Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 03/13/2006

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is 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 mystery clue: Jack M. Bickman’s mysteries feature this former tennis pro turned CIA operative. 9 letters: A B D H I M R S T.

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!

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery godoku, sudoku, godoku.

Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (03/10/2006)

A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending March 10, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

A notable newcomer this week is Nightlife by Thomas Perry, a dangerous cat-and-mouse game that pits two women against each other: a beautiful serial killer and the detective who is determined to stop her. Publishers Weekly states, "Reinterpreting conventions and confounding readers' expectations with fascinating characters, this is Perry at his best." Kirkus Reviews adds, "... the agonizingly detailed pairing of two determined women, complicated by the intrusion of a freelance killer, is masterful."

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery bestsellers, thomas perry.

Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 03/06/2006

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is available on our website. (Yes, it's up a bit early this week! The next puzzle will be posted on March 12th.)

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 mystery clue: Matt Damon played this character in a movie made from the first Patricia Highsmith mystery of this series. 9 letters: E I L M O P R T Y.

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!

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery godoku, sudoku, godoku.

Mysterious Winners of February Contests

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books wants to congratulate the winners of our contests ending in February 2006.

SallyJane of Zanesville OH was selected as the winner of a signed hardcover copy of Endangered Species by Nevada Barr.

Teresa of Mitchell SD was selected as the monthly winner of a $25 gift card in our mystery survey contest. (Our current monthly survey contest is scheduled to end on March 15th, but we will be starting a new survey contest on the following day!)

Thank you for visiting the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, and we hope you visit often to be current with the best and most current information about your favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery contest winners.

Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (03/03/2006)

A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending March 03, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Sour Puss, the 13th Mrs. Murphy mystery by Rita Mae Brown, finds itself on both the Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble bestseller lists this week. Thirteen is certainly not an unlucky number for Brown! Reviews have been very positive.

From Booklist: "Brown does everything right here, from creating a suspenseful plot to introducing readers to Virginia vineyards and the art of winemaking. ... Wine fanciers or not, readers will happily toast the animal-loving author for creating this robust and flavorful tale."

Publishers Weekly adds: "The 13th Mrs. Murphy mystery from bestseller Brown and her feline collaborator ... provides a captivating look at grape growing and the passionate dedication it requires."

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery bestsellers, rita mae brown, mrs. murphy.

Online Reviews: Sex, Drugs and Murder - Fine Fodder for Four New Mysteries

Carol Memmott of USA Today recently reviewed four new mysteries. Here is a brief overview of some of her comments.

Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante. "La Plante provides gruesome crime scenes, a clever killer, determined investigators and a horrific look at the life of prostitutes, child predators and substance abusers." (Note: Lynda La Plante is the author of the terrific Jane Tennison mystery series which was made into the PBS series Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren.)

Carved in Bone by Jefferson Bass. "Carved in Bone has a unique corpse, solid science, quirky humor and a lovable protagonist, Bill Brockton."

Slipping into Darkness by Peter Blauner. "Even the most seasoned mystery authors will be hard-pressed to write a better novel than Slipping into Darkness, Blauner's sixth. It may very well be the crime novel of the year."

The Finishing School by Michele Martinez. "Martinez's special spin is a Latina single mother as the heroine who takes way too many chances on and off the job. Vargas adds texture to a realistic, of-the-times story that involves mixed-up kids, greedy adults and amoral criminals."

Read her entire review of all four mystery books here.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, book review.

Mystery Trivia for March 2006

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has posted new mystery trivia questions for March 2006.

Ross Macdonald introduced this Los Angeles private investigator in his 1949 mystery, The Moving Target. What was his name?

In 1966, Paul Newman played the title character in a film based on this book, but requested the name be changed. What was the name used in the movie?

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books to see the answers to these questions as well as previous mystery book trivia questions from prior months.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery trivia, ross macdonald, paul newman.

To Kill a Rumor: Capote Letter Helps Solve "Mockingbird" Mystery

An article by Sue Scheible in the Patriot Ledger is not directly about a mystery book, but is about a literary mystery: Did Nelle Harper Lee really write her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird?

A recently discovered letter from Truman Capote to a relative in Monroeville (AL) appears to debunk the myth that Capote contributed to the writing of Lee’s first and only work, the Huntsville Times in Monroeville reported.

‘‘Yes, it is true that Nelle Lee is publishing a book,’’ Capote wrote in the letter’s final paragraphs, according to the newspaper. ‘‘I did not see Nelle last winter, but the previous year, she showed me as much of the book as she’d written, and I liked it very much. She has real talent.’’

To Kill a Mockingbird is the only novel written by Lee. Despite all the acclaim, she never wrote anything else. Because of that, there has been speculation for years that someone else wrote it or helped her edit it.

Read the rest of this fascinating article here.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, truman capote, harper lee.

New Monthly Mystery Book Contest for March 2006

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has posted the March Mystery Book Contest on its website. Enter daily for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Peach Cobbler Murder, a Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes, by Joanne Fluke. Entries will be accepted through the end of March.

Check the mysterious winners page for winners of all contests sponsored by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books. Thanks to all for participating!

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery book contest, hannah swensen, joanne fluke.

New Mystery Hardcovers for February 2006 (updated)

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated the list of new hardcover mystery books for February 2006. This is the final update for this list.

Just two additions to the new mystery list: A Necessary Evil, a Maggie O’Dell mystery, by Alex Kava and The Ethical Assassin by David Liss. David Liss' first book, A Conspiracy of Paper, won multiple awards in 2001 including an Edgar and a Macavity.

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often to keep current on your favorite mystery authors and series.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, new mystery books, new mystery titles.

Robert Crais Strikes Oil by Mining Elvis Cole

Oline H. Cogdill of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel recently ran a profile on writer Robert Crais, author of the Elvis Cole mystery series.

She writes that Crais abandoned the idea of being a police office or oil refinery worker, the professions of other members of his family, and took off for Hollywood where he hoped to be a screenwriter. And just when that career was taking off he left to write novels.

Cogdill states that Crais is the epitome of the self-educated writer. "My real education came from libraries and books. As far back as I can remember, I have been drawn to reading and movies. I have always been captivated by other worlds, the way fiction can transport you into another place, the way that fiction can elevate you or inspire you," says Crais.

This weekend, Crais will the guest of honor at Sleuthfest, the annual mystery writers conference sponsored by the Florida chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

Read more about Crais' career and the evolution of the Elvis Cole mystery series here. Visit the website of Robert Crais where you can read and hear excerpts from his latest book, Two Minute Rule.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, robert crais, elvis cole.

Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 02/27/2006

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is 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 mystery clue: The dame was for hire in a mystery by Sandra Scoppettone published in 2005. 9 letters: A C E F I K Q U Y.

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!

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, mystery godoku, sudoku, godoku.

Press Release: Simon & Schuster Launches New Mystery Aimed at Latino Teen Readers

Simon Pulse, the teen division of New York publisher Simon & Schuster, has released Desert Blood 10pm/9c, the first novel in a potential series of mysteries aimed at young Latino readers.

(I-Newswire) - New York, NY, Feb. 27, 2006 – Desert Blood 10pm/9c introduces teen sleuth Gus González, a fourteen-year-old with an unusual problem. Raised in foster care, Gus’s fortune unexpectedly changes for the better when he is adopted by one of television’s hottest young stars, actor Nicholas Hernandez. With their relationship in the media spotlight, Gus and Nick find themselves the target of outrageous tabloid stories and dangerous stalkers. When Gus narrowly escapes a knife-wielding intruder and people close to him begin to disappear, it’s up to him and his best friend Lalo to figure out who is behind the attacks—and why.

Drawing on his real-life relationships with several popular Hollywood stars, including Latino actors Eva Longoria and Nicholas Gonzalez, author Ronald Cree has written a fast-paced mystery sure to appeal to the most reluctant of readers. “I wanted to write a page-turner with a Latino male protagonist,” Cree explains. “The Latino population in this country is exploding, and the time seemed right to create an Hispanic hero—a brave, adventurous kid, like Harry Potter. Gus González is it.”

Desert Blood 10pm/9c is in stores February 28.

Author: Ronald Cree
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Audience: Ages 12+
ISBN: 1-4169-1156-1
Telephone: 510-208-4123
Email: rcree@ronaldcree.com

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, ronald cree.

Press Release: “Thanks for Killing Kenny” Published by the University of Florida Bookstore

InstaBook Publisher and the University of Florida Bookstore announced today in Gainesville, Florida the publication of Thanks for Killing Kenny, the first of the Amelia St. John murder mystery series by K. Couturier.

Gainesville, FL (PRWEB) February 18, 2006 -- A romp through the Old South that will tickle your funny bone while scaring you half to death. This is the first book in an eight book series based in the fictional town of Buttesville, Florida. The heroine of the book tackles the supernatural, family, friends and Southern tradition.

Amelia St. John has always appeared somewhat odd to her hometown of Buttesville, Florida. She is a Paranormal Investigator with a PhD in Paranormal Physics. When Sheriff Kenny Quinn turns up dead in Miller’s Mansion during one of her investigations, Amelia is the first one “Thanked” for killing him. Amelia isn’t too concerned about Kenny’s death; no one really liked Kenny anyhow, but when dead bodies start to show up all over Miller’s Mansion she must act or be axed. Amelia is the only one in town with a lick of sense, so it falls on her small shoulders to solve these murders before they strike again.

Amelia returns after 20 years to Buttesville to claim her ancestral home, Southern Vines. She has to renovate the historic house before it falls in on her head. Her ex-husband stealing all her money and her Grandmother’s ghost living at Southern Vines further complicates her life. A hometown that is still planning the next Civil War scrimmage add color to a cast of kooky Southern characters you are sure to fall in love with.

Sherry Mims from The Daily Commercial says, “Thanks for Killing Kenny is a fun romp through rural Florida-with a Supernatural twist. K. Couturier is a natural storyteller. She nails the details of backwoods Florida, complete with colorful characters, Southern pride, clannishness and lots and lots of small-town gossip.

Don’t miss this exciting family saga that will thrill you, make you laugh and make you cry all at the same time. Thanks for Killing Kenny has it all.

The title is available to be ordered online from InstaBook Publisher (http://www.instabookpublisher.com/store/).

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, k. couturier.

"Body Farm" Founder Tries Hand at Mystery Fiction

Elizabeth A. Davis, of the Associated Press, recently ran a profile on Dr. Bill Bass, an expert in forensic anthropology. Bass founded the University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility, nicknamed the "Body Farm". He is now relying on his expertise in his first mystery novel, Carved in Bone, published last month under the pen name Jefferson Bass.

Davis writes that Bass' study of human decomposition hit mainstream America when Patricia Cornwell wrote about it in her 1994 mystery, The Body Farm. The real Body Farm, across the river from the Tennessee campus, is a place where 110 bodies lie in varying states of decomposition. It's the only such experimental station in the world and is used to teach crime scene investigators from around the country and from the FBI.

The original AP article has been reprinted by several sources, such as The Baxter Bulletin, in which the rest of Davis' profile of Dr. Bill Bass can be read, here.

Technorati tags: mystery books blogs, mystery, mystery books, bill bass, jefferson bass, patricia cornwell, body farm.