Mystery Godoku Puzzle for September 12, 2011

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!).

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This week's letters and mystery clue:

A C E D L N O S W

This “autumn” move is featured in the title of Philip Lee Williams’ first Hank Prince mystery (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!

Telemystery: Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime Sundays

In a little over a week, the Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime season begins. All this week we have been profiling new crime dramas (and other shows with mystery, suspense and thriller elements), as well as taking a quick look at the returning series. (All listed times are ET/PT.)

Sundays … CSI: Miami … Dexter … Once Upon a Time … The Walking Dead …

New on Sundays this season is Once Upon a Time, which doesn't premiere until October 23rd at 8 PM on ABC. And we're the first to admit, we're iffy on whether this qualifies as "prime time crime".

And they all lived happily ever after — or so everyone was led to believe.

Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) knows how to take care of herself. She's a 28-year-old bail bonds collector who's been on her own ever since she was abandoned as a baby. But when the son she gave up years ago finds her, everything starts to change. Henry (Jared Gilmore) is now 10 years old and in desperate need of Emma's help. He believes that Emma actually comes from an alternate world and is Snow White and Prince Charming's missing daughter. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen's curse, which trapped the fairytale world forever, frozen in time, and brought them into our modern world.

Of course Emma doesn't believe a word, but when she brings Henry back to Storybrooke, she finds herself drawn to this unusual boy and his strange New England town. Concerned for Henry, she decides to stay for a while, but she soon suspects that Storybrooke is more than it seems. It's a place where magic has been forgotten, but is still powerfully close … where fairytale characters are alive, even though they don't remember who they once were.

The epic battle for the future of all worlds is beginning, but for good to win, Emma will have to accept her destiny and fight like hell.

Watch a preview for the series below.

The three returning series are CSI: Miami (10th season premiere, September 25th at 10 PM on CBS), Dexter (6th season premiere, October 2nd at 10 PM on Showtime), and The Walking Dead (2nd season premiere, October 16th at 8 PM on AMC).

Review: Steal the Show by Thomas Kaufman

Steal the Show by Thomas Kaufman. A Willis Gidney Mystery. Minotaur Books Hardcover, July 2011.

The two storylines in this crime novel — involving video piracy and the adoption of an orphaned girl — would hardly seem compatible, and yet the author deftly handles both, the former by keeping the action briskly moving along, the latter with surprising sensitivity, and both featuring a really remarkable PI.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Steal the Show by Thomas Kaufman.

Review: The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller

The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller. A Laurence Bartram Mystery. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Hardcover, July 2011.

This story is a journey of both discovery and self-discovery, one that uses well written dialog and embedded letters to allow the reader to participate in the process.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller.

Review: The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman

The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. Non-series. William Morrow Hardcover, August 2011.

Far more narrative fiction than investigative crime novel, this stylistically unusual stand-alone tells the tale of five friends, one of whom is now dead, and events from the past that may have affected their lives today.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman.

Review: Hot, Shot, and Bothered by Nora McFarland

Hot, Shot, and Bothered by Nora McFarland. A Lilly Hawkins Mystery. Touchstone Trade Paperback, August 2011.

There seems to be a lot of activity going on in this book, but the storyline — mimicking to some degree the efforts of firefighters trying to contain a raging wildfire — tends to proceed in a more sideways manner than progressing forward. It's a fast reading mystery, but not a fast moving one.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Hot, Shot, and Bothered by Nora McFarland.

Mystery, Suspense and Thriller Adventure and Casual Games, New This Week from BFG (110910)

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of new mystery, suspense and thriller adventure and casual games from Big Fish Games released during this past week. 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 small town lies devastated after being ravaged by a terrible flood. The townsfolk hide away, whispering of the Bronze Horseman, who has come to pass judgment on the wicked! Summoned by the town's mayor, it is your duty to investigate the mystery and find his son, who has disappeared amidst the chaos. Use your hidden object talents to help this small town.

This is a special Collector's Edition with features not available in the standard edition, including bonus gameplay, an integrated strategy guide, wallpapers and screensavers, concept art, musical soundtrack, and early access.

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A warlock’s curse has trapped you in an otherworldly cemetery! Explore gorgeous hidden object scenes and save the children that the warlock has taken. Learn the history of the evil warlock and find a way to stop him before it is too late! Help other spirits find peace as they help you find useful items and overcome challenging obstacles.

For a more immersive playing experience, check out the Redemption Cemetery: Children's Plight (Collector's Edition), which is full of exclusive extras you won’t find in the standard version, including bonus gameplay, an integrated strategy guide, wallpapers and screensavers, concept art, musical soundtrack, and early access.

See also the other game in this series, Redemption Cemetery: Curse of the Raven.

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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 our 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!

Telemystery: Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime Fridays

In just under two weeks, the Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime season begins. All this week we are profiling new crime dramas (and other shows with mystery, suspense and thriller elements), as well as taking a quick look at the returning series. (All listed times are ET/PT.)

Fridays … Blue Bloods … CSI: NY … Fringe … Grimm …

The new show this season on Fridays is Grimm, though it doesn't premiere on NBC until well into October, the 21st to be specific.

In a series inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales, Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.

As he tries to hide the dangers of his new found calling from his fiancée, Juliette Silverton, (Bitsie Tulloch), and his partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby), he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries and alliances of the Grimm world.

With help from his confidant, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), a reformed Grimm creature himself, Nick must navigate through the forces of a larger-than-life mythology, facing off with Hexenbiests, Blutbads and all manner of ancient evils, including royal lines dating back to the original profilers themselves, The Grimm Brothers.

Watch a preview for the series below.

Returning series include the eighth season of CSI: NY (CBS, September 23rd at 9 PM), the second season of Blue Bloods (CBS, September 23rd at 10 PM), and fourth season of Fringe (Fox, September 23rd at 9 PM).

BBC Orders Historical Crime Drama, Ripper Street

The BBC has ordered an 8-part (episode) crime drama titled Ripper Street set in the East End of London in 1889. The action is centered on the police precinct H Division, which is responsible for maintaining order in the area following the "Ripper" murders.

"The Ripper case was the first ever mass-media man hunt and is known literally all over the world," says Simon Vaughan, one of the series producers. "We are producing a British drama with global ambitions and we are already having conversations with a number of US and international broadcasters who recognise the in built branding of the title."

We take that last comment to mean that at the very least we should expect to see it on BBC America at some point.

(Source: BBC Press Release.)

Mr. E. Reviews The Adjustment Bureau

Purchase/Rental Option(s)

The most interesting elements of the premise for this film are given only passing attention, focusing instead on a rather improbable romantic relationship between a New York politician and an up-and-coming dancer. Not a bad film by any means, but a lot of missed opportunities to create an innovative one.

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

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

Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending September 9th, 2011

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending September 9th, 2011 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Moving into the top spot this week is last week's featured title, Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson co-written with Marshall Karp. One new title moves up into the top 10 and another debuts on the list.

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Coming in last week just off the list but moving up sharply to number 6 this week is A Trick of Light, the seventh mystery to feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Quebec by Louise Penny.

"Hearts are broken," Lillian Dyson carefully underlined in a book. "Sweet relationships are dead."

But now Lillian herself is dead. Found among the bleeding hearts and lilacs of Clara Morrow's garden in Three Pines, shattering the celebrations of Clara's solo show at the famed Musée in Montreal.

Gamache is called to the tiny Quebec village and there he finds the art world gathered, and with it a world of shading and nuance, a world of shadow and light. Where nothing is as it seems. Behind every smile there lurks a sneer. Inside every sweet relationship there hides a broken heart. And even when facts are slowly exposed, it is no longer clear to Gamache and his team if what they've found is the truth, or simply a trick of the light.

Purchase Options:

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New this week in the 12th position is the 11th Mary Russell mystery, Pirate King by Laurie R. King.

In England’s young silent-film industry, the megalomaniacal Randolph Fflytte is king. Nevertheless, at the request of Scotland Yard, Mary Russell is dispatched to investigate rumors of criminal activities that swirl around Fflytte’s popular movie studio. So Russell is traveling undercover to Portugal, along with the film crew that is gearing up to shoot a cinematic extravaganza, Pirate King. Based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, the project will either set the standard for moviemaking for a generation … or sink a boatload of careers.

Nothing seems amiss until the enormous company starts rehearsals in Lisbon, where the thirteen blond-haired, blue-eyed actresses whom Mary is bemusedly chaperoning meet the swarm of real buccaneers Fflytte has recruited to provide authenticity. But when the crew embarks for Morocco and the actual filming, Russell feels a building storm of trouble: a derelict boat, a film crew with secrets, ominous currents between the pirates, decks awash with budding romance — and now the pirates are ignoring Fflytte and answering only to their dangerous outlaw leader. Plus, there’s a spy on board. Where can Sherlock Holmes be? As movie make-believe becomes true terror, Russell and Holmes themselves may experience a final fadeout.

Purchase Options:

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For more mystery books news, 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.

Two New Posters for Breaking Dawn Part I

Two new posters have been posted on the Yahoo! movies site for the fourth film in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn Part I. Click on the images below for larger versions.

Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child … which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

Breaking Dawn Part I, adapted from the final book in the Twilight series of romantic suspense novels by Stephenie Meyer, opens in theaters on November 18th, 2011.

 

Review: Spycatcher by Matthew Dunn

Spycatcher by Matthew Dunn. A William Cochrane Mystery. William Morrow Hardcover, August 2011.

Relentless action that crisscrosses the globe is fairly standard fare in thrillers these days, so if a book is to stand out it has to do so largely on the basis of its lead character. Unfortunately, Will Cochrane is almost too perfect, a nearly flaw-free character that needs a fault or two to make him more approachable to the reader.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Spycatcher by Matthew Dunn.

Telemystery: Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime Thursdays

In less than two weeks, the Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime season begins. All this week we are profiling new crime dramas (and other shows with mystery, suspense and thriller elements), as well as taking a quick look at the returning series. (All listed times are ET/PT.)

Thursdays … Archer … Bones … Charlie's Angels … The Mentalist … Person of Interest … Prime Suspect …

Another day of conflicts! Three new series premiere on this day, and all on the same date (though all at different times).

First up on September 22nd at 8 PM on ABC is the reboot of Charlie's Angels.

Though the action has been moved to Miami, the premise is basically the same as in the original 1970s series: three angels, all fearless detectives, head-turning beauties and close friends. There's Abby (Rachael Taylor), a Park Avenue princess who became a world-class thief. Then there's Kate (Annie Ilonzeh), a Miami cop who fell from grace, losing both her career and her fiancé. Finally there's Gloria, a disgraced army lieutenant who has a way with explosives. When one of the angels' missions ends in Gloria's tragic death, Charlie persuades them to partner with Gloria's childhood friend, Eve (Minka Kelly), a street racer with a mysterious past. They may not know each other yet, but one thing's for sure — Abby, Kate and Eve will always have each others' backs.

Meet the new angels in a video at the bottom of this post.

Next at 9 PM on CBS is Person of Interest.

This crime thriller features a presumed dead former-CIA agent, Reese (Jim Caviezel), who teams up with a mysterious billionaire, Finch (Michael Emerson), to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice. Reese's special training in covert operations appeals to Finch, a software genius who invented a program that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes. Using state-of-the-art surveillance technology, the two work outside of the law, using Reese's adept skills and Finch's unlimited wealth to unravel the mystery of the "person of interest" and stop the crime before it happens. Reese's actions draw the attention of the NYPD, including homicide detective Carter (Taraji P. Henson) and Fusco (Kevin Chapman), a cop whom Reese uses to his advantage. With infinite crimes to investigate, Reese and Finch find that the right person, with the right information, at the right time, can change everything.

Get a brief introduction to the series below.

Finally at 10 PM on NBC is Prime Suspect, a reimagination of the original UK series, now set in New York.

Maria Bello stars as tough-as-nails NYPD homicide Detective Jane Timoney, an outsider who has just transferred to a new squad, where her new colleagues already dislike her. Jane is confident and focused — and also rude, abrupt and occasionally reckless. She has her vices, and rumors of a questionable past follow her everywhere — but at the end of the day, she's an instinctively brilliant cop who can't be distracted from the only important thing: the prime suspect.

Watch a preview for the series below.

As to the other series, Archer is returning on September 15th at 10:30 PM on FX with three new episodes, more of a teaser than anything else. The series will return in January 2012 with its new season.

We'll have to wait until November 3rd for the opener to the seventh season of Bones. It will air on Fox at 9 PM.

Finally, The Mentalist begins its fourth season on September 22nd on CBS at 10 PM.

Recently Published Indie Mysteries (110907)

We're always on the lookout for new mystery, suspense and thriller books, and with this series of recurring posts, we're looking at Indie Mysteries, books published by small, independent publishers, or self-published, that recently caught our eye ... and may be of interest to you too. Most of these titles, selected primarily from the Smashwords website, are ebook only, though some may also be available in a print format.

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Chasing Backwards
by Arthur Smukler
Non-Series
Telemachus Press (Ebook)
August 2011

Confined to a pediatric hospital at age six, the brutal death of his father at age seven, and always desperate for money, left a deep psychological imprint on Joe Belmont. In spite of it, he mowed lawns, pumped gas, waited tables and worked hard in school. When he turned eighteen, he borrowed money, lived low, and worked himself through college and into medical school. Finally the end was in sight …

Then without warning his "saintly" mother was murdered in her modest home, and his uncle, his only living relative, died in a suspicious auto accident. Now, for no apparent reason, whoever killed them are trying to kill him.

From multiple hiding places within the Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up, to the Jersey shore hospital where he was placed at bedrest for 12 nightmarish months, to the financial district of Zurich, Switzerland, Belmont desperately tries to unlock the secrets that have marked him for death. Only now is he realizing that his only hope of survival lies in the one place he has always avoided — the darkest corner of his own mind.

Also available as a trade paperback and in a Kindle edition.

Busted
by Zachary O'Toole
Non-Series
Less Than Three Press (Ebook)
September 2011

Pulled over on a rainy night, Joe's bad day starts to look up when he realizes the cop pulling him over is none other than his lover, Alex.

But Alex pretends not to know him and finally drags him into the station for driving under the influence — and getting too personal with a detective. Furious, Joe demands to know what the hell is wrong … only to discover that the detective he kissed is actually named Chris, and Chris claims no knowledge of Alex, despite the fact they could be twins.

But before Joe can begin to sort out the mystery of Chris and Alex, the murders begin …

Also available as a trade paperback and in a Kindle edition.

The Devil's Pitchfork
by Mark Terry
A Derek Stillwater Mystery (1st in series)
OROX Books (Ebook)
August 2011

It is called Chimera M13. It is the most dangerous biological weapon on the planet. It is locked away in a vault. Terrorists calling themselves The Fallen Angels steal it. They intend to use it. Only one man stands between The Fallen Angels and Armageddon. Dr. Derek Stillwater, troubleshooter for the Department of Homeland Security is that man. All hell is about to break loose …

Originally published in trade paperback by Midnight Ink in 2006, this is the first of four books (to date) in the series. Also available in a Kindle edition.

See also the second book in the series, The Serpent's Kiss (Smashwords edition / Kindle edition).

To Sleep Gently
by Trent Zelazny
Non-Series
Crossroad Press (Ebook)
August 2011

When career criminal Jack Dempster gets caught and put away for five years in prison, he finds time to seriously reconsider his chosen line of work. Before he can make any serious decision, some old acquaintances track him down with a proposal. They want him to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the help of an inside man, he's to lead a small group of professionals on a daring robbery of the El Dorado Hotel, one of the finest, and most secure establishments in the Southwest.

Double-crosses, love triangles, and immersion in his own self-destructive past conspire to lead him to ruin. It's not easy to sleep when searching for normalcy in the heart of a brutal past.

Also available in a Kindle edition.

Notorious D.O.C.
by Melissa Yi
A Hope Sze Mystery (2nd in series)
Olo Books (Ebook)
September 2011

Eight years ago, someone ran over a young doctor who asked too many questions.

Today, at the still-grieving mother's request, resident doctor Hope Sze untangles the cold case before the killer silences Hope, too.

This time, the sociopath won't back down. But neither will Hope — or the two men vying for her attention.

Hope deserves a rest after solving a murder last month. Unfortunately, the sociopath wants to make sure the now-notorious "detective doctor" rests in a shallow grave.

Also available in a Kindle edition.

See also the first book in the series, Code Blues (Smashwords edition / Kindle edition).

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For more recently published Indie Mysteries, visit the Smashwords Mystery and Detective category page or the Thriller and Suspense category page.