AMC Cancels The Killing

AMC has elected not to renew The Killing for a third season. This news comes as no surprise to anyone, who watched the first season only to discover that the whole premise of the season, "Who killed Rosie Larson?", was not to be resolved until the end of the second season.

On some level this cancellation is disappointing news, as we were really impressed by the performances of the actors playing the two principal characters, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman. But it's unlikely we'd ever completely trust showrunner Veena Sud developing a new storyline for the series, fearing we would be "surprised" again by some new "twist" she'd insist was integral to the success of the series yet was anything but. So it's probably all for the best.

First Clues, Mysteries for Kids: New Titles for August 2012

First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is pleased to announce a selection of new mystery, suspense and thriller books (including series books) scheduled for publication during August 2012, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens.

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Judy Moody's Mini-Mysteries and Other Sneaky Stuff for Super-Sleuths
Megan McDonald

Chock-full of advice for the would-be sleuth and bursting with activities, here is a fun diversion for fans of Judy and for anyone who loves a good mystery. "The Great Class Heist" is just one of the whodunits tackled by Judy Drewdy and agents Dills Pickle (aka Frank), Spuds Houdini (Rocky), and James Madagascar (Stink), who need readers' help in cracking these addition to six solve-it-yourself missions, kids can get in the mood to: Create a detective kit … Sketch suspects … Test powers of observation … Puzzle through ridonkulus logic puzzles … Write super-sneaky codes … And more!

This entertaining reference book is recommended for readers aged 6 to 10.

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The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy
Nikki Loftin

Lorelei is bowled over by Splendid Academy — Principal Trapp encourages the students to run in the hallways, the classrooms are stocked with candy dishes, and the cafeteria serves lavish meals featuring all Lorelei's favorite foods. But the more time she spends at school, the more suspicious she becomes. Why are her classmates growing so chubby? And why do the teachers seem so sinister?

It's up to Lorelei and her new friend Andrew to figure out what secret this supposedly splendid school is hiding. What they discover chills their bones — and might even pick them clean!

This stand-alone supernatural mystery is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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The Case of the Crooked Campaign
Lewis B. Montgomery
The Milo & Jazz Mysteries

Campaign mania hits Westview when Jazz decides to run for school president. But is someone stealing all her best ideas? And how? Milo and Jazz must solve the mystery … before Election Day!

The Milo & Jazz Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Raining Cats and Detectives
Colleen AF Venable
The Guinea Pig Mysteries

It's a dark and stormy afternoon when Sasspants, PI(G), leaves Mr. Venezi's pet shop to live with a new owner. Soon there's a mystery afoot back at the shop: the cat from the bookstore next door has disappeared. All the pet shop animals are putting on their detective hats, but their fluffy-but-faraway guinea pig detective can't help them follow the clues! Can Hamisher the hamster solve this cat-napping without Sasspants? He's going to try his furry best not only to crack the case, but to reunite with his best friend and fellow sleuth too.

The Guinea Pig Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Turkey Trouble on the National Mall
Ron Roy
The Capital Mysteries

Every year, the president pardons one turkey for Thanksgiving. One. But KC and her best friend, Marshall, think one isn't enough! This year, they want to gather lots of turkeys to be spared. The night before the holiday, the turkeys are in a big flock on the National Mall waiting to be set free. The next morning, they're gone! Who would steal 117 Thanksgiving turkeys? KC and Marshall have to ruffle some feathers to find out!

The Capital Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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The Case of the Ruined Ram
David Lewman
The Club CSI Cases

The students in Miss Hodges's forensic science class have been given a tough case to crack: The high school's Rocky the Ram mascot costume was stolen and destroyed! The class divides into teams to investigate, and the first team to solve the crime wins extra credit and gets VIP tickets to Rams games for the rest of the year!

Corey, Hannah, and Ben quickly get to work. They discover that a very similar crime happened twenty-five years ago, and back then the rival high school confessed to the vandalism. Is this just a copycat prank? Or could someone else be to blame? Club CSI: is determined to be the first team to uncover the truth!

The Club CSI: Cases are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Till Death Do Us Bark
Kate Klise

When a dog arrives at Spence Mansion, Seymour is overjoyed. His adoptive parents, Ignatius B. Grumply and Olive C. Spence, are less enthusiastic — especially when Secret, the dog, begins barking all night long. Is it possible Secret just misses his old companion, the late Noah Breth, whose children are fighting like cats and dogs over their father's money? Or does Secret have a secret that, in the end, will make the entire town of Ghastly howl with delight?

This spooky novel is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Kentucky Thriller
Lauren St. John
The Laura Marlin Mysteries

Laura Marlin's two greatest loves in life are detective novels and animals, so she is ecstatic when her uncle agrees to let her keep a horse after they rescue it, crazed with fear, from an overturned horsebox. But he has a condition. Before he will allow her to adopt it they have to find its former owner, just to ensure that it hasn't been stolen. A visit to Newmarket to investigate the thoroughbred's origins leads Laura to the Kentucky Derby in the US and deep into the murky world of race-fixing.

The Laura Marlin Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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The Big Flush
Trina Robbins
The Chicagoland Detective Agency Series

Poor Megan — history's repeating itself. She's been booted from Stepford Prep, and her father is sending her to visit Pine Lake Academy … a boarding school. This could mean the end of the Chicagoland Detective Agency! Raf and Bradley come along to get a sniff at the new school, but when Megan ducks into a restroom marked do not enter and Raf takes a sip from an old fountain, school becomes the least of their problems. Something spooky is knocking around in the pipes, and now it has its hooks in them.

Have Raf and Megan really been taken over by a ghost from a hundred years ago? Can Bradley dig up the mystery that's dogged Pine Lake Academy for a century? What deeply buried dastardly deeds will bubble to the surface?

The Chicagoland Detective Agency Series books are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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The Case of the Piggy Bank Thief
Martha Freeman
The First Kids Mysteries

Although a stolen piggy bank is normally no big deal, this particular bank belongs to seven-year-old Tessa, whose mother is the president of the United States. When her eleven-year-old sister, Cammie, finds out that the piggy also held an old coin their dog, Hooligan, dug up from the White House lawn, the case really gets complicated — and delicate. The coin in question, they realize, is probably the one archaeologists have been trying to uncover and is worth millions! The girls have got to find the culprit and the coin and turn it in or their mother will have a major scandal on her hands.

The First Kids Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Hocus Pocus Hotel
Michael Dahl

Tyler Yu asked Charlie Hitchcock to meet him after school, and Charlie assumed it was for a fight. But when it turns out Ty just needs help solving a magical mystery at the Abracadabra Hotel, an unlikely friendship is formed.

This novel is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Don't Turn Around
Michelle Gagnon


Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her computer-hacking skills to stay safely anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in an empty warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.

Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa's talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation called AMRF threatens his life in no uncertain terms.

But what Noa and Peter don't realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who'd stop at nothing to silence her for good.

This first YA novel by the author of several adult thrillers is recommended for readers aged 13 and older.

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First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is your source for information on over 200 mystery series for children and young adults, where each series is conveniently listed under four different age categories (New Sleuths, ages 4 to 6; Future Sleuths, ages 7 to 9; Sleuths in Training, ages 10 to 12; and Apprentice Sleuths, ages 13 and older).

This Week's Bestselling Mystery and Suspense Television and Film Video on Demand (120727)

Here is this week's list of the top bestselling mystery and suspense television and film videos available to download from Amazon Instant.

We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is frequently updated, 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.

Teaser Trailer for Six BBC Dramas

BBC One has posted a brief teaser trailer with scenes from six of its upcoming dramas, all of which have a crime or suspense element.

Hunted: An original eight-part suspense thriller set in the world of international espionage.

Good Cop: An original four-part drama in which a Liverpool cop begins to question the difference between right and wrong.

Accused: A drama series following people accused of crimes as each awaits the verdict of their trial.

Shetland: A two-part drama set in the Isles, adapted from the series of mysteries by crime writer Ann Cleeves.

Ripper Street: An eight-part period police drama that will transport viewers to the actual 1889 setting of the East End murders.

The Secret of Crickley Hall: A three-part ghost tale adapted from a novel by James Herbert.

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120727)

Here is today's list of the Bestselling Free Kindle Crime Fiction: the top nine mysteries, novels of suspense, 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 click on the image to the right or use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.

New Poster for 666 Park Avenue

ABC has been releasing a series of posters for its new series 666 Park Avenue, most incorporating a spiral staircase into the image. This new one (right; click for larger image) seems particularly intriguing. The tagline: "New York's most seductive address."

Loosely based on the supernatural mystery 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce — the ebook and its sequel are still priced just 99 cents! — the series introduces Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor) and Henry Martin (Dave Annable), an idealistic young couple from the Midwest, who arrive in New York City, the glamorous center of industry and media, they are offered the opportunity to manage the historic Drake. Jane, a small town girl with big ambitions, always knew she wanted to be an architect. Henry, a member of the Mayor’s staff, is grounded, intelligent and tenacious. They are lured by the intoxicating lifestyle of New York's wealthy elite.

Gavin Doran (Terry O'Quinn), who has many skeletons in his own closet, is at the height of his world and commands the dark power of The Drake. Olivia (Vanessa Williams), his beautiful but enigmatic, supportive wife, wears her elegance, wealth and position in society as armor … but cracks will slowly be revealed.

666 Park Avenue premieres Sunday, September 30th at 10 PM (ET/PT).

Important Note: Any prices mentioned above were correct 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.

Murder in the Air by Marilyn Levinson is Today's Sixth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Murder in the Air by Marilyn Levinson as today's sixth 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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Murder in the Air
Marilyn Levinson
A Lydia Krause, Twin Lakes Mystery
Publisher: CreateSpace

After the 70-year-old remains of a teenaged boy are uncovered at a Twin Lakes excavation site, Lydia Krause's elderly neighbor comes to her for advice. Daniel Korman wonders if he should report an old crime or let sleeping dogs lie.

Then Daniel is murdered, and Lydia sets out to find his killer. She investigates his boyhood friends and greedy relatives, putting her own life in danger and infuriating her homicide detective lover.

  

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.

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

Get 30% Off Mystery and Suspense, This Weekend at Kobo

From now through July 30th, 2012, Kobo is offering 30% off select mysteries and thrillers from Open Road. And by "select", we mean almost 200 titles, so there is a lot to select from!

Most books are already discounted, but you can take an additional 30% off your purchase by using coupon code openroad30. (The fine print says one coupon per customer, but it isn't clear if can be used multiple times or not.)

Remember … this promotion ends on July 30th, 2012 at 11:59 PM ET.

One for Sorrow by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer is Today's Fifth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature One for Sorrow by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer as today's fifth 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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One for Sorrow
Mary Reed and Eric Mayer
A John the Eunuch Mystery
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Originally published in 1999, this is the first mystery in this historical series set during the reign of Emperor Justinian I (527-565).

Byzantium, capitol of the 6th century Roman Empire, simmers a rich stew of creeds, cultures, and citizens with a sprinkling of cutthroats and crimes.

John the Eunuch, Emperor Justinian's Lord Chamberlain, orders a Christian court while himself observing the rites of Mithra. Thomas, a knight from Britain, Ahasuerus, a soothsayer, and two ladies from Crete stir up events and old memories for John, who must ask how the visitors link to the death of Leukos, Keeper of the Plate. An Egyptian brothel keeper and a Christian stylite know more than they are telling …

  

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.

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

Desert Wives by Betty Webb is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Desert Wives by Betty Webb as today's fourth 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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Desert Wives
Betty Webb
A Lena Jones Mystery
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Originally published in 2003, this is the second mystery featuring the Arizona private investigator.

Polygamy can be murder! That’s what private detective Lena Jones learns when she helps thirteen year old Rebecca escape from Purity, a polygamy compound hidden in a desolate area near straddling Utah/Arizona border.

When Rebecca’s mother is arrested for the murder of Prophet Solomon Royal, Rebecca’s intended husband, Lena enters Purity masquerading as a polygamist wife to uncover the real murderer. In doing so, Lena finds out more than she bargained for—the shocking secret the cult’s Circle of Elders will kill to keep. During her investigations, Lena also discovers more about her own past. At the age of four she was found lying unconscious by the side of an Arizona highway, a bullet robbing her of her memories. Raised in a series of foster homes, Lena does not remember her real name nor the names of her parents. She thinks she has put the past behind her, but the sins of Purity’s polygamous mothers and fathers force her to reexamine the few memories she has of her own mother the woman who shot her …

  

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.

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

Shadow of Reality by Donna Fletcher Crow is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Shadow of Reality by Donna Fletcher Crow as today's third 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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Shadow of Reality
Donna Fletcher Crow
Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

The setting was all her fantasies come true: an elegant English manor house in the 1930's. The man was even more than she had dreamed: Sir Gavin Kendall— sophisticated, brilliant, rich and captivated by her.

Until murder intervened.

Will Elizabeth's lifelong dreams become reality or will she fall prey to the vicious murderer lurking in the shadows at an exotic mystery weekend high in the Rockies? Will Elizabeth discover the narrow line between fantasy and reality in time to achieve her dreams?

  

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.

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

Project Nevis by James Piper is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Project Nevis by James Piper 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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Project Nevis
James Piper
A Bryce Carr Thriller
Publisher: McLeod Hill Publishing

For Bryce Carr, investigating corporate fraud is what he does best: uncover the evidence, testify in court, recover the stolen money. He expected precisely that when a New York investment bank hired him to investigate a fraud in their derivatives division. Someone had stolen millions, but who and why?

He uncovered the who: Mike Fallor, a bank employee, but Fallor wasn’t talking and the money went offshore.

Determined to catch Fallor, Carr goes after him, but when he discovers the stolen money is being used to finance a secret CIA operation, he becomes caught up in a world where the tools of the trade are assault rifles and explosives, not pencils, calculators or notepads.

  

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.

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

Turtle Baby by Abigail Padgett is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Turtle Baby by Abigail Padgett 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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Turtle Baby
Abigail Padgett
A Bo Bradley Mystery
Original Publisher: Mysterious Press

This is the third mystery to feature the San Diego Juvenile Court investigator.

A poisoned eight-month-old Maya baby boy living with paid caretakers on the American side of San Diego’s Mexican border grabs Bo’s heart and sends her into Tijuana, where she can legally investigate nothing, in search the little boy’s mother.

When the mother, a successful singer from Guatemala, dies onstage in a Tijuana bar from the effects of a different poison, Bo finds herself snarled in a web of international intrigue.

Drug addiction, the music scene, Mayan history and the always-maddening restrictions of Bo's job combine in a fascinating tale that will determine the future of an orphaned baby, and Bo herself.

  

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.

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