MystereBooks: This Week's Update of Kindle Crime Fiction Priced $2.99 or Less (130209)

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!

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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Take the Monkeys and Run by Karen Cantwell. A Barbara Marr Mystery (1st).

Citizen Insane by Karen Cantwell. A Barbara Marr Mystery (2nd).

Morgue Mama by C. R. Corwin. A Maddy Sprowls Mystery (1st).

Dig by C. R. Corwin. A Maddy Sprowls Mystery (2nd).

The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson. A Lily Moore Mystery (1st).

The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille. A John Corey Thriller (2nd).

All Sales Fatal by Laura DiSilverio. An Emma-Joy Ferris, Mall Cop Mystery (2nd).

Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke. A Hannah Swensen Mystery (13th).

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths. A Ruth Galloway Mystery (1st).

The Celtic Conspiracy by Thore D. Hansen.

Immaculate Midnight by Ellen Hart. A Jane Lawless Mystery (11th).

Plains Crazy by J. M. Hayes. A Mad Dog and Englishman Mystery (3rd).

Broken Heartland by J. M. Hayes. A Mad Dog and Englishman Mystery (4th).

Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy.

Exit Wounds by J. A. Jance. A Joanna Brady Mystery (11th).

The Black Bullet by Tom Lowe.

Shades of Blue by Bill Moody. An Evan Horne Mystery (6th).

Looking for Chet Baker by Bill Moody.

Sketch a Falling Star by Sharon Pape. A Rory McCain, Portrait of Crime Mystery (3rd).

Predators by Frederick Ramsay. A Mpoo Kgopa Sanderson, Botswana Mystery (1st).

Reapers by Frederick Ramsay. A Mpoo Kgopa Sanderson, Botswana Mystery (2nd).

Buffalo Mountain by Frederick Ramsay. An Ike Schwartz Mystery (3rd).

Stranger Room by Frederick Ramsay. An Ike Schwartz Mystery (4th).

The Eighth Veil by Frederick Ramsay. The Jerusalem Mysteries (1st).

Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin. An Inspector John Rebus Mystery (13th).

Love, Honour, and O'Brien by Jennifer Rowe. A Holly Love Mystery (1st).

Parker (Flashfire) by Richard Stark. A Parker Thriller.

Breakfast at Madeline's by Matt Witten. A Jacob Burns 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.

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (120209)

Book Trends, a review site for young adult's and children's books, published several new book reviews this past week. We're presenting here a summary of those in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.

Dead Is a Killer Tune by Marlene Perez. A Dead Is … Mystery (7th in series). Lexile measure: N/A; previous books in the series have been assigned measures of between 580L and 650L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "I would give it a nine out of ten for great humor, a great story, and great characters." (Read the full review of this mystery novel here.)

For more reviews of children and young adult books of all genres, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you! You can also follow Book Trends on Twitter.

Nominees for the 2012 Agatha Awards Announced

The nominees for the 2012 Agatha Awards, which honor the "traditional mystery", have been posted to the Malice Domestic website.

Attendees to Malice Domestic 25 will vote by secret ballot, the ballots will be tabulated and the winners will be announced at the 2012 Agatha Awards Banquet to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

The nominees are …

Best Novel:
• The Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis
• A Fatal Winter by G. M. Malliet
• The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron
• The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
• The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel:
• Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
• Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown
• A Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan
• A Killer Read by Erika Chase
• Faithful Unto Death by Stephanie Jaye Evans

Best Non-Fiction:
• Blood Relations by Joseph Goodrich, editor
• The Grand Tour by Mathew Prichard, editor
• Books to Die For by John Connolly and Declan Burke, editors
• More Forensics and Fiction by D. P. Lyle
• Double Cross by Ben Macintyre

Best Short Story:
• "Mischief in Mesopotamia" (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine) by Dana Cameron
• "Kept in the Dark" (Blood Moon Anthology) by Shelia Connolly
• "The Lord is My Shamus" (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder) by Barb Goffman
• "Thea's First Husband" (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine) by B. K. Stevens
• "When Duty Calls" (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder) by Art Taylor

Best Children's/Young Adult's:
• Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
• The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
• Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
• The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Best Historical:
• The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
• Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for Murder by Catriona McPherson
• Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson
• An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
• Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

No Colder Place by S. J. Rozan is Today's Fifth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature No Colder Place by S. J. Rozan as today's fifth free mystery ebook (A Bill Smith and Lydia Chin Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 09, 2013 at 7:50 AM ET. 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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No Colder Place
S. J. Rozan
A Bill Smith and Lydia Chin Mystery
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Winner of the 1998 Anthony Award for Best Novel.

Bill Smith is going undercover again as a favor to an old friend who wants him to investigate thievery on the 40-story Manhattan site of Crowell Construction's latest project. His bricklaying is a little rusty, but passable as he checks out the foreman who's under suspicion.

A crane operator has disappeared — along with some heavy machinery. But when a well-orchestrated riot causes the foreman's "accidental" death, Smith plunges into a morass of bribery, blackmail and blood looking for answers.

With the help of his Chinese-American partner Lydia Chin, he follows a trail of twisted loyalties, old-fashioned greed and organized crime to its heart-stopping conclusion. Murder — with no end in sight.

  

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.

Killer Run by K. D. Mason is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Killer Run by K. D. Mason as today's fourth free mystery ebook (A Jack Beale Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 09, 2013 at 7:40 AM ET. 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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Killer Run
K. D. Mason
A Jack Beale Mystery
Publisher: Bigwig Books

Malcom and Polly were living their dream, running a North Country Bed & Breakfast they named the Quilt House Inn. The Inn was known for two things: the collection of antique quilts on display and miles of running and hiking trails for their guests' use.

Jack, training for his first trail marathon, The Rockdog Run, heard about the Inn and hatched a plan whereby he and Max could enjoy a romantic get-a-way and he could get in some quality trail training. For his plan to work, Dave and Patti joined them at the Inn.

Meanwhile, in the weeks leading up to the marathon, a delusional antique dealer developed a fascination with one of the quilts on display in the Inn and it wasn't long before Malcom and Polly's dream and the four friends became forever entwined in a deadly mystery spanning two hundred years and 26.2 miles.

Running a marathon is challenging enough by itself. Doing so on trails and starting before sunrise, in the dark, on a cold November day is even more daunting. When Jack trips and falls, landing on the lifeless body of an unknown runner, the race becomes a true "killer run".

  

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.

Looking for Chet Baker by Bill Moody is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Looking for Chet Baker by Bill Moody as today's third free mystery ebook (An Evan Horne Mystery; Kobo and iTunes formats).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 09, 2013 at 7:30 AM ET. 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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Looking for Chet Baker
Bill Moody
An Evan Horne Mystery
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Evan Horne's comeback at the keyboard has brought him to England, where he hopes he can concentrate on his music and not think about crimes. But his friend Ace Buffington, who's led him into trouble before, shows up with a problem: Ace has a contract to write a biography of the late trumpeter Chet Baker, and since Evan's going on to Amsterdam, too …

Chet Baker died on the sidewalk in front of an Amsterdam hotel in 1988; whether he jumped, slipped, or was pushed has never been determined. With his arrival at the hotel, Evan discovers that Ace — who was staying in Chet's room — is missing. The only thing Evan finds is his briefcase and notes. Now he has no choice. To find Ace, Evan will have to dig into the mysterious death of Chet Baker … and that takes him into a world he'd rather not visit.

    

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.

Engulfed by Kathleen Cosgrove is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Engulfed by Kathleen Cosgrove as today's second free mystery ebook (A Maggie Fin Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 09, 2013 at 7:20 AM ET. 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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Engulfed
Kathleen Cosgrove
A Maggie Fin Mystery
Publisher: Parthenon Press

Maggie Finn travels to South West Florida expecting to find heat, sand, and gangs of old people. What she finds are dead bodies, a kidnapping, the mob and a certain Jewish Cuban detective that she has developed a school girls crush on.

It's not long before she's engulfed in events that will either destroy her or prove to her that it's never too late to begin again and that life isn't over until it 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.

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

Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath as today's free mystery ebook (A Jack Daniels Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 09, 2013 at 7:10 AM ET. 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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Bloody Mary
J. A. Konrath
A Jack Daniels Mystery
Publisher: Hyperion

Start with a tough but vulnerable Chicago cop. Add a hyperactive cat, an ailing mother, a jealous boyfriend, a high-maintenance ex-husband, and a partner in the throes of a mid-life crisis.

Stir in a psychopath littering the city with body parts. Mix with equal parts humor and suspense, and the funny, frightening world of Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels.

Join Jack as she struggles to repair her train wreck of a personal life while tracking down and convicting one of the scariest serial killers in recent memory — a killer for whom getting caught is only the beginning …

  

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.

Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis is Today's Nook Daily Find

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis as today's Barnes & Noble Nook Daily Find.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, February 09, 2013.

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

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Mai Tai One On
Jill Marie Landis
An Em Johnson, Tiki Goddess Mystery
Bell Bridge Books

Six months ago, if anyone would have told Em Johnson she'd end up divorced, broke, and running the dilapidated Tiki Goddess Bar on the magical North Shore of Kauai she would have told them to shove a swizzle stick up their okole.

As if all that isn't bad enough, when an obnoxious neighbor with a grudge is found dead in the Goddess luau pit, suspicion falls on Em and the rest of the Goddess staff. With the help of a quirky dance troupe of over-the-hill Hula Maidens, Em and the cast of characters must ban together to find the killer and solve the mystery before the next pupu party.

 

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.

Tears in Rain by Rosa Montero is Today's Kindle Sci-Fi Thriller Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Tears in Rain by Rosa Montero as today's Amazon Kindle Sci-Fi Thriller Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, February 09, 2013.

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Tears in Rain
Rosa Montero
A Sci-Fi Thriller
AmazonCrossing

Death is inevitable. Especially when you have an expiration date.

As a replicant, or "techno-human", Detective Bruna Husky knows two things: humans bioengineered her to perform dangerous, undesirable tasks; and she has just ten years on the United States of Earth before her body automatically self-destructs. But with "anti-techno" rage on the rise and a rash of premature deaths striking her fellow replicants, she may have even less time than she originally thought.

Investigating the mysterious deaths, Bruna delves into the fractious, violent history shared by humans and replicants, and struggles to engage the society that fails to understand her — yet created her. The deeper she gets, the deadlier her work becomes as she uncovers a vast, terrifying conspiracy bent on changing the very course of the world. But even as the darkness of her reality closes in, Bruna clings fiercely to life.

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.

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (130208)

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.

Cinemystery: Casting Update for Film Adaptation of John le Carré's Our Kind of Traitor

Last May came word that Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) would direct a film adaptation of John le Carré's 2010 international spy thriller Our Kind of Traitor. Now we're learning (via ScreenDaily) that Ralph Fiennes and Mads Mikkelsen are expected to join Ewan McGregor in key roles.

The plot centers around a couple, who get caught up in a scheme involving Russian criminals and British intelligence. McGregor will play one half of the couple; Mikkelsen will play a Russian money launderer and Fiennes will play a British government official. The female lead has not yet been cast.

"This is the kind of film we love: elevated thrillers with mainstream appeal," said StudioCanal Chairman and CEO Olivier Courson. "The film offers another opportunity for us to make a le Carré adaptation but with a more contemporary subject." StudioCanal also produced last year's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Production is expected to begin this Summer for release in 2014.

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Our Kind of Traitor
John le Carré

Perry and Gail are idealistic and very much in love when they splurge on a tennis vacation at a posh beach resort in Antigua. But the charm begins to pall when a big-time Russian money launderer enlists their help to defect. In exchange for amnesty, Dima is ready to rat out his vory (Russian criminal brotherhood) compatriots and expose corruption throughout the so-called legitimate financial and political worlds.

Soon, the guileless couple find themselves pawns in a deadly endgame whose outcome will be determined by the victor of the British Secret Service's ruthless internecine battles.

      

New Poster for Da Vinci's Demons

A new — and rather dramatic (in our opinion) — promotional poster for the Starz original drama Da Vinci's Demons has been released by the cable network (right; click for larger image). The tagline: "Genius cannot be contained."

In a world where thought and faith are controlled, one man fights to set knowledge free …

The secret history of Leonardo Da Vinci's tantalizing life reveals a portrait of a young man tortured by a gift of superhuman genius. He is a heretic intent on exposing the lies of religion. An insurgent seeking to subvert an elitist society. A bastard son who yearns for legitimacy with his father.

He finds himself in the midst of a storm that has been brewing for centuries. A conflict between truth and lies, religion and reason, past and future. His aspirations are used against him by the opposing forces of the time — luring him into a game of seduction where those who despise his intellect need him most.

Leonardo (played by Tom Riley) must take up the fight against foes who use history to suppress the truth. A hero armed only with genius,
Da Vinci stands alone against the darkness within, and the darkness without.

Facing an uncertain future, his quest for knowledge nearly becomes his undoing as he explores the fringes of his own sanity. Da Vinci throws himself into his genius and emerges as an unstoppable force that lifts an entire era out of darkness and propels it into light.

Da Vinci's Demons premieres on Starz at 10 PM (ET/PT) on April 12th, 2013.