Mystery Book Review: Dial Me for Murder by Amanda Matetsky

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Dial Me for Murder by Amanda Matetsky. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Dial Me for Murder by Amanda Matetsky
A Paige Turner Mystery

Berkley Prime Crime (Mass Market Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-425-22050-8 (0425220508)
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-22050-4 (9780425220504)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $6.99

Review: Amanda Matetsky's fifth book in the Paige Turner mystery series, Dial Me for Murder, has the 1950's era investigative reporter searching for the killer of a young woman found murdered in Central Park.

Paige works for the popular true crime magazine Daring Detective and is the only female reporter in all of Manhattan. In her pursuit of crime stories, she has occasionally been brought face-to-face with some of the city's most dangerous criminals and in a number of cases has outwitted the police in solving murders. The authorities rarely like to be upstaged, especially by a woman, and find Paige a nuisance as well as a profound embarrassment. On Wednesday morning, October 5, 1955, in bold print on page 5, the New York Tribune reported that a young unmarried secretary named Virginia Pratt had been killed Monday night, her nude body found under a mound of leaves in Central Park. Although Paige wants to cover the story, it is assigned to another reporter by her editor. Before noon, however, Paige receives a call asking her to come to the home of Sabrina Stanhope, in upscale Gramercy Park. Sabrina, she learns, is a madam of high priced call girls and Virginia was one of her dearest and most expensive girls. Virginia, known to her Johns as “Melody”, was the choice of three of New York’s wealthiest, most famous gentlemen. Sabrina is convinced that one of the men killed her. Now, if Paige would agree to tell no one, including her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Dan Street, about her proposed investigation, plus agree to write nothing about it in the magazine, Sabrina would hire Paige, paying her handsomely, to find Virginia's killer before the police do. This, of course, would jeopardize her job with the magazine and her relationship with Dan, not to mention the potential danger it would put her in.

Readers of this delightful book who didn't live during the 1950s will likely fail to fully appreciate the humor displayed in the use of many of the expressions. For those who did it will bring back pleasant memories. The historical perspective is well done and the period depictions of the city make for a wonderful, atmospheric backdrop. With the plot being a nice blend of subtle comedy and light mystery, Dial Me for Murder will keep the reader engaged in the story and guessing until the very end.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Dial Me for Murder and to Penguin Group for providing a copy of the book for this review.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in purchasing Dial Me for Murder from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Paige Turner’s skills as a true crime reporter for Daring Detective magazine have earned her an intriguing job opportunity. Sabrina Stanhope of Gramercy Park wants her to look into the murder of Virginia Pratt—a young secretary whose naked body was found bound and gagged under a pile of autumn leaves in Central Park. Sabrina wants the murderer exposed, but she insists that Paige keep her exclusive investigation off the record and out of the pages of Daring Detective. Why the need for such secrecy? Because Virginia was more than a secretary—she worked nights as a high priced call girl in Sabrina’s employ. Should word get out, the resulting scandal would be devastating, not only to Sabrina’s hush-hush enterprise, but to some of Manhattan’s wealthiest movers and shakers. Now, Paige must become a daring detective herself—even though it means going undercover to entice the interest of a sadistic killer ...

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

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First Clues: The Sisters Grimm Mysteries

We've updated our website First Clues: Mysteries for Kids by adding another recently published series of mysteries appropriate for children and young adults. This time there are crimes to be solved in a most unusual section of rural New York state.

In the opening book of The Sisters Grimm series, The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (and hauntingly illustrated by Peter Ferguson), Sabrina and Daphne have been sent to live with their mysterious grandmother, Relda Grimm. From their first day in Ferryport Landing, the sisters begin to unravel a mystery that reveals a family secret. Sabrina and Daphne learn they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, whose famous book of fairy tales is actually a history book. Snow White, the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf—they're all alive and now neighbors of Granny Relda in this community of Everafters, as magical folks like to be called.

But life is not a fairy tale in Ferryport Landing. Someone has set a giant loose on the town, and it's up to the sisters Grimm to stop the giant and find the Everafter behind its murderous rampage. Is it Mayor Charming, formerly Prince Charming, who may have plans to get his kingdom back? Or Jack, the erstwhile giant killer, now working at the Big & Tall store?

Six books in The Sisters Grimm mystery series have been published to date, the most recent, Tales from the Hood, a gripping courtroom drama, currently available in hardcover with the paperback edition coming out early next year. The books are recommended for readers aged 10 and older. A book trailer for the series is also available:

First Clue Mysteries is pleased to provide information on over 100 mystery series for children and young adults. Each series is conveniently listed under three different age categories (New Sleuth, ages 4 to 7; Future Sleuth, aged 7 to 10; and Sleuth in Training, ages 10 and older). If you have a favorite mystery series you'd like to see added to our site, please contact us.

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Mystery Book Awards: The Best Book Awards

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, recently announced the winners and finalists of The National "Best Books" 2008 Awards (NBBA). Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 140 categories covering print and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2008 and late 2007.

The winner of the Mystery / Suspense category was Blood Harvest by Brant Randall (Capital Crime Press).

The winner of the Thriller / Adventure category was Stealing Trinity by Ward Larsen (Oceanview Publishing).

We recently had the pleasure of reviewing Stealing Trinity calling it "[a]n exceptional thriller that will captivate readers with its strong plot and even stronger characters."

Oceanview Publishing had four other finalists in these categories: Rabbit in the Moon by Deborah and Joel Shlian, The Deal by Adam Gittlin, Blood Island by H. Terrell Griffin, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of by Don Bruns. We've reviewed two of these finalists, calling The Deal "a terrific book [that] should be on everyone's reading list this summer", and Stuff Dreams Are Made Of "a first rate, character-driven mystery". We look forward to reviewing Blood Island in early December.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists from Mystery Books News!

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Games of Mystery: The Color of Murder, New at Big Fish Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed games, parties, and vacations, is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery game from Big Fish Games released today. You can find out more about these games from our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

Explore the cityscapes of Sweden and unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of a local artist in this clever adventure game! What begins as a simple search for a missing person quickly escalates into an intriguing case of murder! Help Carol Reed track down the missing son of a friend and uncover the sinister ties he may have to a grizzly mystery! Pack your bags for Norrkoping, Sweden and discover The Color of Murder. The Color of Murder Strategy Guide is also available.

The Color of Murder, a Big Fish Games exclusive, may be downloaded and purchased for as little as $6.99 with the Big Fish Game Club Jumbo Pack. Due to the large size of the file, a demonstration version is not available though a video is available that illustrates basic game play.

Other popular games on our download Big Fish Mystery Games page include several Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew games, James Patterson's Women's Murder Club: Death in Scarlet, The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes, Veronica Rivers: Portals to the Unknown, and Forgotten Riddles: The Moonlight Sonatas.

Visit Games of Mystery for all types of mysterious fun!

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Mystery Savings: Save up to 40% at B&N.com

Mystery Savings periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing mystery-themed products and services products through our partner websites. Below is a special offer recently received by us that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

From now through December 25th, save up to 40% at Barnes&Noble.com. Mystery books and movies, gifts, and more are included in this special sale. B&N has even come up with some clever categories for that special but oh so hard to shop for friend or family member: Curious Kids, Sports Fanatics, Sophisticated Friends, Teens & Tweens. Shop the Barnes & Noble Holiday Gift Guide today and get fast and free shipping (on eligible products when you spend $25 or more).

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Mystery Author Interview: Mark W. Danielson

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, recently had the opportunity to talk to mystery author Mark W. Danielson. We're delighted to share that conversation here first for blog readers in advance of its publication on our website.

Mark W. Danielson in Kauai. Photo courtesy of
Mark W. Danielson.

Mark W. Danielson has published three stand-alone reality-based novels. Danger Within provides an inside look into the airline industry. The Innocent Never Knew is a political thriller about the controversy surrounding President Clinton’s Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown’s death. His latest Diablo’s Shadow, is an emotional roller-coaster between two estranged parents struggling to find their missing daughter. Writer’s Block will be the first in his new tongue-and-cheek detective series, which offers an amusing look at murder through the eyes of protagonist Maxx Watts. Writer’s Block has no set release date. As an international airline pilot, Mark lives a gypsy life “delivering the world on time.”

Mysterious Reviews: You are a current pilot for FedEx, which itself seems like an exciting and demanding job. Why did you want to take on an additional role as an author?

Mark: I began writing magazine articles decades before becoming an airline pilot. My first article outside of college was inspired while flying Air Force F-4 Phantoms in Korea. Written for the International Aerobatic Club, this article provided a historical look at how military air-to-air tactics were the basis for competitive aerobatic maneuvers. My non-fiction articles have covered flying, boating, travel, safety, a military base transition, even backyard squirrels. Today, I gain great satisfaction in writing novels, as well as writing articles that share my experiences while flying for FedEx. As a writer, there is no better profession, for I have a lot of free time at home and abroad. I often joke that FedEx pays me well to write. Their only request is that I safely deliver their airplane to its destination.

Your books are what you have termed reality-based fiction. What do you mean by that?

Everything I write about has happened, or is likely to happen. In nearly every case, I use settings where I have physically walked. Doing so makes my characters and settings more believable. In many cases, things that I’ve written about have since come true. For example, an Alaska Airlines MD-80 crashed less than two miles from where I wrote about in Danger Within. The chief of the Navy took his life two weeks after I wrote about a fictitious Air Force general being murdered, but was ruled a suicide. The tree I wrote about falling over a deer trail in Diablo’s Shadow has since fallen in that location. Such occurrences only validate my writing.

Your other career, as it were, takes you around the world and away from your home for extended periods of time. Do you write while you're traveling or do you set aside specific times for writing after you return home?

I write constantly, but it’s easier to write while on an international trip than at home. After all, my only obligation once I land is to be prepared to fly my next leg. Normally, I will write at least five hours during a twenty-four hour layover. Recently, I had three days in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and with little to do, I wrote 150 pages on my next book. Clearly, that isn’t the norm, but if I’m motivated and can’t sleep, I can get a lot of work done.

The plot of your first book is based in part on an incident aboard a FedEx plane. What prompted you to craft a fictional story around it?

As a former safety officer in both the Air Force and the Navy, I was disturbed that this in-flight fire ever occurred, and even more so by the lack of information that was being sent back to the crew force. After all, this fire took place in the same aircraft that I was flying around the world, and could have just as easily happened over water instead of land. I wanted to know what happened, and what was being done to prevent a reoccurrence, so many of the frustrations I experienced became those of my protagonist in Danger Within. But this fire only kicked off the story and set the stage for what followed. After all, the real story lies on the ocean floor. As with any of my stories, the reader will finish, wondering how much is real and how much is fiction. I like that.

Diablo's Shadow, your third book and the one we reviewed, was inspired by an actual Colorado case. Why did you change the setting of the book to the Bay Area?

I grew up in the Bay Area and have spent a lot of time in Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland hills. This expansive park can be as daunting as it is beautiful. Since Diablo’s Shadow is a compilation of several missing child cases and is more about two troubled parents than the child, using Redwood Regional Park made sense.

With real events providing the foundation for your plotlines, how do you go about developing the characters that will play a part in the story?

Research is the key to developing believable storylines and characters. In the case of Diablo’s Shadow, I met with a Parks Police detective, a volunteer organizer, a Parks Police helicopter pilot and observer, a park ranger, and read countless books and magazines on search and rescue operations, rescue dogs, missing children, and also researched numerous missing child organizations. John Walsh’s story on his son Adam was another excellent vehicle, and is mentioned in my story.

What kinds of books do you read? Or are they any authors whose books you buy as soon as they are published?

I read a variety of suspense novels as well as historical non-fiction. I love Dean Koontz’ Odd Thomas series, and buy them whenever they come out. David Baldacci is outstanding in his genre, and the late Michael Crichton’s Timeline and State of Fear are two of my favorites. I will truly miss him. Robert Kurson’s Shadow Divers, and James Bradley’s Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys are all excellent reads. I am always reading new authors.

Seeing the world as you have, setting must play an important role in your books. How do you go about bringing specific environmental or cultural elements into the story?

Again, walking and photographing a setting is extremely important. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my photographs, but rather point and shoot at things my characters might see while glancing. This technique allows me to see things through a character’s eyes, more than if I had vied for a perfect shot. Few people take in details like an author or a painter, so the candidness of my shots actually works in my favor.

Have you considered writing a series with a recurring character?

Actually, I have already written two father-son firefighting stories set in the Bay Area, but for now they are tucked away because they don’t fit my associated genre. However, I have just completed the first of my Maxx Watts detective series and have a second book written in my head. I really like Maxx because he’s an average Fort Worth detective who must investigate the murder of a small time publisher. All of the Guillotine Press authors become suspects in this humorous book. Writer’s Block not only plays on words, it provides a humorous look inside the publishing industry. Humor is important in life.

Our thanks to Mark for taking the time to visit with us. For more about the author and his books, visit his website at MarkWDanielson.com.

To read our interviews with other mystery authors, or to peruse our mystery book reviews, visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

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ESG Murder Mystery Weekend Tonight and Tomorrow in Temecula, CA

This evening and all day tomorrow (November 7th and 8th), the seventh annual Erle Stanley Gardner Murder Mystery Weekend takes place in Old Town, Temecula, a short drive just north of San Diego and southeast of Los Angeles. Question suspects, collect evidence, and solve the crime! (Clues will be revealed on Saturday at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. by the Clue Crew.) There is also a short story mystery writing contest, writing seminars, re-enactment of Gardner's short run series "Court of Last Resort," and a mystery book faire.

Erle Stanley Gardner lived for many years in the Temecula Valley and this event was designed to honor him. For more information and a schedule of activities, visit the official website at ESGMysteryWeekend.org.

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Mystery Bestsellers for November 07, 2008

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending November 07, 2008 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

No change in the top 5 mysteries this week with The Brass Verdict, the 14th mystery in the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly remaining atop the list for a third week.

New this week and debuting in the 9th position is the latest adventure for Eve Dallas, Salvation in Death, the 27th "In Death" mystery by J. D. Robb set in 2060 New York City. When Detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas confirms that the consecrated wine contained potassium cyanide, she’s determined to solve the murder of Father Miguel Flores, despite her discomfort with her surroundings. It’s not the bodegas and pawnshops of East Harlem that bother her, though the neighborhood is a long way from the stone mansion she shares with her billionaire husband, Roarke. It’s all that holiness flying around at St. Christobal’s that makes her uneasy. A search of the victim’s sparsely furnished room reveals little— except for a carefully hidden religious medal with a mysterious inscription, and a couple of underlined Bible passages. The autopsy reveals more: faint scars of knife wounds, a removed tattoo—and evidence of plastic surgery, suggesting that “Father Flores” may not have been the man his parishioners had thought. Now, as Eve pieces together clues that hint at gang connections and a deeply personal act of revenge, she believes she’s making progress on the case. Until a second murder—in front of an even larger crowd of worshippers—knocks the whole investigation sideways. And Eve is left to figure out who committed these unholy acts—and why. Publishers Weekly calls Salvation in Death "unusually introspective" and adds, "Robb offers a multilayered solution to several crimes that serves as yet another reminder that wolves sometimes hide in sheep's (or priest's) clothing, but justice, like faith, has no expiration date."

Also new this week and coming in at number 11 is Divine Justice, the 4th Camel Club thriller by David Baldacci. Known by his alias, "Oliver Stone," John Carr is the most wanted man in America. With two pulls of the trigger, the men who destroyed Stone's life and kept him in the shadows were finally silenced. But his freedom comes at a steep price: The assassinations he carried out prompt the highest levels of the U.S. government to unleash a massive manhunt. Behind the scenes, master spy Macklin Hayes is playing a very personal game of cat and mouse. He, more than anyone, wants Stone dead. With their friend and unofficial leader in hiding, the members of the Camel Club risk everything to save him. Now, as the hunters close in, Stone's flight from the demons of his past will take him from the power corridors of Washington, D.C., to the small, isolated coal-mining town of Divine, Virginia-and into a world every bit as lethal as the one he left behind.

On our bestseller page, we've added an icon next to every title that is available for immediate download onto the Amazon Kindle. To learn about this wireless reading device, visit the Amazon Kindle page for more information.

The top four mystery bestsellers this week are shown below:

Please visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books where we are committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

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First Clues Review: Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf by Wendelin Van Draanen

First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is delighted to introduce a new feature for our website, book reviews written by students. These students offer their unique perspective on the book in their review and provide a valuable resource to parents looking for new mystery adventures for their kids to read.

Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Sammy Keyes Series

Random House (Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-375-80255-X (037580255X)
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-80255-3 (9780375802553)
Publication Date: May 2000
List Price: $5.99

Review written by Tiffany, Age 12, Grade 6. Date of review: November 2008.

Review: Want a book full of pranksters, dog-nappers, men with guns, police officers, and one cranky lady? Meet the crew. Heather Ascota: commonly known for mean streaks, violence, pranks, and all things that bug Sammy! Sammy Keyes: the sassy girl we all know and love. Crocodile Lady: Mrs. Landvogt of course. And Eylssa the Runaway Elf: A lonely little girl who really needs a friend. This wonderful book Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf by Wendelin Van Draanen is book #4 in the series.

There is a dog-napper on the loose and Sammy knows she has to set things straight, and fast because there are high stakes at risk; Grams, Sammy and the Highrise! But would Mrs. Landvogt really get Grams and Sammy kicked out of their home? Should she pay the 50,000 dollar ransom instead? Should she call the police and risk them killing her dog? Sammy doesn't want to wait around and find out! Sammy sets to work on this case, but has nothing to start with! She looks at photographs, videos, and even breaks into a mansion to get the job done! Creepy men dressed as cats and dogs dodge through alleys, and leave her threatening phone messages! Nonetheless, Sammy will try to put forth her best effort, but she only has 6 days to do it! Can she do it? Find out as you read this bone-chilling and heart-felt book!

I really did like this book, but if I had written it, I would have changed a few things. For example there is a lot of violence, guns and tears in this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying emotions are bad, just maybe not so many. I believe that all readers that do love a good book should read this book, or the rest of the series. You can relate, cry and jump with each twist in the story! For example, deaths of people who begin to feel like long lost friends, a runaway girl, and Sammy's up and downs with the crocodile lady. Since this book does contain a lot of violence I would suggest it for only older and more mature readers, ages 9-13.

If you are interested in purchasing Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

First Clue Mysteries is pleased to provide information on nearly 100 mystery series for children and young adults. Each series is conveniently listed under three different age categories (New Sleuth, ages 4 to 7; Future Sleuth, aged 7 to 10; and Sleuth in Training, ages 10 and older). If you have a favorite mystery series you'd like to see added to our site, please contact us.

All student book reviews are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any manner, print or electronic, without the express written consent of the copyright owner. Reviews are published here with permission of the copyright owner.

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Mystery Savings: Members Receive 15% Off One Item at B&N.com

Mystery Savings periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing mystery-themed products and services products through our partner websites. Below is a special offer recently received by us that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

Barnes&Noble.com is offering a 15% discount on any one item for members (10% discount for non-members) for online purchases made from November 06, 2008 through November 16, 2008.

Members should use coupon code C3N4T4J to get their 15% discount. Non-members should use coupon code A3X3A9B to get their 10% discount.

The discount will be applied to one eligible item in the order as designated by the customer. Exclusions may apply. [MBN note: We're not sure what the exclusions might be so check your order carefully.]

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Mystery Book Review: Murderous Passions by B. R. Stateham

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Murderous Passions by B. R. Stateham. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Murderous Passions by B. R. Stateham
Non-series

PublishAmerica (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-60672-357-X (160672357X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60672-357-9 (9781606723579)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $24.95

Review: Homicide detectives and partners Turner Hahn and Frank Morales attempt to deal with an overflowing caseload by simultaneously investigating multiple murders in B. R. Stateham’s Murderous Passions. Different cases proceed in very different directions in this realist-style crime novel, and readers scramble along with detectives to keep up with the action.

Hahn and Morales’ cases run the gamut of police homicide investigations. The detectives are called when an unlikable Professor of physics is found slumped over a supercomputer, his throat cut and the inaccessible room coated in blood. They also investigate the brutal stabbing of a young girl, where all clues point to her two-timing boyfriend until he also turns up dead. At the same time, they chase a group of murderous, gun-toting jewel thieves, and hunt down a sociopathic gangland killer. In spite of this heavy caseload, Hahn still manages to have time to develop an amorous relationship with one of the pair’s prime suspects.

And all this in just over two hundred pages! Stateham tries to create a realistic police detective story, in which cops are overworked and separate cases don’t always end up connecting neatly in the end. Yet, this strategy leads Stateham to experience some of the same problems as an overworked policemen- the work can get sloppy, attention to detail is lost, cases become less interesting and harder to keep straight, and some cases undoubtedly get more time and attention than others. This book badly needed an editor to catch some of the things that Stateham missed in his effort to keep up with everything the book juggles. It had an inordinate number of easily fixable problems, such as typos and awkward sentences, but not enough to really distract from the book. In the end, the author’s ambitious plans seem to have been a bit too much for him; although the back cover mentions four separate murders, by the end of the book I counted at least ten!

Despite the overly busy plot, Murderous Passions is an enjoyable read. Stateham’s characters, and especially his narrator, Hahn, are fun, even if they’re not particularly deep. The narration has a great voice and is entertainingly wise-guy, filled with a sarcastic humor that moves the book along. Yet Hahn lacks much of the introspection that would make him real for readers, and seems almost too good to be true. The descriptions of him as a well-read, independently wealthy police detective in peak physical condition, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Cary Grant, detract from the overall realism of the book and from the quality of the character.

As a mystery, this book is worth the read. The main case, that of the murdered physicist, is a classic whodunit that will keep you guessing, especially as Hahn’s romance with a sexy suspect builds. My only complaint is that while the mystery revolves around the work of the physicists, both suspects and victims, the science discussed is clearly lacking in depth, accuracy, or realism in a way that sticks out obviously to the layman.

In the interests of time, Stateham neglects many of the other cases, mentioning them much more briefly and failing to introduce alternative suspects or clues. The book sometimes seems more like a police-thriller than pure mystery, relying on action, humor, romance and drama to keep cases interesting to readers. Although sometimes things can be over the top, in general Stateham succeeds in making Murderous Passions interesting and enjoyable, if not phenomenal. Stateham has created likable characters and an interesting plot backed up by solid, if not perfect, writing. If Stateham chooses to make this the first book in a new series, later books undoubtedly have potential. Hopefully, Stateham will have more time to flesh out his characters and his mysteries by learning to be more selective and less ambitious in his plotting.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Rebecca Henderson for contributing her review of Murderous Passions and to B. R. Stateham for providing a copy of the book for this review.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Rebecca Henderson — All Rights Reserved — Reprinted with Permission

If you are interested in purchasing Murderous Passions from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Two cops. Four homicides. One case involves a brutally murdered college professor who was hated by everyone. The result? Six thousand suspects. The second case has a dead farm girl, a dead giggolo, and a grieving divorcee. The third has jewel theives who like big-caliber guns. The fourth has a drug-crazed gang member who thinks he's bullet proof.

Just another day at the office for detectives Turner Hahn and Frank Morales.

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

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Mystery Book Review: Death Roe by Joseph Heywood

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Death Roe by Joseph Heywood. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Death Roe by Joseph Heywood
A Woods Cop Mystery with Grady Service

Lyons Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59921-428-8 (1599214288)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59921-428-3 (9781599214283)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $24.95

Review: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Grady Service encounters obstacles at every turn when he investigates a case of illegal mixing of salmon roe by a local processing facility in Death Roe, the sixth mystery in this series by Joseph Heywood.

The case starts with a simple violation of snagging salmon, catching the fish anywhere other than the mouth. But the fisherman wasn't interested in the flesh, only the eggs. Service offers to pull the ticket if the violator tells him what he intended to do with the eggs. A deal struck, Service later witnesses an illegal sale of the eggs and raids the company that purchased them. There he discovers something even more alarming: salmon eggs from New York State, deemed by the FDA to be unfit for human consumption, are being mixed with Michigan eggs and sold as prime roe. But the company, Piscova, is a major political influence in the state and has influential allies in powerful positions. Service quickly discovers that investigating this case will test not only his patience but also his resolve to see justice done.

The unnecessarily lurid (and largely irrelevant) dust jacket cover of Death Roe will likely put some readers off, but don't let it: this is a terrific police procedural. It's not, however, one that can be read quickly; the plot is intricate and complicated, there are dozens of characters working for a seemingly endless stream of government agencies, and there are politics, which Service wryly describes as "a minefield for which few people had an accurate map." The focal point, however, is the engaging Grady Service and everything that happens is told from his perspective.

The book is set up as a journal of sorts, with each chapter noting the current date and location. This helps convey to the reader the passage of time, something that frustrates Service who is anxious to see the case closed. And while no doubt reasonably accurate in real terms, the time issue is a minor problem for the plot. While Service is actively involved, the story moves along at a fairly brisk pace. But when he's ordered off the investigation, and later side-lined from a brutal attack unrelated to the case, the story seems to lose its way. No doubt this pause is intended to illustrate how Service feels about being inactive, but it actually doesn't quite work.

Though the pace picks up again towards the end, the conclusion doesn't quite work either. Service gets the closure he seeks and needs, yet there are several plot threads that aren't resolved and left hanging. Maybe this is intentional as well, but it's somewhat unsatisfactory. Still, Death Roe, dust jacket cover aside, is among of the best of its genre to be published this year.

Special thanks to Globe Pequot Press for providing a copy of Death Roe for this review.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in purchasing Death Roe from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Grady Service finds himself with an unexpectedly complex, truly rotten, and important case on his hands. This time tainted eggs are showing up in caviar and Service must expose a ring of corruption in state government and perhaps within his own beloved DNR, one that could lead him all the way to the top.

Making enemies at every level of the state, Service rousts out the people on the take. Can he get to the source of the contaminated eggs and prove it? Pitting corporate greed against the health of the general public isn’t something Service takes lightly. He doesn’t rest until there has been full exposure in a case that takes him from the wilds of the Upper Peninsula to the jungles of the state capital, into the maw of the Ukrainian mafia in New York City and onto distant beaches of Central America.

For more mystery book reviews visit Mysterious Reviews, a partner with the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books which is committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

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Games of Mystery: Redrum, New at Big Fish Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed games, parties, and vacations, is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery game from Big Fish Games released today. You can find out more about these games from our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

Rose sees dead people. Unfortunately her visions have landed her in an asylum. You must help Rose to use her psychic powers and ghostly visions to solve a series of grisly murders and thwart the plans of an evil doctor in Redrum, a pulse-pounding hidden object game. Warning: Redrum is an intense psychological murder mystery with dark surreal graphics intended for mature audiences.

Redrum, a Big Fish Games exclusive, may be downloaded and purchased for as little as $6.99 with the Big Fish Game Club Jumbo Pack. A demonstration version (53.10 MB) is available to play free for one hour.

Other popular games on our download Big Fish Mystery Games page include several Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew games, James Patterson's Women's Murder Club: Death in Scarlet, The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes, Veronica Rivers: Portals to the Unknown, and Forgotten Riddles: The Moonlight Sonatas.

Visit Games of Mystery for all types of mysterious fun!

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Mysteries on TV: CBS Orders 6th Jesse Stone Movie

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that CBS has agreed to produce a sixth Jesse Stone made-for-television movie, this despite the fact that the fifth movie has yet to air. The Jesse Stone mystery movies are based on the character created by Robert B. Parker and star Tom Selleck as the police chief of the small coastal town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

According to THR, Jesse Stone: No Remorse will find Jesse Stone having been suspended by the Paradise town council and working for the state investigating a series of murders in Boston. Selleck co-wrote the script which doesn't appear to be based on any of the current Jesse Stone books. Production has already begun in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The real mystery here is why CBS hasn't aired Jesse Stone: Thin Ice yet. About a year ago, Parker on his blog indicated the movie would air in February, 2008. Various reports thoughout 2008 suggested the movie would air "sometime this year". IMDB now lists the date as simply 2009. We'll let you know the exact date as soon as we do. Still, we're delighted to know that CBS has such confidence in the series to order a sixth episode.

The first four movies (Stone Cold, Night Passage, Death in Paradise, and Sea Change) are all available on DVD from Mysteries on TV: Jesse Stone and are highly recommended by all of us here at Mystery Books News.

Please visit Mysteries on TV, your source for the most complete selection of detective, amateur sleuth, private investigator, and suspense television mystery series now available or coming soon to DVD.

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Mysteries on DVD Review: A Thief of Time

We're still in the process of setting up a new website with reviews of mystery TV shows and movies which may (or may not) have a separate blog. In the meantime, we'll continue to post our television and film reviews here on Mystery Books News and advise you of when the new site is up.

Film: A Thief of Time. Original release date: 07/11/2004 (a PBS Mystery! made-for-television movie); DVD release date: 11/15/2005.

Joe Leaphorn (Wes Studi), Jim Chee (Adam Beach), Emma Leaphorn (Sheila Tousey), Slick Nakai (Graham Greene), Harrison Houk (Peter Fonda). Directed by Chris Eyre. Screenplay adapted from the novel A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman.

In news items reporting the death of mystery author Tony Hillerman, it was noted that three of his books had been adapted into movies: The Dark Wind, Skinwalkers, Coyote Waits, and A Thief of Time. The latter three were made-for-television movies that aired on PBS Mystery! in 2002, 2003, and 2004. I remember seeing the second, and my recollection is I was impressed, but I hadn't seen the first or third. I checked the Netflix catalog, saw A Thief of Time was available, and ordered it to be sent.

Hillerman's mysteries feature two Navajo tribal police officers, the older Joe Leaphorn and the younger Jim Chee. Somewhat paradoxically, Leaphorn takes a more modern approach to the beliefs of his culture; Chee tends to take a more traditional view. Initially the characters appeared separately in Hillerman's books. A Thief of Time was only the second book in which they appeared together.

One of three field scientists who are studying the Anasazi culture has failed to return from an extended trip away from their camp. The other two scientists seem unconcerned, but Joe Leaphorn is worried. The missing scientist is thought to be dealing illegally obtained pottery on the black market. Meanwhile, Jim Chee is looking for a missing backhoe. The two cases intersect when the backhoe is found at the scene of two murders, men who were clearly digging for ancient pottery, artifacts highly prized by collectors.

Leaphorn's investigation takes him to a known fence of pottery and subsequently to two wealthy collectors, one of whom was likely the last person to see the missing woman. Chee's battling his own demons, urged by his girlfriend to accept a position in Washington with the Bureau of Indian Affairs but unwilling to leave his home in the Southwest. Leaphorn figures out what must have happened to the scientist but, trapped in forbidden territory, is unable to do anything about it.

The PBS Mystery! movies were executive produced by Robert Redford and display his trademark touch of a well told, leisurely paced story in a beautifully photographed setting. Wes Studi is excellent as the dedicated Joe Leaphorn; Adam Beach has a sort of charming innocence as Jim Chee. The other characters are less memorable. The panoramic vistas are stunning and add immeasurably to the story which, admittedly, is rather slow in places. When the focus is on the investigation, whether it be Joe Leaphorn's or Jim Chee's, there's something to keep the viewer's attention. When the focus drifts away, it's easy to be distracted. I realize that well-rounded movies have well-rounded characters, but here the personal scenes lack depth and interest and seem to exist as filler more than anything else. This is particularly true for Jim Chee whose relationship with his girlfriend is never credible.

Seeing A Thief of Time will prompt me to order the first one originally aired, Skinwalkers, before year's end. The movies (at least the two I've now seen) are well made, easy on the eye, have intricate plots that capture the viewer's imagination, and present appealing characters that make you want to see more.

The DVD of A Thief of Time is available to purchase from Mysteries on DVD, your source for movies that have been adapted from mystery books.

Reviewed on 11/03/2008 by Mr. E., television and movie critic for Mystery Books News.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Omnimystery — All Rights Reserved.

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