Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston (Mystery Book Review)

Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston. A Lauren Vancouver "Pet Rescue" Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime Mass Market Paperback, March 2011.

Despite this book's title and premise, there isn't much focus on animals in this first entry of a new series by the author of the "Pet Sitter" mysteries -- which will likely disappoint some readers, who may expect non-humans to play a more prominent role. Still, Lauren Vancouver is a likeable, efficient amateur sleuth, passionate about her work and smart about how she goes about her investigation.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston.

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Read the first chapter(s) of Beaglemania below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.

Breakout Kings Premieres Sunday March 4th on A&E

Breakout Kings, a new crime drama from the producers of Prison Break, has its series premiere tomorrow, Sunday March 6th, at 10 PM (ET/PT) on A&E. The series tagline is "It takes a con to catch a con."

The series stars Laz Alonso and Domenick Lombardozzi as US Marshals Charlie Duchamp and Ray Zancanelli, who form a special task force composed of the three most elusive convicts Ray ever captured: Lloyd Lowery (Jimmi Simpson), a former child prodigy and behaviorist/psychiatric expert whoexcels in psychoanalysis; Shea Daniels (Malcolm Goodwin), an ex-gangbanger who knows how to work the system, both in prison and on the street; and Erica Reed (Serinda Swan), a sexy expert tracker who learned her trade from her bounty hunter father. Charlie and Ray also employ the services of Julianne Simms (Brooke Nevin), a civilian who acts as the group's handler -- all information, tips and data go through her.

In the pilot episode, the team is assembled and told their "reward" for assisting in the capture of an escaped prisoner: Every time they successfully nail the fugitive(s), they get to shave one month off their own sentences.

Watch a series preview below.

Chris Egan Cast as Edgar Allan Poe in ABC Series

One of the most promising (and possibly most risky) television series projects in development is ABC's re-imagining of Edgar Allan Poe an an investigator, who solves crimes in 1840s Boston using "unconventional" methods.

The network has now announced its lead for Poe, the series title, and it is Christopher (Chris) Egan, who most recently starred as David Shepherd in NBC's Kings.

A month ago, Inside TV talked to Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, head of ABC's scripted development division, who had this to say about the character: "Certainly it will be someone with a larger than life personality… hopefully charismatic … and attractive … we’re literal about [Poe's] work, but not about his looks." Seems like Egan fits the bill on all counts!

Investigate Rumors of a Werewolf in Shadow Wolf Mysteries: Curse of the Full Moon

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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In the dark lane lit by a dim lantern we hear a scratching sound and we see a shadow of the opening door. Someone is coming outside. The person approaches his horse and mounts it. Suddenly a shadow of the wolf attacks the man and we see a shadow of the horse rearing, we hear horse roar, a sound of desperate struggle and an agonal shout ...Then it is all quiet ... and only the howl of the lonely wolf pierces the night ...

Called into a small city from the capitol, you have been put in charge of solving a string of mysterious murders! Around the same time as the murders, a wolf has been appearing around town and spooking the townsfolk. With rumors of a werewolf swirling, it’s up to you to get to the bottom of the mystery and set the record straight.

For a more in-depth gameplay experience, check out the Shadow Wolf Mysteries: Curse of the Full Moon Collector's Edition, full of exclusive extras not found in the standard version, including an integrated strategy guide, bonus gameplay, wallpapers and screensavers, concept art, original soundtrack, and more.

Shadow Wolf Mysteries: Curse of the Full Moon (Standard Edition) may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (215.19 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour; the full version is 434.80 MB.

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!

HBO to Air 15-Minute Preview of Game of Thrones on April 3rd

HBO has announced that it will air a 15-minute preview of its new series Game of Thrones on Sunday, April 3rd at 9 PM (ET/PT). The preview will be available immediately afterward online.

The 10-episode Game of Thrones is adapted from the books in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R. R. Martin, the first of which is titled A Game of Thrones. The struggle for the Iron Throne premieres on Sunday, April 17th.

Fatal Error by J. A. Jance (Mystery Book Review)

Fatal Error by J. A. Jance. An Ali Reynolds Mystery. Touchstone Hardcover, February 2011.

Though this mystery's promising premise is set up early, there isn't much suspense involved, with the action not really ramping up until well into the second half of the book. Ali Reynolds, the series character, is largely absent from much of the investigation, a somewhat disappointing factor as well.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Fatal Error by J. A. Jance.

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Read the first chapter(s) of Fatal Error below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.

Protector by Laurel Dewey is Today's Featured Free Kindle Mystery

MystereBooks is pleased to feature a mystery title that is currently available in Kindle eBook format for free from Amazon.com. 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 download it today!

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Protector by Laurel Dewey
A Jane Perry Mystery (1st in series)
The Story Plane (Kindle eBook)
Download Link

About Protector (from the publisher): Denver homicide detective Jane Perry, a hard-drinking, street savvy investigator, possesses an almost psychic instinct for solving the most jarring homicides. But now, that intuitive insight has taken on an eerie twist. Ever since the murder of a family Jane and her partner were protecting, she has been plagued with disconnected images that predict events yet to happen.

One of Jane’s disturbing visions leads to nine-year-old Emily Lawrence, a child thought to have witnessed the brutal stabbing death of her parents but unable to remember anything about that horrific moment. The two characters fatefully come together, unaware that they share a mystical connection.

Read our Review of Protector by Laurel Dewey at Mysterious Reviews.

Read the first chapter(s) of Protector below. Use the Aa button to adjust the display settings (font size, line spacing, word density).

Mystery Bestsellers for March 04, 2011

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending March 4th, 2011 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

No change in the top three bestselling mystery books with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson again (and still) at the top. No new titles either; one, which debuted just off the list, moves up this week.

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Doc Ford is on a collision course with death in Night Vision, the 18th mystery in this series by Randy Wayne White.

Much is going on in the trailer park known as Little Guadalajara, inhabited principally by illegal laborers. The park manager is the hired gun of a financial syndicate that wants to develop the property, and he's prepared to do whatever it takes-but he can't figure out what to do about the teenage girl, the one the laborers believe has some sort of gift.

When she witnesses him killing a man, though, and runs, there's nothing left to figure: He's got to find her fast and shut her up good. Her only hope for survival: a marine biologist (and sometimes more) named Doc Ford, who along with his friend Tomlinson, must undertake a search through an underground, invisible nation ... and just hope he reaches her first.

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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.

Kevin Spacey to Star in Television Series Project Adapted from House of Cards by Michael Dobbs

Kevin Spacey is set to executive produce and star in a drama series project adapted from Michael Dobb's 1989 political thriller House of Cards, according to an article in The Hollywood Reporter. David Fincher (The Social Network) will direct the pilot, written by Beau Willimon.

House of Cards, the first in a trilogy of books by Dobbs to feature conservative British politician Francis Urquhart, was previously adapted for a 4-part BBC mini-series in 1990. The novel follows Urquhart as he schemes to become leader of his party, and ultimately Prime Minister.

The project has yet to be sold to a network.

The Adjustment Bureau Opens in Theaters Friday, March 4th

The Adjustment Bureau, adapted from a short story by Philip K. Dick, opens in theaters tomorrow, Friday March 4th.

The film stars Matt Damon as David Norris, an ambitious politician who meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself -- the men of The Adjustment Bureau -- who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path ... or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.

We've previously posted the film's trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette; watch the commercial that aired during the Super Bowl below.