First Trailer for Netflix Original Series, House of Cards

Netflix has released a trailer (embedded below) for its original series House of Cards.

This wicked political drama penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex, and corruption in modern D.C. and stars Kevin Spacey as Congressman Francis Underwood and Robin Wright as his wife Claire, who together will stop at nothing to conquer everything.

Based on the 1990 BBC series of the same title, itself an adaptation of Michael Dobbs' 1989 novel (the first of a trilogy featuring the character; more about the book below), the first season of House of Cards premieres in its entirety only for Netflix streaming subscribers on February 1st, 2013.

Production Update on Film Adaptation of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell

Tom Hardy has been attached to the film adaptation of the video game Splinter Cell, based on a concept by Tom Clancy, and from which a series of tie-in novels based on the game(s) were written. The games' developer, Ubisoft, has tapped Eric Warren Singer to write the film's screenplay.

The first game in the series, simply titled Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and released in 2002, is centered on Sam Fisher, a highly trained special operative from the National Security Agency's secret arm, the Third Echelon. Two CIA agents have disappeared from Azerbaijan. You then find out that a former state of the Soviet Union is planning an attack on the U.S. You must infiltrate the enemy personnel and stop this terrorist attack from happening. Then you must escape without a trace.

More information about the first book in the series is below.

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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
David Michaels

In response to the growing use of sophisticated digital encryption to conceal potential threats to the United States, the National Security Agency has ushered forth the new dawn of intelligence-gathering techniques. The top-secret initiative is dubbed Third Echelon.

Its existence denied by the U.S. government, Third Echelon deploys a lone field operative. He is sharp, nearly invisible, and deadly. And he has the right to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate to protect American freedoms.

His name is Sam Fisher. He is a Splinter Cell.

      

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (121115)

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; as an alternative, you can click on the image to the right or use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com, which includes a list of both the Top 100 Paid and Top 100 Free Kindle Mysteries and Thrillers.

Opening Title Sequence of Skyfall without the Credits

Daniel Kleinman, who designed the title sequence for the film Skyfall, has made available a video of that same sequence without the credits. Though we haven't seen the film (yet), this video is really quite well done, remarkable in conveying a sense of the franchise plus elements from the storyline. We've embedded it below.

New Poster for Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Last Stand

A new, somewhat incongruous (at least to us) poster for The Last Stand has been released by the studio (right; click for larger image). The tagline: "Retirement is for sissies."

What we find confusing is that we had expected this to be a fairly routine action thriller, something the trailers (here and here) have implied to date. However, this poster — and its tagline — seems to suggest it may not be as serious as we thought.

The Last Stand marks Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to film. He plays Sheriff Ray Owens, an ex-LAPD detective who has moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a life fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction. But that peaceful existence is shattered when Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the western hemisphere, makes a deadly yet spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy. At first reluctant to become involved in the cross-state chase that will pass through his town, and then counted out because of the perceived ineptitude of his small force, Owens ultimately rallies his team and takes the matter into his own hands, setting the stage for a classic showdown.

Directed by Kim Jee-woon from an original screenplay written by Andrew Knauer and Jeffrey Nachmanoff, The Last Stand opens in theaters January 18th, 2013.

Telemystery: CBC Announces Winter 2013 Schedule

CBC Television announced its winter schedule yesterday, one that includes three crime dramas.

The sixth season of Murdoch Mysteries premieres on January 7th, 2013, its first season on CBC. Set in Toronto during the late 1890s and early 1900s, the series stars Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch, a handsome young detective using radical forensic techniques — for the time — to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders. Murdoch Mysteries is based on characters created by crime novelist Maureen Jennings.

The new police procedural Cracked premieres on January 8th, 2013. Inspired by real life experiences of frontline police officers and mental-health workers, the series stars David Sutcliffe as Detective Aidan Black, a seasoned officer dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and his new partner, psychiatrist Dr. Daniella Ridley (Stefanie von Pfetten).

Probably more of a comedy than drama, Republic of Doyle's fourth season premieres on January 6th, 2013. In the opening episode, Private Eye Jake Doyle (Allan Hawco) and Malachy Doyle (Seán McGinley) return to the Republic crushed with guilt over what happened to Des at the end of the third season, but must attempt to restore their first-rate standing as the best private investigators in the city.

Please Welcome Back Mystery Author Lauren Carr

by Lauren Carr

We are delighted to welcome back mystery author Lauren Carr as our guest.

Lauren, who has written several mysteries featuring ex-homicide cop Mac Faraday, is beginning a new series, which she calls "Lovers in Crime". The first book is Dead on Ice (Acorn Book Services, September 2012 trade paperback and ebook formats).

Today Lauren tells us about murder, mayhem, and integrity.

Teaser Poster for Game of Thrones, Season 3

HBO has set in stone, as it were, the third season premiere date for Game of Thrones in a teaser poster (right; click for larger image).

Based on the novels in the epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R. R. Martin, this third season will be adapted from the first half of the third book in the series, Storm of Swords. (More inforomation about the book, below.)

The Round House by Louise Erdrich Wins National Book Award for Fiction

The National Book Award winners were announced last night, and the winner in the Fiction category is a mystery: The Round House by Louise Erdrich.

"I would like to accept this in recognition of the grace and the endurance of native women," said Erdrich. Though fiction, her book is about what she described as an "ongoing injustice", detailing a crime on the Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota. Erdrich is of Native American descent, and began her acceptance speech in the Ojibwe language.

More about the book below.

Chasing Venus by Diana Dempsey is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Chasing Venus by Diana Dempsey as today's third free mystery ebook (A Novel of Romantic Suspense; Kobo and iTunes formats).

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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

The Storm Without by Tony Black is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Storm Without by Tony Black as today's second free mystery ebook (A Doug Michie Crime Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

Killer in the Hills by Stephen Carpenter is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Killer in the Hills by Stephen Carpenter as today's free mystery ebook (A Jack Rhodes Mystery; Kindle format only).

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.

For a summary of all of today's featured titles, plus any that may have appeared before and are repeat freebies, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

Death in Breslau by Marek Krajewski is Today's Nook Daily Find

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Death in Breslau by Marek Krajewski as today's Barnes & Noble Nook Daily Find.

The deal price of $3.99 is valid only for today, Thursday, November 15, 2012.

Note: The price has been matched by Amazon.com for today only.

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Thursday, November 15, 2012.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Opens in Theaters November 16th

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. Opens in theaters November 16, 2012.

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is enjoying her new life and new powers after the birth of their daughter, Renesmee. Soon, however, their family bliss is threatened again, by a new menace. Vampire Irina (Maggie Grace) believes a child like Renesmee could challenge the power and existence of the Volturi. As Irina rallies the Volturi to destroy this potential threat, Bella and the Cullens — together with any allies they can asseble — are preparing to fight a crucial, ultimate battle, to protect their family.

Directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, adapted from the novel Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.

Running time: 115 minutes. Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sensuality and partial nudity.

Watch a trailer for the film below: