Saturday, April 22, 2006

Press Release: Big Fish Studios Releases Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects

SEATTLE, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Fish Studios, the game development division of Big Fish Games, today launched Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects, a thrilling game that puts game players in the role of a Master Detective. This title is the second in the Mystery Case Files series, a highly-anticipated sequel to Big Fish Studios' most successful game to date, Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, which broke all previous sales records, bringing in more than $2.4 million in the first four months.

"After we finished Huntsville, we hired more artists and diligently started working on the sequel," said Patrick Wylie, Vice President of Big Fish Studios. "The players have been e-mailing us on a daily basis, trying to see when Prime Suspects was going to launch. Their wait will be worth it."

"We finally got to put everything in Prime Suspects that we wanted to put into Huntsville," said Adrian Woods, the game's designer. "It's great to see players enjoying the added gameplay twists, as well as the collection of outlandish suspects. We're looking forward to challenging the audience with additional Mystery Case Files episodes in the near future."

Mystery Case Files is quickly establishing itself as a powerful brand and franchise from Big Fish Games. Mystery Case Files: Huntsville has been enjoyed by more than 8 million consumers, boasts more than 15 million crimes solved, and has remained the top download on almost all game portals that have released it, including AOL Games, Yahoo! Games, MSN Games, Pogo, Big Fish Games, Game Fiesta, Arcade Town, and Shockwave.

At 7am on April 6, Big Fish Games made Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects available on their Web site and reported record sales throughout the day, hitting a peak of 3.3 games per minute. If these pre-release numbers are any indication, Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects looks set to take the casual gaming industry by storm.

"Mystery Case Files: Huntsville has been one of our most successful games released," said Brandon Ross, Senior Content Producer at Yahoo! Games. "Judging from the new plot points and stunning screen shots we've seen, Prime Suspects appears to be another candidate for popularity on Yahoo! Games."

"The next installment looks to be bigger and better than its acclaimed predecessor," said Marc Saltzman, Casual Game Reviewer with online magazine Gamezebo. "Whether or not you've played Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, be on the lookout for Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects, as it looks to be a fun, challenging, and fresh game to help unleash your inner detective."

Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects transports game fanatics to Capital City, USA, a large metropolis where the Queen's Hope Diamond, on loan from Her Majesty the Queen, was just stolen from the Piazza Gallery Museum. Your job, as Master Detective, is to investigate all of the usual suspects and whittle them down to the five Prime Suspects. Perform thorough investigations, find the culprit, and recover the stolen gem.

There are plenty of suspects to eliminate and clues to search for within the game's 22 ever-changing levels -- a strong lure for players who seek long-term replayability. Adventure-style game mechanics enhance the gameplay by having players search for items which unlock subsequent levels. Thousands of constantly transforming clues are cleverly hidden throughout the beautiful illustrations in each of the 29 unique locations, creating a new experience each time you play. The stunning graphics are further enhanced by the original music, infused with immersive-environment audio and sound effects.

Big Fish Games Studios is dedicated to creating a diverse array of innovative, high-quality games that spur imagination and captivate players. By providing immersive gameplay in an accessible environment, Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects is poised to exceed the previous successes of titles from Big Fish Games Studios, including the best-selling community game Mahjong Towers Eternity, the beautiful Fairies and the innovative Magic Vines.

About Big Fish Games

Big Fish Games, Inc., a developer, publisher, and distributor of casual, family-friendly games, has one of the biggest and highest quality game catalogs on the Internet with over 300 titles, a global network reach of over 25 million monthly unique users, and distribution partners such as Nickelodeon and http://www.ivillage.com/. Through the efforts of a network of more than 300 game development partners, Big Fish Games offers consumers "A New Game Every Day" and makes acquiring and playing internet delivered downloadable and online games a safe, easy and reliable experience.

Big Fish Games has emerged as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing casual game destinations as measured by unique monthly users via comScore Media Metrix 2005 traffic reports. With help from leading game sites like Big Fish Games, Yahoo, Microsoft's MSN Games, Electronic Arts' Pogo, and AOL Games, the online games industry has grown from obscurity to a thriving, rapidly-growing market. Online games revenue reached $700 million in 2004 according to reports from IDC, a global market intelligence and advisory firm, and is projected to grow to $2.2 billion by 2008.

Big Fish Games, "Where the World Goes to Play." Visit Big Fish Games at http://www.bigfishgames.com/.

Website: http://www.bigfishgames.com/

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Friday, April 21, 2006

New Mystery Hardcover Titles for May 2006

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has prepared a list of new hardcover mystery books for May 2006. This is the first of three anticipated updates to this list.

Too many mysteries, too little time ...

The Art of Detection by Laurie R. King, in which San Francisco homicide detective Kate Martinelli crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes–in a spellbinding dual mystery. Fifth book in this series.

The Hard Way by Lee Child. On the trail of a vicious kidnapper, Jack Reacher is learning the chilling secrets of his employer's past ... and of a horrific drama in the heart of a nasty little war. Tenth mystery in this series.

Bad Twin by Gary Troup. The "Lost" mystery, a suspenseful novel that touches on many powerful themes, including the consequence of vengeance, the power of redemption, and where to turn when all seems lost.

Through a Glass, Darkly by Donna Leon, the 15th mystery in the outstanding Commissario Guido Brunetti series, set in Venice. Read a review of this book by Mysterious Reviews.

The Bookwoman's Last Fling by John Dunning. Sixth mystery in the Cliff Janeway series, this one rich with the lore of both books and horses.

... and many, many more!

Mass market paperback mysteries for May 2006 will be posted next week on the new Mystery Bookshelf.

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often to keep current on your favorite mystery authors and series.

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Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (04/21/2006)

A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending April 21, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Notable this week on the lists:

Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith, the latest installment in the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Library Journal states, "... the seventh novel in this series is just as entertaining as the previous six." And Kirkus Reviews adds, "The denouement, which brings Mma Ramotswe face to face with evil, is the perfect climax to a tale as refreshing as a month in the country-the country of Botswana."

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

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Thursday, April 20, 2006

New Website: The Mystery Bookshelf

A new website has been launched that provides a convenient list of recently published mass market mystery paperbacks.

The Mystery Bookshelf may be browsed by author, series character, or date of publication. A detailed description of each book including a depiction of the book cover and synopsis can be viewed by clicking on the mystery book title. Mystery titles on this website are updated frequently, and remain available for browsing for at least six months. (Older mysteries are moved to the archives.)

Notes are appended after the synopsis of the mystery book. These notes typically include what entry the book is in the mystery series, any awards the book may have won, if a hardcover edition is available, or interesting facts about the author.

Links are provided to purchase the books from Amazon.com.

The Mystery Bookshelf is commited to providing readers of popular mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series. Please visit often!

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Profile: Down East Mystery Blends Home Repair, Homicide

Nancy Grape of Freeport (ME), freelance writer for Maine Today, recently wrote a profile of the author of the "Home Repair is Homicide" mystery series, Sarah Graves.

According to Grape, a mystery by Graves "... comes with an authentic Maine setting." The "Home Repair is Homicide"mysteries are typically set in Eastport, Maine.

"In 1823, Eastport's harbor was so busy, people said you could walk across the bay on the decks of ships waiting to come in," Graves writes. "Now a single scallop-dragger motored on it toward the Canadian shore."

In Graves' most recent mystery, Nail Biter, hyper-energetic Jake Tiptree and her best friend Ellie White have bought a run-down cottage in Quoddy Village that they plan to fix up and sell. Those plans give way, however, when requests to rent the cottage prove too enticing. And Jake and Ellie find themselves hosts to a group dallying with witchcraft.

Grape concludes her profile with, "Graves has crafted a mystery that blends home-based craftsmanship with the puzzle of a well-flavored mystery. She has also breathed life into characters who are Maine strong, not just in muscle but in integrity. Her heroine, a former money manager on Wall Street, is bright, perceptive and courageous. And she gets the job done, whether it means using her hands or her head."

Read the entire profile of Sarah Graves here.

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Monday, April 17, 2006

Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 04/17/2006

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for April 17, 2006A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is 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 mystery clue: This was the title of Darren Williams second mystery and winner of the Australian/Vogel Literary Award. 9 letters: A B C D E L N T U.

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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Friday, April 14, 2006

Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (04/14/2006)

A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending April 14, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Two "dark" mysteries make an appearance on the lists this week.

Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods, the 12th mystery to feature attorney Stuart Barrington. Stone enters the picturesque town Dark Harbor off the coast of Maine, where the shocking deaths of three people have cast a long shadow over this island haven-a locale as mysterious as it is exclusive.

Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson, the 11th culinary mystery featuring caterer Goldy Schulz. Kirkus Reviews states, "Goldy and her coterie always provide some enjoyable moments, although the mind-boggling denouement may send you to the kitchen to try the 11 appended recipes."

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Press Release: Chicago Area Author, Morgan Mandel, Shares Marshall Field's Memories In Two Wrongs, Her Debut Mystery


The Big Tree, the Walnut Room, Snowmen ice cream creations and Frango mints are some of the memories associated with Marshall Field's on State Street and shared by the author, Morgan Mandel, in her recently released mystery, Two Wrongs. Though fast paced, Two Wrongs slows down long enough for the reader to catch unique glimpses into Chicago lore and landmarks while relating its story of revenge and the healing power of love.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 10, 2006 -- With Chicago as a backdrop, the recently released Two Wrongs by Morgan Mandel explores the effects of wrongful imprisonment from both sides of the spectrum.

A brother seeks to avenge his sister's death by mistakenly identifying the wrong killer. When the wrongfully accused's innocence is proven and he's released from prison, it's too late. He's already been corrupted. Revenge takes him and his accuser to the final showdown at Marshall Field's. The action begins at the Walnut Room continues on to the Frango mints department, escalates up and down the escalators and climaxes on the atrium balcony overlooking the Burnham Fountain.

DePaul University, Chase Park, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, and other familiar Chicago landmarks are also included in Two Wrongs to provide the reader with a taste of nostalgia along with a shiver of trepidation.

This book is available in electronic form or trade paperback from the publisher at http://www.hardshell.com/. Also in paperback from Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, Ingram's and your favorite bookstore by order.

Paperback ISBN#0-7599-4065-7
Electronic ISBN#0-7599-4062-2

For links to reviews and further information on Two Wrongs see http://www.morganmandel.com/

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Profile: Sue Grafton Solves Her Literary Problem

Jennifer Hewlett, of the Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader, recently wrote a profile of Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone mystery series, the most recent of which is "S" is for Silence.

Now the author, who figures it will take her 10 to 12 years to finish the alphabet, is on her seventh or so go at "T."

"I am struggling with 'T.' Why would I not?" she said.

With each book in the series, writing has become more difficult, she said.

The former hospital secretary holds a bachelor's degree in English with minors in fine arts and humanities from the University of Louisville. Her father, the late C. W. Grafton, a municipal bond attorney in Louisville, also wrote mystery fiction.

"I started my first novel when I was 22 years old. That one was never published," said Grafton, who turns 66 on April 24. She wrote two more books that went unpublished. Her fourth and fifth books were published when she was in her 20s. Her sixth and seventh books went unpublished. Grafton's eighth book was "A" Is for Alibi, the first in her highly successful Kinsey Millhone mystery series.

"I started writing in 1962 seriously and didn't publish 'A' until '82," she said. "You teach yourself to write by writing badly for a very long period of time."

Read Hewlett's entire profile of Sue Grafton here.

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Monday, April 10, 2006

Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 04/10/2006

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for April 10, 2006A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is 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 mystery clue: This was the title of John Sandford’s sixth mystery to feature Lucas Davenport. 9 letters: A B C D E L N T U.

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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Sunday, April 09, 2006

Press Release: Best-Selling Author James Byron Huggins to Release New Book, Sorcerer

(OPENPRESS) April 6, 2006 -- This April, best-selling author James Byron Huggins will release his third Whitaker House title, Sorcerer.

Ex-detective Michael Thorn has retired from the police force, and is eager to lead a normal life for once. His days of fighting to protect the innocent are over. But his “retirement” isn’t going to be the long-deserved rest he expected. His new home in rural New England has many strange stories surrounding it. But those are all just rumors…right? Then he discovers the skeleton in the basement and realizes the rumors are true. When the skeleton mysteriously disappears, Thorn is faced with an ancient mystery—one that leads to an even more ancient foe: the same sorcerer who fought Moses! Now, to protect his family, Thorn must figure out how a sorcerer from ancient Egypt ended up in America and how to defeat him before he regains his full power and wreaks havoc on the world. Thorn has help from a wise professor, a devout priest, and a sect of warriors sworn to protect the church. But will they be enough?

In the end, Thorn will face even larger questions—of good and evil, of God and the devil.

Best-known by his good vs. evil plots of historical or political significance, Sorcerer is only the latest title to follow best-sellers Nightbringer, Rora, and Cain. Of his novels, Amazon.com says, “Huggins can make the most outlandish material instantly credible by creating scenes of great power and imagination.”

A veteran novelist, James Byron Huggins’ life story reads more like fiction than fact. After working as a newspaper reporter, Huggins left journalism to help persecuted Christians in eastern Europe. From Texas, he worked with the Christian underground in the Iron Curtain, spending his life savings and becoming homeless. Huggins left America to offer assistance to Romanian Christians. He often remained hidden for days at a time in order to survive. After returning home, Huggins again worked as a journalist before becoming a policeman. Huggins then left law enforcement to pursue full-time writing.

Sorcerer is Huggins second 2006 release. In January his conspiracy novel, The Scam, was introduced.

Joy Ike Publicist
Whitaker House
1030 Hunt Valley Circle
New Kensington, PA 15068
Ph: 800.444.4484
E-mail: joy@whitakerhouse.com
http://www.whitakerhouse.com

###Professional Free Press Release News Wire

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Saturday, April 08, 2006

Online Mystery Book Reviews

A couple of reviews for recently published mystery books have appeared in the press online.

From the Monterrey Herald website, a review of Cherry Cheesecake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes by Joanne Fluke. "Along with this scrumptious and very satisfying mystery, the author includes 14 recipes for treats and desserts. Even if the story isn't something you devour with gusto, perhaps the peanut butter and jam cookies, the chocolate truffles, lemon crème torte or mini cherry cheesecakes will satisfy your sweet tooth."

From the Philadelphia Inquirer website, a review of Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag. "The gritty criminal element is made tangible without gratuitous gore, and the suspense will keep the most astute of mystery readers guessing until the gripping conclusion. Readers beware: Don't begin this novel unless you have plenty of time to finish it, because you likely won't be able to put it down."

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Friday, April 07, 2006

Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (04/07/2006)

A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending April 07, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website. Not much has changed from last week.

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

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Thursday, April 06, 2006

Mystery Trivia for April 2006

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has posted new mystery trivia questions for April 2006.

Janet Evanovich, author of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, recently introduced a new series character in Metro Girl. What is her name?

Janet Evanovich broke into the world of fiction with a small category romance titled Hero at Large. Under what pen name did she write this book?

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books to see the answers to these questions as well as previous mystery book trivia questions from prior months.

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Profile: "The Cat Who..." Made Her Rich

Korky Vann, special to the Hartford (CT) Courant, recently wrote a profile of Lilian Jackson Braun, author of the bestselling "The Cat Who ... " mystery series.

The books, says Braun, were inspired by a heartbreaking incident. Her first cat died and she dealt with her sorrow by writing a mystery story featuring a cat, which was published in Ellery Queen magazine. She was later approached by a publisher who was interested in a book. The result was "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards," published in 1966 and featuring two crime-solving Siamese. Two more books quickly followed, then Braun disappeared from the publishing scene because "... publishers were looking for more hard-boiled sex and violence, and my books were too old-fashioned, so I was dropped."

Twenty years later Berkley approached Braun about reviving the series, and she got back to work. She hasn't stopped since.

Read the rest of Vann's profile of Lilian Jackson Braun here.

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