Mystery Book Review: Downsized to Death by Patricia Gulley

Review of Downsized to Death by Patricia Gulley

Travel agent Patricia Gulley introduces her (presumably fictional!) counterpart Prudence "Pru" Peters, who finds herself investigating the murder of her clueless manager, in Downsized to Death.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Downsized to Death
Patricia Gulley
A Prudence Peters Mystery

Wings Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-59705-757-6 (1597057576)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59705-757-8 (9781597057578)
Publication Date: April 2010
List Price: $16.95

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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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Games of Mystery: Five New Games to Download from 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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The Otherside: Realm of Eons

After receiving a strange book on her doorstep, Miranda finds herself drawn into the fantastic world of The Otherside. With the help of the mischievous Jovie, travel between worlds and unravel the mystery of a missing girl. Journey through over 25 detailed locations as you discover hidden objects and combine items to create new tools. As the story unfolds through animated in-game comics, solve over 10 puzzling mini-games and help Miranda locate the missing Louise to save her from a ghastly fate.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (161 MB download).

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Desert Law

Players take on the role of Bred as he begins his quest for vengeance against those who ruined his very existence. After returning to his home village and finding the settlement plundered and destroyed, Bred swears to bring justice to the memory of his slain village. Uniting desolated outcasts, he forges a fighting unit to strike out against bandit gangs, drawing allies under his banner.

ESRB Rating: Everyone, 10 and older.

Windows Vista/XP (1000 MB download).

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Fiction Fixers: Adventures in Wonderland (Premium Edition)

Cadet, it's your duty to protect famous works of literature. Your first mission: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland! Search for Hidden Objects, solve puzzles, and play mini-games! Encounter classic characters such as the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts, but keep a close eye out for the infamous Illiterati, an evil organization dedicated to the destruction of all fiction. This Premium Edition includes a Hansel and Gretel bonus adventure, wallpapers, screen savers, and more!

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (213 MB download).

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Redrum

Rose has the ability to see dead people. Unfortunately her visions have landed her in an asylum. You must help Rose to use her psychic powers and ghostly visions to solve a series of grisly murders and thwart the plans of an evil doctor in this pulse-pounding Hidden Object game. Warning: Redrum is an intense psychological murder mystery and is intended for mature audiences. Each murder mystery in this game depicts the method of murder in all its gruesome horror.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (51 MB download).

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Insider Tales: Vanished in Rome

Adventure awaits you in Italy! Crack a new, mysterious case with Inspector Francesca di Porta! Travel to Rome on the trail of a couple that seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. They won Italy's biggest lottery jackpot ever, yet vanished without claiming a cent. Francesca's investigation points to Leonardo da Vinci -- but how could the Renaissance genius be responsible for their mysterious disappearance? Let Rome charm you as you try to solve an incredible mystery!

See also the previous game in this series, Insider Tales: The Stolen Venus.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (63 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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Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (100508)

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 Midnight Curse by L. M. Falcone. A non-series novel recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student who write, "I could not put this book down."

Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews. The 11th mystery in the Meg Langslow series, recommended for readers aged 14 and older. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student who write, "I found Swan For the Money to be a fantastic book! Donna Andrews made all of the characters interesting and unique. Not only that, but they were very easy to relate to!"

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

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Hayden Christensen To Star in Film Adaptation of The Genesis Code by John Case

Variety is reporting that Hayden Christensen (Star Wars) will star in the film adaptation of The Genesis Code, John Case's debut thriller, originally published in 1997. Kevin Bernhardt (The Immortals, Fear of Flying) is adapting the book for director David R. Ellis.

About The Genesis Code (from the publisher): A phone call in the dead of night brings Joe Lassiter (Christensen) shattering news. His sister and young nephew have died in a fire in their home near Washington, D.C. Yet Lassiter soon learns a chilling fact: His loved ones were brutally murdered before the blaze was set.

The mysterious suspect's identity only raises more questions. Then Lassiter uncovers another crime -- another innocent mother and child murdered. The more he unearths, the larger the web of conspiracy grows, as his search for answers leads him on a dangerous international chase toward a truth that will shock him -- and the world -- to the very bone.

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Jesse Stone: No Remorse Premieres This Sunday, May 9th, on CBS

Just a quick reminder that this Sunday, May 9th, 2010 at 9 PM (ET/PT), the sixth Jesse Stone movie, Jesse Stone: No Remorse, premieres on CBS. (You will have to set your DVR: the second episode of the sixth series of Foyle's War airs at the same time on PBS.)

This series of made-for-television films is based on characters created by Robert B. Parker. The first four in the series were adapted from actual mysteries in the series; Thin Ice and No Remorse are original screenplays co-written by series star Tom Selleck, who plays Jesse Stone.

This won't be the last Jesse Stone movie: CBS has already completed the seventh in the series, Innocents Lost, also from an original screenplay. However, based on the network's previous track record, it may be another year before we see it. Let's hope in the meantime they order and film a new one this fall, whetting our appetite, as it were, for more of this exceptional series.

All five previous films are available on DVD from Mysteries on TV: Jesse Stone.

CBS has a number of videos on its website for this Sunday's premiere of No Remorse. Below watch a behind-the-scenes look at the production:

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Mr. E. Reviews: The Box

Review of The Box

Potential viewers of Richard Kelly's interpretation (and expansion) of the short story "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson should know in advance that it would be unfair to compare The Box to his previous film Donnie Darko. There is no comparison. One is original and at times brilliant, the other not so much. It's not hard to guess which is which.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews.

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The Box
Director: Richard Kelly

Theatrical release: 11/09/2009.
DVD release: 02/23/2010.
Studio: Warner Bros.

Cast: Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz), Arthur Lewis (James Marsden), Arlington Steward (Frank Langella), Walter Lewis (Sam Oz Stone), Norm Cahill (James Rebhorn), Dick Burns (Holmes Osborne), Lana Burns (Celia Weston), Dana (Gillian Jacobs).

Rating: PG-13.
Running time: 115 minutes.

Based on the short story "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson.

Also available: The Box (Blu-ray disc)

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

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Mystery Book Review: Shield of Duty by Scarlett Dean

Review of Shield of Duty by Scarlett Dean

In Shield of Duty, Scarlett Dean chronicles the second set of the Frost sisters’ interrelated adventures after Linz has been shot but lingers on to help her sister solve crimes. Like its predecessor, Invisible Shield, Shield of Duty is an intriguing novel about the life and crimes in the here and hereafter.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Shield of Duty
Scarlett Dean
A Lindsay Frost Mystery

Five Star (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59414-855-4 (1594148554)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59414-855-2 (9781594148552)
Publication Date: February 2010
List Price: $25.95

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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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Borders Announces kobo eBooks and eReader

Borders has announced a different kind of eBook store coming this June, powered by kobo.

According to the announcement, Borders eBooks won't tie you to one particular device. Buy an eBook at Borders.com or through one of their apps and download it instantly to your choice of devices — popular smartphones, eReaders, or your PC.

And, in the increasingly crowded field of eReaders, Borders is bringing out the kobo eReader, a handheld device that supports eBooks purchased from any vendor that supports the Reader Mobile Technology from Adobe Systems. The kobo eReader will be available June 17th.

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Mystery Bestsellers for May 07, 2010

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending May 07, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

David Baldacci's non-series thriller Deliver Us from Evil moves into the top spot this week, with two new titles appearing in the top 15 (one moving up from just off the list last week).

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Debuting in 8th position is the 10th mystery in the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris.

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman.

But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side -- and one of them is angry at Sookie.

Very, very angry ...

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Moving up to the 10th spot is A Question of Belief, the 19th mystery in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series by Donna Leon.

With his hometown of Venice beset by hordes of tourists and baking under a glaring sun, Brunetti’s greatest wish is to go to the mountains with his family, where he can sleep under a down comforter and catch up on his reading.

But before he can go on vacation, a folder with court records has landed on his desk, brought by an old friend. It appears that cases at the local court -- hardly known as a model of efficiency -- are being delayed to the benefit of one of the parties. A creative new trick for corrupting the system, perhaps, but what can Brunetti do about it? And just when it looks like Brunetti will be able to get away, a shocking, violent crime forces him to stay in Venice.

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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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Today's Featured Free Kindle Mystery: Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine

Kindle Mysteries 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, so download it today!

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Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine
A Jaine Austen Mystery (9th in series)
Kensington (Kindle eBook)
Download Link

About Death of a Trophy Wife (from the publisher): Freelance writer Jaine Austen is moving on up! A cushy new advertising gig promises champagne wishes and caviar dreams, but Jaine soon discovers she's not the only one in town who's making a killing ...

Without a job or a date in sight, Jaine is equally out of luck in finance and romance. So when her friend Lance offers to treat her to brunch at the Four Seasons, Jaine leaps at the chance like a fashionista at a pair of half-price Louboutins. They've barely made it through the menu when Lance spots his friend Bunny. Dressed like a million bucks--and probably worth twice that -- Bunny is the new trophy wife of mattress maven Marvin Cooper.

When Bunny generously offers Jaine a gig writing Marv's new advertising campaign, Jaine accepts the job, and an invitation to her upcoming soirée. But at the party Bunny cruelly rules the Cooper mansion with a fist full of martinis, abusing terrified staff and her browbeaten husband alike. It seems like this society girl could use a good kick in the assets. Indeed, before the evening is over, someone poisons the D-cup diva. Dead must be the new black.

The police arrest Lance, but Jaine knows his murderous urges end at her closet door. She sets out to clear his name and discovers a list of suspects longer than Bunny's credit card bill. Did Mattress Marv get tired of his little bunny hopping into another man's bed, or did a jealous boy-toy fix her a fatal cocktail? Marv's ex-wife Ellen has plenty of motives for murder, as does Bunny's harassed maid Lupe. Or was it Bunny's seething stepdaughter who sent her to that Great Shopping Mall in the Sky?

Jaine is running out of time. Jobless, Lance is losing his mind and taking it out on Jaine's apartment, wardrobe, and indignant cat Prozac. And before Jaine can say 9021Oh-no someone else is murdered. Between a house guest that won't leave, a suitor-turned-stalker, and killer on the loose, Jaine's jackpot may turn out to be fool's gold.

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BFG Offers 30% All Games This Weekend

Games of Mystery is pleased to provide our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing mystery-themed products and services. Below is a special offer we recently received that may be of interest to you.

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Starting just after midnight tonight at 12:01 AM PT, all games (except Collector's Editions) at Big Fish Games are available for 30% off! Simple use coupon code SUPERMOM at checkout.

We frequently feature mystery and suspense games here on MBN. On our Games of Mystery site, we divide them into two categories: Adventure (or what BFG calls Large File) games and Hidden Object games. We also have a few reviews of these games, written by Ms. Terri, game reviewer for Omnimystery; she'll be reviewing many more games this summer!

The BFG Mother's Day 30% Off Sale lasts from Friday (May 7th, 2010) through midnight Sunday (May 8th, 2010). Click on the banner below to visit the site!

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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!

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Mystery Book Review: Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell

Review of Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell

Jennifer Lee Carrell tackles the mystery (really, mysteries) surrounding the origin of the the Bard of Avon's "Scottish Play" -- in theatrical circles, there is a taboo against naming it -- in Haunt Me Still, the second entry in this series featuring Shakespearean scholar Kate Stanley.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Haunt Me Still
Jennifer Lee Carrell
A Kate Stanley Mystery

Dutton (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-525-95077-X (052595077X)
ISBN-13: 978-0-525-95077-6 (9780525950776)
Publication Date: April 2010
List Price: $25.95

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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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TNT Announces Summer 2010 Schedule with Two New Series and Returning Favorites

Also in a press release today, TNT announced its summer 2010 schedule.

Two new series, both crime dramas, premiere.

First is Rizzoli & Isles (July 12th at 10 PM ET/PT) based on the mystery series by Tess Gerritsen, and starring Angie Harmon as Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as her crime-fighting partner medical examiner Maura Isles.

Next is Memphis Beat (June 22nd at 10 PM ET/PT), starring Jason Lee as a quirkly southern cop who has a great love for his home town and its music.

Returning series are The Closer (July 12th at 9 PM ET/PT), HawthoRNe (June 22nd at 9 PM ET/PT), Leverage (June 20th at 9 PM ET/PT), Dark Blue (August 4th at 10 PM ET/PT), and the concluding episodes of Saving Grace.

Late last week TNT also announced it had renewed the crime drama Southland for a third season.

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A&E Announces 2010 Schedule, including Four Crime Dramas in Development

In a press release today, A&E announced its 2010 upfront schedule and all of its scripted series in development are crime dramas.

Previously announced is a 13-episode order for The Glades, a character-driven police procedural set in Florida that will premiere this July.

Four series plus one mini-series are under development:

Coma, a multi-night mini-series based on the medical thriller by Robin Cook, about a doctor who discovers that something sinister is going on in her hospital after routine procedures send more than a few seemingly healthy patients into comas on the operating table. The patients are then sent to an undisclosed institute where they are to be observed; sensing something is amiss, the savvy doctor realizes that their organs are being illegally harvested for profit. She must then decide who she can trust and how to stop it, before she is silenced. The production team couldn't be more stellar: Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker.

Criminology, a crime drama in which Sarah O'Rourke believes that anyone is capable of anything. As a brilliant psychology professor at a small university she can reveal an individual's true motives by setting the simplest verbal traps or false pretexts to executing extravagant 'pack' experiments on the entire university body that shine a light on the machinations of our society. So when a local detective, John Acer, comes to her for help in an unsolved case, Sarah breaks down the array of evidence into a seemingly simple study of human nature, from profiling a bank robber based upon the character mask he wears to revealing the location of a serial killer by dissecting a city's social psychology. A fascinating crime procedural that exposes the truths of why we do what we do. This series is also being developed by Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker.

Big Mike, which features a plus-sized detective in a world where plus-sized is a minus. He is a force of nature in the San Diego Police Department, and his co-workers know not to underestimate him. One of the best in his field, he gets things done, knows all the right people, gets along with everyone, and knows all the best places to eat, a benefit when you're patrolling for hours on an empty stomach. Big Mike can be a charging bull while serving a warrant or a gentle giant while rescuing a child from a fire. He can be profane, relentless and even deceitful when regulations stand in the way of justice, but he intimately understands both passion and human weakness, which serves as his greatest strength as a detective and his greatest challenge in his romantic life.

American Crime in which two FBI agents, one male and one female, are partnered together and sent to unusual parts of the country to work with local police and solve crimes. Their cases expose them to different cultures each week (i.e. one week an Aryan nation community, the next an upper class neighborhood in Boston). One is a former high school teacher who is driven by passion and impulse, while the other is more centered and logical. Initially, the two are reluctant partners, though they gradually develop a strong, platonic bond, learning to trust and depend on each other.

And Hazel Rhodes, featuring the titular character who might wear her concert t-shirt a little too tight and her lipstick might be two shades too bright, but she might also be the best homicide detective Nashville has ever seen. She is the antithesis of a Southern Belle, a woman who came from nothing and clamored her way to the top of her field, she'll do anything to solve her cases, even if it means busting into a men's restroom or sneaking onto a crime scene to take photos. Sharp-tongued and quick witted, no murderer is too clever for her. Unlike most murder-mysteries, the audience will see the murder each week in the teaser so it becomes a thrill ride of cat-and-mouse each week as Hazel tries to nail the criminal before it's too late.

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New Trailer for The Killer Inside Me, adapted from the Noir Thriller by Jim Thompson

Earlier this year we reported that IFC had acquired the US distribution rights to the film adaptation of the noir thriller The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson. Now, a trailer has been released for the film, which can be seen below.

The book had previously been adapted for a 1976 film starring Stacy Keach. This updated version takes place in an idyllic West Texas town in the early 1950s and stars Casey Affleck as a handsome, charming, unassuming sheriff’s deputy named Lou Ford. As a lifelong resident, Ford has difficulty juggling his long-term girlfriend Amy (Kate Hudson), the prostitute named Joyce (Jessica Alba) that he mistakenly falls for, and the sociopathic tendencies inside him.

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