Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending September 21, 2012

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending September 21st, 2012 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

The stand-alone thriller Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn remains a solid number one for the umpteenth week — we're going to have to check how it competes with the Stieg Larsson thrillers in terms of longevity. Two new titles enter the list (position in parentheses).

— ♦ —

(12): Severe Clear
Stuart Woods

A Stone Barrington Mystery (24th in series)

Stone Barrington is called to Bel-Air to oversee an exclusive event that will gather the top echelons of the beau monde: Hollywood starlets, socialites, politicos, billionaires from overseas. It’s a task in which Stone has a personal stake, and one that is made all the more pleasurable — though somewhat more complicated — with the arrivals of two beautiful women with whom he’s intimately acquainted.

But the grand occasion has also attracted a dangerous criminal group with sinister plans. The hunt to find them leads Stone into a complex web of deceit and misdirection, in a world where the intrigues of government intelligence collide with the clandestine machinations of the upper crust. As he draws nearer to his quarry, he realizes that the stakes are higher than anybody could ever imagine … and that the enemies he’s seeking might just be hiding in plain sight.

            

— ♦ —

(13): Low Pressure
Sandra Brown

Bellamy Lyston was only 12 years old when her older sister Susan was killed on a stormy Memorial Day. Bellamy's fear of storms is a legacy of the tornado that destroyed the crime scene along with her memory of what really happened during the day's most devastating moments.

Now, 18 years later, Bellamy has written a sensational, bestselling novel based on Susan's murder. Because the book was inspired by the tragic event that still pains her family, she published it under a pseudonym to protect them from unwanted publicity. But when an opportunistic reporter for a tabloid newspaper discovers that the book is based on fact, Bellamy's identity is exposed along with the family scandal.

Moreover, Bellamy becomes the target of an unnamed assailant who either wants the truth about Susan's murder to remain unknown or, even more threatening, is determined to get vengeance for a man wrongfully accused and punished.

In order to identify her stalker, Bellamy must confront the ghosts of her past, including Dent Carter, Susan's wayward and reckless boyfriend -- and an original suspect in the murder case. Dent, with this and other stains on his past, is intent on clearing his name, and he needs Bellamy's sealed memory to do it. But her safeguarded recollections -once unlocked-pose dangers that neither could foresee and puts both their lives in peril.

As Bellamy delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Susan's slaying, she discovers disturbing elements of the crime which call into question the people she holds most dear. Haunted by partial memories, conflicted over her feelings for Dent, but determined to learn the truth, she won't stop until she reveals Susan's killer.

That is, unless Susan's killer strikes her first …

            

Hitchcock to Open in Limited Release November 2012

Fox Searchlight has announced that its film Hitchcock will open in limited release on November 23rd, 2012, just in time for awards consideration. And there's a teaser poster to accompany the news (right; click for slightly larger version). The tagline … though we're thinking you are already way ahead of us: "Good evening."

The virtually unrecognizable Anthony Hopkins stars as legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock in a film adapted from the book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello. Sacha Gervasi directs a screenplay written by John McLaughlin.

— ♦ —

Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho
Stephen Rebello

First released in June 1960, Psycho altered the landscape of horror films forever. But just as compelling as the movie itself is the story behind it.

Stephen Rebello brings to life the creation of one of Hollywood's most iconic films, from the story of Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration for the character of Norman Bates, to Hitchcock's groundbreaking achievements in cinematography, sound, editing, and promotion. Packed with captivating insights from the film's stars, writers, and crewmembers, this book is a riveting and definitive history of a signature Hitchcock cinematic masterpiece.

      

Soho Press to Publish Junior Bender Mysteries by Timothy Hallinan

Soho Press announced today that it has signed a deal with crime novelist Timothy Hallinan to publish the first two books in his comic crime series featuring Junior Bender in hardcover — they were originally self-published as ebooks — as well as publish a third title in the series.

"One of the things I most miss with ebooks is being part of a team, a group of specialists who can all make a unique contribution to the book,
said Hallinan. "I also missed the sheer elegance of the printed book, designed inside and out by talented professionals. And finally, I've loved working with Soho on the Rafferty books, and it made a big difference that they were the publishers for Junior."

Meanwhile, Soho is looking forward to blazing new territory with the Junior Bender books. Says Soho Senior Editor Juliet Grames, "The Junior Bender books are a departure from what we usually publish — international crime fiction, which is how we first came to work with Tim [on his Poke Rafferty thriller series set in Bangkok]. But once I read the manuscript for The Fame Thief I knew we couldn't let this one go, despite our mandate. It was just too great, and the voice was so fresh."

Crashed, the first in the series (more information below), will be published on November 13th. Little Elvises will come out on January 29th, 2013 with the third book in the series, The Fame Thief, publishing on June 4th, 2013. The TV/film adaptation rights have been sold to Lionsgate.

— ♦ —

Crashed
Timothy Hallinan
A Junior Bender Mystery (1st in series)

Junior Bender is a Los Angeles burglar with a magic touch. Since he first started breaking into houses when he was fourteen years old, he's never once been caught. But now, after twenty-two years of an exemplary career, Junior has been blackmailed by Trey Annunziato, one of the most powerful crime bosses in LA, into acting as a private investigator on the set of Trey's porn movie venture, which someone keeps sabotaging. The star Trey has lined up to do all that's unwholesome on camera is Thistle Downing, America's beloved child star, who now lives alone in a drug-induced stupor, destitute and uninsurable. Her starring role will be the scandalous fall-from-grace gossip of rubber-neckers across the country. No wonder Trey needs help keeping the production on track.

Junior knows what he should do — get Thistle out and find her help — but doing the right thing will land him on the wrong side of LA's scariest mob boss. With the help of his precocious twelve-year-old daughter, Rina, and his criminal sidekick, Louie the Lost (an ex-getaway driver), Junior has to figure out a miracle solution.

    

This Week's Bestselling Mystery and Suspense Television and Film on Blu-ray Disc (120920)

Here is this week's list of the top bestselling mystery and suspense television and film Blu-ray discs available from Amazon.com.

We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is frequently updated, but if you cannot see the box below — or have scripts blocked — you can use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.

Telemystery: Fall 2012 Prime Time Crime Series and Season Premieres; Plus Haven Returns Friday, September 21st

The Emmy Awards are this Sunday and that means the Prime Time Crime Fall 2012 Season starts in earnest come Monday. Though we should mention that for two series we follow, their season premieres have already occurred: the second season of Grimm began in August just after the Olympics ended on NBC, recently moving into its regular Friday time slot; and the eighth season of Bones premiered earlier this week. And a third series, Haven, airs its third season opener tomorrow; more on that below.

Here is a schedule through the end of the month; a bold series title indicates a new show.

Fri Sep 14: Grimm (NBC 8PM ET/PT)
Mon Sep 17: Bones (Fox 8PM ET/PT)
Fri Sep 21: Haven (SyFy 10PM ET/PT)
Mon Sep 24: Castle (ABC 10PM ET/PT)
Mon Sep 24: Hawaii Five-0 (CBS 10PM ET/PT)
Tue Sep 25: NCIS (CBS 8PM ET/PT)
Tue Sep 25: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS 9PM ET/PT)
Wed Sep 26: Criminal Minds (CBS 9PM ET/PT)
Wed Sep 26: Law & Order: SVU (NBC 9PM ET/PT)
Wed Sep 26: CSI (CBS 10PM ET/PT)
Thu Sep 27: Last Resort (ABC 8PM ET/PT)
Thu Sep 27: Person of Interest (CBS 9PM ET/PT)
Thu Sep 27: Elementary (CBS 10PM ET/PT)
Fri Sep 28: CSI: NY (CBS 8PM ET/PT)
Fri Sep 28: Fringe (Fox 9PM ET/PT)
Fri Sep 28: Blue Bloods (CBS 10PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: Once Upon a Time (ABC 8PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: Revenge (ABC 9PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: Dexter (Showtime 9PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: 666 Park Avenue (ABC 10PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: The Mentalist (CBS 10PM ET/PT)
Sun Sep 30: Homeland (Showtime 10PM ET/PT)

— ♦ —

Tomorrow, Friday September 21st, Haven returns in an episode we think is simply titled "301" — but this could also simply stand for third season, episode one. We don't know much about the episode, other than Nathan (Lucas Bryant) and Duke (Eric Balfour) search for Audrey (Emily Rose), who was abducted at the end of last season. Watch a promo for the new season below. And for those who have never seen Haven before, check out a rather creepy — but in a good way! — introduction to the series below the promo.

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120920)

Here is today's list of the Bestselling Free Kindle Crime Fiction: the top nine mysteries, novels of suspense, and thrillers.

We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is updated hourly, but if you cannot see the box below — or have scripts blocked — you can click on the image to the right or use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.

A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner is Today's Nook Daily Find

MystereBooks is pleased to feature A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner as today's Barnes & Noble Nook Daily Find.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Thursday, September 20, 2012.

Note: The price has been matched by Amazon.com for today only.

— ♦ —

A Little Death in Dixie
Lisa Turner
A Billy Able Mystery
Bell Bridge Books

The Blues were born out of need, anger and pride. Murder comes from those same dark places. Memphis has both. One of Memphis' most seductive and notorious socialites has vanished. Either she's off on another drunken escapade or the disappearance is something much more frightening. What begins as an ordinary day's work for Detective Billy Able quickly grows into a complex spider's web of tragedy, mystery, suspicion, and sordid secrets including a few of Billy's own. With the help of Mercy Snow, the estranged sister of the missing socialite, Billy follows a twisted trail of human frailty and corruption to disturbing truths that undermine everything he thought he knew about himself and the people he loves.

Read our review of A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner.

 

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.

New Poster for Political Thriller Argo

A new poster for the political thriller Argo has been released by the studio (right; click for larger image). The tagline: "The movie was fake. The mission was real."

Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis — the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck, who also wrote and directed the film) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Argo opens in theaters October 12th. We've previously featured the trailer for the film (below), but we don't think there is a more recent one.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries to Air on UKTV's Alibi Channel

A little over a year ago we learned that Australia's ABC was adapting Kerry Greenwood's "Phyrne Fisher" mysteries for television. Titled Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, thirteen episodes aired earlier this year, with the series being renewed for a second season.

We're fans of the books — we've read and reviewed eight of them so far — and had hoped that the series might find its way to our shores, and while that hasn't happened quite yet, it is a bit closer. The series was pre-sold internationally to a number of countries (not including the US), and most recently UKTV's Alibi channel has acquired it.

Essie Davis stars as Phryne Fisher, a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman — and sleuth — of the 1920s. She sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger sharp wit. The Australian network restricts viewing of the series trailers on YouTube in the US, but you can use this link to see a "programming slate" for 2012; Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is featured from about the 1:50 mark to the 2:30 mark.

There are at present 18 books in the series, published in the US by Poisoned Pen Press. The first, Cocaine Blues, is currently (as of the date and time of this post) free to download.

— ♦ —

Cocaine Blues
Kerry Greenwood
A Phyrne Fisher Mystery (1st in series)

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honorable Phryne Fisher — she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions — is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia.

Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops and communism — not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse — until her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.

    

Important Note: Any prices mentioned above were correct as of the date and time of this post. 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.

Please Welcome Jackson Burnett

by Jackson Burnett

We are delighted to welcome debut novelist Jackson Burnett as our guest.

He describes his new legal mystery, The Past Never Ends (Deadly Niche Press, July 2012 trade paperback and ebook formats), as "James Lee Burke meets Erle Stanley Gardner somewhere in Oklahoma."

Today Jackson tells us how he attempted to follow the structure of the old "Perry Mason" novels in his book. And, as a bonus, the Kindle edition of The Past Never Ends is free to download today and tomorrow!

— ◊ —

Perry Mason novels are still great mysteries to read because:

1. The books read easy and take little time to get through.
2. A good, puzzling whodunit resolves itself by the last chapter.
3. The stories usually turn on a legitimate legal issue.
4. The courtroom scenes were obviously written by someone who had actually been in court.
5. Justice is always served.

Perry Mason mysteries disappoint readers today because:

1. No one ever really stands up in a courtroom and confesses to murder.
2. While Perry Mason's pretrial antics are never technically illegal or unethical, today he'd spend so much time defending ethic charges and responding to grand jury investigations, he'd never have time to defend anyone in court.
3. Neither the legal system nor the law ever work as neatly as they do in a Perry Mason mystery.

The Past Never Ends, my recently published legal mystery, attempts to preserve the best of the Perry Mason novels for the generations that have grown more sophisticated; a result, in part, of having watched the O.J. Simpson and Casey Anthony trials as they happened.

Set in the American Southwest in the days before 9/11, Attorney Chester Morgan agrees to assist a young man in obtaining the incident report about the death of a young man's only friend. The friend's name is Tanya Everly, a sex worker from the wrong side of the river. The public record, though, is sealed by order of the Chief of Police. Morgan finds himself on a quest to learn the truth of Tanya Everly's death, a journey that takes him into the seamy corners of sex for sale, the crooked connections between rich oilmen and public servants, and the troubled places of Morgan's own soul.

The Past Never Ends is longer than the typical Perry Mason novel. The whodunit and the prose are both more complex. Still, I tried to be faithful to the form Erle Stanley Gardner gave us when he created the magnificent Perry Mason.

Read The Past Never Ends and let me know whether you agree.

— ◊ —

Jackson Burnett is the name used by a writer, lawyer, and amateur fiddle player who lives in a Southwest American city. He is a fan of the roller derby, Italian opera, and old-time country and roots music.

Besides mysteries, Burnett writes short literary fiction and essays.

You can visit with him on his Facebook page.

— ◊ —

The Past Never Ends
Jackson Burnett

A legal mystery.

A simple task, Attorney Chester Morgan thinks. Get a copy of a public record for a young man whose only friend has died in an unexplained accidental death. Except …

The police file regarding the demise of sex worker Tanya Everly has been sealed by the order of the chief of police, and no one will talk. Warned to drop the matter, Attorney Morgan knows that if he doesn't speak for the dead young woman, no one will.

Haunted by his discovery of the body of a prominent local oilman, Morgan pursues a quest for justice that puts his reputation, career, and life at risk. A journey that takes him into the dark shadows of the sex-for-sale business, into the marble courtrooms of Oklahoma, and into the aching loneliness of his own soul.

      

The prologue and first chapter of the book may be read on either the Amazon.com or BN.com sites. The Kindle edition of the book is free to download Thursday and Friday, September 20th and 21st, 2012 only.

Important Note: Any prices mentioned above were correct as of the date and time of this post. 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.

Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker is Today's Fifth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker as today's fifth free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. 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.

— ♦ —

Murder Passes the Buck
Deb Baker
A Yooper Mystery with Gertie Johnson
Publisher: DB Publishing

This is the first mystery in this series, originally published by Midnight Ink in 2006.

When her neighbor is shot and killed, sixty-six-year-old widow Gertie Johnson seizes the opportunity to move on with her life by investigating his death. Gertie is abetted (and hindered) by her grandson Little Donny, man-hungry best friend Cora Mae, and word-of-the-day challenger, Kitty. It doesn't help that the death has been ruled an accident by the sheriff of this backwoods community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Or that Sheriff Blaze Johnson happens to be Gertie's son.

Whether it's interrogating neighbors, spying, or impersonating the FBI—not to mention staying one step ahead of Blaze—Gertie will do whatever it takes to solve the case, even when the killer takes aim at her.

  

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.

Love.com by R. W. Bennett is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Love.com by R. W. Bennett as today's fourth free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. 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.

— ♦ —

Love.com
R. W. Bennett
Publisher: CreateSpace

What in the name of flowers and candy is going on?!?! People are falling in love and getting married in unheard-of numbers after meeting on the new internet dating site, Love.com. Marsha Underwood, Director of Marketing believes something fishy is going on; the crazy success can't be just good marketing. Marsha suspects her boss, Paul Latimer, may have something to do with it. She knows Paul will do anything to earn the respect of his own powerful, rich but remote father. And Paul flunked ethics in business school.

The trouble is, Paul is in love with Marsha, but for good reason she doesn't consider Paul to be marriage material. When Marsha, her father and best friend begin to investigate the goings-on behind the pretty web pages, her allies are destroyed in mysterious fashion. Afraid for her own life from the man who claims to love her, Marsha nonetheless chooses to pursue the truth about the company that has made her rich. But Love.com is now a worldwide phenomenon, and won't give up its secrets easily. All her courage and smarts may not be enough to unravel the Love.com mystery and save her own life.

  

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.

Midnight Blue over Mexico by D. S. Land is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Midnight Blue over Mexico by D. S. Land as today's third free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. 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.

— ♦ —

Midnight Blue over Mexico
D. S. Land
Publisher: Ascension Novels

June Rise and Tim Scott believe they've discovered a new cause for global warming. But when they travel to Mexico to confirm their theories, events take a demented turn — and fast. Tim vanishes, and soon June is on the run, framed for murder and the target of a deadly conspiracy. With her life on the line and catastrophic events looming, she is forced to take drastic measures in an attempt to reveal the discovery to the world. But will she succeed? Or will the discovery remain hidden forever — claiming June as a victim in the process?

  

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 Past Never Ends by Jackson Burnett is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Past Never Ends by Jackson Burnett as today's second free mystery ebook.

This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. 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.

— ♦ —

The Past Never Ends
Jackson Burnett
Publisher: Deadly Niche Press

A simple task, Attorney Chester Morgan thinks. Get a copy of a public record for a young man whose only friend has died in an unexplained accidental death. Except …

The police file regarding the demise of sex worker Tanya Everly has been sealed by the order of the chief of police, and no one will talk. Warned to drop the matter, Attorney Morgan knows that if he doesn't speak for the dead young woman, no one will.

Haunted by his discovery of the body of a prominent local oilman, Morgan pursues a quest for justice that puts his reputation, career, and life at risk. A journey that takes him into the dark shadows of the sex-for-sale business, into the marble courtrooms of Oklahoma, and into the aching loneliness of his own soul.

  

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.