New Mystery/Suspense from Carina Press: Lethal Business by W. Soliman and Cards & Caravans by Cindy Spencer Pape

Carina Press is a digital-first imprint from Harlequin, publishing books in an interesting and diverse selection of genres including contemporary romance, steampunk, gay/lesbian fiction, science-fiction, fantasy, and — but of course — mystery and suspense.

Two new titles are being released this week: Lethal Business by W. Soliman (listed under Mystery) and Cards & Caravans by Cindy Spencer Pape (listed under Steampunk) …

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Lethal Business
W. Soliman
The Hunter Files (3rd in series)

Why kill the survivors of a sinking ship?

A speeding boat rams a life raft, leaving no survivors … A man embroiled in an investigation of potential suicide bombers disappears …

Retired inspector Charlie Hunter's belief that the two events are related leads him to accept a job working a charter between England and France. The only way to find out the truth is to be the man on the inside.

But Charlie's life is at risk on the rough Channel. All is not as it seems on the shifting seas, and some players are holding secrets that will change the game … and the sunken life raft is the key.

      

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Cards & Caravans
Cindy Spencer Pape
The Gaslight Chronicles (5th in series)

Belinda Danvers isn't a witch. But that won't stop them burning her at the stake …

Connor McKay can tell at a glance that Belinda's magickal powers are minimal at best. She can't be guilty of murdering village children. There's something suspicious about her arrest and lightning-quick sentence. Unfortunately, telling anyone how he knows would mean revealing his own powers. He's been sent by the Order of the Round Table to help and he can't just let her die.

Escaping from jail and running from vindictive villagers in her grandfather's steam-powered caravan is more excitement than Belinda's had in years. And despite the danger — or maybe because of it — she loves the time spent with her sexy rescuer. But there's more to his magick than he's letting on …

There's something going on that's bigger than the two of them. It's time for good to make a stand.

      

Telemystery: A Mind To Kill and Quincy ME, New This Week on DVD

Telemystery, your source for one of the most comprehensive listings of crime drama, amateur sleuth, private investigator, mystery and suspense television series, mini-series and made-for-television movies, now available on or coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray disc, or Video-on-Demand, is profiling one series and one complete collection from our site being released this week.

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A Mind to Kill
The Complete Series

Philip Madoc delivers an unforgettable performance as brooding detective Noel Bain in this atmospheric Welsh drama. An old-fashioned and kindhearted cop, Bain solves crimes with his unerring instinct, keen intelligence, and passion for defending the innocent. He also struggles to protect his daughter, Hannah (Ffion Wilkins), from the crime-filled world he knows too well.

Set in a Wales more bleak than picturesque, this acclaimed series is known for its gritty realism and no-holds-barred storytelling. The complete collection includes all three series of feature-length episodes.

We've seen — and Mr. E. has reviewed — all three seasons of this series. "The mystery plots are sophisticated and solidly plotted, not so much whodunits but more along the lines of police procedurals. The stories are often grim, the outcomes not always positive — much like real crime in real life." (Read Mr. E.'s reviews of Season One, Season Two, and Season Three.)

  

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Quincy M. E.
Season Five

Jack Klugman returns as television's original Crime Scene Investigator, Dr. R. Quincy, in Season Five of this classic 1970s medical drama, which aired on NBC from September 1979 through April 1980.

This season finds Quincy investigating a death due to laced marijuana, the unholy murder of an evangelist, a suicide wrongly labeled a murder, the death of a man by an abusive family member, a drunk-driving homicide, tainted food at a football stadium that threatens to kill 90,000 spectators and more!

Death may be the end, but crime never sleeps and Quincy doesn't rest until justice has been served!

  

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Visit the Telemystery website to discover more television mystery series currently available on and coming soon to DVD, Blu-ray disc, or video on demand.

Telemystery: New Trailer for Game of Thrones Season 3

HBO has released a new trailer for the third season of Game of Thrones (below).

Based on the "Song of Ice and Fire" epic fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, this third season is adapted from the first half of the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords.

The new season returns on March 31st, 2013 at 9 PM ET/PT.

Telemystery: Rainn Wilson Cast as Evert Backstrom in CBS Pilot

Rainn Wilson (The Office) has been cast to play Evert Backstrom in Backstrom, a television pilot for CBS, based on a character created by Swedish crime novelist Leif G. W. Persson. Bones creator Hart Hanson will write and executive produce.

Stockholm police inspector Evert Bäckström was introduced in 2005 in Linda … som i Lindamordet (Linda … as in the Linda Murder), the first English translation of which was published last month in the UK. We don't have a US publication date, yet.

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Linda, as in the Linda Murder
Leif G. W. Persson
An Evert Bäckström Mystery

In the middle of an unusually hot Swedish summer, a young woman studying at the Vaxjo Police Academy is brutally murdered. Police Inspector Evert Backstrom is unwillingly drafted in from Stockholm to head up the investigation.

Egotistical, vain and utterly prejudiced against everything, Bäckström is a man who has no sense of duty or responsibilty, thinks everyone with the exception of himself is an imbecile and is only really capable of warm feelings towards his pet goldfish and the nearest bottle of liquor. If they are to solve the case, his long suffering team must work around him, following the scant few leads which remain after Backstrom's intransigence has let the trail go cold.

Telemystery: Sherlock Season 3 Episode 1 Title — The Empty Hearse

Filming on the third season of Sherlock got underway today, with series co-creator Mark Gatiss tweeting a photo of the clapperboard marking the first take of the first scene of the episode.

He also confirmed the title of the episode: "The Empty Hearse", which has been adapted from the original story "The Adventure of the Empty House". This is consistent with the chronology of the canon, with this being the first story published after Holmes "died" in "The Final Problem", which was the basis for the final episode of Season Two, "The Reichenbach Fall".

Last August co-creator Steven Moffat teased fans with three words that he suggested would be associated with this third season's three episodes. None of the words — "Rat. Wedding. Bow." — seem to us to have an obvious connection to storyline being filmed, but maybe we're just missing something. Moffat later said, however, that the three words "may be misleading, are not titles, are only teases or possibly clues, but might be deliberately designed to get you into a lather."

Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Holmes, recently confirmed that there will be a fourth season of the series.

The game is on!

Red Adept Publishing 1st Anniversary Celebration Contest

Red Adept Publishing is celebrating its first anniversary by hosting an awesome contest!

A hybrid company, one of its divisions publishes books in a variety of genres, including Mystery and Thriller/Suspense, and we've been pleased to invite a number of their authors to visit with us over the past year.

The entry form is embedded below, which lists the prizes. More information can be found on the company website.

Use this link if you cannot see the entry form.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown as today's third free mystery ebook (A Robert Langdon Thriller; Kindle and Kobo formats).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, March 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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The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown
A Robert Langdon Thriller
Publisher: Random House

Adapted for the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks.

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci, clues visible for all to see, yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion, an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret, and an explosive historical truth, will be lost forever.

Caution: The price on this book has been bouncing between free and its list price on Amazon. Before 1-clicking, please confirm that it is listed as $0.00.

    

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 Canton Connection by Fritz Galt is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Canton Connection by Fritz Galt as today's second free mystery ebook (A Jake Maguire Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, March 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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The Canton Connection
Fritz Galt
A Jake Maguire Mystery
Publisher: Sigma-Books.com

Assigned to a brutal murder case on a bike trail near Washington, DC, young FBI special agent Jake Maguire fears the death is linked to an imminent cyber attack. Yet nobody in the U.S. Government seems willing to act. Is his ambition causing him to over-think the case?

From a sexy computer programmer to a shadowy foreign firm, from the nation's Cyber Command to a murdered engineering student, Jake must put the clues together and determine whether this is, as he suspects, an attack on the very root of the internet.

He zeroes in on a young female programmer who holds the key to the root server of the .com world. Is she as wholesome as she seems?

Join Jake in the corridors of secretive government agencies, on a cross-country trail of blood and on a risky trans-Pacific flight. He must follow his instincts, and his heart, to break the case that could save the nation and make his career. Then he learns that he is a wanted man.

  

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 Girlfriend Experience by Charles O'Donnell is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Girlfriend Experience by Charles O'Donnell as today's free mystery ebook (A Techno-Thriller Adventure; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, March 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 Girlfriend Experience
Charles O'Donnell
A Techno-Thriller Adventure
Publisher: Charles O'Donnell

Matt Bugatti has cracked the Internet's most secure code. Chinese and American agents are racing to learn his secret. Unaware of their power struggle, Matt wants only to control his own destiny.

When faced with a life-changing decision, Matt meets Gina, a woman with a secret of her own, and his choice seems clear — until the international conflict escalates and Matt finds himself threatened and alone. Then Matt discovers Gina's secret and his world turns upside-down.

Pursued by two nations, running for his life, Matt does whatever is necessary to regain control — and learns who he can trust in a world where no one is who they seem.

  

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 Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Monday, March 18, 2013.

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The Hot Rock
Donald E. Westlake
A John Dortmunder Mystery
Mysterious Press

Adapted for the 1972 film The Hot Rock starring Robert Redford and George Segal.

John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. No one plans a caper better than Dortmunder. His friend Kelp picks him up in a stolen Cadillac and drives him away from Sing-Sing, telling a story of a $500,000 emerald that they just have to steal. Dortmunder doesn't hesitate to agree.

The emerald is the crown jewel of a former British colony, lately granted independence and split into two nations: one for the Talabwo people, one for the Akinzi. The Akinzi have the stone, the Talabwo want it back, and their UN representative offers a fine payday to the men who can get it. It's not a simple heist, but after a few years in stir, Dortmunder could use the challenge.

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.

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for March 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:

A E F H I L M T Y

The title of Robert Barnard's 2010 novel of suspense has a stranger in this (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 Mystery and Suspense Update from Big Fish Games (130318)

Here is today's mystery and suspense update from Big Fish Games …

• The New Release is The Secret Order: Masked Intent (Collector's Edition).

• The Daily Deal is Borgia: Faith and Fear, just $2.99 today only!.

• The current Catch of the Week is Amazing Adventures: Riddle of the Two Knights, just $2.99 through Sunday, March 24, 2013 only.

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Today's New Release is The Secret Order: Masked Intent (Collector's Edition)

Sarah receives shocking news from her father. One of the newest members in the Order of the Griffins has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five, the heads of the Order. What's worse is that very traitor is about to join the Secret Five, and he's wearing a mask that gives him supernatural abilities. Sarah has to race back through time and search for the one artifact that can subdue the mask: a magical scepter. Hop aboard the Royal Griffin and help Sarah unmask the traitor before he destroys the Order in this exhilarating Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure Game.

This is a special Collector's Edition release full of exclusive extras you won't find in the standard version, including: a special bonus chapter; concept art and videos; downloadable soundtrack and wallpapers.

A sample version is available to download and play for free for one hour.

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Today's Daily Deal is Borgia: Faith and Fear

Basilius Valentius is a medic from the monastery of Camaldoli who is off to tend to his friend Lorenzo in Florence. Shortly after arriving, however, Lorenzo dies and Basilius discovers evidence suggesting foul play. Determined to find the culprit, Basilius begins a dangerous mission. Discover the truth by investigating a murder and survive a power struggle in 15th century Rome!

A sample version is available to download and play for free for one hour. You can purchase this game today only — Monday, March 18, 2013 — for $2.99.

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The current Catch of the Week is Amazing Adventures: Riddle of the Two Knights

An ancient chessboard is unearthed and the missing pieces need to be found. A curious trail leads you from the crowded bazaars of Morocco to the snow-swept summits of the Swiss Alps. With each new piece, a strange tale of two Medieval Knights is revealed. Complete 25 missions by finding hidden items and solving unique puzzles. Good luck!

A sample version is available to download and play for free for one hour. You can purchase this game at the special price of $2.99 through Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Review: Little Elvises by Timothy Hallinan

A Mysterious Review of …

Little Elvises by Timothy Hallinan. A Junior Bender Mystery.

Review summary: What seems to be lacking here in this second book of the series is energy, on the parts of both the character and the narrative. Maybe the problem is one of comparison to the previous book, which had edgier humor, more dynamic action, and fewer predictable twists. It is agreeable entertainment as a stand-alone, but disappointing as a sequel. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

Little Elvises
Timothy Hallinan
A Junior Bender Mystery
Soho Crime (January 2013)

Publisher synopsis: LA burglar Junior Bender has (unfortunately) developed a reputation as a competent private investigator for crooks. The unfortunate part about this is that regardless of whether he solves the crime or not, someone dangerous is going to be unhappy with him, either his suspect or his employer.

Now Junior is being bullied into proving aging music industry mogul Vinnie DiGaudio is innocent of the murder of a nasty tabloid journalist he'd threatened to kill a couple times. It doesn't help that the dead journalist's widow is one pretty lady, and she's trying to get Junior to mix pleasure with business. Just as the investigation is spiraling out of control, Junior's hard-drinking landlady begs him to solve the disappearance of her daughter, who got involved with a very questionable character. And, worst news of all, both Junior's ex-wife and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Rina, seem to have new boyfriends. What a mess.

      

Mr. E. Reviews Skyfall

Purchase/Rental Option(s)

This action thriller has much going for it, including a spectacular opening chase sequence. The performances save one are uniformly excellent, the exception being the villain, who I found weakly developed, flat and largely uninteresting. Still, a fine film, one definitely worth seeing.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews Skyfall.

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Mr. E. Reviews is your source for mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime drama reviews of television and film.

MystereBooks: The Constant Lovers by Chris Nickson, Available this Month at a Special Price

Every month Amazon releases a new selection of Kindle books priced $3.99 or less.

Today's featured title from the Mystery & Thrillers category is The Constant Lovers by Chris Nickson. This Kindle book was listed at $3.49 as of the date and time of this post, Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET, and should be available at this price through the end of the month.

More information about the book is below; if other vendors have priced-matched this title, links to their sites are also shown.

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The Constant Lovers by Chris Nickson
A Richard Nottingham Mystery (3rd in series)
Publisher: Severn House

A tale of greed, ambition and thwarted love in eighteenth-century Leeds …

July, 1732. On a hot summer morning, Richard Nottingham, Constable of Leeds, is called out when a young woman is found stabbed to death among the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey. In her pocket is a love note: "Soon we'll be together and our hearts can sing loud, my love. W." What happened to the maid who accompanied her mistress on her final, fatal journey? Who is the mysterious 'W' who signed the note?

Nottingham must delve into the dark secrets of the rich and influential to uncover the truth.

    

Important Note: 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.