Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong as today's free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so we urge you to download it while it is still available for free.

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Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong
A Julie Collins Mystery
Medallion Press

This first book in a series that numbers four introduces South Dakota private investigator Julie Collins.

About Blood Ties (from the publisher): Julie Collins is stuck in a dead-end secretarial job with the Bear Butte County Sheriff’s office, and still grieving over the unsolved murder of her Lakota half-brother. Lack of public interest in finding his murderer, or the killer of several other transient Native American men, has left Julie with a bone-deep cynicism she counters with tequila, cigarettes, and dangerous men. The one bright spot in her mundane life is the time she spends working part-time as a PI with her childhood friend, Kevin Wells.

When the body of a sixteen-year old white girl is discovered in nearby Rapid Creek, Julie believes this victim will receive the attention others were denied. Then she learns Kevin has been hired, mysteriously, to find out where the murdered girl spent her last few days. Julie finds herself drawn into the case against her better judgment, and discovers not only the ugly reality of the young girl’s tragic life and brutal death, but ties to her and Kevin’s past that she is increasingly reluctant to revisit. On the surface the situation is eerily familiar. But the parallels end when Julie realizes some family secrets are best kept buried deep. Especially those serious enough to kill for.

Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice, so please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

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Fox Acquires Crime Drama Project based on Marvel's Punisher

Fox has acquired an hour-long drama based on the Marvel character Punisher, which will also serve as the series title. The expectation is that the series will be written as a police procedural, and feature Frank Castle (born Castiglione) as an NYPD homicide detective by day, vigilante seeking justice by night.

Here's a condensed version of the character from the Marvel website: Born in New York to parents of Italian ancestry, Francis Castiglione is a former U.S. Marine Captain. Before Frank joined the Marines, he was studying to become a Catholic priest but changed his mind because he was unable to forgive those who did evil. Also prior to his enlistment, he married his wife Maria who was already pregnant with their first child.

Shortly after a tour in Vietnam, Castle, his wife, Maria and their children were in New York's Central Park for an afternoon picnic when they witnessed a Mafia gangland execution; an informant had been hanged from a tree. Seeking to eliminate all witnesses, the Costa crime family murdered them on the spot. However, Castle survived. Even though Frank was able to identify all of the shooters the police were unable to help Castle in his quest for justice; they were tied in too deeply to the powerful Costa family. He decided that the only punishment criminals might receive is that of physical destruction. Shortly thereafter, he emblazoned his body armor with a symbol of a death's head, and exacted his revenge. Since then he has waged a one-man war upon crime, taking the name Punisher.

(Source: Variety.)

BBC Recommissions Luther for a Third Season

This apparently is old news, announced this past August: BBC has renewed (recommissioned) Luther for a third season. We learned of it when star Idris Elba mentioned on BBC Radio this week that he had been "definitely given the green light for a third season", which he expects will air in late 2012 or early 2013.

"Ultimately I'd like to see Luther on the silver screen," he added. "I think it's got the scope to do something like that."

The second season of Luther concluded earlier this week here in the US on BBC America. The season DVD comes out next Tuesday.

(Source: BBC Radio.)

Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending October 21st, 2011

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending October 21st, 2011 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Retaining the top spot this week is the latest Jack Reacher thriller, The Affair by Lee Child. Two new titles debut this week.

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Coming in at number 9 is the second David Shirazi thriller, The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg.

The world is on the brink of disaster and the clock is ticking. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah—known as “the Twelfth Imam”—has just arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam’s spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a preemptive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike.

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Debuting at number 11 is Bonnie by Iris Johansen. The truth has eluded her for years … now is she ready to face it?

When Eve Duncan gave birth to her daughter, she experienced a love she never knew existed. Nothing would stand in the way of giving Bonnie a wonderful life — until the unthinkable happened and the seven-year-old vanished into thin air. Eve found herself in the throes of a nightmare from which there was no escape. But a new Eve emerged: a woman who would use her remarkable talent as a forensic sculptor to help others find closure in the face of tragedy. Now with the help of her beloved Joe Quinn and CIA agent Catherine Ling, Eve has come closer than ever to the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Bonnie’s father is a key player in solving this monstrous puzzle. And that Bonnie’s disappearance was not as random as everyone had always believed …

Purchase Options:

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For more mystery books news, 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.

Mr. E. Reviews Hanna

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The principal cast in this cat-and-mouse-style thriller contributes exceptional performances, which is all the more important to the film's success since there really isn't much of a story for them to perform in. Still, it's a thrill to watch them and some of the location filming is remarkable to see.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews Hanna.

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Mr. E. Reviews is your source for mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime drama reviews of television and film.

Sony to Adapt Assassin's Creed Video Games for Film

Sony is set to acquire the film rights to Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed" series of historical thriller video games with the intent of creating a movie franchise.

The games, which currently number three with a fourth coming out this November, are set in the near future and feature bartender Desmond Miles, a descendent in a line of Assassins, who is kidnapped and forced to relive memories of his ancestors with the goal of learning the location of powerful artifacts. The games' overall storyline is reportedly inspired by the 1938 novel Alamut by Vladimir Bartol.

Ubisoft is also the game publisher of other potential film adaptations, including Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell" and "Ghost Recon" series.

(Source: Variety.)

Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense Titles for November 2011

Harlequin.com has released the list of November 2011 titles in their Love Inspired Suspense series. Love Inspired Suspense books combine suspense, romance, hope and faith to create a unique page-turning series that today’s readers love.

For more information about the book from Harlequin.com, click on the book cover; other purchase options (Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, and The Book Depository) are also provided.

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Christmas Haven by Hope White

Shock is police captain Morgan Wright's first reaction to seeing his former sweetheart, Julie Burns. But concern soon follows. The lovely social worker left Port Whisper behind years ago. Why is she back … and what's got her so scared?

Her hometown was the only safe place Julie could turn to after witnessing a kidnapping. She didn't count on trouble following her. And she certainly didn't expect to run into Morgan, or to feel that old love rekindle. Morgan wants to help her, and she wants to let him—but now that danger has intruded on her safe haven, everyone's at risk …

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Proof of Life by Laura Scott

CSI investigator Shanna Dawson has never forgiven herself for the long-ago disappearance of her little sister, Skylar. For fourteen years there have been no leads—or proof of life. Until now. Until Skylar's fingerprints implicate her in a murder at a fraternity house. Shanna is desperate to find the young woman. And so is handsome campus cop Quinn Murphy—the victim's half brother. But as their team investigation leads to an unexpected closeness and the revelation of family secrets, Shanna prays that her sister is innocent. And that the real killer is caught before Quinn is hurt, or Skylar is lost forever.

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Private Eye Protector by Shirlee McCoy

After an accident, single mother Rayne Sampson loses her recent memories. Thankfully, her sweet baby girl is front and center in her mind—but so is the terrifying image of a dangerous man. Someone with terrible intent is after her. Private investigator Chance Richardson assures her she's safe. But when her life—and baby—are threatened, the handsome former army chaplain vows to catch the stalker … all while keeping his heart guarded. Until a predator's ultimate betrayal changes everything forever.

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Bounty Hunter Guardian by Diane Burke

Everyone believes Amanda Stowe killed her husband—except for a mysterious woman who promises her evidence will clear Amanda's name. Amanda has to meet her…even if it means jumping bail and praying she'll reach Alaska before law enforcement closes in.

If Chance Walker has learned anything as a bounty hunter, it's that only the guilty run. When he captures Amanda, he's ready to bring her to justice. But attacks against Amanda make Chance reconsider. What if his target really is innocent? Will Chance put his life on the line to find the truth—and keep Amanda safe?

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Review: The Mystery at Marlatt Manor by Anne Loader McGee

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Mystery at Marlatt Manor by Anne Loader McGee.

The Center for Fiction Announces the Crime Fiction Academy

The Center for Fiction in New York City has announced a new program devoted exclusively to crime fiction. Called, appropriately enough, the Crime Fiction Academy, it will be the first on-going, rigorous program dedicated to crime writing in all its forms.

Beginning in February 2012, students accepted into the program will be taught by successful practitioners of the genre, including workshop leaders and master teachers Megan Abbott, Lawrence Block, Lee Child, Thomas H. Cook, Linda Fairstein, Susan Isaacs, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, Val McDermid, Joyce Carol Oates, S. J. Rozan, Jonathan Santlofer, and Karin Slaughter, with more to come.

The Crime Fiction Academy not only offers the opportunity for potential writers to work with some of the greatest crime writers of the day, but to participate in intensive writing workshops, hear master class lectures, be part of reading seminars and special lectures, and take part in discussions with editors and agents from the world of crime fiction.

The building block of the Crime Fiction Academy, the workshop allows students the opportunity to work closely with a seasoned crime writer while also gaining a sense of camaraderie with their fellow classmates. Each workshop will include approximately 12 students and will consist of 14 weekly two-hour sessions. Format and content of workshops will vary according to style and goals of the particular writer/teacher, but all will include some in-class writing, discussions of the writing process, and the presentation and analysis of student work. Students may choose to develop short stories or a novel, with the goal of bringing the student’s writing to the next level by the end of the term.

These will be followed by monthly seminars led by a well known writer, in which they read and discuss the best in crime fiction.

Finally, each writer will have access to special lectures and discussions with editors and agents from the world of crime fiction publishing, round-the clock membership in The Center’s Writers’ Studio, free admission to all Center for Fiction events, and access to the Center’s extensive circulating collection.

All classes, workshops, and lectures will take place in the evening at The Center's Manhattan building.

Admission is limited and competitive and is based on work samples. Applications must be submitted by November 28th, 2011; see the program's website for details.