Mystery Book Review: High Crimes on the Magical Plane by Kris Neri

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of High Crimes on the Magical Plane by Kris Neri. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

High Crimes on the Magical Plane by Kris Neri
A Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty Mystery

Red Coyote Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-9766733-5-5 (0976673355)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9766733-5-4 (9780976673354)
Publication Date: November 2009
List Price: $16.95

Review: Kris Neri introduces psychic (but not really) Samantha Brennan and FBI agent (but oh so much more) Annabelle Haggerty, a rather engaging if unusual pair of crime solvers, in the paranormal mystery High Crimes on the Magical Plane.

Samantha ekes out a living as a psychic in reality-impaired Los Angeles, but she'd really like to move on to some place where her talents would be more appreciated, like Sedona Arizona. But until she can save enough for a move, she dresses the part and sees the future for a small list of clients, which includes Dodi Drake, the widow of a former US Vice President. While on her way to visit Dodi, she sees an SUV filled with ... clowns? Not being a true psychic, but able to quickly make a connection, she believes the clowns may have something to do with another resident in Dodi's building, the actress Molly Claire. Molly had recently been in the news when she unsuccessfully tried to get a restraining order against a group of stalkers, which the press dubbed "Molly's clowns". Fearing the worst, she sneaks into Molly's apartment to find it trashed, Molly missing, and a dead body stuffed in an armoire. Seizing the opportunity to "see the future" before it happens (i.e. before the news gets out), but also do her civic duty, she rushes to the FBI to report her "vision". Assigned to hear her story is agent Annabelle who immediately recognizes Samantha for the fraud she is, but also trusts her instincts that the "vision" is real. She too seizes on her own opportunity: as a Celtic goddess, Annabelle believes she can use Samantha to help her solve the case without revealing who she really is.

The story moves along briskly, alternating between the two principal characters' points of view. For Samantha, it's a first person narrative, which suits her perfectly. Her character is edgy, sarcastic, and cynical -- but also self-aware. "Though I generally believed corners wouldn't exist if we weren't meant to cut them, I decided tonight I had to play my act straight. Well, pretty straight -- after all, it was still an act." For Annabelle, it's a third person narrative, which also plays well into her intellectual and reserved nature -- as reserved as a Celtic goddess who's also an FBI agent can be. And though paranormal mysteries must, almost by definition, stretch the bounds of credulity, the plot here seems overly convoluted, far-fetched even. Still, the pairing of Samantha and Annabelle, in a rather remarkable way, keeps High Crimes on the Magical Plane grounded and, if you will, credible. It is an interesting and entertaining debut for this series.

Special thanks to Red Coyote Press for providing an ARC of High Crimes on the Magical Plane for this review.

Review Copyright © 2010 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved

If you are interested in purchasing High Crimes on the Magical Plane from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Imagine the surprise of scam psychic, Samantha Brennan, when she encounters the real thing: an honest-to-heavens Celtic goddess, hidden beneath the steely exterior of FBI Special Agent Annabelle Haggerty. Yet Annabelle's magical powers might not be enough when America's sweet and sexy movie star, Molly Claire, is made the centerpiece of a gangland siege that brings the City of Angels to its knees. And if Annabelle and her family of deities are no match for the Demon of Darkness that she believes is masterminding LA's own Armageddon, what chance does a poor little fake like Samantha have?

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Authors on Tour: John Le Beau Visits Novel Works and Lesa's Book Critiques

Mystery Books News is pleased to be coordinating this week's online book tour for author John J. Le Beau whose debut thriller, Collision of Evil (Oceanview, September 2009), has an American tourist and a German detective in a race against the clock to stop a sophisticated, covert, and deadly plot.

Today, Thursday, January 21st, John will be visiting 2 blog sites:

• Novel Works, where John is interviewed; and
• Lesa's Book Critiques, where John is a guest blogger.

We're also thrilled to announce that John is giving away a signed copy of his new book to one lucky tour visitor. Visit each tour siste on the day indicated and pick up a unique PIN to be used to enter the giveaway on that day. The entry form can be found on John's tour page, Author Book Tour: John J. Le Beau.

We hope you have the opportunity to stop by each of the tour sites this week to learn more about John and the two very different characters in his novel who join forces to solve a mysterious murder against the majestic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps ... and may return in sequel!

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Jon Land's The Seven Sins to be Filmed

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Christopher Kyle (K-19: The Widowmaker, Alexander, The Interpretation of Murder) has signed to adapt the Jon Land thriller The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending, the first book in an expected series featuring Las Vegas entrepreneur Michael "The Tyrant" Tiranno. Moritz Borman and Peter D. Graves (Terminator Salvation, W) will produce.

Jon Land is the author of several series thrillers, including those featuring Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong, Palestinian detective Ben Kamal, and ex-CIA agent Blaine McCracken.

About The Seven Sins: To Dream ... To Dare ... To Win ...

The ancient motto, inscribed in Latin on a mysterious golden medallion, recovered from the ruins of the Roman Empire, has guided Michael Tiranno to heights few men have achieved. Once an orphaned farm boy in his native Sicily, Michael made millions by mastering the intricate world of high finance, and is now the fabulously wealthy owner of Las Vegas' The Seven Sins, the grandest and most extravagant casino in the world. The lavish resort embodies the personal philosophy fueled by his lust for power: the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

But he also has secrets, secrets that he and Naomi Burns, his driven corporate attorney and confidante, have gone to great lengths to bury. When an enemy from the past threatens to undermine everything he has built, his dark history must now be uncovered. Together, they must tear open painful scars in Michael’s heart and soul to discover the true identity of their unknown foe—before all of Las Vegas pays the price for Michael Tiranno’s realized dreams.

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Film Adaptation of Jack Kilborn's Afraid in Development

Production Weekly has a short blurb (tweet actually) reporting that brothers Drew Dowdle and John Erick Dowdle (Devil) are attached to direct an adaptation of Jack Kilborn's thriller Afraid, with Laurence Malkin and Chad Thumann (Five Fingers) writing the script.

Jack Kilborn is a pseudonym used by J. A. Konrath, author of the Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels mystery series.

About Afraid: Are you afraid of the dark? You will be ...

A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom.

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Games of Mystery: Rhianna Ford and the Da Vinci Letter, New from Big Fish Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed board, electronic and video games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations, is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today. 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.

Travel to Rome with Rhianna Ford to confirm the authenticity of a still sealed letter allegedly written by Leonardo Da Vinci! Cornelius Blake has demanded that Rhianna pack her things and head across the Atlantic to test the ancient letter. Explore beautiful Italy and use your hidden object skills to help Rhianna discover the truth about the letter ... and keep her job!

Also available: Rhianna Ford and the Da Vinci Letter Strategy Guide and Rhianna Ford and the Da Vinci Letter Game Walkthrough.

Rhianna Ford and the Da Vinci Letter, a BFG exclusive, may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (174.51 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!

Read our new game reviews by Ms. Terri: Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy (Review), Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! (Review), The Hardy Boys: The Perfect Crime (Review), Enlightenus (Review), and Nick Chase: A Detective Story (Review).

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

And don't forget to visit Games of Mystery for all kinds of mysterious fun!

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AMC TV Orders Two Pilots, one based on the Danish Crime Drama Forbrydelsen

In a press release today, AMC TV announced pilot orders for a crime and suspense dramas.

The Killing is based on the Danish suspense series Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle, the plotline ties together three distinct stories about a single murder and as the detectives assigned to the case disagree about the best course of action, they chase down a variety of leads and suspects. Along the way there are major repercussions for the victim's family, the detectives, the suspects, and the local politicians connected to the case. It is an exploration of Seattle politics; a unique portrayal of a victim's grieving family, and a study of the personal life of a cop. There are no accidents in The Killing. Everyone has a secret, and while our characters think they've moved on, their past isn't done with them.

The Walking Dead is based on the series of comic books by Robert Kirkman. It tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home. The comic goes on to explore the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies who take a toll on the survivors, and sometimes the interpersonal conflicts present a greater danger to their continuing survival than the zombies that roam the country. Over time, the characters are changed by the constant exposure to death and some grow willing to do anything to survive.

"In a short time AMC has become known for telling the best stories on television. Today's announcement underscores the network's commitment to working with the premier talent in the industry and further supports AMC's commitment to being the home for premium television on basic cable," said Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC.

Both pilots are expected to go into production next quarter.

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THQ Announces Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries for Nintendo DS

In a press release today, THQ Inc. announced the next game in the Nancy Drew series for the Nintendo DS, Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries, will be shipping in February. The game is based on the "Model Mysteries" trilogy of books in the Nancy Drew: Girl Detective series: Model Crime, Model Menace, and Model Suspect.

In the game, Nancy Drew has been asked to be a bridesmaid in what is sure to be no ordinary wedding. The blushing bride is marrying a reality TV star so the entire ceremony and its preparation are being filmed. Unfortunately, the plans go off-script when an unknown villain is bent on sabotaging the wedding.

As Nancy, players will use their investigative skills to interrogate more than 15 wily suspects across the three mysteries as they attempt to unravel a knot of scattered clues.

Players must complete six mini-games, solve baffling puzzles, search locations, interview evasive suspects and sidestep danger as they hunt for the evil mastermind behind the vicious plots. Can Nancy identify the perpetrator in time, or will the bride-to-be have to call off the ceremony before someone gets hurt … or even killed?

Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries is the fourth game in this series available on the DS. Previous games are Nancy Drew: The Deadly Secret of Olde World Park, Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase, and Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society. The game is rated E10+, for everyone 10 and older.

For a complete list of Nancy Drew video games on all gaming platforms, visit Games of Mystery: Nancy Drew.

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New Poster Released for The Ghost Writer, a thriller based on the novel The Ghost by Robert Harris

Summit Entertainment has released the first poster for its upcoming film The Ghost Writer, a thriller based on the 2007 thriller The Ghost by Robert Harris. Directed by Roman Polanski, the screenplay was co-written by Polanski and Harris.

The movie tells the story of a former British Prime Minister, Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), who is holed up on an island off the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. in midwinter, writing his memoirs. When his long-standing aide drowns, a professional ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) is sent out to help him finish the book. The anonymous ghost writer is quickly drawn into a political and sexual intrigue involving Lang's wife, Ruth (Olivia Williams) and his aide (Kim Cattrall). Hanging over Lang is the threat of a war crimes trial and a mysterious secret from his past that threatens to jeopardize international relations. The cast also includes Jim Belushi, Robert Pugh and Tom Wilkinson. Alexandre Desplat scored the film.

The Ghost Writer opens in the US (limited released) on February 19th. Watch the international trailer for The Ghost Writer (in English with French subtitles) below:

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Authors on Tour: John Le Beau Visits Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic and Mystery Reader Discussion

Mystery Books News is pleased to be coordinating this week's online book tour for author John J. Le Beau whose debut thriller, Collision of Evil (Oceanview, September 2009), has an American tourist and a German detective in a race against the clock to stop a sophisticated, covert, and deadly plot.

Today, Wednesday, January 20th, John will be visiting 2 blog sites:

• Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic, where Collision of Evil is reviewed; and
• Mystery Reader Discussion, where John is the guest blogger.

We're also thrilled to announce that John is giving away a signed copy of his new book to one lucky tour visitor. Visit each tour siste on the day indicated and pick up a unique PIN to be used to enter the giveaway on that day. The entry form can be found on John's tour page, Author Book Tour: John J. Le Beau.

We hope you have the opportunity to stop by each of the tour sites this week to learn more about John and the two very different characters in his novel who join forces to solve a mysterious murder against the majestic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps ... and may return in sequel!

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Nominations for 2010 Edgar Awards and Dilys Award Announced

The nominations for two mystery awards were recently announced.

First up, the Mystery Writers of America have announced the nominees for the 2010 Edgar Allan Poe Awards honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and television published or produced in 2009. The Edgar Awards will be presented at a banquet on April 29, 2010, in New York City.

A selection of Edgar categories is presented below; the full list is available here.

Best Novel Nominees:
◊ The Missing by Tim Gautreaux (Knopf)
◊ The Odds by Kathleen George (St. Martin's Minotaur)
◊ The Last Child by John Hart (St. Martin's Minotaur)
◊ Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston (Ballantine)
◊ Nemesis by Jo Nesbo (HarperCollins)
◊ A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn (Atria)

Best First Novel Nominees:
◊ The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano (Grand Central)
◊ Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley (Touchstone)
◊ The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf (Mira)
◊ A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield (St. Martin's Minotaur)
◊ Black Water Rising by Attica Locke (HarperCollins)
◊ In the Shadow of Gotham by Stepfanie Pintoff (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best Paperback Original Nominees:
◊ Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott (Simon & Schuster)
◊ Havana Lunar by Robert Arellano (Akaschic)
◊ The Lord God Bird by Russell Hill (Caravel)
◊ Body Blows by Marc Strange (Castle Street)
◊ The Herring-Seller's Apprentice by L. C. Tyler (Felony & Mayhem)

Best Juvenile Nominees:
◊ The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett (Simon & Schuster)
◊ The Ring of Rocamadour (Red Blazer Girls) by Michael D. Beil (Knopf)
◊ Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn (Houghton Mifflin)
◊ Creepy Crawly Crime by Aaron Reynolds (Henry Holt)
◊ The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer (Philomel)

Best Young Adult Nominees:
◊ Reality Check by Peter Abrahams (HarperCollins)
◊ If the Witness Lied by Caroline B. Cooney (Random House)
◊ The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford (Viking)
◊ Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone by Dene Low (Houghton Mifflin)
◊ Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell (Delacorte)

Second, the nominations for the Dilys Award have been announced. This award is given to the mystery title Independent Mystery Booksellers have most enjoyed selling. The nominees are:

◊ The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
◊ A Quiet Belief in Angels by R. J. Ellroy
◊ The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
◊ The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
◊ The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville
◊ The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
◊ The Shanghai Moon by S. J. Rozan

The winner will be announced during Left Coast Crime in March.

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