Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton as today's third free mystery ebook (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 18, 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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Spouse Trap
Cynthia Hamilton
A Madeline Dawkins Mystery
Publisher: Woodstock Press

Madeline Ridley had all she’d ever dreamed of: successful and handsome husband, a place at the top of Santa Barbara society, every luxury money could buy. She loved her life and envied no one. In all respects, her world was perfect … until she awoke in the early morning hours in a strange hotel room, alone, unclothed, with a splitting headache and no clue as to how she had gotten there.

When Steven Ridley comes home in the middle of a work day and throws a sheaf of damning photos at her, Madeline’s comfortable world collapses in a swirl of blackmail, sabotage and deceit. Hoping to convince Steven of her innocence, she drives to his office and unwittingly stumbles onto a scene that makes her realize who the real enemy is.

From that point on, Madeline Ridley deconstructs herself, reverting back to Madeline Dawkins in order to salvage what’s left of her life. In the process, she discovers where her true strengths lie, and with those, she steels herself for the battle of a lifetime.

  

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.

Juárez Dance by Sam Hawken is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Juárez Dance by Sam Hawken as today's second free mystery ebook (Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 18, 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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Juárez Dance
Sam Hawken
Publisher: Pax River Books

Cooper Townsend is a man whose trade is death. He kills for money and feels nothing. He is an island untouched by the world, living a life of self-indulgence in Mexico with nice clothes, a fine apartment and the company of women who take money and ask no questions.

When Cooper takes a contract that threads the line between life and death for his target, he steps into another world: the Mexico of true money and unfettered power. There he finds that sin is the most powerful driver behind the lives of the fabulously wealthy. One sin in particular draws him into a cycle of deception that can only and in bloodshed and may yet hold the key to personal salvation.

Cooper Townsend is about to learn that love is the most dangerous thing of all.

  

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 Classic Rockers Reunion with Death by R. J. McDonnell is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death by R. J. McDonnell as today's free mystery ebook (A Jason Duffy Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 18, 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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The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death
R. J. McDonnell
A Jason Duffy Mystery
Publisher: Killeena Publishing

San Diego private investigator Jason Duffy travels to Scranton, Pennsylvania in January after his Uncle Patrick's best friend is murdered. He learns that Patrick and the victim were members of a rock band that nearly made it to the national scene in the early 1970s, and were about to play a reunion concert in their hometown when the murder occurred.

The investigation leads Jason back to an "almost anything goes" era that is exacting a huge price more than 40 years later. To mix and master this musical mystery, Jason fills in for the murdered guitarist and soon finds himself struggling to avoid filling in a cemetery plot.

Someone doesn't want that reunion concert to happen and is willing to do anything to cancel it forever. The case teaches Jason how easy it is for all of us to fall victim to our assumptions. It's a lesson that could exact a tuition that may never be paid back.

  

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.

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for February 18, 2013

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:

B E G H I N O R S

Ania Ahlborn's November 2012 novel of psychological suspense has this title, with "The" (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!

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (130217)

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: The Llama of Death by Betty Webb

A Mysterious Review of …

The Llama of Death by Betty Webb. A Theodora "Teddy" Bentley, Gunn Zoo Mystery.

Review summary: This is a fast-paced mystery with a very large cast of characters … most of which are suspects in the victim's murder. The narrative often seems "busy"; it's a rare page that doesn't convey a sense of urgency to move on to the next one. Still, the murder mystery plot itself is nicely constructed and there is a lot of satisfaction following Teddy around as she assembles clues to the killer's identity. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

The Llama of Death
Betty Webb
A Theodora "Teddy" Bentley, Gunn Zoo Mystery
Poisoned Pen Press (January 2013)

Publisher synopsis: Zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley takes Alejandro, the Gunn Zoo llama, to a Monterey Bay-area Renaissance Faire only to discover the still-warm body of the Reverend Victor Emerson, owner of the local wedding chapel, dressed in his royal robes as Henry the Eighth. At first it appears as if Aljandro stomped the man to death, but a closer look reveals a crossbow dart in the man's back.

Teddy's investigation proves the "reverend" isn't really a reverend at all -— he's an escaped convict, and every marriage he's performed in the past twenty years is null and void. Teddy's mother Caro, a spoiled ex-beauty queen, becomes the chief suspect and is immediately jailed when she causes a riot in the courtroom.The "reverend" had twice married Caro to wealthy men, and when both marriages failed, Caro received large financial settlements. Now she may have to give all that money back, certainly a good enough reason to commit murder.

But Caro wasn't the only person gunning for Victor. The child of the man Victor once murdered may have wanted to kill him, too, and at one point, even Teddy herself if handcuffed and jailed. Even worse, Teddy's embezzling father flies in from exile in Costa Rica to help spring Caro from jail, thus putting his own freedom in jeapoardy. As Teddy continues her investigation, she finds herself up to her ears in girl gang members, squabbling boat liveaboarders, Renaissance Faire actors and stuntmen, and assorted animals.

      

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P. T. Michelle is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Brightest Kind of Darkness by P. T. Michelle as today's fourth free mystery ebook (A Young Adult Novel of Paranormal Romantic Suspense; Kindle, Kobo, and iTunes formats).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 17, 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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Brightest Kind of Darkness
P. T. Michelle
A Young Adult Novel of Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Publisher: CreateSpace

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate … until she dreams a future she can't ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate. Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

      

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.

Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware by Paul Howell is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware by Paul Howell as today's third free mystery ebook (A Phillip Fairfax Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 17, 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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Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware
Paul Howell
A Phillip Fairfax Mystery
Publisher: CreateSpace

When the imminent sale of a fabulous oil painting, The Girl in the Red Dress, by Leonardo da Vinci, is announced, the global art world goes on a feeding frenzy. But only days before the painting is due to be offered for sale at auction it is stolen from its home in the Chateau de Manville.

Phillip Fairfax goes on the hunt for the priceless portrait. His investigations in the south of France and Rome brings him into conflict with the duplicitous Claude, Marquis de Manville, Claude’s goddaughter, the beautiful but deadly Leila Diab and Nini Grapponelli, a murderous member of the Italian Camorra crime syndicate.

  

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 Millstone Prophecy by Jack Harney is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Millstone Prophecy by Jack Harney as today's second free mystery ebook (A Dax McGowan Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 17, 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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The Millstone Prophecy
Jack Harney
A Dax McGowan Mystery
Publisher: Dax Productions

Famed N.Y.P.D. Lieutenant Dax McGowan attempts to track down and kill the pedophile priest who caused his daughter to commit suicide. A city-wide foot race soon turns into an international manhunt, taking him to the gates of Vatican City and beyond with startling results.

An intransigent and deceitful church hierarchy, a politically weakened D.A.'s response, and mysterious assassins dispatched to "take him down" thwart his every move.

  

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.

Sting of the Scorpion by Marilyn Haddrill and Doris Holmes is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Sting of the Scorpion by Marilyn Haddrill and Doris Holmes as today's free mystery ebook (A Novel of Romantic Suspense; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, February 17, 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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Sting of the Scorpion
Marilyn Haddrill and Doris Holmes
A Novel of Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Sagecrest Publishing

Laura Delaney is out to prove herself — her career and her life depend on it.

On her first undercover assignment she must prove both smart and fearless, a match for her skeptical partner Gary on their dangerous mission. They have infiltrated a remote resort in southern New Mexico where wealthy patrons are being bilked out of their fortunes.

To Antares, the ruthless head of Scorpio Enterprises, she must prove convincing as a beautiful, naive heiress. She succeeds all too well, and finds herself trapped in his deadly obsession …

  

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.

Nightfall by Stephen Leather is Today's Kindle Supernatural Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature the first three books in the "Jack Nightingale" series of thrillers by Stephen Leather as today's Amazon Supernatural Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 each is valid only for today, Sunday, February 17, 2013.

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Nightfall
Stephen Leather
A Jack Nightingale Thriller
47North

"You're going to hell, Jack Nightingale."

These are the words that ended Jack Nightingale's career as a police negotiator. Now a struggling private detective, the chilling words return with a vengeance when Jack inherits a mansion with a priceless library — and a terrifying warning from a man who claims to be his father.

Nightingale quickly learns his soul was sold at birth and a devil will come to claim it on his thirty-third birthday, which is just three short weeks away. It's a hard pill to swallow. He doesn't believe in Hell and probably doesn't believe in Heaven either. But when people close to him start to die horribly, he is led to the inescapable conclusion that real evil may be at work. And if he doesn't find a way out, he'll be damned for eternity.

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.

The Last Dance by Ed McBain is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Last Dance by Ed McBain as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Sunday, February 17, 2013.

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The Last Dance
Ed McBain
An 87th Precinct Novel
Simon & Schuster

This is the 50th book in this long-running series.

In this city, you can get anything done for a price. If you want someone's eyeglasses smashed, it'll cost you a subway token. You want his fingernails pulled out? His legs broken? You want him hurt so bad he's an invalid his whole life? You want him … killed? Let me talk to someone. It can be done.

The hanging death of a nondescript old man in a shabby little apartment in a meager section of the 87th Precinct is nothing much in this city, especially to detectives Carella and Meyer. But everyone has a story, and this old man's story stood to make some people a lot of money.

His story takes Carella, Meyer, Brown, and Weeks on a search through Isola's seedy strip clubs and to the bright lights of the theater district. There they discover an upcoming musical with ties to a mysterious drug — and a killer who stays until the last dance.

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: New Trailer for NBC's Hannibal

NBC has released a 30-second teaser trailer for its new crime drama Hannibal; we've embedded it below. The series tagline: "Detective Will Graham has a killer new partner."

Will Graham (played by Hugh Dancy) is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham's unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone — even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he's pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal — known as a serial killer only to the audience — form a brilliant partnership and it seems there's no villain they can't catch. If Will only knew …

Hannibal premieres on Thursday, April 4th at 10 PM ET/PT on NBC.

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Review: Dante's Wood by Lynne Raimondo

A Mysterious Review of …

Dante's Wood by Lynne Raimondo. A Mark Angelotti Mystery.

Review summary: The characters at the core of this psychological thriller are very well drawn. As the plot moves briskly forward, neither new series character Mark Angelotti nor the reader is quite prepared for the truth as it is revealed. This is a strong start to this series. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

Dante's Wood
Lynne Raimondo
A Mark Angelotti Mystery
Seventh Street Books (January 2013)

Publisher synopsis: Psychiatrist Mark Angelotti knows that genes don't lie. Or do they?

Back at work after a devastating illness, Mark believes he has put his past behind him when he is asked to examine Charlie Dickerson, a mentally handicapped teenager whose wealthy mother insists he is a victim of sexual abuse. Mark diagnoses a different reason for Charlie's ills, but his prescription turns deadly when a teacher is murdered and Charlie confesses to the police.

Volunteering to testify on Charlie's behalf, Mark's worst fears are realized when paternity tests show the victim was pregnant with Charlie's child. Now it's up to Mark to prove Charlie's innocence in a case where nothing is as first meets the eye.

Not even genes — Mark's or Charlie's — can be trusted to shine a light on the truth.

    

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (130216)

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.