Firsts on the 1st: New Series Characters Being Introduced in December 2012 Mysteries

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books recently updated its list of December 2012 hardcover mysteries as well as shelved new December paperbacks on The Mystery Bookshelf.

In this series of monthly posts, which we call Firsts on the 1st, we're introducing readers to new series characters who will make their mysterious American debut in print during December.

Telemystery: The Killing may be Returning to AMC for a Third Season

Variety is reporting that work has begun on the third season of The Killing. And though AMC was the network which canceled the series after two seasons, it is also the network that is expected to air the third season … if it comes to be. (None of this information has been confirmed by the network.)

Series stars Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman will almost certainly return, though it isn't clear which, if any, of the other cast members may return since they were all associated with the murder mystery that was (finally) concluded at the end of the second season.

Showrunner Veena Sud is still associated with the show, which means we'll likely not be watching. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Defender by Chris Allen is Today's Fifth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Defender by Chris Allen as today's fifth free mystery ebook (An Alex Morgan, Intrepid Thriller; iTunes format only).

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.

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.

The One You Love by Paul Pilkington is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The One You Love by Paul Pilkington as today's fourth free mystery ebook (A Suspense Thriller; Kindle and iTunes formats).

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.

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.

Memoria by Alex Bobl is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Memoria by Alex Bobl as today's third free mystery ebook (A Futuristic Noir Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Plummet by Michael Zarocostas is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Plummet by Michael Zarocostas as today's second free mystery ebook (A Legal Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Exit Wounds by Aaron Fisher is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Exit Wounds by Aaron Fisher as today's free mystery ebook (A Crime Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Pines by Blake Crouch is Today's Kindle Daily Deal

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Pines by Blake Crouch as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal.

The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, December 01, 2012.

Cinemystery: Production Update on Adaptation of Linwood Barclay's Trust Your Eyes

A couple of months ago we reported that Linwood Barclay's stand-alone thriller Trust Your Eyes had been optioned by Warner Bros. for film.

Now we're learning that Halo: Reach writer Peter O'Brien will pen the screenplay for Todd Phillips to direct.

The publisher calls the book "a thrilling story in which two brothers suddenly find themselves pulled into a frightening vortex of power and murder", a storyline that some reviewers have called an updated twist on Hitchcock's classic film Rear Window, itself based on the 1942 short story "It Had To Be Murder" by Cornell Woolrich. Learn more about the book, below.

Telemystery: ABC Family Adapting Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers for Drama Series

ABC Family is developing a television series adaptation of Barry Lyga's young adult novel I Hunt Killers. Akira Mittman (Dexter) will write the screenplay, which (as Deadline wryly points out) is appropriate given that the novel has a similar Dexter-esque twist to it … albeit at a teenaged level.

Lyga has written a sequel to the book, Game, which will be published next Spring by Little, Brown.

Review: Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

A Mysterious Review of …

Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal. A Maggie Hope Mystery.

Review summary: This historical mystery is a fascinating look at behind-the-scenes London during the early years of World War II. The story itself is extraordinary but it is Maggie Hope herself that is the star of this show, a smart, strong-willed woman determined to help her country in whatever way she can. (Click here for text of full review.)

MystereBooks: Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly, Now at a Discounted Price

The author of the popular "Stephanie Plum" mysteries, Janet Evanovich started out writing romance novels. Earlier this year she combined the two genres and co-wrote Love in a Nutshell with Dorien Kelly, the first in a series of romantic suspense books. (The second, The Husband List, will be published in January 2013.)

St. Martin's Press has discounted the ebook price of this first collaboration between the authors to just $2.99 (for a limited time only). Learn more about the book and find purchase options below.

Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (121130)

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; as an alternative, you can click on the image to the right or use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com, which includes a list of both the Top 100 Paid and Top 100 Free Kindle Mysteries and Thrillers.

Nice Work by Denise Weeks is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Nice Work by Denise Weeks as today's fourth free mystery ebook (A Jacquidon Carroll Mystery; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

The Prophet Motive by Eric Christopherson is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Prophet Motive by Eric Christopherson as today's third free mystery ebook (A Suspense Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Moon Shadow by Reggie Ridgway is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Moon Shadow by Reggie Ridgway as today's second free mystery ebook (An Environmental Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Thursday at Noon by William F. Brown is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Thursday at Noon by William F. Brown as today's free mystery ebook (A Spy Thriller; Kindle format only).

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.

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.

Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending November 30, 2012

A list of the top 15 Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers for the week ending November 23th, 2012 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

The Racketeer by John Grisham and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn have been trading places at the top of the list for the past few weeks, with the former reclaiming first position this week.

One new title debuts this week (position in parentheses).

Telemystery: CBS Orders Direct to Series Adaptation of Stephen King's Under the Dome

CBS has ordered direct to series a 13-episode adaptation of Stephen King's 2009 thriller Under the Dome. Bryan K. Vaughan wrote a screenplay when the project was based at Showtime, and it reportedly will still serve as the basis for the series. Niels Arden Oplev will direct the pilot. The final episode is being kept open pending a decision by the network as to whether to renew it for a second season.

The series is being fast-tracked and is expected to premiere in Summer 2013.

More information about the book, which will be re-released as a tie-in from the publisher next Spring, can be found below.

MystereBooks: And Only To Deceive, the First Lady Emily Ashton Historical Mystery by Tasha Alexander

The ebook format of the first "Lady Emily Ashton" mystery by Tasha Alexander, And Only To Deceive, has been discounted to $1.99, courtesy of the publisher, HarperCollins.

First published in 2005, this stunning novel of historical suspense is set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murder …

We recently had the pleasure of reviewing the seventh in the series, Death in the Floating City, which takes Lady Emily to Venice to solve the murder of her friend's husband.