Nantucket Sawbuck by Steven Axelrod, a New 1st in Series Mystery Introducing Henry Kennis

We are pleased to present you with one of this month's new 1st in Series mysteries: Nantucket Sawbuck by Steven Axelrod and introducing Henry Kennis.

What we know about the character: Henry Kennis is the Chief of Police on Nantucket island.

For more information about his first case, see a synopsis of the book, below.

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Nantucket Sawbuck by Steven Axelrod
Series: A Henry Kennis Mystery
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format(s): Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook

When Nantucket homeowner Preston Lomax is killed in his McMansion, everyone on the island could be a suspect. Lomax lived large, owed money, and the word was spreading he was planning to stiff them all and disappear. Chief of Police Henry Kennis, a newcomer from California, finds himself investigating with help from the State Police. Together they solve the case — or so it appears. But Kennis can't shake the feeling that they've missed something.

Kennis soon discovers scandals and intrigues behind the scenes in one of America's most exclusive resort locations. This glamorous setting hosts an eclectic cast of local characters — oddball journalists, surfing carpenters, drug dealers, wealthy homeowners, and their slacker children. Kennis uncovers a truth that lies somewhere between the bad blood and the good neighbors and realizes that the real answer hits painfully close to home.

        

A New MystereBook: Bitter End by Rex Stout

Here is a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during January 2014 priced $4.99 or less …

Bitter End by Rex Stout is the first novella length adventure featuring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, which first appeared in the November 1940 issue of "The American Magazine". It has previously been included in Rex Stout collections, but this is its first appearance as a single ebook.

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Bitter End by Rex Stout
A Nero Wolfe Mystery Novella
Publisher: Book Revivals Press
Publication Date: January 09, 2014
Price: $0.99 (as of 01/11/14 01:30 PM ET)

The story, which is dark and complex, explores the family, business and personal relationships of the owners and employees of a specialty food manufacturer. Wolfe has a personal encounter with one of their products that has been poisoned and feels compelled to investigate.

This ebook includes, as a bonus, the short story "Out of the Line" that was published first in "All-Story Cavalier Weekly" and is not available anywhere else in electronic format.

  

Important Note: This book was listed for the price indicated on the date and time as shown. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Semblance, The Midnight Society Series by Logan Patricks, Now at a Special Price

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Semblance by Logan Patricks, now available at a special price, courtesy of the publisher, Strangecrow Books.

The ebook format of this title was priced at $0.99 from the listed vendors (below) as of the date and time of this post (01/11/2014 at 1:00 PM 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.

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Semblance by Logan Patricks
The Midnight Society Series (1st in series)
Publisher: Strangecrow Books

Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness has never starved a day in their lives …

My name is Aria Valencia, a third year classical music student at the university, and I was down to my last dollar. Some nights, I seriously considered working at the rippers just to make ends meet, but the thought of my dad's spirit — God rest his soul — scowling at me while I danced up on some drooling degenerate was enough to turn me off the idea completely.

And then one night, chance came knocking on my door under the guise of the Midnight Society, a secret cabal comprised of the most wealthy and influential souls this side of the Universe. Their leader was a man named Shadow, who was equally enigmatic as he was gorgeous and, for some mystifying reason, had his dark brooding eyes focused on me.

Seduced by the promises of fame and fortune in exchange for a seemingly innocent request, I soon found myself drawn into a provocative world filled with both vast riches and unending lies and it didn't take long for me to realize what being a part of the Midnight Society actually entailed: shiny things, sensual romance, and dead bodies.

Being with Shadow came with a terrible price, one that I wasn't willing to pay. There's a dark side to every love story, and this one was mine.

  

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.

A New MystereBook: The Island Snatchers by Janice Kay Johnson

Here is a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during January 2014 priced $4.99 or less …

The Island Snatchers by Janice Kay Johnson was first published in hardcover by Forge Books in August 1997. This is (we believe) its first appearance as an ebook.

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The Island Snatchers by Janice Kay Johnson
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: Janice Kay Johnson
Publication Date: January 10, 2014
Price: $3.99 (as of 01/11/14 12:30 PM ET)

Having come to Honolulu in the mid 1800s as the wife of a missionary, Anne Cartwright makes herself valued as a midwife and nurse by Hawaiians and foreigners alike after she is widowed. Taught harsh lessons by her father and husband, she vows never to put her life in any man's keeping again. In this time of turmoil, when British, French and Americans compete for the future of the strategically important islands while pledging dubious loyalty to King Kamehameha III, Anne comes to care for the natives and fears for the future of this kingdom.

Still reeling from his father's suicide, Dr. Matthew Cabe has sailed to Honolulu with the intention of reclaiming his father's sugar plantation from Edward Landre, the partner who employed deceit to become its sole owner. Consumed with his own share of guilt, Matthew has no interest in the treacherous political climate. Yet he finds that the former partner is now a government minister with dangerous ambitions that may make him untouchable.

When a smallpox epidemic comes ashore, Matthew cannot help joining the battle against the dread disease that threatens to decimate the unvaccinated natives. Soon, he has a more compelling reason yet to stay — he is the principal suspect in the murder of Edward Landre, and is freed from shackles and bars only because his medical expertise is so necessary.

Allied by their professions, he and Anne Cartwright hunt a murderer even as they deliver babies in primitive conditions, befriend a daughter of Hawaiian nobility who harbors her own secrets, nurse the sick and dying, and perform surgeries possible only with recent advances in medical knowledge. And they fall in love, despite Anne's terror of marital relations and Matthew's inability to imagine a future amid the intrigues and treacheries shaping this still primitive kingdom so far from his native Boston.

  

Important Note: This book was listed for the price indicated on the date and time as shown. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (140111)

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.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Lexile measure: 720L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "The theme of the story is illustrated by Kyle and his friends who show that it's not about winning, it's about having fun. All in all, I think [this book] deserves an A+ for its descriptive writing." (Read the full review of this middle grade adventure story, 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.

Malicious by James Raven is Today's second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Malicious by James Raven as today's second free mystery ebook (A Suspense Thriller; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, January 11, 2014 at 6:45 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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Malicious
James Raven
A Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Global House Publishing

He calls himself the Slave Master. He spies on women through their computer webcams. Then he blackmails those who unknowingly reveal their secrets to him.

His last victim was brutally murdered. Now he's targeting the cop in charge of the investigation. To him she's the perfect prey — because she has secrets of her own.

  

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.

Cold Blue by Gary Neece is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Cold Blue by Gary Neece as today's free mystery ebook (A Jonathan Thorpe Mystery; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, January 11, 2014 at 6:30 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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Cold Blue
Gary Neece
A Jonathan Thorpe Mystery
Publisher: Perthshire Press

Tulsa Police Department Sergeant Jonathan Thorpe finds his wife and young daughter slain in their home. Frustrated by the department's failure to solve the crime, Thorpe conducts his own covert investigation.

A brutal interrogation leads to a shocking revelation that requires Thorpe to mete out a very personal form of justice. A lone man against a rogue group, Thorpe sets off a controversy that brings the FBI into the midst of the city's police department.

And the FBI's beautiful Ambretta Collins seems to have zeroed in on him as the prime suspect. Still, Thorpe fights on. But is he really alone?

  

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 Maze Runner by James Dashner is Today's Nook Daily Find

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Maze Runner by James Dashner as today's Nook Daily Find.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, January 11, 2014.

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The Maze Runner
James Dashner
The Maze Runner Series
Delacorte Press

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade — a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up — the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

  

Click on the Amazon button to see also the special Whispersync offer associated with this title.

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.

Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark as today's Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, January 11, 2014.

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Where Are You Now?
Mary Higgins Clark
A Suspense Thriller
Simon & Schuster

It has been ten years since twenty-one-year-old Charles MacKenzie Jr. ("Mack") went missing. A Columbia University senior, about to graduate and already accepted at Duke University Law School, he walked out of his apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side without a word to his college roommates and has never been seen again. However, he does make one ritual phone call to his mother every year: on Mother's Day. Each time, he assures her he is fine, refuses to answer her frantic questions, then hangs up. Even the death of his father, a corporate lawyer, in the tragedy of 9/11 does not bring him home or break the pattern of his calls.

Mack's sister, Carolyn, is now twenty-six, a law school graduate, and has just finished her clerkship for a civil court judge in Manhattan. She has endured two family tragedies, yet she realizes that she will never be able to have closure and get on with her life until she finds her brother. She resolves to discover what happened to Mack and why he has found it necessary to hide from them. So this year when Mack makes his annual Mother's Day call, Carolyn interrupts to announce her intention to track him down, no matter what it takes. The next morning after Mass, her uncle, Monsignor Devon MacKenzie, receives a scrawled message left in the collection basket: "Uncle Devon, tell Carolyn she must not look for me."

Mack's cryptic warning does nothing to deter his sister from taking up the search, despite the angry reaction of her mother, Olivia, and the polite disapproval of Elliott Wallace, Carolyn's honorary uncle, who is clearly in love with Olivia.

Carolyn's pursuit of the truth about Mack's disappearance swiftly plunges her into a world of unexpected danger and unanswered questions. What is the secret that Gus and Lil Kramer, the superintendents of the building in which Mack was living, have to hide? What do Mack's old roommates, the charismatic club owner Nick DeMarco and the cold and wealthy real estate tycoon Bruce Galbraith, know about Mack's disappearance? Is Nick connected to the disappearance of Leesey Andrews, who had last been seen in his trendy club? Can the police possibly believe that Mack is not only alive, but a serial killer, a shadowy predator of young women? Was Mack also guilty of the brutal murder of his drama teacher and the theft of his taped sessions with her?

Carolyn's passionate search for the truth about her brother — and for her brother himself — leads her into a deadly confrontation with someone close to her whose secret he cannot allow her to reveal.

  

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 Mystery and Suspense Update from Big Fish Games (140111)

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

• The New Release is Spirits of Mystery: The Silver Arrow.

• The Daily Deal is Grim Tales: The Bride, just $2.99 today only!

• The current Catch of the Week is Dark Parables: The Red Riding Hood Sisters, just $2.99 through Sunday, January 12, 2014 only.

• Today's Special Deal — This weekend only: Buy One Standard Edition Game and Get a Second for Just $0.99! Select two Standard Edition games, use coupon code 99CENTS and the second game will be just $0.99. Use as many times as you'd like. Offer valid through January 12th, 2014 only until 11:59 PM PT.

Visit the Omnimystery Entertainment Network for more games of mystery and suspense!

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The New Release today is Spirits of Mystery: The Silver Arrow

When you met Prince Philip, it was love at first sight … but his obligations to his kingdom kept you apart. Tradition required Philip to let Fate choose his bride by shooting a magical Silver Arrow into the sky. As luck would have it, the Silver Arrow chose you! But the moment it landed at your feet, a notorious shape shifter appeared and took it away from you! Now you must track him down and get back the arrow before his mysterious client can get her grubby hands on it and present it at the wedding. Will you make it in time? Find out in this exciting Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure!

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

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Today's Daily Deal is Grim Tales: The Bride

After your sister vanishes on her wedding day no one has any idea what happened to her, so it's up to you to find the truth! Some believe she drowned, but her body was never found. Return to the abandoned family mansion and search for clues. Explore your sister's memories to solve the mystery of her disappearance in this exciting Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!

A sample version is available to download and play for free for one hour. You can purchase this game today only — Saturday, January 11, 2014 — for $2.99.

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The current Catch of the Week is Dark Parables: The Red Riding Hood Sisters

Play as the fabled detective and defeat the Wolf Queen! Centuries ago, the first Red Riding Hood defeated the wolf and established the Order of Red Riding Hood Sisters. Recently, the nefarious Wolf Queen entrapped the sisters and planned to unleash legions of ravaging wolves onto our world. Assist the Red Riding Hood Sisters in this thrilling Hidden Object Adventure game!

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, January 12, 2014.

Review: The Mystery of the Mischievous Marker by René Saldaña, Jr.

A Mysterious Review of The Mystery of the Mischievous Marker by René Saldaña, Jr.. A Mickey Rangel Mystery.

Review summary: The mystery here is a little thin, and the reader isn't led through Mickey's thought process in coming up with the identity of the "mischievous marker" and thus doesn't really feel invested in the case. Still, he is an engaging character, one that readers his age may identify with and feel some affinity towards. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

The Mystery of the Mischievous Marker
René Saldaña, Jr.
A Mickey Rangel Mystery
Piñata Books (October 2013)

Publisher synopsis: It's Monday morning, and kid detective extraordinaire Mickey Rangel is on the hot seat. "You must be wondering why I've called you to my office," said Mrs. Abrego, the school principal. And in fact, Mickey has been racking his brain and sweating bullets, trying to figure out what he has done to warrant being pulled out of homeroom. Could it have been the spitball fight with his twin brother Ricky on the bus? How could word have gotten to Mrs. A that quickly?

When she instead brings up the recent rash of graffiti on school grounds, Mickey is initially horrified that she might think he's involved. But he quickly realizes why she has called him in: she needs his help! Mrs. A has heard that Mickey is a detective, and he confirms that he's the "real deal," with an online certificate to prove it. She wants him to unmask the Mischievous Marker, the person writing messages all over the school"s walls.

The culprit has left numerous clues in his postings mainly a pronounced lack of grammar and spelling skills and that, along with an anonymous message from a supposed eyewitness pointing the finger at Mickey's life-long nemesis, Bucho, seem to make for an easy case to solve. But Bucho has denied the accusation and asked for Mickey's help. So Mickey flabbergasted but intrigued is "on the case."

  

The Execution by Dick Wolf, New in Bookstores in January 2014

Today's new hardcover mystery title, scheduled to be published during January 2014 by William Morrow, is The Execution by Dick Wolf.

For a list of more new hardcover mysteries published this month, visit our New Mysteries page for January 2014. For new paperback mysteries, visit The Mystery Bookshelf where a selection of January 2014 mysteries, novels of suspense, and thrillers are shelved.

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The Execution
Dick Wolf
Series: Jeremy Fisk (2nd)

Ten days after the Mexican presidential election, twenty-three bodies are discovered beheaded on the United States border, each marked with a carving of a Hummingbird. Detective Cecilia Garza of the Mexican intelligence agency recognizes it: it is the signature of an assassin called Chuparosa. Garza has been pursuing the killer for years, yet knows little about him, except that he's heading to New York — with the rest of the world.

It's United Nations Week in Manhattan and NYPD Detective Jeremy Fisk can't let grief over a devastating loss keep him from safeguarding his city. Complicating matters is the startling news of a mass murder in nearby Rockaway — and the arrival of a disturbingly beautiful and assertive Mexican cop.

To have a chance at finding Chuparosa, these uneasy allies must learn to work together and fast. As they soon discover, there's more to this threat than meets the eye — and that justice is not always blind.

        

The Tourist, A Milo Weaver Thriller by Olen Steinhauer, at a Special Price during January 2014

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 Tourist by Olen Steinhauer. This Kindle book was listed at $2.99 as of the date and time of this post, Friday, January 10, 2014 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 Tourist by Olen Steinhauer
A Milo Weaver Thriller (1st in series)
Publisher: Minotaur Books

Milo Weaver used to be a "tourist" for the CIA — an undercover agent with no home, no identity — but he's since retired from the field to become a middle-level manager at the CIA's New York headquarters. He's acquired a wife, a daughter, and a brownstone in Brooklyn, and he's tried to leave his old life of secrets and lies behind.

However, when the arrest of a long-sought-after assassin sets off an investigation into one of Milo's oldest colleagues and exposes new layers of intrigue in his old cases, he has no choice but to go back undercover and find out who's holding the strings once and for all.

        

Click on the Amazon button to see also the special Whispersync offer associated with this title.

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.