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/thriller category.
December by Gabrielle Lord. The twelfth and final thriller in the Conspiracy 365 series, recommended for readers aged 13 and older. Lexile measure: 760L. Reviewed by a 6th grade teacher, who writes, "Readers will find their stomach in knots as they plow through page after page of exciting plot. ... In a world filled with technology where kids can become absorbed so easily in Wii or Xbox, it's comforting to know that there are writers out there who can break the mold and write a book, or even a series, that will have kids putting away the games, shutting off the computers, and absorbing themselves in a book!" (Read the entire review.)
For more reviews of children and young adult books of all genres, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you! You can also follow Book Trends on Twitter.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (101218)
Fox Cancels The Good Guys
Though there has been no official word from the network, several sources are reporting that Fox's crime dramedy The Good Guys won't be getting a second season. (Here's a short article from The Wrap with the news.)
The series stars Bradley Whitford as washed-up Dallas detective Dan Stark, who is partnered with Jack Bailey (Colin Hanks), an ambitious, by-the-book cop. It premiered last May, and ran for 20 episodes this past summer and fall.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Will Smith Developing Crime Drama Set in China
Variety has a brief report on a new crime drama set in China that actor Will Smith is developing with Chinese-born filmmaker Eva Jin for Fox.
The storyline for the untitled project involves a female crime-fighting college student. It is unclear whether the project would be produced in China (or elsewhere outside the US), though Smith has filmmaking ties to that country, having recently produced a remake of The Karate Kid, starring his son Jaden and Jackie Chan, there.
Sony Announces Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Earlier this week, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the third game in the Uncharted series, Drake's Deception for the Playstation 3. Here's the official description:
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception features the return of famed fortune hunter Nathan Drake and follows him through a gripping, action-packed storyline that will take you all over the world. In his search for the fabled “Atlantis of the Sands,” Nathan Drake and longtime friend and mentor Victor Sullivan set off on a daring trek into the heart of the Arabian Desert. But when terrible secrets of this lost city are uncovered, their journey becomes a desperate bid for survival that will force him to confront his deepest fears.
Throughout Uncharted 3, you’ll be taken to spectacular new locations around the globe that will showcase all of the work we’ve taken on to take our physics, particle and visual effects to a new level.
Competitive and co-op multiplayer will return as a key ingredient to the Uncharted 3 package, where all of the new features we have planned will combine with our signature single-player cinematic gameplay to create a unique action-adventure multiplayer experience that can only be found in the Uncharted universe.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception fully supports high-resolution Stereoscopic 3D.
The previous games in the series are Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is expected to be released November 1st, 2011. For more information, visit the Uncharted website. Watch a preview/announcement trailer below.
Michael Connelly Reaquires Rights to Series Character Harry Bosch
Back in March, we reported on crime novelist Michael Connelly's efforts to reacquire the rights to Harry Bosch, a character he created for his bestselling mystery series featuring the LAPD homicide detective.
In 1995, Paramount optioned Connelly's first two books featuring Bosch, The Black Echo and The Black Ice, but the deal also included a 15-year adaptation lock on the character himself. The studio never developed the books into films, and, with the option expiring, the author has spent much of this year negotiating to regain the rights. Deadline|Hollywood is now reporting that he has succeeded. "All I can say on the record is: 'The case has been settled in a confidential agreement'," Connelly says.
What's next for Harry Bosch? Connelly can't say, but has indicated a desire to see the character on television. But before that, he can be pleased to say that another of his characters, Mickey Haller, will be seen by audiences on the big screen. The Lincoln Lawyer opens in theaters March 18th, 2011.
The Black Echo was the winner of the 1993 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Readers interested in Connelly's debut mystery can read the first chapter or so below.
New Poster for The Green Hornet
A new (and presumably final) poster for The Green Hornet has been released by the studio. (Click on the image for a larger version.)
Based on the crime-fighting masked superhero created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in the 1930s, and probably best remembered as a television series on ABC in the mid-1960s, the film stars Seth Rogen as Britt Reid (aka The Green Hornet) and Jay Chou as his sidekick Kato.
After his father mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire, he sees a chance to do something meaningful with his life: to fight crime. He and Kato build the ultimate in advanced retro weaponry, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car equal parts firepower and horsepower. They quickly start making a name for themselves, and with the help of Britt's new secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), they begin hunting down the man who controls LA's gritty underworld: Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). But Chudnofsky has plans of his own: to swat down The Green Hornet once and for all.
Learn more about the film on The Green Hornet website.
The film opens in theaters January 14th, 2011. Watch the trailer via Yahoo Movies! below.
An Exciting Adventure Awaits You in the Mystery of Mortlake Mansion, 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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An old mansion has been living a mysterious life of its own! Use your hidden object talents to explore the dark rooms of the house, and discover the secrets that haunt this eerie place. Meet the talking raven and the Spirit, the enigmatic captives of the mansion. Confront the insidious lord, break the evil spells, set the captives free, and become the owner of the gorgeous mansion. An exciting adventure and dastardly discoveries await you in the Mystery of Mortlake Mansion!
Mystery of Mortlake Mansion may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (169.99 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!
Mystery Bestsellers for December 17, 2010
A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending December 17th, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.
As is typical of mid-December, there are no new titles on the list this week ... and we expect it to remain quiet through the end of the year.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson continues its run as the top bestselling hardcover, while last week's featured title, The Sherlockian by Graham Moore, which actually debuted out of the top 15, moves up to number 8.
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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.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Warner Bros. Options Film Rights to A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss
Variety is reporting that Warner Bros. has optioned the film rights to A Conspiracy of Paper, the first book in the Benjamin Weaver mystery series by David Liss. Ridley Scott and Tony Scott will produce a screenplay adaptation by Danny Strong.
A Conspiracy of Paper was the winner of several prestigious awards in 2001, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel, and the Barry Award for Best First Novel.
The book introduces Benjamin Weaver, a Jew and an ex-boxer, and an outsider in eighteenth-century London, tracking down debtors and felons for aristocratic clients. The son of a wealthy stock trader, he lives estranged from his family -- until he is asked to investigate his father's sudden death. Thus Weaver descends into the deceptive world of the English stock jobbers, gliding between coffee houses and gaming houses, drawing rooms and bordellos. The more Weaver uncovers, the darker the truth becomes, until he realizes that he is following too closely in his father's footsteps -- and they just might lead him to his own grave.
eHarlequin Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Titles for January 2011
eHarlequin.com has released the January 2011 titles in their Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense series. Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books combine suspense, romance, hope and faith to create a unique page-turning series that today’s readers love. To purchase any of the books below, click on the book title. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)
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Danger on Her Doorstep
Her father's death didn't seem suspicious. Yet Maggie Arnold can't deny that there's something odd about the old Victorian house he was working on when he died. The house that Maggie has now inherited. All she wants is to finish the renovations, sell the house and leave Holyoake, Iowa … but that's easier said than done. The only handyman in town who steps up to help her is Gideon Bromley—a man no one in Holyoake wants to trust. And just beyond every corner hides the person determined to keep them both away from the house … for good.
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Missing
Her daughter is the most important person in Lacey Gibson's world. So when the girl disappears, Lacey will do anything to find her. Even track down a man she hasn't seen in sixteen years—U.S. Marshall Mason Stone, the father of her child.
Mason was perfectly content with his life until Lacey arrived. Her confession that their daughter—the daughter he didn't know they had—is missing shakes his carefully controlled world. But there's no time to adjust as they race to find their child, catch the kidnappers … and learn whether they can have a second chance at happily-ever-after.
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Point of No Return
An American boy and a warlord's engaged daughter have disappeared—together—in an Eastern European border country. Only one man can find them in time to prevent an international meltdown—Chet Stryker. But Chet is taken aback when he realizes the boy is the nephew of Mae Lund, Chet's former flame. When Mae insists on rescuing her relative herself, Chet knows he has to protect her from the enemy on their trail. Yet can he protect himself from falling for Mae again?
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Daughter of Texas
Texas Ranger Ben Fritz would give his life to protect Corinna Pike. After all, she's his captain's beloved daughter—and the only witness to her father's murder. When the assassin targets Corinna, Ben dedicates himself to her safety…while keeping his distance. The beautiful ballerina deserves better than a rough-and-tough ranger. Yet Corinna refuses to ignore the draw between them, just as she refuses to give in to fear as danger grows. Ben will need her courage—and love—to guide him through the line of fire when the killer strikes again.
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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:
Calendar of Mystery Events Updated for 2011
We've updated our Calendar of Mystery Events with mystery-themed conferences and festivals to be held in 2011 (through August or thereabouts). See the sidebar on this page for a list of these events, dates, and venues.
If you know of an event not mentioned here, please e-mail us at info(@)omnimystery.com and we'll be pleased to add it to the list.
Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd is Today's Featured Free Kindle Mystery
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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Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd
The Russian Trilogy (1st in series)
Zondervan (Kindle eBook)
Download Link
About Conspiracy in Kiev (from the publisher): A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she?
While on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to accompany a Secret Service team during an American Presidential visit to Ukraine. Her assignment: to keep personal watch over Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region. Against her better judgment—and fighting a feeling that she’s being manipulated—she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future.
Read the first chapters of Conspiracy in Kiev below.
Help FBI Agent Nicole Bonnet Find a Ruthless Serial Killer in Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny, 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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A mysterious package begins an epic duel of minds between FBI Agent Nicole Bonnet and a ruthless serial killer, who leaves playing cards by the bodies of his victims as signature. Does Nicole have what it takes to understand the mind of a psychopath, as complicated as his puzzles? If not, she might end up as his next trophy! Find crucial clues in gorgeous hidden object scenes and stop the murderer in this thrilling adventure! Warning: This game contains some graphic content.
See also the two previous games in this series, Art of Murder: FBI Confidential and Art of Murder: Hunt for the Puppeteer.
Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (333.62 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour; the full version is 1.78 GB.
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!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Storyline Details Emerge
It's generally been known that the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series is based, at least in part, on Tim Powers' 1987 adventure novel On Stranger Tides. Indeed, the title of the film is taken from the book.
Now, ComingSoon.net has some more details on the film's storyline, straight from the director, Rob Marshall, who spoke at a special event at Disneyland where the first trailer for the film was initially screened.
"The story takes us to some different places," Marshall explained, "which makes it nice that it's not the same old thing. The whole opening and the first third of the film takes place in London. So we start on dry land and there is an impostor that Jack is looking for. He then escapes from the palace, gets captured by King George and there is a huge carriage chase ... [W]e set sail and that is sort of the second act. It's a new ship, Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. Then Barbossa has a new ship called the Providence. The third act is this incredible jungle adventure through caves where they are looking for the Fountain of Youth."
Compare this to a synopsis of the book, which follows the exploits of John "Jack Shandy" Chandagnac, who travels to the new world after the death of his puppeteer father to confront his uncle, who has apparently made off with the family fortune. During the voyage, he befriends Beth Hurwood and her father Benjamin Hurwood, an Oxford professor. Before they arrive at their destination, their ship is waylaid by Blackbeard and his band of pirates. With the help of the professor and his assistant, the captain is killed and Chandagnac is pressed into piracy and sorcery as Blackbeard searches for the Fountain of Lost Youth. Chandagnac, newly dubbed "Jack Shandy," must stop the evil plot and save Beth Hurwood.
There are clearly some similarities here, though the film seems to be a loose adaptation of the book, at best.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, starring Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow (the Jack Shandy character in the book) and Ian McShane as Blackbeard, opens in theaters May 20th, 2011.
Sony Announces James Patterson: Catch a Killer, a New Facebook Game
In a press release today, Sony Online Entertainment announced James Patterson: Catch a Killer, a new free-to-play puzzle adventure game on Facebook.
In the game, players can search for clues and hidden items in gritty crime scene photos, and unearth the terrifying truths behind each clue by piecing together fingerprints or unlocking DNA sequences. James Patterson: Catch a Killer also features a virtual world where players can interact with friends and invite them to play the game, gift items and publish achievements in their News Feed. Energy packs and other in-game items can also be purchased through micro-transactions using Station Cash, SOE's virtual currency, to help in solving crimes.
Features of the game include:
• Play Free or Upgrade: James Patterson: Catch a Killer is a free-to-play game, but players can further enhance their gameplay by unlocking new cases and purchasing a variety of items through micro-transactions.
• Solve the Puzzle, Crack the Case: Search crime scenes for evidence, examine clues, piece together fingerprints and match DNA to unlock secrets, advance gameplay and get closer to solving the case.
• Unique Enemies: Players will chase unique criminals inspired by James Patterson, such as The Changeling, Ladykiller and Anniversary Killer.
• Gritty, Realistic Graphics: Mature and edgy graphics depict gruesome scenes equivalent to what is featured in the Alex Cross novels and on crime TV shows.
• Immersive Virtual World: Create an avatar and chat with friends in the James Patterson: Catch a Killer city. Swap tips, gift items to friends or just brag about your sleuthing skills.
• Customization and Achievements: Advance through the game earning or purchasing special elite items that can be displayed or gifted to friends.
For more information about the game, visit the James Patterson: Catch a Killer website.
