Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Universal Planning Film Adaptation of Sweep Series of Fantasy Suspense Novels by Cate Tiernan

Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan
More information about the book

Variety is reporting that Universal is planning a film adaptation of the "Sweep" series of fantasy suspense novels by Cate Tiernan, the first of which is Book of Shadows. Robert Nelson Jacobs (Dinosaur, Chocolat, The Shipping News, Extraordinary Measures) will write the screenplay.

The series features Morgan Rowlands, a high school student, who learns she is a blood witch, and must battle the forces of dark magic.

There are currently 14 books in the "Sweep" series plus a super edition. The books are published outside the US as either the "Wicca" or "White Magic" series.

Read the first chapters of Book of Shadows below.

J. K. Rowling Wins Inaugural Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize

J. K. Rowling

J. K. Rowling has been announced as the winner of the inaugural Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize, created to honor children's authors who write in the spirit of Andersen.

"Hans Christian Andersen is a writer I revere, because his work was of that rare order that seems to transcend authorship," the author of the Harry Potter books said, praising Andersen's "indestructible, eternal characters." (Guardian)

This new prize is separate from the Hans Christian Andersen Awards, which have been given out every other year since 1956 to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children's literature.

Johnny Depp Developing Film Adaptation of The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett

The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
More information about the book

Vulture is reporting that Johnny Depp is scouting directors for his film adaptation of The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, in which he plans to star. His first choice is Rob Marshall, who is currently directing the actor in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. There's no script yet, but plans are moving forward for Depp to develop the project through his production studio at Warner Bros.

Written in 1934, The Thin Man was a stand-alone novel, though you wouldn't know it based on the six films adapted from it starring William Powell and Myrna Loy that were released from 1936 through 1947. Set in Prohibition-era New York City, the original storyline features the glamorous couple Nick and Nora Charles -- and let's not forget their dog, Asta -- who are drawn into investigating the disappearance of an eccentric inventor and the murder of his secretary. The titular character actually refers to the missing man, Clyde Wynant.

Social Game CSI: Crime City Launches Today on Facebook

CSI: Crime City

In a press release today, Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products announced a new social game based on the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: CSI: Crime City

The game can be downloaded starting today at Facebook.com/CSICrimeCity.

In CSI: Crime City the player is a CSI dropped in the middle of a teeming metropolis and is challenged to solve difficult murders to bring criminals to justice. Players can explore crime scenes, earn virtual currency and build their very own CSI Lab. They can play alongside their favorite characters while exploring cool Las Vegas locations such as casinos, nightclubs, hotel suites, the desert and the Las Vegas strip.

Developed with the cooperation of the writers of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Crime City’s nearly endless supply of gameplay will keep fans coming back for more. The game includes storylines and cases tied to events on the television show and features tons of unique items, lab machines and forensic tools to collect and use. Players will be able to interact with their friends by exchanging messages, sharing information and working together to solve intriguing criminal cases.

Ubisoft and CBS have teamed up before to produce a number of games based on the CSI franchise. The next game in the series, CSI: Fatal Conspiracy, will be released later this month for Windows PC, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360. Learn more about the game at the Ubisoft/CSI website.

Hard Case Crime Signs Publishing Deal with Titan Books

Hard Case Crime

A post on the Shots Magazine blog announced that the creative team behind Hard Case Crime has signed a new deal with UK-based Titan Books to continue publishing hardboiled crime fiction.

Hard Case Crime will relaunch late next year with four new books, including Choke Hold by Christa Faust, a sequel to her 2008 novel Money Shot; and Quarry's Ex by Max Allan Collins, which was originally scheduled to be published last month. In addition, Titan will acquire all existing stock of Hard Case Crime's backlist from its previous publisher, Dorchester.

Titan is distributed in the US and Canada by Random House.

Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery is Available for $2.99 for a Limited Time Only at BFG

Big Fish Games: A New Game Everyday!

From today through October 28th, 2010, Big Fish Games is offering Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery for only $2.99! Simply use the coupon code STRANGE299 at checkout.

Strange Cases: The Tarot Card MysteryFBI Agent Claire Ellery has a knack for getting assigned strange cases, and is currently investigating a triple kidnapping in a small town. But what initially seems like an open and shut case soon unravels into something much more sinister. Follow the tarot cards left by an anonymous source and search mysterious scenes for clues to help Agent Ellery rescue the kidnapped girls and stop an evil ritual.

Watch a trailer for the game below:

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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!

The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan (Book Review)

Mysterious Reviews: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller and Crime Novel Reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan. A Poke Rafferty Mystery. William Morrow Hardcover, September 2010.

Travel writer Poke Rafferty's life is turned upside down when a man from his wife's past shows up unexpectedly, threatening his family, in The Queen of Patpong, the fourth mystery in this series by Timothy Hallinan.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan.

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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.

Harlequin Intrigue Titles for November 2010

Free Shipping with coupon code EHQNFREESHIP at eHarlequin.com

eHarlequin.com has released the November 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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Body Armor by Alana Matthews
Buy the Book!

Body Armor by Alana Matthews

If last-minute shopping isn't killer enough, Santa is! When Anna Sanford is attacked by a vengeful Saint Nick, a mystery man saves her life. But the real mystery isn't why this man, Brody Carpenter, pledges to protect Anna through the holidays—it's why he left her in the first place…and why she never told him she was pregnant with his child.

In four turbulent years, he'd transformed from local sheriff into an international bodyguard for hire—and Anna is in serious need of protection. Brody wants to help her put her life back together, but dodging bullets is easier done than dodging the past … especially when she is about to give him the ultimate Christmas surprise …

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Hostage to Thunder Horse by Elle James
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Hostage to Thunder Horse by Elle James

Discovering an unconscious woman in a snowdrift, rancher Maddox Thunder Horse vowed to save her life. How she had wound up in a remote area of the Badlands was a mystery, but the fear in the icebound beauty's eyes revealed that it had not been by choice. The woman who called herself Kat roused protective instincts the Lakota native had thought long-dead …

Grateful for her rescue, Katya Ivanov didn't want to pull Maddox into her nightmare. Someone wanted her dead, so the less he knew about her and her situation, the better. Still, the growing attraction between them couldn't be denied—and neither could the killer who lurked in wait. But with a warrior by her side, she just might have a shot at the life—and love—she'd always wanted …

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Colby Brass by Debra Webb
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Colby Brass by Debra Webb

As a Colby agent, Trinity Barrett is one of the best at finding the missing and delivering justice. He hasn't confronted a challenge he couldn't handle with ease—until now. To locate an abducted child and bring her home safely, he must team up with Equalizer Evonne Cassidy…his ex-wife.

Launching a dangerous search in Chicago's underbelly is not Evonne's biggest obstacle—partnering with Trinity is. They'd managed to keep their history a secret, but in close quarters they can't deny the passion that still connects them. And if there's any hope for a Christmas reconciliation, they'll first have to survive their risky assignment …

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High-Caliber Christmas by B. J. Daniels
Buy the Book!

High-Caliber Christmas by B. J. Daniels

When Jace Dennison left Whitehorse twelve years ago, he never meant to return—until a family tragedy draws the undercover agent back to the town … and the woman he left behind. Suddenly Jace must deal with a life-changing Winchester revelation and serious danger. His Christmas homecoming is stirring up a hornet's nest of trouble, and his ex-fiancée, Kayley Mitchell, is smack dab in the middle.

The last thing Jace wanted was to put the warm and loving blonde in harm's way, but whoever has it out for him has taken Kayley hostage. Jace knows, without a doubt, he'll risk his own life to save Kayley's … and if he's given a second shot at her love, he'll take it.

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Savior in the Saddle by Delores Fossen
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Savior in the Saddle by Delores Fossen

Willa Marks is pregnant. Afraid. And can't remember anything beyond two months ago. What she does know is that she can't trust the police to keep her safe. So when two men—cops—appear at her door, all she can think about is escape. But instinct tells her to trust one of them …

Brandon Ruiz is ex-military. Sheriff of a small town in Texas. And Willa's ex-boyfriend. Or so he claims. Now that they've found her, he's determined to keep Willa safe from her would-be assassin. But to do that he has to stay distanced. He can't let her touch, her scent, reach him. Can't let her kisses inflame him.

He thinks if she remembers, she'll be safe. But he's wrong …

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The Pediatrician's Personal Protector by Mallory Kane
Buy the Book!

The Pediatrician's Personal Protector by Mallory Kane

Dr. Christy Moser had returned to her close-knit Louisiana parish, determined to uncover the truth about her troubled family past. Suddenly complications arise: two terrifying attempts on her life and Reilly Delancey, a handsome SWAT specialist who won't let her out of his sight until the would-be killer is caught …

Reilly never signed on to be someone's bodyguard. Especially not a woman as self-assured, as beautiful, as frustrating as Christy. With her sights set on conducting a private investigation, the sexy pediatrician pleads with Reilly for help. Unable to refuse—or resist—Reilly digs deeper into who framed the people closest to Christy. Before long a new culprit steps forward. A culprit who could end Reilly's career—and ultimately seal Christy's fate.

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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:

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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Mr. E. Reviews Sherlock Holmes

Mr. E. reviews mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime drama television and film for Omnimystery

While I'm no expert on the character of Sherlock Holmes, like many mystery fans I'm one of those who have read each of the novels and short stories in which he has appeared at least twice and was looking forward to, albeit with some trepidation, this reimagining of one of the most iconic characters from literature.

I'm pleased to say, upfront, that I was thrilled with the characters and setting and overall production and direction of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes; only the weakly developed plot disappointed me.

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

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

NBC Orders Full Seasons for Three of its New Series

NBC Television

The Hollywood Reporter's Live Feed blog is reporting that NBC has ordered full seasons of its freshman series The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles. Though neither of the shows are ratings hits for the network, Angela Bromstad, NBC's entertainment president, said, "We believe in these new series and the creative auspices behind them."

Separately, the Live Feed noted that NBC has also given a full season commitment to Chase and has ordered four additional scripts for Undercovers. Bromstad said of Chase, "[W]e think it has potential to grow."

Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill (Book Review)

Mysterious Reviews: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller and Crime Novel Reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill. A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery. Soho Crime Hardcover, August 2010.

Laos's only coroner, Dr. Siri Paiboun, is in the middle of investigating a series of unusual stabbings when he's invited to attend a conference in Cambodia -- and is imprisoned as a spy -- in Love Songs from a Shallow Grave, the seventh mystery in this series by Colin Cotterill.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill.

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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.

Cully Hamner Talks to Publishers Weekly about his Graphic Novel RED and its Film Adaptation

Cully Hamner: Red Eyes Only

Tomorrow, DC Comics releases a 48-page prequel to the graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, from which the film RED was adapted.

Titled RED: Eyes Only and written by Cully Hamner, it addresses the questions, What mission was the turning point to CIA agent Paul Moses's retirement? What betrayal cut so deep that it went all the way to the top?

In an article published today on PublishersWeekly.com, Hamner talks about the original source material, its adaptation, and his new comic.

“I won’t lie, it would have been nice to have more involvement in the movie,” he admits. “But at the same time I understand they had their take. And their take was pretty drastically different from what the comic is, on the surface at least.” Hamner later adds, “You can never start with the assumption that you have a right to be involved with the movie. If I were making a movie like that and I bought the rights to it and I wanted to basically take it in a different direction, I’m not sure that I would want the parents of the comic wagging their finger every time we made a change.”

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection is Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection
More information about the DVD

Fans of Alfred Hitchcock take note: Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection, a DVD set of 14 of the director's best films, is Amazon.com's Gold Box Deal of the Day. Today only, Tuesday October 19th, this collection is priced at more than 50% off.

Packaged in a beautiful, velvet box, the individual discs inside come four to a case, decorated with original poster art.

The 14 films are: Saboteur (1942), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Trouble With Harry (1955), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), Marnie (1964), Torn Curtain (1966), Topaz (1969), Frenzy (1972), Family Plot (1976)

A bonus disc features 14 documentaries and 9 featurettes, and includes a revealing interview in which the master of suspense discusses, among other things, how much he dislikes working with method actors; the American Film Institute ceremony at which Hitchcock was given the lifetime achievement award; revealing documentaries about the making of Psycho and The Birds; and much more.

Chinatown Beat by Henry Chang is Today's Featured Free Kindle Mystery

Kindle Mysteries: Mystery Books Available on the Amazon Kindle

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 (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so download it today!

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Chinatown Beat by Henry Chang
More Information About Chinatown Beat by Henry Chang

Chinatown Beat by Henry Chang
A Jack Yu Mystery (1st in series)
Soho Crime (Kindle eBook)
Download Link

About Chinatown Beat (from the publisher): Detective Jack Yu grew up in Chinatown. Some of his friends are criminals now; some are dead. Jack has just been transferred to his old neighborhood, where 99 percent of the cops are white. Unlike the others, confused by the residents who speak another language even when they’re speaking English, Jack knows what’s going on.

He is confronted with a serial rapist who preys on young Chinese girls. Then Uncle Four, an elderly and respected leader of the charitable Hip Ching Society and member of the Hong Kong-based Red Circle Triad, is gunned down. Jack learns that benevolent Uncle Four had a gorgeous young mistress imported from Hong Kong. And she is missing.

To solve these crimes, Jack turns to an elderly fortune teller, an old friend of his, in addition to employing modern police methods. This debut mystery power-fully conveys the sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown, as well as the attitudes of its inhabitants.

Monday, October 18, 2010

CBS Developing Series Adaptation of The Pawn by Steven James

The Pawn by Steven James
More information about the book

In other television news, Variety is reporting that CBS is developing a drama series based on The Pawn, the first thriller to feature FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers by Steven James. Charles Murray (Criminal Minds, Castle) will write the screenplay.

In the opener, Bowers is called from his home in Colorado to North Carolina to consult on a serial killer that has terrorized the area. Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he's about to strike again. It will take all of Bowers's instincts and training to stop this man who calls himself the Illusionist. And just when the pieces start to come together, Bowers realizes they're not quite adding up.

Mystery Book Review: The Pawn by Steven James Read our review of The Pawn by Steven James at Mysterious Reviews.

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