Monday, May 08, 2006

Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 05/08/2006

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for May 08, 2006A 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: This is the title of James O. Born’s second mystery that features FDLE agent Bill Tasker. 9 letters: A C E H K O S V W.

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!

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Sunday, May 07, 2006

Profile: Elaine Viets, author of the Dead-End Job Mysteries

Murder Unleashed by Elaine VietsNo animals were harmed in the creation of Murder Unleashed, the fifth entry in Elaine Viets' award-winning Dead-End Job mystery series and her first hardcover whodunit. The former St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist-turned-serial mystery writer commits murder in her mind only.

Viets researches all her Dead-End Job mysteries by working the jobs she writes about. Such research doesn't just give Viets an inside look at the occupations in question. It also gives her a megacast of characters.

Viets is a native of St. Louis, though she now lives in Fort Lauderdale with her husband, Don Crinklaw, and her "writing companion," Harry, her rescue cat. She also is the mastermind behind five other mysteries, which are packaged into two other series. Her next book, High Heels Are Murder, is due out in November and features "Mystery Shopper" Josie Marcus.

Read the entire profile of Elaine Viets by Sarah Newman in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and featured on STLtoday.com, here.

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Saturday, May 06, 2006

News: Oxygen Network 2007 Lineup to Include Mystery Series

The Oxygen network announced that it is continuing to re-write the rulebook for womens television with its most ambitious development slate to date for 2007. Included in its plans are pilots for two new mystery series.

Nicky Velnet, a one hour scripted action, drama. Nicky Velvet is a picky crook, who steals the seemingly valueless for a hefty fee of course. Need the water stolen from a swimming pool or the rare ivory comb from a dangerous thugs back pocket? Nicky will execute the job using her intuition and intellect to outsmart her dupe. Based on the 88 mystery books by Edward Hoch.

Robin Hudson Mysteries, a one hour scripted dramedy, mystery. Robin Hudson is a quirky, third-string reporter for the All News Network and just can't seem to win. When she becomes involved in a New Year's Eve murder mystery she discovers her uncanny ability to solve crimes better than the police. Based on the series of books by Sparkle Hayter.

Read about all of the Oxygen network's planned series and movies in The Futon Critic.

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Friday, May 05, 2006

Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (05/05/2006)

Mystery BestsellersA list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending May 05, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Beach Road by James PattersonNew this week is James Patterson's latest "Beach" thriller, Beach Road. Reviews have been decidedly mixed, with Publisher's Weekly stating, "Bestseller Patterson shows signs of having gone to the well too often in this slapdash collaboration with de Jonge, his coauthor on The Beach House (2002). ... Fans can only hope that Patterson soon returns to the level he achieved with his Alex Cross series."

Bad Twin by Gary TroupAlso new is Bad Twin , the book tie-in to the ABC series "Lost". Though Gary Troup is a fictional author (the book was written by "a well-known mystery writer"), Hyperion has released the following statement regarding Troup: "It is with a mix of pride and sorrow that Hyperion presents Bad Twin, the last novel by a wonderful author who was taken from us in the very prime of his writing life. As many readers are already aware, Gary Troup has been missing since September 2004, when the jetliner that was carrying him from Sydney to Los Angeles crashed somewhere over the South Pacific. While nothing is more human than to hope for miracles, reason tells us that the author and his fellow-travelers cannot have survived this disaster."

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

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Thursday, May 04, 2006

Online Mystery Book Reviews

Margaret Cannon, Crime Book reviewer for the Globe and Mail, recently published her reviews of 6 new mystery books.

Promise Me, by Harlan Coben, Dutton: "After six years, Harlan Coben brings him back in a story so solid, a plot so complex, that it's one of his best."

Nicotine Kiss, by Loren D. Estleman, Forge: "This is a superb novel, and Estleman's lovely, lyrical writing style makes it a pleasure. There's not a thing to improve."

The Death of Achilles, by Boris Akunin, Random House: "The joy of Akunin's novels isn't just in the plot, although these are superior. He has the same zest for the chase and the sheer fun of it all that makes Holmes so wonderful."

Prior Bad Acts, by Tami Hoag, Bantam: "The opening chapter of this novel is so chilling, some readers will wonder if they can read the whole thing. But I can promise that, by page six, they will be gripped, spellbound, held to the page. Hoag is a fine writer, but this is her best book by far."

Debts of Dishonor, by Jill Paton Walsh, St. Martin's Press: "This novel marks the return of her Cambridge sleuth, Imogene Quy, and it's as good an update of Dorothy L. as you are ever likely to see."

Oh Danny Boy, by Rhys Bowen, St. Martin's Press: "This is a slight novel with a bit of a romance in the plot, a lot of fun and some terrific historical writing. Fans of the British cozy will love it, and so will readers of historical fiction."

Read her complete reviews here.

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Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Mystery Trivia for May 2006

Mystery TriviaThe Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has posted new mystery trivia questions for May 2006.

What well-known mystery author has been published under the pseudonyms Richard Stark, Tucker Coe, Samual Holt, and others?

What is the title of his first book published, under his real name, by Random House in 1960?

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

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Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Press Release: Top Mystery Author to Head "Line-Up" for Murder in the Grove

(OPENPRESS) April 26, 2006 -- One of the world's best known and best-selling mystery authors, Anne Perry, will make a rare visit to Boise to take part in a bit of murder, mayhem, and fun at Murder in the Grove 2006, to be held June 2-3. Murder in the Grove, the northwest’s only annual mystery conference, caters to both fans and writers of mystery fiction.

Perry has sold more than twenty million books. She writes the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, and the Inspector William Monk series, both set in Victorian England, a third series which takes place in England during World War I, and has written a number of stand-alone books as well. Born in England, Anne Perry has lived in the United States and New Zealand. She presently makes her home in Scotland.

The public is invited to meet Perry and the other mystery authors at a book fair and dessert party at Barnes & Noble on Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, June 3, Murder in the Grove convenes from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Centre on the Grove with programs for both mystery fans and writers. Agents and editors will meet with authors looking for representation.

Local mystery authors Joanne Pence, Deborah Donnelly, Catherine Mulvany, and Kelly Jones plus authors C.J. Box, Carolyn Wheat, Bob Wiebezahl, Kirk Russell, Aileen Baron, Mary Buckham, Sylvia Hubbard, Larry Karp, Con Lehane, Rae Monet, Twist Phelan, J.D. Rhoades, Michael W. Sherer, Denise Swanson, Pari Noskin Taichert, and Pat White will join Perry as presenters at Murder in the Grove. Author/editor Denise Dietz will represent Five Star Press. Literary agents Meredith Bernstein and Jo Grossman will speak with aspiring writers. Forensic artist Carrie Stuart-Parks, DNA expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, and private investigator, Valerie Agosta will present workshops on crime investigation. For her contribution to the field of mystery, Sara Paretsky will receive the 2006 Ridley Award in absentia due to a recent injury.

For more information about the two-day conference, local authors Joanne Pence (Joanne@joannepence.com or 208/938-5995, website: www.joannepence.com), and Tammy Cooper (tlcooper@tlcooper.com or 208/375-8230, website: www.tlcooper.com) may be contacted at any time, or visit www.murderinthegrove.com.

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Monday, May 01, 2006

The Mystery Bookshelf: New Titles for May 2006

Mystery Book Contest
The Mystery Bookshelf has updated its list of new paperback titles to include those to be released in May 2006.

Visit The Mystery Bookshelf to browse mass market paperback mysteries published since December 2005. (Older mysteries are moved to the archives which are searchable and still available from The Mystery Bookshelf.)

For each mystery, you can see the book cover, an overview of the book (synopsis), and notes about the book. For example, if the mystery is part of a series, the entry in that series is given.

Please visit The Mystery Bookshelf often! We are commited to providing readers of popular mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.


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Weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle for 05/01/2006

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for May 01, 2006A 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: Theresa Monsour's 3rd mystery featuring St. Paul homicide detective Sgt. Paris Murphy had this title. 9 letters: A D E H K O R S U.

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!


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Sunday, April 30, 2006

New Monthly Mystery Book Contest for May 2006

Mystery Book Contest
The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has posted the May Mystery Book Contest on its website. Enter daily for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. Entries will be accepted through the end of May.

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


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Friday, April 28, 2006

News: MWA 2006 Edgar Award Winners

The Mystery Writers of America held its annual banquet last night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York and announced the winners of the 2006 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television and film published or produced in 2005.

Best Novel: Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (Regan Books)

Best First Novel By An American Author: Officer Down by Theresa Schwegel (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best Paperback Original: Girl in the Glass by Jeffrey Ford (Dark Alley)

Best Critical/Biographical: Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her by Melanie Rehak (Harcourt)

Best Fact Crime: Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece by Edward Dolnick (HarperCollins)

Best Short Story: "The Catch" - Greatest Hits by James W. Hall (Carroll & Graf)

Best Young Adult: Last Shot by John Feinstein (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

Best Juvenile: The Boys of San Joaquin by D. James Smith (Simon & Schuster Children's Books)

Best Play: Matter of Intent by Gary Earl Ross (Theater Loft)

Best Television Episode Teleplay: Sea of Souls - "Amulet" Teleplay by Ed Whitmore

Best Motion Picture Screen Play: Syriana - Screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, based on the book by Robert Baer (Warner Brothers)

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books offers its congratulations to all nominees and winners!

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Mystery Hardcover Bestsellers (04/28/2006)

Mystery BestsellersA list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending April 28, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Topping the charts at both Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com:
Promise Me by Harlan Coben
Promise Me by Harlan Coben, the 8th mystery to feature sports and entertainment agent Myron Bolitar after a 6 year absense. Publishers Weekly states, "Coben fans will find much to enjoy in this well-crafted suspense novel, which has a startling final twist."

Also, for the first time in many months, the top five books on the New York Time Bestseller List are all mysteries.

Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.

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Thursday, April 27, 2006

News: Random House Announces New Imprint: Mortalis

Random House has announced it is launching a new imprint, Mortalis, that will reissue classic and out-of-print mystery titles together with paperback originals. Set to start in spring of 2007, Mortalis will be republishing such classic mystery writers as Martin Cruz Smith, P. D. James, Agatha Christie and Wilkie Collins. Three original paperback titles will also be published: Boris Akunin's Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog, David Corbett's Blood of Paradise, and Alex Carr's An Accidental American.

Jane von Mehren, Random House trade paperbacks vice-president and publisher, said the new imprint is intended to bring authors who have appeared largely in mass market into trade paperback. The idea, she said, is to find authors who might benefit in a different format.

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Press Release: Bay Area Author Creates Art Forger Alter-Ego in Feint of Art, Her Debut Mystery

Visit the world of art fakes, forgers, and felons with the new Annie Kincaid Art Mystery series. San Francisco Bay Area faux finisher has released her debut novel, Feint of Art, in which an ex-forger tries to go straight in the City by the Bay.


Oakland (HELIOGRAPHICA NEWS) 4/18/06 -- (HELIOGRAPHICA NEWS) -- Oakland artist Julie Goodson-Lawes began painting forgeries as a young girl. "In the old days, painters trained themselves by copying famous artists. I skipped art school in favor of learning by mimicry as well." Her abilities as a copyist led naturally to a career as a decorative painter and muralist. "If you want a Monet covering the bathroom walls or your daughter's portrait in the style of John Singer Sargent, I'm the artist to call."

After more than a decade as a professional painter-for-hire Goodson-Lawes used her insider knowledge of painting techniques and her interest in art forgery to write a novel on the subject. She paired up with her sister Carolyn, a historian, to pen the Annie Kincaid Mystery Series under the pseudonym Hailey Lind. The first in the series, Feint of Art, is now available in stores everywhere.

Feint of Art is a humorous take on the very real world of art forgery and theft. "The stories are based on actual events and characters " this is a fascinating realm of underground talent, runaway greed, and worldwide smuggling." Interpol estimates that art crime is the third most lucrative international crime, right after drugs and arms smuggling.

Goodson-Lawes brings her insider knowledge of art forgery techniques to the books. Feint of Art's main character, Annie Kincaid, learned art forgery at the knee of her grandfather Georges, a famous and unrepentant forger. Because Annie knows how to copy art, she also understands how to recognize forgeries and uses this ability to track down stolen paintings and drawings. "Forgers need a great deal of talent to copy the "signature" of a particular artist. They also need to understand the history of art so that they don't make easily identifiable gaffes like using pigments that weren't produced until after their painting was supposedly created. Then there are other basic forgery skills that are easy for an artist to master, such as how to make paper look old and how to force cracks into varnish. There are actual "how-to" handbooks on the subject."

Throughout the book Annie's grandfather offers insights into the world of art forgery, while artistic techniques and the histories of several famous paintings are discussed. The book also includes Annie's basic recipe for faux finishing walls and furniture.

For further information visit www.haileylind.com. Feint of Art, first in the new Annie Kincaid Art Mystery Series Available in paperback, $6.99; 328pp. Signet Mystery (January 3, 2006) ISBN 0-451-21699-7.

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Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Profile: Fame & Fortune - Author Carol Higgins Clark

Jay MacDonald of Bankrate.com (not your typical website for mystery author profiles!) recently interviewed Carol Higgins Clark, author of the Los Angeles private eye Regan Reilly mystery series and daughter of bestselling suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark.

MacDonald writes that growing up in New Jersey, Carol had her sights set on an acting career. When her mother was having trouble finding time to launch a literary career and work full time to support her five children, Carol volunteered to retype her manuscripts which quickly became runaway bestsellers. When an editor suggested that Carol try her hand at her mother's trade, she did so, giving it her own humorous spin.

Mother and daughter have teamed up on three best-selling holiday suspense novels, Deck the Halls, He Sees You When You're Sleeping and The Christmas Thief. In Carol's latest Regan Reilly adventure, Hitched (the title of all her mysteries are a single word ending in "-ed"), she marries her heroine to steady boyfriend Jack "No Relation" Reilly, ushering in a new chapter to her popular series.

Read his entire in-depth interview here.

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