Memphis Beat (formerly Delta Blues) Premieres June 22, 2010, on TNT

TNT has a new splash page for its upcoming crime drama, Memphis Beat. Formerly titled Delta Blues, the series stars Jason Lee as Dwight Hendricks, a Elvis-loving Memphis police officer who lives with his mother (Celia Weston) and safeguards his musical Mecca with a brand of justice all his own.

The series also stars Alfre Woodard as his boss Lt. Tanya Rice, and Sam Hennings as his partner Charlie White.

Memphis Beat premieres Tuesday, June 22nd, at 10 PM (ET/PT) on TNT.

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Mysteries on TV: Blood Ties, Simon & Simon, and The Unusuals, New This Week on DVD

Mysteries on TV, your source for the most complete selection of detective, amateur sleuth, private investigator, and suspense television mystery series now available or coming soon to DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling three series being released this week.

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Based on the bestselling novels by Tanya Huff, Blood Ties stars Christina Cox as a former Toronto police detective Vicki Nelson, who left the force to become a private investigator. She witnesses a murder that may have otherworldy connections. Teaming up with the suave and alluring Henry Fitzroy (Kyle Schmid, playing a 470-year-old vampire), they embark on a series of paranormal investigations, with Vicki's former partner Detective Mike Celluci (Dylan Neal) never far away. Each episode is an unpredictable swirl of romance, action, and supernatural activity.

This Canadian series aired for two seasons on Lifetime in the US in 2007.

Previously available as separate seasons, the 22 episodes are now being released on DVD (7 discs) as Blood Ties: The Complete Series. Also available: Blood Ties: The Complete Series (Blu-ray).

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Brothers and private investigators A. J. Simon (Jameson Parker) and Rick Simon (Gerald McRaney) are Simon & Simon, who know nothing but trouble as they tackle a bevy of action-packed cases on the streets of beautiful San Diego (CA). In between tracking down kidnappers, jewel thieves and hit men, Rick gets accused of murder and A. J. gets slipped some angel dust on top of tangling with the Mob.

The series also stars Mary Carver as the Simon's mother Cecilia, and Tim Reid as San Diego Police Detective Marcel "Downtown" Brown.

The Simon and Simon: Season Four set of 6 DVD discs contain the 20 episodes (including the 2-hour season premiere, "C'est Simon", and the 2-part episode in which the brothers split up, "Simon Without Simon") that aired on CBS from September 1984 through March 1985.

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It helps if a cop has a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last.

The Unusuals explores both the grounded drama and comic insanity of the world of New York City police detectives. Casey Shraeger (Amber Tamblyn), who started her day as an NYPD vice detective, is unexpectedly transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that, not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secrets ... which serves her well, since she's keeping a few of her own.

The ensemble cast also includes Jeremy Renner, who plays Casey's partner Detective Jason Walsh.

A mid-season replacement that lasted just one half-season, The Unusuals: The Complete Series set of 2 DVD discs contain the 10 episodes that aired during the spring of 2009 on ABC.

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Visit the Mysteries on TV website to discover more television mystery series currently available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

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Mystery Godoku Puzzle for April 05, 2010

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle 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!).

This week's letters and mystery clue:

A C E H K O S V W

This 1990 international thriller was the 7th in the Tweed & Co. series by Colin Forbes (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!

   

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New Mysteries: The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

It's been three long years between books in the series, but this week the 22nd Richard Jury mystery, The Black Cat by Martha Grimes, is published by Viking.

The series, the titles of which are taken from real pubs in England, dates back to 1981 when the Scotland Yard detective, initially a Chief Inspector and later a Superintendent, was introduced in The Man With a Load of Mischief. For years prior to its publication, Martha Grimes sent out manuscripts, unsolicited, to the major New York publishing houses, before the book was accepted by Little, Brown. That era is completely gone, as most publishers routinely throw out unsolicited manuscripts today.

The third book in the series, The Anodyne Necklace, won the prestigious Nero Award in 1983.

Martha Grimes is also the author of a series of mysteries featuring 12-year-old amateur sleuth Emma Graham as well as several non-series and stand-alone titles.

Watch Martha Grimes discuss her latest Richard Jury mystery, after which more information about the book can be found.

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The Black Cat by Martha Grimes
A Richard Jury Mystery (22nd in series)
Viking (Hardcover)
Publication Date: April 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-670-02160-4

About The Black Cat (from the publisher): Three months have passed since Richard Jury was left bereft and guilt-ridden after his lover's tragic auto accident, and he is now more wary than ever. He is deeply suspicious when requested on a case far out of his jurisdiction in an outlying village where a young woman has been murdered behind the local pub. The only witness is the establishment's black cat, who gives neither crook nor clue as to the girl's identity or her killer's.

Identifying the girl becomes tricky when she's recognized as both the shy local librarian and a posh city escort, and Jury must use all his wits and intuition to determine the connection to subsequent escort murders. Meanwhile, Jury's nemesis, Harry Johnson, continues to goad Jury down a dangerous path. And Johnson, along with the imperturbable dog Mungo, just may be the key to it all.

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Mystery Book Review: The 24th Letter by Tom Lowe

The 24th Letter
by Tom Lowe
A Sean O'Brien Mystery

St. Martin's Minotaur (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-312-37918-8 (0312379188)
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-37918-6 (9780312379186)
Publication Date: March 2010
List Price: $25.99

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Review: Former Miami homicide detective Sean O'Brien gets drawn back into what everyone considered to be a closed case when he learns a man on death row, his execution only days way, may be innocent in The 24th Letter, the second mystery in this series by Tom Lowe.

Career criminal Sam Spelling is on his way to a courthouse to testify against one of his own when he's shot by a sniper. Near death, he confesses to Father John Callahan that he knows Charlie Williams, a killer scheduled to be put to death by the state in less than 84 hours, is innocent, that he witnessed the real killer frame Williams for the crime. Father Callahan calls his old friend Sean O'Brien, the detective in charge of the investigation that ended in Williams' conviction, to give him the news. O'Brien rushes to meet with the priest, but between the time that Spelling delivers his signed statement to Father Callahan and before Callahan can give it to O'Brien, both men are killed, the confession disappearing. O'Brien can't convince the authorities to stop the execution without concrete proof ... something he must get before time runs out for an innocent man.

Despite the rather improbable premise of The 24th Letter, the story plays out reasonably well, due in no small part to the solidly developed, if somewhat derivative, character of Sean O'Brien. And though the plot moves along briskly, assisted by a nearly constant noting of the passage of time, the prose tends to be overly dramatic, at times clunky. Consider this typical passage:

The clouds parted and the three-quarter moon revealed itself. O'Brien could see it was slightly more rounded than yesterday. It would be a full moon this time next week. Unless O'Brien caught a killer, Charlie Williams would be executed before a full moon rose over the Atlantic.

A mysterious drawing in blood left by Father Callahan while he is dying gives the book its title, but the clues to its meaning seem almost unnecessary for O'Brien in tracking down the real killer. Still, in the end it confirms his suspicions and adds an interesting twist to the story.

There must be some rule in the manual to writing thrillers that states no chapter must be longer than three or four pages. Lowe has applied this rule fairly rigorously (averaging 3.5 pages per chapter in this book), but often in the most awkward manner. Chapters tend to end and new ones begin in the middle of scenes, sometimes even during a conversation between two characters. Most likely intended as mini-cliffhangers, while this technique may keep readers turning the pages, seeking a natural breaking point to pause, it also makes for a choppy ride.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Minotaur for providing a copy of The 24th Letter for this review.

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

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Synopsis (from the publisher): Father John Callahan hears the confession of a frightened prison inmate, and learns that a man facing lethal injection is innocent. The lead investigator on the case, his friend Sean O'Brien, is still haunted by the case. The 24th letter in the Greek alphabet -- Omega -- may provide the key to uncovering the killer's identity.

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

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Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends

Book Trends, a review site for young adult and children books, published several new book reviews this past week. We're presenting here a summary of those in the mystery / suspense category.

The Secret of the Braford House by Albert A. Bell. The 2nd mystery in the Steve and Kendra mystery series. Recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student who wrote, "This book is second in the marvelous series with a flaming hot plot, visualizing all the things you could think of that give people the creeps!"

For more reviews of children and young adult books, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you!

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Games of Mystery: Miss Teri Tale in Danger Next Door, New at Amazon Video Games

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce this week's new mystery and suspense casual and adventure games available for immediate download from Amazon Video Games. A complete list of downloadable mystery games is available on our Games of Mystery: Amazon Video Games Download page.

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Miss Teri Tale Episode 3: Danger Next Door

Rediscover all the wonderful characters of the Miss Teri Tale series in this third installment filled with all new levels and venues! You are Miss Teri Tale and it's up to you to lead an investigation a series of mysterious murders in Peeking Town! Sift through the memories of the village inhabitants, solve puzzles and collect the clues that will lead you to the assassin! Miss Teri Tale: Danger Next Door is a one of a kind crime adventure filled with unbelievable twists and turns guaranteeing hours of exciting game play!

See also the first two games in this series, Miss Teri Tale and Miss Teri Tale: Vote 4 Me.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista / XP (177 MB download).

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic and board games, parties for kids and adults, murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations, and more mysterious fun!

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Ryan Reynolds to Star in Film Adaptation of Graphic Novel R.I.P.D.

Collider.com is reporting that Ryan Reynolds will star in a live-action film adaptation of the graphic novel R.I.P.D. "Rest in Peace Department", written by Peter Lenkov (with illustrations by Lucan Marangon, and Randy Emberlin). In 2006 when producer Neal Moritz announced the project, it was reported that it had been in development at Universal for some time; production is now expected to begin early next year.

R. I. P. D. was originally published as a series of four monthly comics by Dark Horse, from October 1999 through January 2000. The cover depicted to the right and the information link is for the collected works.

About R.I.P.D. (from the publisher): Welcome to the Rest In Peace Department -- the devoted, yet dead, officers of divine law enforcement "patrolling the deadbeat ... reporting to one boss." Yep -- THAT boss. Nick Cruz was murdered by an unknown assailent, at the height of his personal and professional life. Now he's traded a hundred years of service to the R.I.P.D. in exchange for a shot at finding who killed him. Unfortunately his search will take him to Hell and back -- literally!

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Mystery Bestsellers for April 02, 2010

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending April 02, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Moving from just off the list last week solidly into the top spot this week is Caught, a non-series thriller by Harlan Coben. And other significant changes make this one of the most volatile weeks we've seen on the mystery bestseller list in some time.

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In Harlan Coben's Caught, 17-year-old Haley McWaid is a good girl, the pride of her suburban New Jersey family, captain of the lacrosse team, headed off to college next year with all the hopes and dreams her doting parents can pin on her. Which is why, when her mother wakes one morning to find that Haley never came home the night before, and three months quickly pass without word from the girl, the community assumes the worst.

Wendy Tynes is a reporter on a mission, to identify and bring down sexual predators via elaborate—and nationally televised—sting operations. Working with local police on her news program Caught in the Act, Wendy and her team have publicly shamed dozens of men by the time she encounters her latest target. Dan Mercer is a social worker known as a friend to troubled teens, but his story soon becomes more complicated than Wendy could have imagined.

Caught tells the story of a missing girl, the community stunned by her loss, the predator who may have taken her, and the reporter who suddenly realizes she can’t trust her own instincts about this story—or the motives of the people around her.

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Debuting in 5th position is The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear, the 7th mystery in this series in which Maisie Dobbs must unravel a case of wartime love and death—an investigation that leads her to a long-hidden affair between a young cartographer and a mysterious nurse.

August 1914. Michael Clifton is mapping the land he has just purchased in California's beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, certain that oil lies beneath its surface. But as the young cartographer prepares to return home to Boston, war is declared in Europe. Michael—the youngest son of an expatriate Englishman—puts duty first and sails for his father's native country to serve in the British army. Three years later, he is listed among those missing in action.

April 1932. London psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is retained by Michael's parents, who have recently learned that their son's remains have been unearthed in France. They want Maisie to find the unnamed nurse whose love letters were among Michael's belongings—a quest that takes Maisie back to her own bittersweet wartime love. Her inquiries, and the stunning discovery that Michael Clifton was murdered in his trench, unleash a web of intrigue and violence that threatens to engulf the soldier's family and even Maisie herself. Over the course of her investigation, Maisie must cope with the approaching loss of her mentor, Maurice Blanche, and her growing awareness that she is once again falling in love.

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The top four mystery bestsellers this week are shown below:

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.

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ITV Commissions Pilot based on the DCI Alan Banks Mysteries by Peter Robinson

In a press release yesterday, ITV announced it had commissioned a two-part pilot based on the crime novel Aftermath by Peter Robinson. Stephen Tompkinson has been cast as the lead, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. Aftermath is the 12th mystery in the series, originally published in 2001.

“DCI Banks: Aftermath is a classy, contemporary thriller and we’re delighted to have commissioned a two-part pilot from Left Bank Pictures,” said ITV's Sally Haynes. “Banks is brooding and melancholic with more than his fair share of baggage. Stephen is a really versatile actor and it’s great to see him in a darker role.”

Production is expected to begin in Yorkshire later this month.

About Aftermath (from the publisher): One phone call from a concerned neighbor has inadvertently led police to Terence Payne, the elusive serial killer known only as "Chameleon." Now the fiend is in custody, perhaps dying, and a long nightmare appears to be over at last. But is it? In Acting Detective Superintendent Alan Banks's mind too many questions remain unanswered at the chamber of horrors the press will dub the "House of Payne." Because the darkness has not yet lifted, the casualties are still mounting ... and there are still monsters loose in the world.

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