Gun Games, A Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Mystery by Faye Kellerman: Amazon's The Big Deal Promotion

Every so often Amazon releases a new selection of Kindle books priced up to 85% off as part of The Big Deal Promotion.

Today's featured mystery, suspense, or thriller title is Gun Games by Faye Kellerman. This Kindle book was listed at $1.99 as of the date and time of this post, Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 4:00 PM ET, and should be available at this price through Sunday, May 11, 2014.

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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Gun Games by Faye Kellerman
A Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Mystery (20th in series)
Publisher: William Morrow

LAPD lieutenant detective Decker and his wife, Rina, have willingly welcomed fifteen-year-old Gabriel Whitman, the son of a troubled former friend, into their home. While the enigmatic teen seems to be adapting easily, Decker knows only too well the secrets adolescents keep — witnessed by the tragic suicide of another teen, Gregory Hesse, a student at Bell and Wakefield, one of the city's most exclusive prep schools.

Gregory's mother, Wendy, refuses to believe her son shot himself and convinces Decker to look deeper. What he finds disturbs him. The gun used in the tragedy was stolen — evidence that propels him to launch a full investigation with his trusted team, Sergeant Marge Dunn and Detective Scott Oliver. But the case becomes darkly complicated by the suicide of another Bell and Wakefield student — a death that leads them to uncover an especially nasty group of rich and privileged students with a predilection for guns and violence. Decker thought he understood kids, yet the closer he and his team get to the truth, the clearer it becomes that he knows very little about them, including his own charge, Gabe. The son of a gangster and an absent parent, the boy has had a life filled with too much free time, too many unexplained absences, and too little adult supervision.

Before it's over, the case and all its terrifying ramifications will take Decker and his detectives down a dark alley of twisted allegiances and unholy alliances, culminating at a heart-stopping point of no return.

  

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.

The Crooked Spire by Chris Nickson, a New 1st in Series Mystery Introducing John the Carpenter

We are pleased to present you with one of this month's new 1st in Series mysteries: The Crooked Spire by Chris Nickson and introducing John the Carpenter.

What we know about the character: Orphaned by the Black Death, all John possesses are the tools that belonged to his father, a carpenter, and an uncanny ability to work wood. This historical series is set in mid-14th century England.

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

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The Crooked Spire by Chris Nickson
Series: A John the Carpenter Mystery
Publisher: The History Press
Format(s): Trade Paperback, eBook

John's travels bring him to Chesterfield, where he finds work erecting the spire of the new church. But no sooner does he begin, than the master carpenter is murdered and John himself becomes a suspect.

To prove his innocence John must help the coroner in his search for the killer, a quest that brings him up against some powerful enemies in a town where he is still a stranger and friends are few.

  

The Case of the Howling Dog, A Perry Mason Novel by Erle Stanley Gardner: Amazon's The Big Deal Promotion

Every so often Amazon releases a new selection of Kindle books priced up to 85% off as part of The Big Deal Promotion.

Today's featured mystery, suspense, or thriller title is The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner. This Kindle book was listed at $0.99 as of the date and time of this post, Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 3:00 PM ET, and should be available at this price through Sunday, May 11, 2014.

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 Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner
A Perry Mason Novel
Publisher: Della Street Press

Compared to a juicy murder trial, a case of feuding neighbors isn't exactly Perry Mason's cup of tea. But Arthur Cartright insists that Mason is the only one who can muzzle the howling hound that's driving Cartright crazy. But Perry doesn't realize just how crazy until he meets his client's neighbor. Clinton Foley says Cartright is barking up the wrong tree with his canine companion — and swears that the man is dangerously insane to boot.

Mason's not the type to cop out on a client — but when Cartwright draws up a will that leaves everything to his neighbor's wife, even Perry has to wonder if the man has slipped from anger into madness. That's why he pays a personal visit to Clinton Foley's house, where he finds one missing wife, one poisoned dog, and one corpse …

  

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.

Death at the Door by Carolyn Hart, New in Bookstores in May 2014

Today's new hardcover mystery title, scheduled to be published during May 2014 by Berkley Hardcover, is Death at the Door by Carolyn Hart.

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

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Death at the Door
Carolyn Hart
Series: Death on Demand (24th)

Annie Darling — owner of the mystery bookstore, Death on Demand — prefers fictional crimes as opposed to the real things. But in one tragic week, two acts of violence shake the island community of Broward's Rock. First, a beloved doctor is found shot dead, seemingly by his own hand. Only days later, a local artist is arrested after his wife is found murdered, bludgeoned by her husband's sculpting mallet.

Convinced her brother did not commit suicide, the doctor's sister turns to Annie and her husband, Max, for help. She has found a cryptic sketch her brother drew, linking him with the murdered woman. Did someone want them both out of the picture?

With the police considering both cases as good as closed, it's up to Annie and Max to sort through a rogues' gallery of suspects to see if someone is trying to frame the artist. But if Annie isn't careful, she may find herself having her own brush with death.

        

A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves, A Josephine Beckworth Sawyer Mystery by Suzann Ledbetter, Now at a Special Price

MystereBooks is pleased to feature A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves by Suzann Ledbetter, now available at a special price, courtesy of the publisher, Pocket Books.

The ebook format of this title was priced at $2.99 from the listed vendors (below) as of the date and time of this post (05/04/2014 at 2:00 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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A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves by Suzann Ledbetter
A Josephine Beckworth Sawyer Mystery (1st in series)
Publisher: Pocket Books

With a whip-sharp mind, self-taught expertise in biology, herbology, chemistry, criminality, and legal action, Josephine Beckworth "Joby" Sawyer can pretty much get her man. But there's one still hanging on the line: her devoted policeman beau, Jack O'Shaughnessy. In Joby's line of work, murder and mayhem come before matrimony. And with two new cases to crack, her wedding gown can wait.

For now Joby has to get the goods on a no-good abusive husband so a wealthy wife can get out with her fortune and her features intact. Then, a high-class jewel thief goes from larceny to murder as a woman is found strangled with her pearl necklace. Against Jack's wishes, Joby takes a crack at the case with the help of her mentor, Won Li. Determined to prove she's as good an investigator as any man, Joby must use both her brains and her beauty to catch a thief — before he kills again.

  

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.

New from Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Grave Danger by Katy Lee

Every month Harlequin publishes several new novels of mystery and suspense. We are pleased to present in this post one of its new May, 2014 titles, published in the Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense series.

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Grave Danger by Katy Lee
A Novel of Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Publication Date: May 01, 2014
List Price: $5.99 (ebook), $5.99 (paperback)

When skeletal remains are found on a small Maine island, forensic anthropologist Lydia Muir is sent to investigate. It's Lydia's job to determine whether the homicide happened long ago — or more recently. Island sheriff Wesley Grant seems sure the murder didn't happen on his watch.

But when Lydia uncovers the victim's identity, someone goes to great lengths to get Lydia off the island. Wes vows to protect her, but is the handsome lawman holding something back? To help catch a killer, she'll have to trust him — or become the next victim.

  

Kind of Blue, An Ash Levine Mystery by Miles Corwin: Amazon's The Big Deal Promotion

Every so often Amazon releases a new selection of Kindle books priced up to 85% off as part of The Big Deal Promotion.

Today's featured mystery, suspense, or thriller title is Kind of Blue by Miles Corwin. This Kindle book was listed at $0.99 as of the date and time of this post, Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 1:00 PM ET, and should be available at this price through Sunday, May 11, 2014.

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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Kind of Blue by Miles Corwin
An Ash Levine Mystery (1st in series)
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

When a legendary ex-cop is murdered in L.A., the pressure's on to find the killer. Lt. Frank Duffy needs his best detective on the case, but his best detective, Ash Levine, quit a year ago.

A tenacious, obsessive detective, Ash resigned after Latisha Patton, the witness in a homicide case he was working, was murdered. Without his job, Ash is left unanchored-and consumed with guilt that he somehow caused Latisha's murder.

When he's asked to rejoin the force, Ash reluctantly agrees. Getting his badge back could give him the chance to find Latisha's killer.Ash dives in headfirst into the shadowlands of Southern California to investigate the ex-cop's murder. But even when he has a suspect in custody, something about this case doesn't sit right with Ash, and he continues working the increasinglydangerous investigation while quietly chasing leads in Latisha's murder.

Unable to let either case go until he has answers, Ash finds that his obsessive nature, which propels him into a world of private compromises and public corruption, is a flaw that might prove fatal.

  

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.

Witness the Dead, A Suspense Thriller by Craig Robertson, Now at a Special Price

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Witness the Dead by Craig Robertson, now available at a special price, courtesy of the publisher, Simon & Schuster.

The ebook format of this title was priced at $2.99 from the listed vendors (below) as of the date and time of this post (05/04/2014 at 12:00 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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Witness the Dead by Craig Robertson
A Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Scottish Police are called to a murder scene in Glasgow's Northern Necropolis. The body of a young woman lies stretched out over a tomb in what looks like a ritualistic murder. Her body bears a three letter message from her killer, daubed in lurid red lipstick.

In the 1970s, Danny Neilson was the detective working on the infamous Red Silk murders. Still haunted by the memory of the unsolved investigation, he spots a link between the new murders and those carried out by Red Silk — details that no copycat killer could have known about. But Archibald Atto, the man suspected of the killings all those years ago, is rotting in jail, so Danny has to face up to his fear that they never caught their man.

Neilson goes with police photographer Tony Winter, to visit Archibald Atto in prison. But Atto will not speak to them unless it is on his terms. As clues begin to surface, they learn that they are dealing with a killer whose agenda is so terrifying and history so twisted that it will take the combined efforts of police forces past and present to make an arrest.

  

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.

Please Welcome Thriller Writer Jess C Scott

with Jess C Scott

We are delighted to welcome thriller writer Jess C Scott to Omnimystery News.

The first book in Jess's "Wilde Twins" series is Playmates (jessINK; April 2014 trade paperback and ebook formats), a psychological thriller about an "evil twins" serial killing team — and their slow descent into amoral mayhem. To give us a bit of backstory to her series, her guest post for us today is titled "Revenge".

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Photo provided courtesy of
Jess C Scott

The Zodiac sign "Scorpio" is traditionally associated with elements such as jealousy, possessiveness/obsession, and revenge/vengeance.

As a Venus Scorpio in the 8th house, I am quite familiar with these potentially destructive or fatal forces (though I am similarly aware of the "better" aspects of the Scorpionic nature).

I sought revenge on one former friend/lover of mine. It was an unhealthy pseudo-relationship which spanned many years. It didn't help that the person expressed an interest in me when we were both very young, and then again when we were in our teens and early twenties.

I exacted revenge — I waited about three years to really give the person the final "piece of my mind" — because of how cheated I felt after many years of struggling with expressing loyalty and emotional honesty to that particular person.

It was very messy at points because I was complex yet insecure, non-shallow yet misunderstood, as well as deeply suspicious of the other person's motives. I also lacked objectivity and maturity, things which I have slowly gained over time by taking a very honest look at what lies within myself.

In the Karmic sense, I am much less likely nowadays to "exact revenge" on a person. But I felt it was justified in that first (and only) time I let out that side of me, in the "you get what you give" sense.

I realized not too long ago that it was safer and saner to explore these aspects of human nature in creative work (instead of my personal life — if I could help it …). This is one reason I have always been interested and fascinated with psychological dramas and thrillers. I've also had a long-time interest in genres like mystery, crime, and crime documentaries.

What I like about the psych thriller genre is the free exploration it allows for the dark side of human nature. Things can get very extreme when people are driven by powerful emotions or forces, including revenge and vengeance.

At the same time, I'm intrigued with the amount of intensity and extremity involved with such tumultuous emotions or motivations. I like digging beneath the surface. Understanding why the person exacted revenge, how they did it, and the "karmic price" they had to pay for it, are all the things I like to explore in this genre.

One of my favorite themes to explore is the balance (or lack thereof) between good and evil. After all, in Eastern philosophies, the Yin and Yang have equal reality — and an equilibrium maintained between the good (light) and evil (dark) points to spiritual balance. My imagination goes many places when it thinks about that equilibrium swinging out of balance.

For those of us "with" such dark tendencies, creative work is a great place to channel such drives and sentiments …

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Jess C Scott writes psychological thrillers and blogs about Singapore's political history. Jess is also the founder of jessINK, a publishing company dedicated towards creating "meaningful entertainment."

For more information about the author, please visit her website at jessINK.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Playmates
Jess C Scott
The Wilde Twins Series

As kids, Tania and Trevor's unsupervised play time offers a lifeline to sanity amidst the chaos of family dysfunction. When danger threatens Tania, Trevor isn't willing to stand by and watch his sister get hurt.

The instinct for survival is only rivaled by the killer instincts the Wilde siblings encourage in each other. Instincts that turn into a deadly game igniting their first taste for blood.

        

Pasadena Payback by M. L. Rudolph is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Pasadena Payback by M. L. Rudolph as today's second free mystery ebook (A Pasadena Crime Novel; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, May 04, 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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Pasadena Payback
M. L. Rudolph
A Pasadena Crime Novel
Publisher: M. L. Rudolph

Crispín Gomez Diaz runs cash between Pasadena and Nogales to pay off his missing brother's old debt. He has family in Los Angeles and in Sinaloa, and he does what he's told to keep his family safe from retribution.

While Crispín is leaving on his final run for his Pasadena payer, joyriding barrio boys swipe his backpack not knowing that it carries a small fortune hidden among the contents. Crispín has thirty-six hours until his appointment in Nogales. If he shows without the cash he's dead; if he doesn't show, his family is.

Meanwhile, Crispin's undocumented status becomes a behind-the-scenes issue in a local political contest. The gardener no one noticed is suddenly popular when he needs to remain invisible until he tracks down his backpack.

  

This is a repeat freebie, last featured on this site on March 23, 2013.

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.

Special Dispensations by S. I. Wells is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Special Dispensations by S. I. Wells as today's free mystery ebook (A Legal Thriller; Kindle format only).

This title was listed for free as of the date and time of this post, May 04, 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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Special Dispensations
S. I. Wells
A Legal Thriller
Publisher: Stay Thirsty Press

When the Chicago Daily News accuses State's Attorney Victor Pulaski of favoring the rich by disregarding the real story about the suicide of a society teenager, Chicago's prosecutor unleashes his chief pit bull to dig up the dirt. "Fire Plug" O'Neill, the Senior Assistant State's Attorney and a defense attorneys' nightmare, is ordered to track down the facts and apply the law in the finest Chicago tradition.

Wielding the Grand Jury like a sledgehammer at a demolition party, O'Neill raises the ante on all of the suspects, including the Cardinal of Chicago and a prominent Bishop, until everyone reaches the boiling point in this high-stakes pursuit of the "truth".

  

This is a repeat freebie, last featured on this site on December 16, 2012.

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.

Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman as today's Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $2.99 is valid only for today, Sunday, May 04, 2014.

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Spider Woman's Daughter
Anne Hillerman
A Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Mystery
Harper

Navajo Nation Police Officer Bernadette Manualito witnesses the cold-blooded shooting of someone very close to her. With the victim fighting for his life, the entire squad and the local FBI office are hell-bent on catching the gunman. Bernie, too, wants in on the investigation, despite regulations forbidding eyewitness involvement. But that doesn't mean she's going to sit idly by, especially when her husband, Sergeant Jim Chee, is in charge of finding the shooter.

Bernie and Chee discover that a cold case involving his former boss and partner, retired Inspector Joe Leaphorn, may hold the key. Digging into the old investigation, husband and wife find themselves inching closer to the truth … and closer to a killer determined to prevent justice from taking its course.

  

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 (140504)

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

• The New Release is Phenomenon: Outcome (Collector's Edition).

• The Daily Deal is Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover, just $2.99 today only!

• The current Catch of the Week is Mysteries of the Mind: Coma, just $2.99 through Sunday, May 04, 2014 only.

• Today's Special Deal — May Day Sale! All Games Are 60% Off this weekend only! Use coupon code MAY at check-out to purchase any Collector's Edition game for $7.99 or use coupon code DAY for Standard Edition games at just $3.99. Offer valid through May 4th, 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 Phenomenon: Outcome (Collector's Edition)

Save the world from an alien substance! When a medallion you've had your whole life suddenly starts acting strange, you follow its trail to a mysterious island. There, you discover a deadly Cyan Plasma that threatens not only the island, but the entire world! You must seek out a missing research team to uncover the secrets of the plasma before it spreads across the globe. But time is running out. Can you find their base before it's too late? The power is in your hands in this thrilling Hidden Object Adventure game!

This is a special Collector's Edition release full of exclusive extras you won't find in the standard version, including: Lead a daring evacuation in the bonus game; Gorgeous wallpapers and concept art; Music tracks from the game; and an Available Strategy Guide.

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

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Today's Daily Deal is Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

The dynamic duo of Richard Castle and Kate Beckett are at it again and they need your help. You will be tasked with tracking down a killer responsible for killing innocent victims that are oddly connected. However, this isn't any ordinary killer. The crime scenes are unique and dynamic, and designed to lead you off course. With each crime, things begin to hit closer to home. Eventually an eerie pattern becomes clear during the investigation. Will you be able to find the killer before there is another victim?

A sample version is available to download and play for free for one hour. You can purchase this game today only — Sunday, May 04, 2014 — for $2.99.

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The current Catch of the Week is Mysteries of the Mind: Coma

Everyone deserves a second chance. You've been in an accident and are fighting your way out of a coma. Inside your mind, you must explore your deepest memories in order to right the past and set yourself free. First you'll go back to visit your mother, with whom you were estranged before she died. Now's your chance to uncover the mystery of your rift and show her what she meant to you. Explore nostalgic locations and meet other people from your past in this moving, dramatic hidden-object puzzle adventure game. There's also a guiding spirit whose true identity is yours to uncover. What happened all those years ago when your family was changed forever? The thing that really keeps you trapped might surprise you.

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, May 04, 2014.

Also available for this game:

• Get the Strategy Guide.
• Check out the Blog Walkthrough.
• For a more in-depth experience, see the Collector's Edition.

Winners of the 2013 Agatha Awards Announced

The winners of this year's Agatha Awards were announced this evening honoring the traditional mystery and chosen by the attendees of the annual Malice Domestic convention. Thanks so much to all who tweeted the results so that we could bring them to you tonight!

And the winners are …

• Best Contemporary Novel: The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Forge Books)

• Best First Novel: Death Al Dente by Leslie Budewitz (Berkley Prime Crime)

• Best Non-Fiction: The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower (Minotaur Books)

• Best Short Story: "The Care and Feeding of House Plants" by Art Taylor (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

• Best Children's/Young Adult's Novel: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (Random House)

• Best Historical: A Question of Honor by Charles Todd (William Morrow)

 indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews; click on the icon to visit the site.