery Bookshelf: New Mystery,  Suspense and Thriller Books

The Mystery Bookshelf, where you can discover a world of mystery and suspense, is pleased to feature a new — or newly reissued — crime novel we recently received from the publisher.

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Don't Cry, Tai Lake by Qiu Xiaolong

Don't Cry, Tai Lake by Qiu Xiaolong
A Chen Cao Mystery (7th in series)
Minotaur Books (Trade Paperback)
Publication Date: April 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-250-02158-8

About Don't Cry, Tai Lake (from the publisher): Chief Inspector Chen Cao of the Shanghai Police Department is offered a bit of luxury by friends and supporters within the Party — a week's vacation at a luxurious resort near Lake Tai, a week where he can relax, and recover, undisturbed by outside demands or disruptions.

Unfortunately, the once beautiful Lake Tai, renowned for its clear waters, is now covered by fetid algae, its waters polluted by toxic runoff from local manufacturing plants. Then the director of one of the manufacturing plants responsible for the pollution is murdered and the leader of the local ecological group is the primary suspect of the local police.

Now Inspector Chen must tread carefully if he is to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder and find a measure of justice for both the victim and the accused.

Purchase Options for Don't Cry, Tai Lake:

Amazon.com Print and/or Kindle Edition  Barnes&Noble Print and/or Nook Book edition  iBookstore (iTunes)  Kobo eBooks

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About the author: Qiu Xiaolong was born and raised in Shanghai, where he was a renowned poet, having written and translated several volumes of poetry. Qiu lives with his family in St. Louis (MO). Visit his website at QiuXiaolong.com.

The Mystery Bookshelf: The Reckoning by Jane Casey, a Maeve Kerrigan Mystery

The Mystery Bookshelf: New Mystery,  Suspense and Thriller Books

The Mystery Bookshelf, where you can discover a world of mystery and suspense, is pleased to feature a new — or newly reissued — crime novel we recently received from the publisher.

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The Reckoning by Jane Casey

The Reckoning by Jane Casey
A Maeve Kerrigan Mystery (2nd in series)
Minotaur Books (Trade Paperback)
Publication Date: April 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-250-02303-2

About The Reckoning (from the publisher): To the public, he's a hero: a brutal killer who targets sex offenders. To most of London's police force, he's the suspect in a gruesome, time-consuming case to be avoided. But to Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, he's a murderer — no matter the sins of his victims — and catching him is her job. Assigned to the case with the division's unreadable new DI, Josh Derwent, young and inexperienced Maeve is determined to prove she has what it takes to make it as a female in the tough world of the London police.

But for a killer who strikes with such spectacle, this one is proving remarkably elusive. And when Maeve learns his motive might be about exacting revenge, his acts of incredible violence move from abstract justice to the intensely personal, and become all the more terrifying. Unsure whom she can trust even within her own department and knowing her life is at stake, Maeve will have to decide how far she's willing to go to ensure justice is served.

Purchase Options for The Reckoning:

Amazon.com Print and/or Kindle Edition  Barnes&Noble Print and/or Nook Book edition  iBookstore (iTunes)  Kobo eBooks

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About the author: Jane Casey was born and raised in Dublin. A graduate of Oxford with a M. Phil. From Trinity College, Dublin, she lives in London and is married to a criminal barrister.

Mysterious Reviews: Mysteries Reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books Crime novels by Jane Casey reviewed by Mysterious Reviews: The Burning (2011).

Sixth Die Hard Film in Early Development, May Be Called Die Hardest

Die Hard Franchise

We haven't yet seen the fifth "Die Hard" action thriller — A Good Day To Die Hard — but we're learning that the sixth in the series is in the early stages of development.

Total Film is reporting that Ben Trebilcook is drafting a storyline for the film, tentatively titled Die Hardest. It will begin in New York, but most of the action will take place in Tokyo.

"It is extremely faithful to the franchise and characters and is a natural progression," said Trebilcook. "It's also a very plausible storyline. [However,] there are many hurdles to leap yet and two of those are called Bruce Willis and [producer] Alex Young."

More details as they become available.

HarperCollins Announces New Digital First Mystery Imprint, Witness Impulse

Witness Impulse, an imprint of William Morrow

HarperCollins's new digital first mystery, suspense and thriller imprint of William Morrow, Witness Impulse, will publish its first books in Fall 2013.

The new imprint's website, WitnessImpulse.com, will launch later this year with excerpts and author-reader interactivity. (The domain currently points to its Facebook page.) Initial titles will include:

Darkness First by James Hayman;
Black Dog by Stephen Booth;
Prince by Rory Clements;
An Illustrated Death by Judi Culbertson;
Hunted by Sunday Times by Emlyn Reese;
Blind Date by Frances Fyfield; and
The Drop by Howard Linskey.

"Impulse has become a great place to develop new talent — we've launched so many new voices in just one year," said Senior Vice President and Publisher Liate Stehlik. "We are excited to extend this publishing model into the mystery, suspense and thriller genres with Witness, and are actively looking for new writers to introduce to readers. Our digital publishing also gives our existing author base the opportunity to stay in the public eye year-round, with strategically published short stories, essays, interstitials, and other creative works. I want to emphasize: for all of our Impulse lines (Witness, Avon and Voyager), our digital-first authors get the guarantee that they are working with the same talented teams that edit, market and sell our printed books."

Map of Bones, a SIGMA Force Thriller by James Rollins, Now at a Special Price

Map of Bones by James Rollins

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Map of Bones by James Rollins, now available at a special price, courtesy of the publisher, William Morrow.

The ebook format of this title was priced at $1.99 from the listed vendors (below) as of the date and time of this post (04/30/2013 at 12:30 PM ET). 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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Map of Bones by James Rollins

Map of Bones by James Rollins
A SIGMA Force Thriller (2nd in series)
Publisher: William Morrow

During a crowded service at a cathedral in Germany, armed intruders in monks' robes unleash a nightmare of blood and destruction. But the killers have not come for gold; they seek a more valuable prize: the bones of the Magi who once paid homage to a newborn savior … a treasure that could reshape the world.

With the Vatican in turmoil, Sigma Force under the command of Grayson Pierce leaps into action, pursuing a deadly mystery that weaves through sites of the Seven Wonders of the World and ends at the doorstep of an ancient, mystical, and terrifying secret order. For there are those with dark plans for the stolen sacred remains that will alter the future of humankind … when science and religion unite to unleash a horror not seen since the beginning of time.

Amazon Kindle Book  Apple iBook  Kobo eBook

Important Note: This book was listed at the above mentioned price 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.

Cinemystery: Joe Carnahan To Direct Film Adaptation of Chuck Hogan's Devils in Exile

Cinemystery: Crime Novels Adapted for Film

Joe Carnahan (The Grey, The A-Team) has been tapped by Universal  Studios to direct the film adaptation of Chuck Hogan's 2010 crime thriller Devils in Exile. Hogan wrote the adapted screenplay. (More about the book, below.)

This will be the second of the author's books to be filmed. In 2010, Ben Affleck directed and starred in an adaptation of Prince of Thieves, which was released as The Town.

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Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan

Devils in Exile
Chuck Hogan

Neal Maven returns to Boston from his tour in Iraq only to discover that the country he vowed to protect has little use for him now. Armed with a highly specialized set of skills he can't use and bitter toward the men and women who remained stateside, Maven fears he is near his breaking point. And then he meets fellow vet Brad Royce. Royce is everything Maven wants to be: charismatic and confident, principled, wealthy, and with a beautiful woman on his arm. Not just any beautiful woman, but Danielle Vetti — the most stunning girl from Maven's high school.

Royce offers Maven a much-needed job, and Maven becomes a part of Royce's team of "sugar bandits", a group of fellow veterans who use their military skills to intercept major drug deals, taking the dirty money while destroying the product — a get-rich scheme with a clear moral imperative. Suddenly, Maven's life is better than he ever thought possible: a soldier in a civilian's world. But nothing is as it seems, and Maven is in too deep, and can see no way out …

Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan, Amazon Kindle format  Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan, iTune iBook format  Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan, Kobo format

A Conversation with Gregory Widen

Omnimystery News: Author Interview
with Gregory Widen

We are delighted to welcome screenwriter — and debut novelist — Gregory Widen to Omnimystery News today.

Based on a little-known yet fascinating true story, Gregory's new thriller is Blood Makes Noise (Thomas & Mercer, April 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats).

We recently had a chance to talk to the Gregory about the story and the book.

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Omnimystery News: In our introduction, we mentioned that your new book, Blood Makes Noise, is based on a true story. Tell us something about it that isn't mentioned in the synopsis.

Gregory Widen
Photo provided courtesy of
Gregory Widen

Gregory Widen: During the place and time where the story begins — 1950s Buenos Aires — there was enormous tension between the old FBI hands who used to run intelligence in South America and the new CIA people coming in. This led to almost open warfare between the two groups and it's a fascinating, and I think, largely untold back story to our main character's situation. As part of the new CIA, agent Michael Suslov receives more daily hostilities from Hoover's hold-overs than even the KGB.

OMN: What prompted you to choose this story to write about?

GW: I think an on-going fascination with history and travel. To be able to realistically recreate the settings of this book, you'd have to be willing to devote yourself to both. For me it's a joy.

OMN: Describe how you went about developing the plot.

GW: Since this is based on true events, at least some of the plotting had to reflect history.

Other than that, I find the most valuable thing to know before you start is a clear understanding of what exactly each character really wants and fears in their life. It's remarkable how much easier it makes everything else that follows. A character actor I worked with in my film career once said all he needs to know before playing a role is: "What's my character's biggest desire and their biggest fear?" There's a lot of wisdom in that, I think.

OMN: How did you gather the historical details for the book? Did you travel to Argentina?

GW: Yes, I did visit Argentina. But also lots of book reading, journals, first person accounts of life in Buenos Aires during that period, and walking the streets themselves. Probably the most fun was hanging out and picking the brains of some former CIA station chiefs I know who knew that area and time. It was invaluable.

OMN: Was recreating Argentina of the 1950s a difficult task?

GW: For me it's critical to get the details and geography right, and, even more importantly, the feel of a place. My favorite books to read are ones where I feel the author is really teaching me about a place I don't know, and I try to bring that to my own work.

OMN: Create a Top 5 list on a topic of your choosing.

GW: Top 5 places to visit …

• Buenos Aires. A completely unique South American city.

• Petra, Jordan. Few places live up to their photos the way the Grand Canyon does. This is one of them.

• Machu Piccu. This is the other.

• Tuscany. Do yourself a favor and rent a house there, cook some food, drink wine in a vineyard, wander an ancient walled city whose name you don't even know. It'll do you a lifetime's worth of good.

• Luang Prabang, Laos. A gorgeous little UNESCO heritage town at the confluence of two major rivers where French cooking meets water buffalo steaks. Go quick. It's changing fast.

OMN: What's next for you?

GW: I'm currently writing a film for Universal Pictures and working on another novel. I hope to be getting lost in East Africa later in the year.

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A native of Laguna Beach, California, Gregory Widen is a former firefighter, NPR station host, and mountain-rescue team member. While a film student at UCLA, he penned the script for what would become the movie Highlander starring Sean Connery. Among his other screenplays are Backdraft and The Prophecy, and his television writing includes scripts for Tales from the Crypt and Rescue 77. A committed traveler, his explorations have taken him to war-torn Somalia, Uzbekistan, Namibia, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the arctic island of Svalbard, Indonesia, and Argentina. He lives in Los Angeles, where he is at work on a film for Universal Pictures.

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Blood Makes Noise by Gregory Widen

Blood Makes Noise
Gregory Widen

On a summer's night in 1955, CIA agent Michael Suslov is summoned to a secret vault in the heart of Buenos Aires. His mission: transport the corpse of Eva Perón to a new hiding place in the wake of her husband's fall from power. But before Michael can comply, everything goes tragically, horribly wrong …

Sixteen years later, Michael Suslov is a ghost of a man, an ex-government agent living off the radar — and the only soul alive who knows where Evita is buried. When an old friend from Argentine Military Intelligence appeals to him for help bringing the body home, Michael agrees, hoping this final mission will quiet the demons from his past. But he's not the only one on a recovery mission: two rogue CIA agents are tracking him, desperate to unearth Evita before Michael does — and to claim the secret millions they believe she took to her grave.

Amazon.com Print and/or Kindle Edition  Barnes&Noble Print Edition and/or Nook Book

Endless Vacation by Brad Whittington is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

Endless Vacation by Brad Whittington

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Endless Vacation by Brad Whittington as today's third free mystery ebook (A Mystery Novel; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, April 30, 2013 at 7:30 AM ET. 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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

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Endless Vacation by Brad Whittington

Endless Vacation
Brad Whittington
A Mystery Novel
Publisher: Wunderfool Press

On the best of days Special Agent Dave Fletcher wants nothing more than for his long-lost brother Hensley to stay lost for a long time. But it's not the best of days.

Dave learns that Rex, his uncle and mentor, died while vacationing in Cancún. Just after drafting a last-minute will leaving his fortune to Masie, a stranger who is first on the scene when Rex dies.

Suspecting foul play, Dave goes to Mexico to make sure the murderer pays. But he can't decide whether Masie is the most amazing woman he's ever met or a cold-blooded killer.

When Hensley resurfaces to provide unexpected and unwanted help, he stirs up decades-old resentments and attracts the attention of the killer. Will the brothers kill each other and save the murderer the trouble?

Amazon Kindle Book

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.

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

A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig

MystereBooks is pleased to feature A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig as today's second free mystery ebook (A Myrtle Clover Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, April 30, 2013 at 7:20 AM ET. 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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

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A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig

A Body in the Backyard
Elizabeth Spann Craig
A Myrtle Clover Mystery
Publisher: Elizabeth Spann Craig

It's just an ordinary day for octogenarian sleuth Myrtle Clover — until her yardman discovers a dead body planted in her backyard. This death isn't cut and dried — the victim was bashed in the head with one of Myrtle's garden gnomes.

Myrtle's friend Miles recognizes the body and identifies him as Charles Clayborne … reluctantly admitting he's a cousin. Charles wasn't the sort of relative you bragged about — he was a garden variety sleaze, which is very likely why he ended up murdered. As Myrtle starts digging up dirt to nip the killings in the bud, someone's focused on scaring her off the case. Myrtle vows to find the murderer … before she's pushing up daisies, herself.

Amazon Kindle Book

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.

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

Poe by Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

Poe by Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Poe by Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne as today's free mystery ebook (An Alexandra Poe Thriller; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, April 30, 2013 at 7:10 AM ET. 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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

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Poe by Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne

Poe
Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne
An Alexandra Poe Thriller
Publisher: Braun Haus Media

After losing her mother to a terrorist attack, Alexandra Poe was devastated when her father — disgraced and accused of treason — disappeared from the face of the earth. Now, over ten years and a stint in Iraq later, Alex is approached by a man who has information about her father and wants to help her find him.

But there's a catch. The man works for Stonewell International, a security firm that specializes in fugitive acquisition. And in return for their help, Alex must agree to run point on an extremely dicey mission. One that will take her behind the walls of a brutal and dangerous women's prison near the coast of the Black Sea.

When Alex finally agrees, she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. She may find her father, but she could very well lose her life.

Amazon Kindle Book

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.

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

Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

The Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

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Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough

Archie Meets Nero Wolfe
Robert Goldsborough
A Nero Wolfe Series Prequel
Mysterious Press

To become part of the Nero Wolfe legend, Archie Goodwin must prove his worth …

Archie Goodwin comes to New York City hoping for a bit of excitement. In his third week working as a night watchman, he stops two burglars in their tracks — with a pair of hot lead slugs. Dismissed from his job for being "trigger-happy", he parlays his newfound notoriety into a job as a detective’s assistant, helping honest sleuth Del Bascom solve cases like the Morningside Piano Heist, the Rive Gauche Art Gallery Swindle, and the Sumner-Hayes Burglary. But it’s the kidnapping of Tommie Williamson, the son of a New York hotel magnate, that introduces Goodwin to the man who will change his life.

Young Tommie has gone missing, and only one detective is built for the job: Nero Wolfe, the heavyset genius of West Thirty-Fifth Street. Together they will form one of the most unlikely crime fighting duos in history — but first Goodwin must find Tommie Williamson, and prove to Wolfe that he deserves a place by his side.

Amazon Kindle Daily Deal

Important Note: This book was listed at the price mentioned above 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.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Telemystery: Norwegian Television Planning a Mini-Series based on an Original Concept by Crime Novelist Jo Nesbø

Telemystery Prime Time Crime: Mystery and Suspense on Television

Norwegian public television broadcaster NRK has commissioned production company Yellow Bird to develop a 8-part mini-series based on an original concept by crime novelist Jo Nesbø.

Titled Occupied, the storyline is set in the near future and is centered on the invasion of Norway by Russia to secure its oil fields after an international crisis results in a global oil shortage.

"This is a brilliant idea by Jo Nesbø with so many possibilities," said Yellow Bird's Marianne Gray.

Separately, Gray intimated that the production company is also considering a television adaptation of Nesbø's thriller Headhunters, which was adapted into a theatrical film that was released in 2011. Summit Entertainment currently holds the English-language rights, and is planning a remake of the film.

Mystery and Suspense Films: Broken City, New This Week on DVD

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

Checking through our list of films currently scheduled for release this week on DVD and/or Blu-ray disc, we are pleased to feature one that falls into the mystery, suspense, thriller and/or adventure category …

Broken City starring Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, and Barry Pepper.

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

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Broken City


Broken City (2013)

Directed by Allen Hughes from an original screenplay by Brian Tucker. Watch a trailer for the film below.

Film Synopsis (from the studio): Mark Wahlberg stars as Billy Taggart, a New York City private eye struggling to get his deadbeat clients to pay when he gets a call from Mayor Hostetler (Russell Crowe). His honor remembers Billy from seven years ago when, as a cop, the young man shot a rapist who had been exonerated on a technicality. Back then, the Mayor told Billy he was a hero, but Billy was still forced off the job due to the public outcry and some incriminating evidence that never saw the light of day.

Now the mayor needs someone he can trust to find out if his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is having an affair — a fact that could cause him considerable trouble seeing as Election Day is just a week away. As Billy digs for the truth, he uncovers layers of political corruption, and discovers he himself is nothing more than a pawn in a much bigger game.

Running time: 109 minutes. Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.

Purchase/Rental Options

Available on DVD  Available on Blu-ray Disc  Available on Amazon Instant Video  Available on iTunes  Available on Netflix

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