Mystery Godoku Puzzle for October 11, 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 E K M N O R S T

This secret agent’s name is in the title of a novel by Marc Holland (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!

Evil for Evil by James R. Benn (Book Review)

Evil for Evil by James R. Benn. A Billy Boyle Mystery. Soho Press Hardcover, September 2009.

Military investigator Billy Boyle is sent to Northern Ireland to look into the theft of artillery and ammunition from a US Army depot, a mission for which he may have some personal conflict given his deep Irish family roots, in Evil for Evil, the fourth World War II mystery in this series by James R. Benn.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Evil for Evil by James R. Benn.

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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.

Hardcover Mysteries Premieres Monday, October 11th, on Investigation Discovery

Tomorrow, Monday October 11th at 9 PM (ET/PT), a new series begins on Investigation Discovery: Hardcover Mysteries.

Over the course of eight weeks, Hardcover Mysteries will travel inside the minds of America's most popular novelists to explore the crossover from fact to fiction. How much of today's great mystery writing springs from the imagination ... and how much of it is ripped from the headlines? In this new series, top fiction crime writers share stories of real-life cases that inspired them to write, or captured their fascination.

First up is bestselling crime novelist David Baldacci, who talks about the 1964 murder of socialite Mary Meyer that was the inspiration for his 1996 debut thriller Absolute Power, which was also made into film starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman. Read more about the author and watch a preview video of the episode on Investigation Discovery: Hardcover Mysteries (David Baldacci).

Strange Cases: The Lighthouse Mystery, New at AVG

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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Strange Cases: The Lighthouse Mystery

FBI Agent Claire Ellery's latest strange case has become personal. Tom, her former partner, has died under bizarre circumstances. As Agent Ellery delves deeper into the mystery of his death, she finds that Tom himself has laid a trail of clues for her-a trail that leads her into a sinister web of corporate betrayal and the arcane. Follow the cards to solve this "Strange Case" and vindicate your partner's untimely demise.

See also the previous game in this series, Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (197 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!

The Bourne Legacy Won't Include Matt Damon as Jason Bourne ... and Won't Even Include Jason Bourne

A few days ago we reported that the fourth Bourne film was moving forward with a new director. Titled The Bourne Legacy, it is based on an original screenplay, and not on the fourth book of the series by Eric Van Lustbader (which also bears the title The Bourne Legacy).

Now that very same director, Tony Gilroy, has contacted Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere to clarify a few details about the film.

First, The Bourne Legacy will not only not star Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, it won't even include the character of Jason Bourne. "There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter ... this is a stand-alone project." Secondly, it is not a prequel or sequel to the original three films, but will feature a storyline that "enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road]."

Overall, probably a pretty smart move on the part of the producers. Still, it's already confusing that the film's title matches one of the Bourne thrillers. Leaving Bourne out of the film entirely would only seem to add to the confusion. What do you think?

Wallander in The Man Who Smiled, Sunday October 10th on PBS

Tomorrow, Sunday October 10th, the second of three new episodes of Series II of Wallander airs on PBS (check your local listings for air times).

In "The Man Who Smiled", adapted from the fourth novel in the Wallander series of crime thrillers by Henning Mankell, Gustaf Torstensson quietly chants "Mea culpa, mea culpa," as he drives to his death. His son Sten Torstensson, a friend of Inspector Kurt Wallander (Kenneth Branagh), begs the detective to investigate the suspicious case — Wallander is his last hope. But hope has all but drained from Wallander's life, as he's now on indefinite leave from his work and has been all but forgotten after enduring an on-the-job trauma. When Sten is found dead, an apparent suicide, Wallander is drawn back to inquire. The clues and suspects are provocative enough — postcards with death threats, a respected and reviled philanthropist working in Africa and a former cop tormented by his own personal demons. But Wallander's reentry is an uneasy one, and even as the case comes together, his fragile stability and increasingly questionable judgment are severely tested.

The first series of Wallander is available on DVD from Telemystery: Wallander. This second series will be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on October 19th, and may be pre-ordered.

A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell (Book Review)

A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell. A Greg McKenzie Mystery. Night Shadows Press Trade Paperback, September 2010.

When rumors of an NBA team coming to Nashville have the area's NHL fans up in arms, private investigators Jill and Greg McKenzie are hired to learn how serious the opposition is, in A Sporting Murder, the fifth mystery in this series by Chester D. Campbell.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell.

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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.

Mr. E. Reviews The Oxford Murders

Several years ago, I reviewed The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martínez, an intellectual whodunit-style mystery. Published originally in Spanish in 2003, an English language translation came out in 2005, and a film adaptation was announced soon thereafter. And though The Oxford Murders was released in Spain in 2008, it sort of disappeared until this week, when film (on DVD and Blu-ray disc) was released here in the US.

As I enjoyed the book, I was eager to see the film treatment. I'm pleased to say upfront that, for the most part, it is a successful and enjoyable adaptation.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews: The Oxford Murders.

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

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (101009)

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/thriller category.

All Hallows' Eve by Vivian Vande Velde. A short story collection for readers 12 and older. Lexile measure: 1010L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "Murder, suspense, horror and the supernatural ... This book made me want to sleep with the lights on. I think it is amazing how she put this many spine chilling stories into one book."

The Presence by Eve Bunting. A stand-alone title recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: 550L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "If you like mystery/romance novels, this book is good for you. The book is a ghost story, but only because there's a ghost in it. The most thrilling part is the end because it's very suspenseful."

For more reviews of children and young adult books of all genres, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you! You can also follow Book Trends on Twitter.

Match Wits with a Famous French Thief in Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin, New at BFG

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. 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.

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Play the role of Sherlock Holmes and embark on an investigation full of suspense in this thrilling adventure in the heart of 19th century London. Arsene Lupin, a young French thief with an impressive track record, has crossed the Channel with a daring proposition for you on your own territory. Lupin challenges you to prevent the theft of five priceless artefacts over five days, stored in prestigious locations such as the National Gallery, the British Museum and even Buckingham Palace! Prepare to rise to Lupin's challenge and confront the master thief!

See also the previous games in this series featuring the famous consulting detective: Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy, Sherlock Holmes: The Secret of the Silver Earring, and Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Due to its large size, a demonstration version is not available.

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! (Collector's Editions earn 3 punches each, half-way towards your free game!)

Read Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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