Google Doodle Honors Agatha Christie's Birthday

Today is Agatha Christie's birthday, and to honor it, a special Google doodle (shown above) greets visitors to the search engine's home page. The scene seems to show Hercule Poirot (the upper case "G") telling a room full of suspects "whodunit", the likely culprit (the lower case "e") trying to sneak out the door.

OMN Welcomes Victoria Roder, Author of Bolt Action

Omnimystery News is thrilled to welcome Victoria Roder as our guest blogger. Victoria is the author of Bolt Action (Champagne Books Trade Paperback, April 2010), a Leslie Bolt mystery.

Today, Victoria writes about stupid criminals in need of a career change. And she's also providing our readers with an opportunity to win a copy of her book. Visit Mystery Book Contests, click on the "Victoria Roder: Bolt Action" contest link, enter your name, e-mail address, and this code (8104) for a chance to win! (One entry per person; contest ends 09/29/2010.)

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Photo courtesy of
Victoria Roder

Some criminals would be better off with a day job. A Salem Oregon man reported to the police that someone had stolen some of his personal belongings. He listed that one of the missing items was an ounce of marijuana. A wanna-be-robber at Dunkin Donuts, intent on stealing the cash register, ran off with the adding machine instead.

An unsuspecting woman was standing on the street when a young man ripped her purse from her clutches. She then received a phone call from the man demanding a big reward for the return. She told him to wait at the pay phone he was at and she'd send someone over with the money. She sent the police. In addition to theft he was charged with extortion!

I must say my personal favorite criminal, that is probably making license plates for his career change, is the ex-con intent on robbing someone in New York's Riverside Park. He pulled a fake handgun on two armed police officers in uniform!

In my action thriller, Bolt Action Detective Leslie Bolt would not have patience for the likes of these criminals. She is a tough-talking, gun-hoarding, Harley-riding investigator. After a childhood of abuse suffered at the hands of her father, Leslie stashes a collection of pistols, revolvers, and even keeps a Browning A-Bolt Stalker Rifle in her broom closet. She is stand-offish and down-right rude and having to work a serial murder case with her handsome ex-lover, Detective Lance Kestler doesn't improve her disposition. The body count mounts and Detective Bolt must conquer her own past, as she races to capture the "State Quarter Killer" before her sister is the next victim. Secrets of the past, murder, deception, sexual tension, and the "State Quarter Killer", Bolt Action offers it all!

Check out the awesome kick-ass book trailer of Bolt Action, created by Goddess Fish Promotions, here: youtube.com/watch?v=EqcYL_G7h7s.

Here's an excerpt from Bolt Action:

Lying in the dark shadows of my bedroom, I awoke with a start at a slamming sound. Every hair on my arms crystallized as I grappled under the pillow for my Ruger Blackhawk .357 and flashlight. Baby, my cat, scared to near death, screeched and ran from the bed. My heart lurched in my chest. In the silence of the night, the sound of the Ruger cocking ricocheted off the walls.

In an attempt to become undetectable in the darkness, I inhaled the slowest breaths possible without passing out. Convinced someone observed, perhaps studied, my every movement, I summoned my courage with a prayer. I flipped the flashlight on and scanned my bedroom. For the third time this week, nothing, no one present.

To ease my mind, I proceeded through my duplex with stealth-like movements, as if I were responding to an armed intruder call. Keeping my wrists crossed with my Ruger in my right hand and the flashlight in my left, I crept from one room to another, turning on every light available. With my duplex lit up like a landing strip, I positioned the flashlight on my oak end table. Confident the twelve-and-a-half inch barrel of my .357 protected me, I jerked open every closet door, hoping someone waited inside to be shot. I believed an apprehended suspect might be my chance at sanity, putting to rest the repetitive noises and sensation of being watched.

With a predator-like approach toward the bathroom, I noticed the shower curtain stirring. My pulse throbbed in my esophagus, threatening to cut off my air supply. Creeping into my nineteen-fifties Pepto Bismol pink bathroom, with a trembling hand I grasped and jerked open the curtain. The sound of the rings scraping against the rod made a deafening screech.

Still nothing.

Succumbing to mental exhaustion, I leaned my head against the bathroom door.

"Shit." In the silence, the sound of my own voice startled me. I couldn't keep going like this night after night.

A slamming noise vibrated between the duplexes. Sprinting to the kitchen, I set the flashlight on the counter and pressed my face against the kitchen window. I cupped my left hand around my eyes to peer into the driveway. I surveyed the driveway I shared with my neighbor Mark, but I couldn't detect his car.

If he's gone, where is the noise coming from?

I thought of one place I hadn't checked. The thought of entering the moldy, reeking storage area made my stomach contents curdle like cottage cheese. With my desire to find the source of the noises superseding my fear of dark, damp spaces, I tucked the Ruger in the waistband of my drawstring sleep pants.

Out of my collection of weapons that I have stashed around my apartment, I choose my Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker rifle from behind the mop in the broom closet. I headed in the direction of the enclosed storage area. Flipping on the porch light in hopes of frightening an intruder, I exited my front door. As I reached the bottom of the wooden steps, I could detect an outline of a person in front of the shadowed storage area door. Male-at least six feet tall.

Cocking the rifle, I warned, "Stop. I have a rifle."

"Calm down, Bolt. It's just me." Lance Kestler ran his hand through his thick black hair as he stepped from the shadows into the glow of the porch light.

"Oh for crying out loud. What the hell are you doing here?" I released the trigger. "Did you just come out of my storage area?"

"No, I got out of my car and walked toward your door." Kestler placed his hands on his slim hips. "How come you never wear your hair down during the day?"

I ignored the question. "I heard a door close."

Kestler shrugged his broad, black Fieora-clothed shoulders, and wobbled on his feet. "Must'a heard my car door."

Headlights from a passing car shined toward me and I slid the rifle behind my back. "Whatever. It's like midnight— what the hell do you want?"

"Well, I remembered you don't sleep much at night so I assumed you'd still be up. Or maybe you just didn't sleep at night because I kept you up—or should I say you kept me up?" Kestler took a stumbling step forward.

I blew out a breath in frustration. How did I ever get involved with this guy in the first place? "Get off it, Kestler. You've been drinking. What do you want?"

"Aren't you gonna invite me in?" He winked in his typical cocky manner. "It's been a long time since I've had your firm body under mine."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and shake my head. "Are you kidding me?"

"Look, I just want to apologize for how things have been going between us lately." Lance stumbled and dragged his hand across the side of the duplex to stabilize himself.

"Apologize?" The rifle dug into my hand as I tightened my grip on it. "You can't even talk in complete sentences. How come you only show up and want to talk after you've been drinking?"

Kestler advanced two steps toward me. "What's wrong with you? I'm trying to rekindle a civil relationship between us, and you show up acting like Annie Oakley the sharpshooter."

"You don't do apologies, or favors without an ulterior motive." I pointed the rifle towards him. "What the hell do you want? Why don't you just go home?"

"What? You're gonna shoot me?" Lance threw up his hands, pretending to surrender, and laughed.

His humor was lost on me. I wanted Kestler off my property and wanted him to know I meant business. Not that really would have shot him. Probably. "You've been drinking, and you're trespassing. I believed you were an intruder and I had to defend myself." I shrugged my shoulders. "Sounds convincing. I might be able to get someone to buy that."

"You'd miss."

My finger itched to pull the trigger. "Don't you remember my target scores where always better than yours?"

Lance winked at me. "That's because I was distracted by your cute ass."

I rolled my eyes. "You are an ass."

"I'm done with trying to be nice to you."

"When did you start?"

"Screw you." He turned to stomp back toward his car.

I lowered the rifle and called out, "Kestler, you've been drinking. Should I call you a cab?"

I heard him open his car door. As I walked backward up the three steps to the front door, it didn't take detective skills to realize he didn't have the ability nor the courtesy to answer me. Kestler was six feet tall—could he have consumed more then two drinks an hour? I ran back down the steps to offer him a ride.

"Kestler!" I pounded on the hood of the car. "Kestler, wait!"

He jammed the car in reverse, spun it around and squealed his tires on the usually quiet street. I watched him drive off and prayed he wouldn't hit someone on his way home. Retreating inside my apartment, I locked and dead- bolted the front door. I returned the A-Bolt rifle to its spot behind the mop in my closet, and headed for the phone to call in a tip about a drunk driver. If he was lucky, he'd be stopped by a friendly cop. If not—if he had to spend the night in the drunk tank—at least he wouldn't kill himself or anyone else. My infuriation with Lance Kestler made my hands jitter as if I had guzzled three pots of coffee.

Bolt Action is available as a trade paperback from Champagne Books or as a Kindle edition from Amazon.com.

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Born and raised in Wisconsin, Victoria currently resides in Spencer with her husband Ron and their pets. Bolt Action is her second novel. Visit her website at VictoriaRoder.com.

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About Bolt Action: With a Ruger Blackhawk .357 under her pillow, a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker rifle in her broom closet, and a Saturday Night Special in her road-hog cookie jar, Detective Leslie Bolt's sarcastic attitude and inability to trust, alienates her from most people. Forced to work a serial murder case with her ex-lover, she begins a budding romance with the department's new medical examiner, but which man will she choose?

"The State Quarter Killer" is selecting victims that appear to have nothing in common except for the State Quarter placed under their lifeless bodies. When her sister goes missing the question rises, will Detective Bolt capture the serial killer before her sister is the next victim?

For a chance to win a copy of Bolt Action, courtesy of Victoria Roder, visit Mystery Book Contests, click on the "Victoria Roder: Bolt Action" contest link, and enter your name, e-mail address, and this code (8104) in the entry form. (One entry per person; contest ends 09/29/2010.)

Find Hidden Gold in Mystery P.I.: Stolen in San Francisco, New from 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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$250 Million in solid gold has been stolen from an armored car. The gold's owner has hired you to find and return the gold before the trail goes cold and it is lost forever. Become the legendary Mystery P.I. and find the hidden clues necessary to crack the case! Use your hidden object skills to explore the gorgeous city of San Francisco, visiting amazing locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf and many more, and find the stolen gold!

See also the previous games in the Mystery P.I. series: The Lottery Ticket, The Vegas Heist, The New York Fortune, Lost in Los Angeles, and The London Caper.

Mystery P.I.: Stolen in San Francisco may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (49.94 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

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!

Mirror Image by Dennis Palumbo (Book Review)

Mirror Image by Dennis Palumbo. A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery. Poisoned Pen Press Hardcover, August 2010.

Dennis Palumbo introduces clinical psychologist Daniel Rinaldi, who may have been the intended target when a patient of his is murdered in the parking garage near his car, in Mirror Image.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Mirror Image by Dennis Palumbo.

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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.

A&E Renews The Glades for Second Season

In a press release yesterday, A&E Network officially renewed the crime drama The Glades for a second season. The series is the number one program among total viewers for the network.

Production will begin later this year on 13 episodes to air in 2011. The current season will air its final episode on September 26th.

Harlequin Intrigue Titles for October 2010

eHarlequin.com has released the October 2010 titles in their Intrigue, breathtaking romantic suspense series. Get these edge-of-your-seat reads today with characters who conquer everything from kidnappings to murder mysteries, only to find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another! For more information or to purchase any of the books below, click on the book title or book cover. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

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Silent Night Stakeout by Kerry Connor

All Regina Garrett wanted this holiday season was some R & R. What she got was mixed up in a murder investigation, and the personal protection of a very sexy homicide detective …

Marcus couldn't help wondering just what Regina knew about the case that practically landed in her lap. But between her direct connection to the evidence he'd uncovered and the threats against her, Marcus also knew she needed his help if she was going to stay alive. Convincing her it'd be safest if he stayed on her couch, Marcus prepared for a string of sleepless nights. As a cop, having Regina a few feet away was smart. As a man, it was pure torture.

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Double-Edged Detective by Mallory Kane

Detective Ryker Delancey had kept his eye on gorgeous Nicole Beckham since the night she'd barely survived a violent home invasion. Convinced her attack was connected to a string of murders in the New Orleans area, Ryker would do whatever it took to keep her safe. Unfortunately, Nic wasn't happy about being made his personal protection mission…until the killer came after her again. Now guarding Nicole became a 24/7 job, ratcheting up the tension that had been building between them. But losing control and falling into bed would cause more problems than it would solve. Or so he told himself the morning after …

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A Cop in Her Stocking by Ann Voss Peterson

Tyler Davis comes from a long line of cops, and he's learned the hard way that police work and families don't mix. But his solitary life is about to be called into question with the return of Megan Garvey, the woman he once loved … and lost.

Now, Megan is determined to keep her emotional distance— though it's clear that she and the rugged lawman still share something special. But a predator has come to Lake Hubbard for Christmas. And when Megan's young son disappears, there's only one cop to believe in. This holiday, Ty has been given a second chance to be the hero Megan needs … if he can bring her boy home alive.

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Boots and Bullets by B. J. Daniels

Cyrus Winchester's last attempt at helping a damsel in distress led to a coma and a stay in the Whitehorse hospital. But the Montana private investigator can't seem to shake his protective instincts, especially when it comes to local shop owner Kate Landon. While unconscious, he had dreamed of her brutal murder—or was it a dream?

With her girl-next-door good looks and adventurous spirit, Kate doesn't see herself as a victim—but Cyrus is sure that she's in danger. And this cowboy at heart isn't about to take a risk with her life. All he knows is that his investigation is bringing old secrets to life, secrets that point to Kate being a target of a merciless killer. Driven to keep her safe, he'd give his all to protect the woman he loves … but will it be enough?

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The Spy Who Saved Christmas by Dana Marton

In one unforgettable moment, Lara Jordan broke all the rules in her play-it-safe handbook and spent an incredible night with Reid Graham, a practical stranger. But before she even had time to bask in her fearlessness, a suspicious fire stole him away and left her pregnant, heartbroken and alone. Until now.

Walking back into Lara's life after two years was never on the operative's agenda. Unfortunately, remaining "dead" was no longer an option once their baby boys were kidnapped. Now, Reid had to convince Lara she could trust he'd sacrifice his own life to bring their children home for Christmas— without admitting the mission might just come to that.

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Christmas Countdown by Jan Hambright

Emma Clareborn banked everything she had on saving her family farm. But after one accident too many—to her and to her award-winning colt—it was time to hire a bodyguard. But the minute she saw Mac Titus, she knew he could do more damage to her heart than some faceless strangers could do to her home.

Mac Titus knew coming to Firehill Farm was a mistake. It only resurrected the ghosts from his past—and forced some gun-toting criminals out into the open. Still, Mac had a job to do, one that required focus and determination if he was going to keep Emma safe. Too bad his greatest distraction came from the woman he'd been hired to protect …

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If you enjoy the romantic suspense books in this series, you can get 2 free Harlequin Intrigue books plus 2 free gifts just for giving the automatic program a try. Accepting your two free Intrigue books and mystery gifts places you under no obligation to buy anything. You may keep the books and gifts and return the shipping statement marked cancel. If you do not cancel, about two months later, and then every other month, eHarlequin will send you four additional Intrigue books.

Keep up to date by subscribing to eHarlequin.com's free newsletter that contains the latest information about their series of books as well as informing you about subscriber-only special offers and new products. Click on the banner below to subscribe for free:

William H. Macy Cast in Film Adaptation of Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard

A year or so ago, we reported that Charlie Matthau was adapting the crime thriller Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard, and was also slated to direct.

Today, in a bit of casting news, Deadline is reporting that William H. Macy is committed to star in the film, playing the role of Woody Ricks, an alcoholic automobile scion, one of Detroit's richest citizens ... and the target of a pair of extortionists who use bombs as their weapon of choice.

Production was supposed to have begun earlier this year, but is now scheduled for early next year, with several key parts yet to be cast.

New Trailer for HBO Series Game of Thrones

Last June, we posted a trailer for the HBO series Game of Thrones, a 10-episode series based on the bestselling suspense/fantasy series by George R. R. Martin, the first book of which is titled A Game of Thrones. The series is expected to air sometime in 2011.

HBO has now released a second, slightly longer, trailer for the series, which we think looks appropriately dark and mysterious! You can see it below.

Hemlock Lake by Carolyn J. Rose (Book Review)

Hemlock Lake by Carolyn J. Rose. Non-series. Five Star Hardcover, August 2010.

Dan Stone returns to upstate New York, the area of his childhood -- and later the area of personal heartache -- to help investigate a series of arsons in Hemlock Lake, potentially the first of a series by Carolyn J. Rose.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Hemlock Lake by Carolyn J. Rose.

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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.

Omnimystery News Transition Update

Omnimystery News reaches a milestone with this post: it's our 4000th!

We thought we'd take this opportunity to update you on the transition from Mystery Books News to Omnimystery News. It is, now, complete ... at least we hope so! Most of the work was accomplished over Labor Day weekend, as planned, introducing a new template and redirecting traffic from the old domain name to the new one. Unfortunately, this latter task took longer than we had expected. However, as of this morning, all old posts are now being properly redirected to the new domain name.

Thanks for your patience during this transition. We appreciate your subscribing to Omnimystery News and visiting our family of mystery websites.

Daniel & Pascoe and Judge John Deed, New This Week on DVD

Telemystery, your source for one of the most comprehensive selections of detective, amateur sleuth, private investigator, and suspense television mystery series, mini-series and made-for-television movies, now available or coming soon to DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling two series being released this week.

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Based on characters created by crime novelist Reginald Hill, Dalziel and Pascoe aired on BBC for 12 seasons.

The series stars Warren Clarke as Detective Andy Dalziel, an idiosyncratic, politically incorrect copper with a penetrating wit and questionable personal habits. Inspector Peter Pascoe (Colin Buchanan) is his cultured sidekick -– a thoughtful “New Man” with a degree in Social Sciences, a caring attitude and a sharp brain. As partners, they forge an impressive crime-solving team -- and develop a tentative friendship.

The Dalziel and Pascoe: Season Two DVD set of 2 discs contain the four episodes that aired during June and July, 1997.

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Martin Shaw returns as the free-thinking judge with a reputation for asking difficult questions and refusing to compromise his principles in Judge John Deed, another series that originally aired on BBC.

This season, the Judge is faced with more transfixing cases, including dirty government double-deals, mortgage fraud, a mentally challenged man standing trial for murder, children accused of murdering their parents, and the right of a 15-year-old boy to refuse a heart transplant.

The Judge John Deed: Season Two DVD set of 2 discs contain the four episodes that aired during November and December, 2002.

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

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for September 13, 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:

D E G H I L R S T

This "road trip thriller" by Georges Simenon was also published as The Hitchhiker. (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!