MystereBooks: This Week's Update of Kindle Crime Fiction Priced $2.99 or Less (130126)

Every month Amazon publishes a list of 100 Kindle books priced $3.99 or less. We thought we'd take that idea and improve on it, publishing a list of 100 Kindle mystery books priced $2.99 or less and updating it every week!

Here is our general criteria for selecting titles to include: books from major or specialty publishers of crime fiction and those written by authors familiar to us. There are far more than 100 to choose from, so we use our best judgment to narrow it down.

And just a reminder … as we add new titles, older ones are removed from the list. These books aren't likely to be repeated, so we encourage you to check in frequently!

Only one quick note: the "Sidney Sheldon" titles are pre-order, to be published this coming Tuesday, January 27th.

Below are listed the new $2.99 or less titles we added either today or mentioned in separate posts earlier this week; click on the cover or title for more information or to purchase the Kindle edition.

Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice! We strongly urge you to confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase is the price of the book.

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Nickel Plated by Aric Davis.

The Program by Gregg Hurwitz. A Tim Rackley Mystery (2nd).

Sandstorm by James Rollins. A SIGMA Force Thriller (1st).

Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon.

Morning, Noon & Night by Sidney Sheldon.

Night Blind by Michael W. Sherer. A Blake Sanders Mystery (1st).

Brighton Belle by Sara Sheridan.

Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker. A Nichelle Clarke, Headlines in Heels Mystery (1st).

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Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice! We strongly urge you to confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase is the price of the book.

The Godfather Collection on Blu-ray disc is the Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day

The Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day for Saturday, January 26th, 2013 is The Godfather Collection on Blu-ray disc.

Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made, the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather (1972) is a touchstone of cinema. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay, The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels: The Godfather Part II (which also was an Academy Award for Best Picture of 1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990).

The special deal price of $17.99 for the The Godfather Collection on Blu-ray disc is valid only for today, January 26th, 2013.

Read more about the book that started it all, below.

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The Godfather
Mario Puzo

When Mario Puzo's blockbuster saga was first published in 1969, critics hailed it as one of the greatest novels of our time. Since then, The Godfather has gone on to become a part of America's national culture, as well as a trilogy of landmark motion pictures.

Now, in this newly-repackaged 30th Anniversary Edition, readers old and new can experience this timeless tale of crime for themselves. From the lavish opening scene where Don Corleone entertains guests and conducts business at his daughter's wedding … to his son, Michael, who takes his father's place to fight for his family … to the bloody climax where all family business is finished, The Godfather is an epic story of family, loyalty, and how "men of honor" live in their own world, and die by their own laws.

    

Armchair Detective by Kelli Jae Baeli is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Armchair Detective by Kelli Jae Baeli as today's third free mystery ebook (An AKA Investigation; iTunes 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.

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Armchair Detective
Kelli Jae Baeli
An AKA Investigation
Publisher: CreateSpace

Jobeth O'Brien awakens on the floor of her kitchen, her battered face and the memory of an angry visitor tells her that she is close to something important in her investigation.

In between this surveillance and delivering newspapers, her beloved ‘62 Falcon is the scene of middle-of-the-night romps with a lonely socialite, who gives her more than she bargained for.

Her quest for the truth pits her against errant husbands, a modern-day madam with a taste for blood, a horny landlady, a vicious attack dog, and the lies she tells herself. Amid these challenges, Jobeth stakes out her prey and runs for her life, continuing the investigation that pulls her into close calls, unexpected allies, and more secrets.

But Jobeth has secrets of her own, and only love can excavate them.

  

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.

Brogan's Island by Dave Gehrke is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Brogan's Island by Dave Gehrke as today's second free mystery ebook (A Murder Mystery Set in Minnesota; 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.

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Brogan's Island
Dave Gehrke
A Murder Mystery Set in Minnesota
Publisher: E. P. Stud Publications

When Sammy Jo Kendrick slips beneath the waves of Lake of the Woods, all hell breaks lose 500 miles away in Minneapolis. Sammy Jo's not the first young woman to vanish into the vast lake, and if her disappearance isn't solved, she won't be the last.

The Kendrick mystery develops into Minneapolis Detective Sergeant Will Danaher's most challenging case; no suspect, no clues and no body. In order to unravel the mystery and save his career, Danaher will need unconventional help from unconventional sources; a grumpy old sheriff with secrets to hide, a lonely but married lake cabin housewife and a dead guy.

That leaves Detective Danaher in somewhat of a bind; don't tell anyone how he gained his evidence, and he looks like the killer. Or reveal his secret and get cashiered as a nutcase. Can he walk the tightrope between two bad options without letting his budding relationship with the pretty housewife affect his judgement?

In the meantime, there's a serial killer out there … and he's already stalking his next victim.

  

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.

Mellington Hall by Meredith Resce is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Mellington Hall by Meredith Resce as today's free mystery ebook (A Novel of Romantic Suspense; 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.

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Mellington Hall
Meredith Resce
A Novel of Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Golden Grain Publishing

When Sarah Montgomery finds a man lying half-dead in the snow, she doesn't stop to think of the consequences of trying to save his life.

But being a Good Samaritan to a stranger yields nothing but trouble. In her parents' absence, she struggles against a deadly fever and a vicious snow-storm, doing her best to save the life of a stranger.

But when her self-righteous neighbours eventually come to see how she fared during the storm, they draw a very different conclusion, and before she knows it, her reputation is in tatters, and she has been cast out of the church and her home.

Alone and destitute, Sarah is determined to seek work as a servant from the man whose life she has saved. But all is not well for the master of Mellington Hall. Someone wants Lord Alan Mellington dead, and he doesn't know who or why. The only person he seems to be able to trust is the gamekeeper's daughter, Sarah Montgomery, who has intervened to save his life not once but twice.

  

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.

Lost In Italy by Stacey Joy Netzel is Today's Kindle Romantic Suspense Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Lost In Italy by Stacey Joy Netzel as today's Amazon Kindle Romantic Suspense Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, January 26, 2013.

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Lost In Italy
Stacey Joy Netzel
A Novel of Romantic Suspense
CreateSpace

Halli Sanders spent two years planning the trip of a lifetime to Italy. Her itinerary did not include being stranded by her siblings, kidnapped by a sexy American movie star, dodging bullets, or fleeing criminals in a car chase around Lake Como. And that's just in the first three hours.

Trent Tomlin put his movie career on hold to investigate his brother's murder-ruled-suicide at his Italian villa. He's closing in on the suspects when an American tourist unwittingly films the murder of the retired cop helping him. The killers will stop at nothing to get the evidence--including holding Halli's family as collateral.

Thrust into the role of real-life hero, Trent finds himself falling for the Plain Jane whose beauty blossoms with every challenge they face. But how can he keep the evidence from the murderers to get justice for his brother and friend without betraying Halli and her family?

Important Note: This book was listed at the price mentioned above 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.

Telemystery: Promotional Poster and Video for Body of Proof, Season 3

A promotional poster for the (shortened) third season of Body of Proof has been released by the network (right; click for slightly larger image). The tagline: "No guts. No glory."

Dana Delany stars as medical examiner Megan Hunt in this "creatively revamped" season. Two new cast members join her quest to find justice for the dead and prevent harm to the living.

Twenty years ago Megan had her heart broken. Not that she would ever admit it. As a surgical resident in New York City, she stitched up a wounded young cop named Tommy Sullivan who was shot during a drug bust, and a passionate love affair began. It ended just as tempestuously when he cheated on her. Reeling from this betrayal, she returned to Philadelphia vowing never to be hurt again.

Now, after a long career in New York City Detective Tommy Sullivan (Mark Valley) has relocated to Philadelphia where he and his new partner Detective Adam Lucas (Elyes Gabel) have drawn the unenviable job of teaming with Megan to solve homicide cases. Needless to say Megan is stunned by Tommy's presence, wants nothing to do him and immediately suspects he has somehow engineered his new post to rekindle their relationship. Is she right? Does he have a prayer? Their personal history will animate every investigation they are uncomfortably forced to work on together.

Body of Proof returns on ABC on Tuesday, February 19th at 10 PM ET/PT. Watch a preview, below.

Telemystery: Promotional Poster for New ABC Series Red Widow

A teaser poster for the new ABC crime drama Red Widow has been released by the network (right; click for slightly larger image). The tagline: "No time to mourn."

Based on the 2010 Dutch television series Penoza, Radha Mitchell stars as the widow of a murdered man who crossed the Bratva — Russian gangsters — and is now forced to work with them to repay his debt. But FBI also wants her to cooperate with them in order to bring the Bratva organization down.

The 8-episode first season of Red Widow premieres on ABC on Sunday, March 3rd at 9 PM ET/PT.

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MystereBooks: Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith, Now at a Special Price

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith, now available at a special price, courtesy of the publisher, Grand Central.

The ebook format of this title was priced at $2.99 from the listed vendors (below) 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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Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
A Leo Demidov Thriller (1st)
Publisher: Grand Central

Stalin's Soviet Union strives to be a paradise for its workers, providing for all of their needs. One of its fundamental pillars is that its citizens live free from the fear of ordinary crime and criminals.

But in this society, millions do live in fear … of the State. Death is a whisper away. The mere suspicion of ideological disloyalty-owning a book from the decadent West, the wrong word at the wrong time-sends millions of innocents into the Gulags or to their executions. Defending the system from its citizens is the MGB, the State Security Force. And no MGB officer is more courageous, conscientious, or idealistic than Leo Demidov.

A war hero with a beautiful wife, Leo lives in relative luxury in Moscow, even providing a decent apartment for his parents. His only ambition has been to serve his country. For this greater good, he has arrested and interrogated.

Then the impossible happens. A different kind of criminal-a murderer-is on the loose, killing at will. At the same time, Leo finds himself demoted and denounced by his enemies, his world turned upside down, and every belief he's ever held shattered. The only way to save his life and the lives of his family is to uncover this criminal. But in a society that is officially paradise, it's a crime against the State to suggest that a murderer-much less a serial killer-is in their midst. Exiled from his home, with only his wife, Raisa, remaining at his side, Leo must confront the vast resources and reach of the MBG to find and stop a criminal that the State won't admit even exists.

Winner of the 2009 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.

      

Important Note: This book was listed at the above mentioned price 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.

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (130125)

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.

Review: Orders from Berlin by Simon Tolkien

A Mysterious Review of …

Orders from Berlin by Simon Tolkien. A William Trave Mystery.

Review summary: This is a stirring historical crime novel, combining known facts surrounding the events of September 1940 with a fictional murder investigation in London. Though the whodunit mystery at the core of this tale is a little weak, the overall story is a thrilling one. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

Orders from Berlin
Simon Tolkien
A William Trave Mystery
Minotaur Books (December 2012)

Publisher synopsis: It's September of 1940. France has fallen and London is being bombed day and night. Almost single-handedly Winston Churchill maintains the country's morale. Britain's fate hangs in the balance and the intelligence agencies on both sides of the Channel are desperate for anything that could give them the edge.

Albert Morrison, ex-chief of MI6, is pushed over the banister outside his London apartment. He falls to his death at the feet of his daughter, Ava, but it is too dark for her to see the attacker before he escapes. Two Scotland Yard detectives attend the crime scene: Inspector Quaid and his junior assistant, Detective Trave. Quaid is convinced that this is a simple open-and-shut case involving a family dispute. But Trave is not so sure. Following a mysterious note in the dead man's pocket, Trave discovers that Morrison was visited by Alec Thorn, deputy head of MI6, on the day of his death. Could Thorn — who is clearly carrying a flame for Morrison's daughter — be involved in a plot to betray his country that Morrison tried to halt, and if so, can Trave stop it in time?

      

New Hardcover Mysteries for February 2013

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated its list of new hardcover mysteries with books scheduled for publication in February 2013. Please note that some titles may publish early, and may already be available, and some may be delayed, published at a later date.

Below we're listing those authors with returning series characters, new series characters, and non-series or stand-alone mysteries in separate sections. All titles are available on our February new mystery books page, which will become the default home page for the site on February 1st.

• Authors with mysteries featuring returning series characters (in italics) this month:

Julianna Baggott (Pure Trilogy, 2nd) •  Alex Berenson(John Wells, 7th) •  Parker Bilal(Makana, 2nd) •  Lawrence Block(Keller, 5th) •  Frances Brody(Kate Shackleton, 2nd) •  Colin Cotterill(Dr. Siri Paiboun, 9th) •  Deborah Crombie(Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, 15th) •  Joanne Fluke(Hannah Swensen, 16th) •  Leighton Gage(Mario Silva, 6th) •  Sara J. Henry(Troy Chance, 2nd) •  Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush("Wicked" Series, 3rd) •  J. A. Jance(Ali Reynolds, 8th) •  Paul Johnston(Alex Mavros, 5th) •  Chris Morgan Jones(Benjamin Webster, 2nd) •  Jonathan Kellerman(Alex Delaware, 28th) •  Deryn Lake(Nick Lawrence, 2nd) •  Don Mann and Ralph Pezzullo ("SEAL Team Six", 2nd) •  Keith McCafferty(Martha Ettinger and Sean Stranahan, 2nd) •  Denise Mina(Alex Morrow, 3rd) •  James Patterson(Alex Cross, 20th) •  Barbara Corrado Pope(Bernard Martin, 3rd) •  Frederick Ramsay(Jerusalem Mysteries, 2nd) •  J. D. Robb(Eve Dallas, 36th) •  Yrsa Sigurdardottir(Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, 4th) •  Dana Stabenow(Kate Shugak, 20th) •  Jeffrey S. Stephens(Jordan Sandor, 3rd) •  P. G. Sturges(Dick Henry, 3rd) •  Peter Tonkin (Richard Mariner, 26th) •  Helene Tursten(Irene Huss, 5th) •  Merla Zellerbach(Hallie Marsh, 4th)

• Authors with mysteries introducing characters in a new series (in italics) this month:

Dawn Clark(The Secret Keeper Series) •  Kate Rhodes(Alice Quentin) •  Chris Simms(Iona Khan) •  Lachlan Smith(Leo Maxwell) •  Triss Stein(Erica Donato) •  Burt Weissbourd(Corey Logan Trilogy)

• Authors with non-series or stand-alone mysteries this month:

Mark Alpert •  Tania Carver •  Christopher R. Cox •  John Dean •  Stephen Dobyns •  Lisa Gardner •  Kerry Greenwood •  A. M. D. Hays •  Roger Hobbs •  Holly Goddard Jones •  Merry Jones •  Erin Kelly •  Herman Koch •  Robert S. Levinson •  Jamie Mason •  Edith McClintock •  Erica Obey •  Jodi Picoult •  Karen Pullen •  David Rosenfelt •  Michael Savage •  Guy Saville •  Gerald Seymour •  Stephen Solomita •  Stephan Talty

For more information on any of these titles, please visit the February new mysteries page on our website. If you're interested in new paperbacks, visit The Mystery Bookshelf where you can discover a library of new mystery, suspense and thriller books, also updated with February 2013 releases.

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.

Trouble Is Her Business by V. Alexander is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Trouble Is Her Business by V. Alexander as today's third free mystery ebook (A Kate Drasher 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.

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Trouble Is Her Business
V. Alexander
A Kate Drasher Mystery
Publisher: Twisted Sister Suspense

While pursuing a thief who has stolen $10,000 in dowry money, Kate Drasher, the black sheep of a wealthy Boston family, unwittingly becomes entangled in the affairs of a Memphis society maven who is at war with her four children.

Wanted for shoving Dorothy Schroeder from her balcony at the Rhapsody Hotel, Kate must navigate the treacherous channels of another woman's life if she is to outmaneuver an infamous machine boss and solve two murders.

Among the suspects … a devious woman called Vivian, Kate's estranged husband who's also a swindler, a Beale Street crime lord, and a host of eccentric villains who are rising quickly through the ranks of the Memphis underworld.

  

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.

The Storm Killer by Mike Jastrzebski is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Storm Killer by Mike Jastrzebski as today's second free mystery ebook (A Historical 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.

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The Storm Killer
Mike Jastrzebski
A Historical Thriller
Publisher: CreateSpace

Time: 1935. Place: New York City. Crime beat reporter Jim Locke gets sucked into a quagmire of death, deceit, and danger when his actress sister is murdered — and he becomes the prime suspect.

When he uncovers a pattern of similar murders, he is convinced that a serial killer is on the loose. But the police aren't buying it, and it's up to Jim to stop the madman.

The hunt takes him from the grimy streets and smoke-filled bars of Manhattan to deceptively laid-back Key West, just as a killer storm bears down on the island.

  

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.

Luna Sea by Kim Roberts is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Luna Sea by Kim Roberts as today's free mystery ebook (An Aloha Jones 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.

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Luna Sea
Kim Roberts
An Aloha Jones Mystery
Publisher: Westport Winery

While surfing off Maui, Hawaii's famed Valley Isle, the new Lahaina harbormaster Aloha Jones finds herself in dangerous seas. What Jones initially thought was going to be the rescue of a snorkeler hit by a catamaran turns out to be the recovery of the body of water taxi owner and harbor troublemaker Dan Colley.

Her Coast Guard law enforcement background makes her question if the death a tragic accident or a premeditated murder. Aloha's boss with the Hawaii State Harbors Division, Max Yake, and his sidekick, Marine Enforcement Officer Gil Mangas, conclude it's an accident. Investigators Officer Awiwi Lono's and Detective Ho Killingsworth's questions reveal something else, while reporter Brita Beamer from the local newspaper is less than forthcoming on what she knows.

In the process Aloha finds no lack of suspects — not to mention a whole raft of motives — as she gets to know Colley's crazy girlfriend Zhen Blue and her daughter, Momi; former lead singer of the band Deaf Lesbians, Koni Ke, who looks like an Amish Rastafarian; Aloha's ex-husband Snake; and a street person who resembles a cross between a Shar-pei and a supermodel. Possible motives behind the murder range from money to love to race. As Aloha wades through information to find the truth, in the ocean and on the beach, she faces real threats from sharks of all type.

  

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.