CERN Offers Reassurances about Antimatter in Angel & Demons

In an amusingly serious news article we ran across today, the European Center for Nuclear Research is assuring people that antimatter, which features prominently in the upcoming film Angels & Demons, based on the book by the same name by Dan Brown, is nothing to worry about. Reuters reports that CERN spokesman James Gillies said that while director Ron Howard "tried to get the science as right as is possible in the film," some aspects of the fictional plot are unavoidably fantastical.

"As Dan Brown correctly points out, when matter and antimatter meet, they annihilate, leaving only energy behind," Gillies added. "One of the great mysteries of the universe today is how enough matter has survived to provide the building blocks for stars, planets, and even us."

The statements coincided with a visit of Angels & Demons stars Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer to the research center. While most of the movie was shot in Rome, the opening sequence includes images inside CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

Angels & Demons is scheduled for release May 15, 2009.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Mystery Book Review: Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene
A Renaissance Faire Mystery with Jessie Morton

Berkley Prime Crime (Mass Market Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-425-22330-2 (0425223302)
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-22330-7 (9780425223307)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $6.99

Review: Joyce and Jim Lavene introduce graduate student Jessie Morton who, while conducting research at a local Renaissance Faire, finds more than she expected when she's drawn into a murder investigation in Wicked Weaves, the first mystery in this series.

Jessie's dissertation is titled Proliferation of Medieval Crafts in Modern Times and what better place to learn more than at an authentic Renaissance Faire, a Disney-esque attraction built on an abandoned airfield outside Charleston, South Carolina. Her current assignment is to work with a Mary Shift, a Gullah woman who weaves baskets from native grasses, a craft handed down through generations of her people. It is outside Mary's shop Wicked Weaves that a man is found strangled with a weave with her distinctive style. Though Mary is just half the size of the dead man and seemingly incapable of such a deed, when it's discovered he is her estranged husband and there are ways it could have been done, she's the prime suspect. Though Jessie has her doubts about Mary's innocence, she's determined to uncover the truth.

A Renaissance Faire would seem an ideal setting for a mystery series, with each book exploring a different craft, no doubt discovering how a murder might be committed using its materials or method. Yet Wicked Weaves doesn't take advantage of this to any significant degree. Set near Charleston and featuring the little known Gullah people, this is an area rich with history that could have been used to develop a more interesting, engaging storyline. As it is, it's predictable to the point of boring, and the flat and rather unexciting character of Jessie Morton doesn't help. The authors already produce several books a year in no less than four other series; maybe they're spreading themselves too thin starting yet another series, despite its potential.

Special thanks to Penguin Group for providing a copy of Wicked Weaves for this review.

Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in purchasing Wicked Weaves from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right. Wicked Weaves (Kindle edition) is also available. Learn more about the Kindle, Amazon's Wireless Reading Device.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Jessie Morton has been working the Renaissance Faire every summer since she graduated from college. Now that she's studying for her Ph.D., it's not just work; it's research. This summer her apprenticeship is with Mary Shift -- a skilled basket maker with a dark past.

Things appear to be going without a hitch, until a man is bid a deadly fare-thee-well and Mary's signature weave is found wrapped around his neck. It's up to Jessie to spring Mary from the stocks of the Myrtle Beach police station. Yet innocence is hard to prove in a place where there's a fine line between reality and good theater -- and history is bound to repeat itself.

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

ABC Releases Sneak Peek for New Series Castle

ABC has released a "sneak peek" at its upcoming mystery series Castle. The video features two veterans of writing mysteries, James Patterson (who had his own short-lived series on ABC, The Women's Murder Club) and Stephen J. Cannell (who wrote and produced The Rockford Files, Hardcastle and McCormick, 21 Jump Street, and many others).

In the upcoming series show, Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion) is a wildly successful mystery novelist who is bored with his own success. When a copycat killer starts staging murder scenes depicted in his books, he steps in to help find the killer.

The low-key video, which can be seen below or on the Castle website on ABC.com, has the three writers discussing crime novel characters and plots over a friendly game of poker.

Castle premieres on ABC on Monday, March 9th, at 10 PM (ET).

Return to Mystery Books News

John Nettles to Retire at DCI Tom Barnaby on Midsomer Murders

BBC News is reporting that John Nettles will retire his role as DCI Tom Barnaby in the long-running series Midsomer Murders, based on characters created by mystery author Caroline Graham. The series was first filmed in 1996 (with early episodes based on books by Graham, later original screenplays). Nettles will end his role with final scenes filmed for the 13th season in 2010. A new lead character will be created for the start of the 14th season, but has yet to be cast.

"I never thought when we were filming the pilot, The Killings at Badger's Drift, in 1996 that I would go on to film so many episodes," said Nettles. "It has been a joy to be involved in such a long-running series, with so many good actors and great storylines. While I'm very sad to be handing in Barnaby's police badge, he has solved nearly 200 murders, which I think meets the targets of modern policing!"

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Mystery Book Awards: Winners of the 2009 Lovey Awards Announced

The Love is Murder conference concluded last weekend, and we've updated our Mystery Books Awards with the winners of the 2009 Lovey Award. The winners were:

 • Best First Novel: Lifelifes by C. J. Lyons
 • Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
 • Best PI / Police Procedural: Easy Innocence by Libby Fischer Hellmann
 • Best Thriller: The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry
 • Best Historical: A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
 • Best Suspense: Dead Ringer by Michael Black and Julie Hyzy
 • Best Paranormal / Sci-Fi / Horror: Metal Gear Solid by Raymond Benson
 • Best Series: The Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver
 • Best Short Story: The Dugout Dudes by D. C. Brod
 • The Evie Award: Twilight Tales (for exceptional service in the field of mystery)

Our thanks to Mary Welk for e-mailing us with this information, and our congratulations to all the winners!

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Mystery Book Review: She Murdered Me With Science by David Boop

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of She Murdered Me With Science by David Boop. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

She Murdered Me With Science by David Boop
A Noel Glass Mystery

Flying Pen Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-9795889-9-5 (0979588995)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9795889-9-0 (9780979588990)
Publication Date: August 2008
List Price: $15.95

Review: David Boop combines historical fact and fiction, science fact and fiction, places real and imaginary, and a private investigator named Noel Glass in She Murdered Me With Science, an interesting, if at times uneven, mystery set in the early days of the Cold War.

Noel Glass is a young, brilliant scientist, one of the country's top researchers working on projects vital to the national interest at the prestigious New Mexico Institute of Technology (NMIT). Or he was until an accident killed several people, including his fiancé. Stripped of his credentials, he's lost everything that meant anything to him. Now, 14 years later, he works as a private investigator, generating just enough money to continue research on science projects in a one room apartment in Industry City, Colorado. When the city's wealthiest resident, C. J. Reese, approaches him with a proposal to develop his latest invention, he's skeptical. But then he learns the real reason the man's generosity: he's slowly being murdered and believes that Noel can save him. As an added incentive, he'll provide Noel with proof that he wasn't responsible for the accident that destroyed his career and killed his fiancé. When Reese is suddenly killed, Noel leaves on a quest to find out who was behind the "accident" years ago, and more importantly why.

Though set in the 1950s, She Murdered Me With Science has a oddly compelling futuristic noir style to it that gives the book a sharply defined, innovative feel. The retro language and cutting edge technology also contribute to this dichotomy. Read as a mystery, it has all the requisite elements: a murder, an investigator, red herrings, and the like. Yet there is a sense that despite the situations Noel finds himself in, he's rarely in any real danger and the outcome of his search for the truth is never in doubt. (The title also doesn't help as it obviously points to the gender of the culprit of which there are, maybe, two in the entire book.) This is due in large part because his character morphs into someone who is absolutely sure of himself and his abilities, in stark contrast to the Noel Glass that's introduced to the readers, one who was defeated, mentally, emotionally, if not intellectually, by the accident at NMIT and was living a day-to-day existence on the fringe of society. Mere event-filled and action-packed days after leaving Industry City, he's discussing international politics and strategy with the President of the United States. It's all a little too sudden and a little too implausible.

Read as science fiction, however, rarely is anything implausible and that's probably where She Murdered Me With Science works best. The mix of history and science here, most of it fact and some of it obviously fiction, and the political paranoia that existed between the US and Russia in the years after World War II, all contribute to what is, in the end, a really good, believable (at least in the context of science fiction) and well-reasoned thriller.

Special thanks to David Boop for providing a copy of She Murdered Me With Science for this review.

Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in purchasing She Murdered Me With Science from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): It's 1953 and disgraced scientist Noel Glass works as a P.I. to redeem himself for a deadly experiment that cost the lives of six people, including his fiancée's. In walks a rich recluse who offers information that Glass was framed for the deadly accident. As Glass struggles to clear his name, he uncovers an evil organization bent on using his own invention for world domination. Who can Glass trust when everyone is keeping secrets? His mysterious Japanese sidekick Wan Lee? The sultry blues singer Merlot Sterling? The man-mountain bodyguard Vincent Richmond?

From the desolate streets of Industry City, Colorado to a showdown in Chi-town, Glass encounters death at every turn. As he's pursued by two Mayan hit men determined to make him history, Glass must rediscover the self he lost years ago and face off against the one ghost he swore he laid to rest.

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

ITV Orders New Episodes of Foyle's War, Poirot, and Miss Marple

News out of the UK today will likely please a large number of fans of mystery television.

In a press release, ITV announced it has ordered three new episodes of Foyle's War, created by Anthony Horowitz and starring Michael Kitchen. The episodes will follow chronologically from where the series ended last year.

Eight new Agatha Christie films have also been ordered, four with David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, and four with Julie Mackenzie as Miss Marple. The only title announced was Murder on the Orient Express.

We're delighted to see the return of both series, but most especially Foyle's War which we believe to be one of the finest examples of television ever filmed. To say we're pleased with the news would be an understatement worthy of Foyle himself.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Spencer Quinn's Debut Mystery, Dog On It, To Be Filmed

Variety is reporting that Spencer Quinn's debut mystery Dog On It has been acquired by Universal Pictures in a 6-figure deal. The book, featuring a canine narrator named Chet, was published this month by Atria. Jeff Lowell (Over Her Dead Body, Hotel for Dogs) will write the screenplay.

Chet works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school ("I'd been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn't remember exactly, although blood was involved"), but he's a detective through and through.

In their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. Their search for clues takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locals, with Chet's highly trained nose leading the way. Both Chet and Bernie bring their own special skills to the hunt, one that puts each of them in peril. But even as the bad guys try to turn the tables, this duo is nothing if not resourceful, and the result is an uncommonly satisfying adventure.

For more new mysteries, visit our updated website New Hardcover Mysteries.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Mystery Book Review: The Ruffian on the Stair by Gary Newman

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of The Ruffian on the Stair by Gary Newman. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

The Ruffian on the Stair by Gary Newman
Non-series

Soho Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-56947-543-1 (1569475431)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-543-0 (9781569475431)
Publication Date: November 2008
List Price: $25.00

Review: Freelance writer Seb Rolvenden investigates his grandfather's role in the disappearance of a painter and his masterpiece in The Ruffian on the Stair, a most intriguing mystery by Gary Newman.

Following the death of his grandfather for whom he was named, Seb is excited when he receives his Sebastian’s papers from his lawyer. As a writer, he sees this as a book in the making. The notebook is not complete, however, as pages have been torn out and are missing. What is clear, though, is that his grandfather, at the age of 24, was in France and wanted to become an artist. He had become friends with well known impressionist painter Julian Rawbeck. Together they lived an unsavory life dealing in drugs, alcohol, illicit love, and more. Sebastian had fallen in love with Carrie Bugle, a saloon dancer and strip-teaser. Another friend, “Vickybird” had enjoyed the company of both men and women. The woman was usually Carrie. On an April night in 1899, upset with the road his life was taking, Sebastian drugged himself into a stupor. When he awoke in the night, naked, he fumbled around for his clothes and in doing so found the body of his friend Julian. His throat had been slashed and his latest masterpiece, The Ruffian on the Stair, was missing. Seb begins a pursuit in search of the truth. Did his grandfather kill Rawbeck and steal the picture? Where is Carrie, and who is “Vickybird”? During his travels to the places mentioned in his grandfather's notebook, it soon becomes apparent that there are others who are also seeking the old haunts of Sebastian for they, too, want the truth. But not as much to determine what actually happened as to finding Rawbeck’s masterpiece.

The Ruffian on the Stair is a complex, intricate, and ultimately very satisfying story of love and hate, trust and betrayal. But is also combines the past with the present illustrating striking parallels between grandfather Sebastian and grandson Seb's lives. There are a multitude of mysteries here, and surprises in abundance. Seb's enthusiasm for his quest, and the dangers that result, will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Ruffian on the Stair and to Soho Press for providing a copy of the book for this review.

Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in purchasing The Ruffian on the Stair from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right. The Ruffian on the Stair (Kindle edition) is also available. Learn more about the Kindle, Amazon's Wireless Reading Device.

Synopsis (from the publisher): On his grandfather’s death, writer Seb Rolvenden inherits papers which reveal that his grandfather was involved in the disappearance of a painter and his masterpiece. Seeing a book in this, Seb pursues a trail of clues in the papers.

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Return to Mystery Books News ...

Amazon.com Announces the Kindle 2

Amazon.com announced this morning on its website the introduction of the Kindle 2, the next generation of its wireless reading device.

The Kindle 2 improves on its predecessor with a new, streamlined design, more storage, and improved battery life. With 16 shades of gray, the display offers clearer text and crisper images. A new text-to-speech feature means Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud.

The Kindle 2 is expected to ship February 24, 2009. According to Amazon.com, if you have previously placed an order for the original Kindle and have not yet received it, you will automatically be shipped the Kindle 2. You need do nothing. If you'd like more information about the Kindle 2, click on the image to the right or any of the Kindle 2 links in this post.

For existing (or soon-to-be) Kindle owners, we maintain a list of available mystery titles for the Kindle that is updated monthly. 25 more titles were recently added for February 2009, including books by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole), Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware), Robert B. Parker (Jesse Stone), James Patterson, and more.

Mystery books for the Kindle are generally priced between $3.99 and $9.99 and can be downloaded immediately.

Kindle Mysteries currently has a list of over 450 mystery book titles available on our website.

Return to Mystery Books News ...