Mystery Godoku Puzzle for August 11, 2014

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!).

— ◊ —

This week's letters and mystery clue:

2 4 E G I O R T V

Martha Grimes's 2014 Richard Jury mystery has this title (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!

An Excerpt from 30 Days, a Crime Thriller by G. R. Case

30 Days by G. R. Case

We are delighted to welcome crime novelist G. R. Case to Omnimystery News today.

G. R.'s debut thriller is 30 Days (Cool Blue Books; April 2014 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we are pleased to introduce you to it with an excerpt. (G. R. will be with us again later in the month, when we'll talk more about it.)

— ♦ —

Night time — An arrow has pinned Detective Rodgers' arm to a tree …

MARCUS! I KNOW YOU DID THIS! WHAT you're doing with Troy and little Brittany is wrong!" His voice carried through the crisp night air. "This is not the way to make things right for Tonisha! You're no better than he is if you murder him and his daughter! It's not too late to turn back!"
  Marcus yelled back, still in hiding. "It's already too late! I've done some things, Detective, that I'm not proud of to get retribution on Mr. Troy Edwards! See, Detective Rodgers, just like Ranger Wyatt, Mr. Edwards will die! And little Brittany … I will deal with later! Detective Rodgers, you will, how can I say this? You will perish also! I didn't want it to go down like this, but you've forced my hand! You shouldn't have come here! You have no right to interfere with real justice, Detective!" Marcus's voice seemed to echo and surround Rodgers with every harsh, espoused statement.
  Rodgers aimed the gun toward the house, barn, and woods to follow the voice. "Marcus, think about your sister, Diane! I told her I would bring you back safe! You're not going to make me break my promise, are you?"
  "Don't you dare bring my sister into this! Keep her name out of your mouth! I'm doing this to give her some sense of peace! Peace in knowing that the man that killed her baby has been executed! I don't care what happens to me! It's irrelevant at this point!"
  "Marcus! This ain't right, man! Our system doesn't work perfect all the time! I know that!"
  "I know, the system doesn't work unless you're wealthy, then everybody can be bought! So for the average guy like me … this is my justice! Right here! Right now! There are no appeals in my criminal justice system! The guilty don't go free in my system! You can have your system and I'll take mine!" he said, walking calmly through the woods with his night-vision goggles on.
  "Marcus, doing this will not make you whole again! Tonisha is not coming back! Your sister needs you! Think about her!"
  Marcus walked behind him. He slapped the gun out of his hand. "I am."

— ♦ —

Photo provided courtesy of
G. R. Case

G. R. Case resides just outside of the Chicago area with his family. His passion is crafting every story by taking the reader on a journey into the minds of vast characters. In addition to storytelling, he enjoys following his favorite Chicago sports teams. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters of Arts in Sociology.

For more information about the author, please visit his website at GRCase.com or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

— ♦ —

30 Days
G. R. Case
A Crime Thriller

Vengeance is due …

Marcus Freling is a military veteran working as a mail carrier enjoying life. His pride and joy is his thirteen-year-old niece. Innocence is lost when her young life is snuffed out by a senseless random drive-by shooting in Harlem, NY. Over the next several months, Marcus's sorrow turns to anger. Anger gives way for a yearning to inflict vengeance on Troy, the drug dealer, whom fired the kill shot. Troy is questioned by Detective Rodgers about the murder but is released due to lack of evidence.

Marcus lurks in the shadows of Troy's existence, fiendishly watching his every move over the next year. He kidnaps Troy and holds him hostage in a secluded farmhouse in the Catskill Mountains. He heaps unrelenting torture upon Troy over the next thirty days. He insanely serves as the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge at Troy's mock trial in a barn behind the house. Rodgers uncovers Marcus's plot and ventures into the mountains to stop him. Will he get there before it is too late?

        

Nominees for the 2014 Ned Kelly Awards Announced

The short list (nominees) for the 2014 Ned Kelly Awards have been announced by Crime Writers Association of Australia recognizing outstanding works in the field of crime fiction and non-fiction by Australian writers.

The winners will be announced at the Brisbane Writers Festival on Saturday September 6th, 2014.

And the nominees are …

Best Crime Novel …

• Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher
• Fatal Impact by Kathryn Fox
• In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty
• Beams Falling by P. M. Newton
• One Boy Missing by Stephen Orr
• The Dying Beach by Angela Savage

Best First Crime Novel …

• Dead Cat Bounce by Peter Cotton
• Hades by Candice Fox
• Blood Witness by Alex Hammond
• Every Breath by Ellie Marney

Best True Crime …

• Disgraced? by Paul Dale
• Forever Nine by John Kidman and Denise Hofman
• JFK: The Smoking Gun by Colin McLaren
• Outlaw Bikers an Australia by Duncan McNab
• Murder in Mississippi by John Safran
• No Mercy by Eleanor Learmonth and Jenny Tabakoff

Best Short Story …

• "Housewarming" by Louise Bassett
• "The Scars of Noir" by Darcy-Lee Tindale
• "Voices of Soi 22" by Roger Vickery
• "Splinter" by Emma Viskic
• "Web Design" by Emma Viskic

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

The Professional Friend by Astrid Julian is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature …

The Professional Friend by Astrid Julian

A Spy Thriller

Publisher: Northland Publishing

… as today's third free mystery ebook.

  

This title was listed for free as of August 10, 2014 at 7:20 AM ET. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the 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.

More on today's free book, below.

No one suspects that American Fritzi Jordan once worked for the super secret National Security Agency, and Fritzi, the white hat hacker analyst, wants to keep it that way. She is done with spies and their lies. Then a train with recycled plutonium disappears, and a CIA officer talks the shy analyst into becoming a field operative.

Ray Bliss hates running agents, especially naïve young kids like Fritzi. But no one else can get close to her ex-boyfriend. Since leaving the US, he has become an underworld kingpin, who is unleashing a wave of terror attacks across Europe. First the hijacking of the train, then dirty bombings of EU cities, and Fritzi is the only one who can stop it.

Fritzi can't believe that her ex has done everything he is being accused of. Sure, he was a bad boy. Sure, her involvement with him led to her being read out of the NSA under a cloud. But a terrorist? Never! She will prove the spies wrong. Then the Washington defense contractor who fired her shows up in Berlin to train her for the mission … Fritzi seizes her opportunity for revenge, not realizing that she poses such a threat that this time the contractor won't be satisfied with ruining her reputation. This time he wants her dead.

— The Professional Friend by Astrid Julian

The Liar's Gallery by Aaron Paul Lazar is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature …

The Liar's Gallery by Aaron Paul Lazar

A Gus LeGarde Mystery

Publisher: Aaron Paul Lazar

… as today's second free mystery ebook.

  

This title was listed for free as of August 10, 2014 at 7:10 AM ET. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the 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.

More on today's free book, below.

The last place Gus LeGarde expects to find his old friend Byron Cunningham is in a plane that crashes in a field near his farmhouse. But that's just the first surprise in a series of shocking events beginning with the discovery of a Monet painting crammed into the plane's fuselage. Is it real? Or fake? The trail leads Gus into a twisting trio of dangerous art world conspiracies.

Gus fends off some very pushy collectors and soon realizes he may have crossed paths with treacherous criminals, putting his family at risk. As if that isn't enough, he must also contend with a problem that's close to his heart: his daughter, Shelby, is growing up too fast. She's determined to sing professionally and is now under the spell of a wolf in tenor's clothing, handsome Greek student, Dmitri. When she vanishes with the family car, her frantic parents desperately chase the fading trail.

A slew of Facebook messages on Shelby's computer lead them to The Eastman School of Music, where both Shelby's new flame and Gus's old friend have been hiding secrets linked to the art scandal. There's a real Monet out there somewhere, and nothing — including murder — will stop the desperate man who wants it.

— The Liar's Gallery by Aaron Paul Lazar

Deadeye by Michael W. Smart is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature …

Deadeye by Michael W. Smart

The Bequia Mysteries

Publisher: Michael W. Smart

… as today's free mystery ebook.

  

This title was listed for free as of August 10, 2014 at 7:00 AM ET. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the 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.

More on today's free book, below.

Police Superintendent Jolene Johanssen has her hands full investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a wealthy American businessman staying at a reclusive private island resort, when a second explosive case lands in her lap: the apparent suicide of a prominent Vincentian and advisor to the Government.

The two cases lead Jolene on a chase culminating in New York City, and a chilling discovery which threatens St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

— Deadeye by Michael W. Smart

Shelter by Harlan Coben is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature Shelter by Harlan Coben as today's Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $2.99 is valid only for today, Sunday, August 10, 2014.

Shelter by Harlan Coben

A Mickey Bolitar Mystery (1st in series)

Publisher: Putnam

Price: $2.99 (as of 08/10/2014 at 6:20 AM ET).

First introduced to readers in the author's 2011 novel Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about.

  

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving.

But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

— Shelter by Harlan Coben

The Dark-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature The Dark-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon as today's Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $2.99 each is valid only for today, Sunday, August 10, 2014. We're hightlighting the first book in the series in this post.

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

A Dark-Hunter Novel (1st in series)

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Price: $2.99 (as of 08/10/2014 at 6:10 AM ET).

  

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

The Dark-Hunters are ancient warriors who have sworn to protect mankind and the fate of the world is in their hands …

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking the evil that preys on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power?

That is my existence, and it is dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minute of it.

Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: an accountant. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal.

My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Now I find myself wanting to believe that love and loyalty do …

— Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Today's Mystery and Suspense Update from Big Fish Games (140810)

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

• The New Release is Spirit of Revenge: Cursed Castle (Collector's Edition).

• The Daily Deal is Legends of the East: The Cobra's Eye, just $2.99 today only!

• The current Catch of the Week is Reality Show: Fatal Shot, just $2.99 through Sunday, August 10, 2014 only.

• Today's Special Deal — This weekend only — All Games Are 60% Off! Use coupon code SUMMER at check-out to purchase any Collector's Edition game for $7.99 or use coupon code SAVINGS to get Standard Edition games at just $3.99. Offer valid through August 10th, 2014 only until 11:59 PM PT.

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

— ♦ —

The New Release is Spirit of Revenge: Cursed Castle (Collector's Edition)

Despite rumors that their Gothic castle is cursed, the Flatsburys returned to live there. Now Lord Flatsbury and his son have vanished, and only little Jessie saw what happened. Can you win the girl's trust and solve the mystery that spooked her into silence? Find out in this thrilling Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game! Just be sure to watch your step — no one ever leaves this castle alive …

This is a special Collector's Edition release full of exclusive extras you won't find in the standard version, including: An exciting bonus game; A gallery that reveals more Flatsbury secrets; Art, music, and replayable mini-games; and a complete Strategy Guide.

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

— ♦ —

Today's Daily Deal is Legends of the East: The Cobra's Eye

Stop a devastating war and save the man you love! A long-forgotten artifact has just resurfaced, and evil forces are racing to claim it. To make matters worse, the love of your life, Daniel, has somehow gotten himself mixed up in the mess. Now you must find Daniel and uncover the truth behind the legendary Cobra's Eye before the fate of the world is changed forever. Your destiny awaits you in this thrilling Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!

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

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.

— ♦ —

The current Catch of the Week is Reality Show: Fatal Shot

Uncover the truth behind a shocking on-air murder! Everyone knows that breaking into showbiz can be tough. But for participants on Fright Reality Show, it can be murder. After a man is killed on the set of the hit series, the victim's wife arrives at your office, begging for justice. Follow the clues, from the city streets to the top floors of the station's headquarters to uncover the truth behind this shocking crime. But be careful! Things are rarely what they seem on TV …

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

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.

Review: Shall We Not Revenge by D. M. Pirrone

A Mysterious Review of Shall We Not Revenge by D. M. Pirrone. A Murder Mystery.

Review summary: Set in the months following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, this murder mystery features a solid cast of characters. The murder of a rabbi leads a Chicago detective to the city's elite and its underworld in a strongly plotted, well-written story. It is recommended. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

Shall We Not Revenge
D. M. Pirrone
A Murder Mystery
Allium Press of Chicago (July 2014)

Publisher synopsis: In the harsh early winter months of 1872, while Chicago is still smoldering from the Great Fire, Irish Catholic detective Frank Hanley is assigned the case of a murdered Orthodox Jewish rabbi. His investigation proves difficult when the neighborhood's Yiddish-speaking residents, wary of outsiders, are reluctant to talk. But when the rabbi's headstrong daughter, Rivka, unexpectedly offers to help Hanley find her father's killer, the detective receives much more than the break he was looking for.

Their pursuit of the truth draws Rivka and Hanley closer together and leads them to a relief organization run by the city's wealthy movers and shakers. Along the way, they uncover a web of political corruption, crooked cops, and well-buried ties to two notorious Irish thugs from Hanley's checkered past. Even after he is kicked off the case, stripped of his badge, and thrown in jail, Hanley refuses to quit. With a personal vendetta to settle for an innocent life lost, he is determined to expose a complicated criminal scheme, not only for his own sake, but for Rivka's as well.

    

Dead Harvest, A Ray Wilson Thriller by Andrew Leatham, New This Week from Endeavour Press

Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher, promoting and selling ebook editions of works by new authors as well as bringing out ebook editions of out of print books.

We've selected one of their recently published mystery, suspense, thriller or crime titles to feature here today …

Dead Harvest by Andrew Leatham

A Ray Wilson Thriller (2nd in series)

Publisher: Endeavour Press

Price: $3.99 (as of 08/09/2014 at 4:30 PM ET).

  

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

A truck is stopped for a routine traffic violation. But when the police look inside they find something they never expected. A mysterious, ornate, but apparently ancient coffin. And what appears to be an Egyptian Mummy. Detective Inspector Ray Wilson is about to be thrown into the most baffling case of his career. And the most dangerous.

He has to find out where it came from and where it was going. And more importantly why would anyone smuggle an Egyptian Mummy across the UK?

Out of his depth, he turns for help to Cambridge's world famous Fitzwilliam Museum and its curator of Egyptology, Karen Bowen. As a romance blossoms between Wilson and Bowen, the pair find themselves embroiled in a deadly conspiracy.

As other identical Mummies are found around the world the trail leads back to a Turkish people smuggler — and a man with links to an evil trade that stretches back thousands of years. It will be the biggest case of Wilson's career — but one that may end his life.

— Dead Harvest by Andrew Leatham

Dead in the Water, A Rebecca Schwartz Mystery by Julie Smith, Now Available at a Special Price

Amazon Kindle Countdown Deals are limited-time discounts on Kindle-exclusive books.

Omnimystery News is pleased to present you with one of today's titles … but take advantage of this deal now as the price will go up to its digital list price soon! (See the countdown clock on the book product page to see how much time remains on this deal.)

Dead in the Water by Julie Smith

A Rebecca Schwartz Mystery (4th in series)

Publisher: booksBnimble

Price: $0.99 (as of 08/09/2014 at 4:00 PM ET).

  

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

San Francisco lawyer Rebecca Schwartz has occasion to wonder when she and her weekend hostess, Marty Whitehead, find a body floating in the 30-foot kelp tower at the Monterey Aquarium, and Marty's promptly dragged off to the slammer.

Rebecca quickly grasps the Emily Post solution — sign on as Marty's lawyer, try to keep her client's two young kids out of the deep end, and somehow avoid drowning in the sea of lies gushing from Marty's mouth — and everyone else's. There's a lot of intrigue among the aquarium's oceangoing primates, as well as rumors of a pearl beyond price.

For Rebecca, the sea and all its animals have always held a huge attraction, but now her attention turns to a particularly fine specimen of homo sapiens — hot marine biologist Julio Soto. As her investigation picks up speed, she finds she better act fast to keep Julio from sleeping with the fishes he collects. Because if she doesn't, he could be next in line for the shark tank — along with Rebecca herself.

— Dead in the Water by Julie Smith

Deadly Little Sins by Kara Taylor, a New Prep School Confidential Mystery

Omnimystery News is pleased to present in this post a new First Clues: Mysteries for Kids series title published this month …

Deadly Little Sins by Kara Taylor

Series: Prep School Confidential

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Format(s): Paperback, eBook

Recommended for Apprentice Sleuths, Ages 13 and older

  

For more information about the book, see a synopsis, below.

It's August and Anne is back in New York City for the summer, but she can't escape the memories of the terrible things that happened at the Wheatley School last spring — and the possibility of being expelled looming over her. When an unexpected — and suspicious — turn of events gets Anne sent back to Wheatley, she's determined to figure out what happened to her favorite teacher and only adult ally at the school: Ms. Cross.

After a shocking, gruesome murder with connections to the Wheatley School occurs, Anne is convinced there's more to Ms. Cross's sudden disappearance, and that her favorite teacher is in danger. But after an ugly breakup with Brent and a new, inexplicable distance between her and Anthony, Anne isn't sure who she can trust. And even worse, Anne discovers evidence that someone at Wheatley is covering up what really happened to Ms. Cross — someone who will stop at nothing to keep Anne from learning the truth in this engrossing, unputdownable read.

— Deadly Little Sins by Kara Taylor

Letters from a Murderer, A Jameson & Argenti Investigation by John Matthews, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy. Today, we're pleased to feature the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Exhibit A …

Letters from a Murderer by John Matthews

A Jameson & Argenti Investigation (1st in series)

Publisher: Exhibit A

Price: $1.99 (as of 08/09/2014 at 3:00 PM ET).

  

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

New York, 1891: a rapidly changing city, torn between lamplight and electric light, where the burgeoning steel and railway industries attract a flood of humanity from every corner of the globe, fuelling cut-throat gangs, corruption and vice.

A prostitute is found brutally murdered. Immediately fear starts to spread. The victim bears the same hallmarks as Jack the Ripper's recent killing spree in England. Could it be that the Ripper has crossed the Atlantic to fresh killing grounds? Or is this simply a copycat murder?

To solve the case, one of the original English Ripper pathologists, Finley Jameson, is teamed up with Joseph Argenti, one of the new "untouchable" detectives, hand-picked by a New York Mayor eager to fight corruption.

But Michael Tierney, the city's leading gangster, has his own ideas about how the city should be run. And as the body-count rises, and Jameson & Argenti are taunted by the killer in open letters, they find themselves fighting not just to save the next victim, but for the city's very soul.

— Letters from a Murderer by John Matthews

City of Ghosts by Kelli Stanley, New in Bookstores during August 2014

Today's featured new hardcover mystery, suspense, or thriller title scheduled to be published during August 2014 is …

City of Ghosts by Kelli Stanley

The Miranda Corbie Series (3rd)

Publisher: Minotaur Books

        

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

More about our featured title, below …

June, 1940. For the United States, war is on the horizon. For Miranda Corbie, private investigator and erstwhile escort, there are debts to be paid and memories — long-suppressed and willfully forgotten — to be resurrected. Enter the U.S. State Department and the man who helped Miranda get her PI license. A man she owes. A man who asks her to track a chemistry professor here in San Francisco whom he suspects is a spy for the Nazis. Playing along may get Miranda a ticket to Blitz-bombed England and answers about her past … if she survives.

Through sordid back alleys and art gallery halls, from drag dress nightclubs to a Nazi costume ball, Miranda's journey into fear takes her on the famed City of San Francisco streamliner and to Reno, Nevada, the Biggest Little City in the World … where she finds herself framed for a murder she never anticipated. Forced to go underground, Miranda soldiers on alone, determined to find the truth about a murder, a Nazi spy, and her own troubling past.

But Miranda will have to learn the difference between reality and illusion, from despair to deceit and factual to fake, as she tries to get her life back … and navigates a city of ghosts.

— City of Ghosts by Kelli Stanley