212 by Alafair Burke is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature 212 by Alafair Burke as today's third free mystery ebook. (Most titles have their prices adjusted overnight, but this is a rare case of one being changed mid-day.)

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.

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212 by Alafair Burke
An Ellie Hatcher Mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins

This is the third mystery in this series, featuring the New York City police detective, one we called "a compelling thriller, with a credible whodunit-style mystery integrated into it."

About 212 (from the publisher): In New York City, nights are dangerous. Days are numbered.

When New York University sophomore Megan Gunther finds personal threats posted to a Web site specializing in campus gossip, she's taken aback by their menacing tone. Someone knows her daily routine down to the minute and is watching her—but thanks to the anonymity provided by the Internet, the police tell her there's nothing they can do. Her friends are sure it's someone's idea of a joke, but when Megan is murdered in a vicious attack, NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced that the online threats are more than just empty words.

With smooth, straight-talking partner J. J. Rogan at her side, Ellie tries to identify Megan's enemies, but she begins to wonder if the coed's murder was more than just the culmination of a cyber obsession. Phone records reveal a link between Megan and a murdered real estate agent who was living a dangerous double life. The detectives also learn that the dead real estate agent shared a secret connection to a celebrity mogul whose bodyguard was mysteriously killed a few months earlier. And when Megan's roommate suddenly disappears, they know they have to find her before another young woman dies.

Read our review of 212 by Alafair Burke.

Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Download Link(s):

Amazon Kindle Edition Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt to be Adapted for Film

Romantic suspense novelist Patricia Highsmith's 1952 novel The Price of Salt is being adapted for film, with Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska set to star.

Published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, the story is centered on two women in early 1950s New York City. Therese is 19-years-old and working in a department store during the Christmas shopping season. She dates men, although not with real enthusiasm. One day a beautiful older woman comes over to her counter and buys a doll. As the purchase is a C.O.D. order, Therese makes a mental note of the customer's address. She is intrigued and drawn to the woman. Although young, inexperienced and shy, she writes a note to the customer, Carol, and is elated and surprised when Carol invites her to meet.

Therese realizes she has strong feelings for Carol, but is unsure of what they represent. Carol, in the process of a bitter separation and divorce, is also quite lonely. Soon the two women begin spending a great deal of time together. Before long, they are madly and hopelessly in love. The path is not easy for them, however. Carol also has a child and a very suspicious husband — dangerous ground for the lovers. When the women leave New York and travel west together, they discover the choices they've made to be together will have lasting effects on both their lives.

First Teaser Poster for Killing Them Softly

A new teaser poster — but a really effective one — for Killing Them Softly has been released (right; click for larger version).

The film stars Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan in an adaptation of George V. Higgins's 1974 crime novel Cogan's Trade.

Little is known about the film's storyline — adapted by the director Andrew Dominik — but we're assuming it follows closely that of the book: Jackie Cogan is an enforcer for the New England mob. When a high-stakes card game is heisted by unknown hoodlums, Cogan is called in to "handle" the problem. Moving expertly and ruthlessly among a variety of criminal hacks, hangers-on, and bigger-time crooks, Cogan gets to the root of the problem and, with five consecutive shots from a Smith & Wesson thirty-eight Police Special, restores order to his corner of the Boston underworld.

Killing Them Softly opens in theaters September 21st, 2012.

Mystery and Suspense Films, New This Week on DVD (120522)

Checking through our list of films currently scheduled for release this week on DVD and/or Blu-ray disc, shown below are those that fall into the mystery, suspense, thriller and adventure categories.

See also a list of current mystery and suspense DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD deals on Amazon.com.

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Purchase/Rental Options

The Woman in Black (2012)

Film Synopsis (from the studio): The story follows a young lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), who is ordered to travel to a remote village and sort out a recently deceased client's papers. As he works alone in the client's isolated house, Kipps begins to uncover tragic secrets, his unease growing when he glimpses a mysterious woman dressed only in black. Receiving only silence from the locals, Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black on his own, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true intent.

Adapted by Jane Goldman from the 1983 novel of the same title by Susan Hill and directed by James Watkins, the film runs 95 minutes and is rated PG-13 for thematic material and violent, disturbing images.

Watch a trailer for the film below:

Russian Poster for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

It's often interesting to see how the studios market films in other countries. Twentieth Century Fox has released the Russian version of a poster for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (right, click for larger version), which we rather like. The title is slightly different though: президент линкольн: охотник на вампиров ("President Lincoln: Vampire Hunter").

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov from an screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith — who also wrote the novel from which the film is adapted — Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter opens in US theaters on June 22nd, 2012. (It opens in Russian theaters a week later on June 28th.)

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120521)

Here is today's list of the top bestselling free Kindle mysteries, suspense novels and thrillers.

We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is updated hourly, but if you cannot see the box below — or have scripts blocked — you can use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.

Review: Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason

We've just published our Review of Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason. Picador Trade Paperback, May 2012.

Our rating:

Available to purchase from …

Telemystery: The River, Rizzoli & Isles, Sherlock, and S.W.A.T., New This Week on DVD

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

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Embark on a thrilling journey down The River, a paranormal suspense series that aired on ABC for just one season. (The DVD cover, which was produced prior to the series being canceled, is optimistically labeled "The Complete First Season".)

The River follows the story of world famous wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), host of the beloved series The Undiscovered Country. After Cole goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends, and crew set out on a haunting and treacherous adventure to find him. Led by his wife, Tess (Leslie Hope), and estranged son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), the rescue mission leads them deep into the unexplored regions on the Amazon River … a place where nature is cruel, magic is real, and nothing is what it seems.

The River: Season One is available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video and consists of 8 episodes that originally aired during February and March 2012.

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Angie Harmon and Sasha Cohen star as Rizzoli & Isles in this light drama based on characters created by crime novelist Tess Gerritsen.

Set in Boston, homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are close friends, complete opposites, and always on the case. This second season sees brash Jane healing emotional and physical scars as old loves re-appear and her mother Angela (Lorraine Bracco) deals with divorce. Meanwhile Jane's ex-con brother Tommy (Colin Egglesfield) has eyes for cerebral Maura, whose own family life is complicated by her adoptive mother Constance (Jacqueline Bisset) and a biological dad with a link to the Mob.

Rizzoli & Isles: Season Two is available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video and consists of episodes that originally aired on TNT during the Summer and Fall of 2011. The third season premieres June 5th.

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Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Sherlock Holmes, with Martin Freeman as his faithful Dr. John Watson, in Sherlock, a contemporary update to the classic novels and short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

The three episodes in this season are inspired by these stories: "A Scandal in Bohemia", the first of 56 short stories to feature the characters; The Hound of the Baskervilles, the third of four full-length novels by Doyle; and "The Final Problem", most famous for featuring the (presumed) death of Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock: Series Two is available on DVD and Blu-ray disc and consists of episodes that originally aired on BBC in the UK in January 2012 and most recently here in the US on PBS just this month. And while we encourage you to purchase the series — it's definitely worth watching and rewatching — you can watch the three Season Two episodes on the PBS website for free until June 19th.

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A The Rookies spin-off, S. W. A. T. stars Steve Forrest as Lt. Dan "Hondo" Harrelson, head of the Special Weapons and Tactics team operating out of an unnamed California city.

The ensemble cast also includes Robert Urich, Rod Perry, Mark Shera, and James Coleman. The series aired two seasons on ABC; it was later adapted for a theatrical release in 2003 starring Colin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson.

S. W. A. T.: Season Two is available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video and consists of episodes that originally aired from September 1975 through April 1976.

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Visit the Telemystery website to discover more television mystery series currently available on and coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray disc, or video on demand.

New Director, Screenwriter for Film Adaptation of The Keep by Jennifer Egan

It was over two years ago that we first heard about the film adaptation of Jennifer Egan's bestselling 2006 supernatural thriller The Keep when a new director was announced. It seems little progress has been made on the project since then as yet another new director has now been identified: Peter Weir (Master and Commander, The Truman Show), who is also penning the adapted screenplay.

The storyline follows two cousins, irreversibly damaged by a childhood prank, who reunite twenty years later to renovate a medieval castle in Eastern Europe. In an environment of extreme paranoia, cut off from the outside world, the men reenact the signal event of their youth, with even more catastrophic results. And as the full horror of their predicament unfolds, a prisoner, in jail for an unnamed crime, recounts an unforgettable story that seamlessly brings the crimes of the past and present into piercing relation.

On location filming in Europe is expected to begin next Spring.

(Related article: Variety.)

First Teaser Trailer for Skyfall

Sony Pictures has uploaded the first "official super trailer" for the James Bond film Skyfall. It's actually a rather short, but visually interesting, teaser trailer for the film followed by a trailer for the 007 video game Legends. We've embedded it below.

We still don't know much more about Skyfall; here's the synopsis as we have it: James Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

The film, directed by Sam Mendes from an original screenplay and starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, opens in US theaters November 9th, 2012.

Countermeasure by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Countermeasure by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey as today's second free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.

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Countermeasure by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey
Publisher: Éire Publishing

About Countermeasure (from the publisher): Suspicious and determined never to fall into the love trap, security specialist Cassandra James takes on a chase to recover files stolen right out from under her nose. In an effort to prove to her father — also her boss — that she is a capable woman, she follows the digital trail, a trail that leads her directly into the arms of Trevor Bauer, an NSA analyst who appears to have more secrets than she has scars …

Haunted by the mystery surrounding his parents' disappearance, Trevor Bauer's dreams for his own life have been put on hold. But being confronted by Cassandra James derails every one of his best laid plans to avoid a relationship until he can find the closure he desperately seeks. When he accepts her request for help in recovering the files she's hunting, they embark on an adventure that takes them across the ocean and into a world of intrigue and violence. As things between them begin to heat up, Trevor realizes that, if he is ever to win Cassandra's heart and the future he craves, he has no choice but to reveal all his secrets.

Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Download Link(s):

Amazon Kindle Edition Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

Sweet's Sweets by Connie Shelton is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Sweet's Sweets by Connie Shelton as today's free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.

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Sweet's Sweets by Connie Shelton
A Samantha Sweet Mystery
Publisher: Secret Staircase Books

This is the second mystery in this series, who also writes the popular Charlie Parker mysteries.

About Sweet's Sweets (from the publisher): Samantha Sweet is about to realize her dream of opening her pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets. Juggling the crazy amount of work it takes to get her new business off the ground, with her old job of breaking into houses, she's got her hands full.

When a blood-soaked garment is found among the discards at one of her properties, and a friend makes a shocking confession, Sam finds herself pulled into a pair of mysteries. The wooden box that came into her possession (in the previous book of this series) is still working its magic, giving Sam the power to see inside people's secrets … and figure out who the killer is.

Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Download Link(s):

Amazon Kindle Edition Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for May 21, 2012

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 B C H I K N O S

This "shirt" is mentioned in the title of the 10th Benjamin January mystery by Barbara Hambly (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!

Mr. E. Reviews Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Purchase/Rental Option(s)

Good performances and a gripping Cold War look and feel cannot compensate for the very slow pacing of this adaptation of John le Carré's 1974 spy thriller. I enjoyed it, but more from the author's original storyline perspective than the screenwriter's adaptation.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

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

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120520)

Here is today's list of the top bestselling free Kindle mysteries, suspense novels and thrillers.

We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is updated hourly, but if you cannot see the box below — or have scripts blocked — you can use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.