Saturday, November 22, 2008

Lynda La Plante Awarded CBE for Services to Literature

BBC News is reporting that has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to literature, drama and charity. La Plante is probably best known for the television series she developed (, ), but she has also written several suspense novels and is the author of the Anna Travis mystery series.

La Plante said it was the "proudest moment" of her life to be recognized for her writing career. She added that the CBE would enable her to do more charitable work on a "one-to-one" basis.

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Games of Mystery: Detective Stories Hollywood, 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 page or by clicking on the links provided below.

Detective Stories: Hollywood

Tinseltown's in trouble! A famous actress, $10 million in cash, and the only copy of one of the company's most highly anticipated films are all missing! The film company has hired Angela, a famous Hollywood detective, to work on the case. Unravel the spectacular web of intrigue through intense logic puzzles, mini-games, and a little help from Hollywood mega-stars as you piece together the mystery behind Detective Stories: Hollywood!

Detective Stories: Hollywood may be downloaded and purchased for as little as $6.99 with the Big Fish Game Club Jumbo Pack. A demonstration version may be downloaded (32.88 MB) and played for one hour for free.

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Other popular games on our page include several Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew games, Art of Murder: FBI Confidential, the Carol Reed mystery Remedy, Veronica Rivers: Portals to the Unknown, Mystery Chronicles: Murder Among Friends, and The Treasures of Mystery Island.

And don't forget to visit for all kinds of mysterious fun!

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Patricia Cornwell Donates $1 Million to Establish New Scientist Position at Harvard

The Harvard Crimson is reporting that has donated $1 million to establish a conservation scientist position at Harvard University. Cornwell is the bestselling author of a mystery series featuring forensic examiner Kay Scarpetta. The search for a scientist to fill the position, to be known as the Patricia Cornwell Conservation Scientist, will begin as soon as the endowment is complete, said Henry Lie, director of conservation at the Harvard Art Museum. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will match Cornwell’s gift.

As noted by the reporter, this is not the first endowment by the author. Cornwell has also given to other universities, including $1 million to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City to open a “Crime Scene Academy,” which will train students and law enforcement officials in forensics.

The scientist chosen to fill the new position at Harvard will join a team of several experts in the analytical lab of the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies. The new researcher will continue work currently being done at the center, which focuses on the close examination of art materials to determine artistic techniques and conservation methods.

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Mystery Author George Clark Chesbro Dies

The Albany (NY) Times Union is reporting that mystery author George Clark Chesbro has died. He was 68.

Though Chesbro wrote several different types of novels, his most popular featured Mongo the Magnificent, a dwarf and former circus performer who worked as a private investigator. His prodigious output also included more than 100 published short stories in espionage, science fiction, and a hybrid genre known as tech noir. In addition, he wrote screenplays and books under the pen name of David Cross. Chesbro won an Ellery Queen Award and served as president of the Mystery Writers Association.

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Mystery Bestsellers for November 21, 2008

Mystery Bestsellers

A list of the top 15 for the week ending November 21, 2008 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Some minor shuffling of the top 6 bestselling mysteries from last week with Divine Justice, the 4th political thriller in the Camel Club series by , taking over the top spot.

Cross Country by James Patterson

New this week and debuting in the 7th spot is , the 14th mystery by featuring forensic psychologist Alex Cross. When the home of Cross' oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of killer. As Alex and his girlfriend, Brianna Stone, become entangled in the deadly Nigerian underworld of , what they discover is shocking: a stunningly organized gang of lethal teenagers headed by a powerful, diabolical man -- the African warlord known as the Tiger. Just when the detectives think they're closing in on the elusive murderer, the Tiger disappears into thin air. Tracking him to Africa, Alex knows that he must follow. Alone. Publishers Weekly notes that Patterson "[spends] less time than usual exploring his villain's psychological backstory, [and] delivers an atypical tale of James Bond-style revenge."

The Private Patient by P. D. James

New at number 9 this week is The Private Patient, the 14th mystery by featuring Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh. Cheverell Manor is a lovely old house in deepest Dorset, now a private clinic belonging to the famous plastic surgeon George Chandler-Powell. When investigative journalist Rhoda Gradwyn arrived there one late autumn afternoon, scheduled to have a disfiguring and long-standing facial scar removed, she had every expectation of a successful operation and a pleasant week recuperating. Two days later she was dead, the victim of murder. To Dalgliesh, who with his team is called in to investigate the case, the mystery at first seems absolute. Few things about it make sense. Yet as the detectives begin probing the lives and backgrounds of those connected with the dead woman—the surgeon, members of the manor staff, close acquaintances -- suspects multiply all too rapidly. New confusions arise, including strange historical overtones of madness and a lynching 350 years in the past. Then there is a second murder, and Dalgliesh finds himself confronted by issues even more challenging than innocence or guilt. Publishers Weekly calls The Private Patient "stellar" and adds, "Against her relentless intellectual view of our dying earth, James pits the love she finally grants Dalgleish -- sufficient to reinvigorate hope and faith so rare in both fiction and reality today."

Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

Finally, in 10th position is the fifth annual holiday collaboration between the mother and daughter writing team of Mary Higgins Clark and , Dashing Through the Snow. In the picturesque village of Branscombe, New Hampshire, the townsfolk are all pitching in to prepare for the first (and many hope annual) Festival of Joy. The night before the festival begins, a group of employees at the local market learn that they have won $160 million in the lottery. One of their co-workers, Duncan, decided at the last minute, on the advice of a pair of crooks masquerading as financial advisers, not to play. Then he goes missing. A second winning lottery ticket was purchased in the next town, but the winner hasn't come forward. Could Duncan have secretly bought it? Alvirah Meehan, the amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly have arrived in Branscombe for the festival. They are just the people to find out what is amiss. As they dig beneath the surface, they find that life in Branscombe is not as tranquil as it appears. So much for an old-fashioned weekend in the country!

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:

Divine Justice by David BaldacciThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonThe Brass Verdict by Michael ConnellySalvation in Death by J. D. Robb

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

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Mystery Writers of America Names James Lee Burke and Sue Grafton its 2009 Grand Masters

The Mystery Writers of America announced in a press release today that the organization will name James Lee Burke and Sue Grafton its 2009 Grand Masters in honor of the Bicentennial of Edgar Allan Poe's birth next year. Not since 1978 has the organization presented dual Grand Masters.

"News of my being named MWA Grand Master, along with James Lee Burke, caught me totally off-guard," said , "but I'm delighted to be tapped and pleased to share the honor with a writer I so admire. I look forward to the ceremony which will surely be a blow-out affair in that it celebrates Edgar Allan Poe as well as the mystery genre."

Says : "It is a great honor to receive the Grand Master award from the Mystery Writers of America. It's an enormous compliment to my work and to me, and I feel extremely grateful and humbled by the MWA's generosity of spirit. The award will always remain as one of the greatest tributes my work could receive. Thank you for all the support the MWA has given my work over the many years."

Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. [MBN note: See a list of past winners of the Edgars given out by the MWA on .]

The Mystery Writers of America's 63rd Annual Edgar® Awards Banquet will be held next year at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on April 30, 2009.

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Mystery Book Contests: Enter to Win the Diablo's Shadow Prize Package

Mystery Book Contests

is thrilled to announce a new mystery book prize package now being given away on our website.

Now through January 31, 2009, enter daily to win a prize package courtesy of mystery author . The mystery book prize package consists of copy of Diablo's Shadow, signed by the author, and an original work of art painted by the author to accompany the book. Estimated prize package value: $149.

Diablo's Shadow by Mark W. Danielson (Prize Package)

To learn more about this author, read our at . You can also read our of which we said, "This is a superb, amazing, and breathtaking story, but these superlative adjectives do not adequately convey how powerful this novel is."

Remember to visit regularly to enter to win all of our fantastic mystery book prize packages.

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Games of Mystery: Nancy Drew Dossier Lights, Camera, Curses!, 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 page or by clicking on the links provided below.

Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!

Last week Her Interactive, the developer of the hugely popular , announced a new Nancy Drew Dossier series of casual games specifically designed for the download PC market. Today, Big Fish Games released the first in this new series of games, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!

A beleaguered movie studio is attempting to remake a classic film that cost its leading lady her life. Go undercover on the set to get to the bottom of suspicious press leaks and uncanny accidents that have put the production schedule in jeopardy. Is someone trying to sabotage the movie or is it the curse of the fallen starlet? Put your detective skills to the test with Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! today.

Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! may be downloaded and purchased for as little as $6.99 with the Big Fish Game Club Jumbo Pack. Due to its large size, a demonstration version is not available but a short video demonstrates basic game play.

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Other popular games on our page include several Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew games, Art of Murder: FBI Confidential, the Carol Reed mystery Remedy, Veronica Rivers: Portals to the Unknown, Mystery Chronicles: Murder Among Friends, and The Treasures of Mystery Island.

View the trailer for Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! below:

And don't forget to visit for all kinds of mysterious fun!

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Mystery Savings: Save 10% on a BedandBreakfast.com Getaway Gift Card

Mystery Savings: Discounted Products and Services on Books, Movies, and more!

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.

Looking for that unique and special gift to give someone this holiday season? Why not consider a BedandBreakfast.com Getaway Gift Card, always the perfect gift. And here's an even better reason: you can save 10% off the purchase of a $100 or more gift card. This savings is not advertised on the BedandBreakfast.com website, nor through any of their direct e-mails or with any of their advertising partners. It is exclusively for readers of sites like ours and we're excited to pass it along to you.

To receive your savings, click on the banner below (or the text link above), purchase your gift card worth $100 or more, and enter the reward code HOLIDAY10 at checkout. (Note: The reward code is case sensitive.) But hurry! You must complete your order by midnight, November 30, 2008.

BedandBreakfast.com - Give the Gift of a Getaway

The gift card can be used at any of the fine inns available through BedandBreakfast.com, but we'd like to suggest you check out the many Murder Mystery Weekend packages available. You can find these from the home page by clicking on the orange Search tab near the top and selecting Special Packages. (We'll be updating our page in the near future highlighting many of these inns. We'll make an announcement here on Mystery Books News when we're done.)

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Mystery Book Review: A Slaying in Savannah by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of A Slaying in Savannah by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

A Slaying in Savannah by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

A Slaying in Savannah by Jessica Fletcher and
A Murder, She Wrote Mystery

NAL Books (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-451-22505-8 (0451225058)
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-22505-4 (9780451225054)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $21.95

Review: Jessica Fletcher must solve a 40-year-old cold case in less than 30 days in A Slaying in Savannah, the 30th book in this series by the renowned mystery writer (and co-written with Donald Bain).

Jessica is saddened to learn of the death of her dear friend and co-founder of the National Coalition for Literacy, Tillie Mortelaine. Tillie’s lawyer, Roland Richard, after informing Jessica of Tillie’s death, tells her that because she wanted the program they had created to go on long after her death, she had left the sum of $1 million to Jessica but with one stipulation: Jessica will receive the money to be donated to the literacy foundation if she is able to solve a cold case, the murder of Tillie’s fiancé, Wanamaker Jones, forty years ago. Lillie has given her thirty days to crack a case the police couldn’t. No weapon was ever found and there were no clues. Memories have undoubtedly faded over the years. If the killer is not already dead, he (or she) remains at large. Jessica goes to Savannah to face the people that were there at that fateful New Year’s Eve party when Wanamaker was shot to death. They couldn’t or wouldn’t help the police then. Why should they help Jessica now?

Like many old homes in Savannah, Tillie's house is believed to be haunted. It has even been said that the ghost (or spirit) of Tillie’s great-great-grandfather has been seen and heard roaming the halls as has Tillie’s murdered fiancé. As Jessica gets settled in, she comes face to face with others who have been named in Tillie’s will and soon realizes she is not a welcome guest in the old house. Mentioned in Tillie’s will are her greedy niece and nephew who feel sure she would have left the house to them; after all they were her only family. Others on the list are Mrs. Goodall, the housekeeper; her tenants who live in the guest house; retired General Pettigrew who claims he had asked Tillie to marry him and she had agreed; the Grogans, Arthur and Samantha, studying the field of paranormal phenomena and trying to bring back the ghost of Wanamaker; Dr. Warner Payne, her doctor; and Charmelle, Tillie’s oldest friend, and her brother Frank O’Neill. Jessica wonders just why she was asked to try to solve this crime when Tillie wouldn’t be there to see the outcome. Was she trying to penalize those she thought had done harm to her? And why would she jeopardize the literacy program? The answers to these questions must come in thirty days or sooner if Jessica could solve the decades old murder.

Jessica Fletcher is a friend of every family who's ever seen the television show and it's easy to welcome her back in these entertaining mysteries. One can almost hear the theme music playing while turning the title page. The characters are familiar in a neighborly way (both good and bad) and the story in A Slaying in Savannah fits perfectly into the body of work already produced. A pleasure to read, this is an ideal book for that cold winter afternoon with the fireplace aglow.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of A Slaying in Savannah and to Penguin Group for providing a copy of the book for this review.

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

Buy from Amazon.com

If you are interested in purchasing A Slaying in Savannah from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Jessica Fletcher is saddened when her eccentric old friend Tillie Mortelaine passes away—and surprised to learn that Tillie has left her a million dollars. But there are strings attached. Jessica must use the money to help the literacy fund she and Tillie established years ago in Savannah, . And she will receive the money only if she can solve a mystery within the month: the murder of Tillie’s fiancé, Wanamaker Jones.

As Jessica settles into Tillie's Savannah mansion and meets its collection of odd boarders, she discovers that the spirit of the murder victim haunts the grounds. And that there are those in Savannah who are looking to cash in on Jessica’s failure.

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

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Mystery Book Review: The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn

The Christmas Cookie Killer by
A Fresh-Baked Mystery with Phyllis Newsom

NAL Books (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-451-22534-1 (0451225341)
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-22534-4 (9780451225344)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $14.00

Review: Retired school teacher and amateur sleuth Phyllis Newsom investigates the murder of a neighbor in The Christmas Cookie Killer, the third mystery in this series by Livia J. Washburn.

It’s just a week before the neighborhood Christmas cookie exchange at Phyllis' home, and the cookie baking contest which follows. All seems well in the quiet community of Weatherford, Texas. That is until Phyllis takes a plate of the cookies to her elderly neighbor, Agnes Simmons, who is housebound because of a broken hip. Phyllis returns minutes later to lend Agnes a set of snow flake cookie cutters so she and her granddaughter could make cookies together, but Agnes is dead. She has been strangled with the sash from her robe. Before Phyllis can dial 911, she is attacked from behind, receiving a blow to the head, and loses consciousness. The police arrest Agnes’ grandson, Randall. He is already wanted by the police for possession of drugs with intent to sell. Phyllis does not believe Randall would kill his own grandmother so decides to do a little investigating on her own. When Phyllis sets out to ask the neighbors if they had seen any unusual cars or strange people on the street recently, she is shocked at their distrustful approach in response to her seemingly innocent questions. This leads her to discovering secrets that some of her neighbors are concealing: spousal abuse, illicit love affair, drunkenness, and other acts Agnes may have witnessed while sitting by her window. Were any of these secrets appalling enough to kill for? At the risk of her own life, Phyllis sets out to make that determination.

The Christmas Cookie Killer is an absorbing mystery and yet a delightfully captivating story. Phyllis and her tenants have a great friendship and camaraderie. The solution to the mystery remains, as it were, a mystery until the very end. And following the story are fantastic recipes of not only cookies but also a complete Christmas dinner. So in the spirit of the season, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good read!

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

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

Buy from Amazon.com

If you are interested in purchasing The Christmas Cookie Killer from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Yuletide is here—and retired teacher cum amateur sleuth Phyllis Newsom looks forward to finishing up this unlucky year. But she won’t be hanging up her apron just yet—because this year’s Christmas bake-off is going to be cutthroat.

Phyllis would like to think she’s entering the Christmas cookie contest for the fun of it—but that’s not exactly true. She can’t imagine anyone beating her snowflake-shaped lime sugar cookies. Then, during her annual Christmas cookie exchange, Phyllis heads over to the elderly Mrs. Simmons’s home and finds her dead, in a pile of lime sugar cookies. But with a number of names on Santa’s naughty list, this case may be a hard cookie to crumble.

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

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Monday, November 17, 2008

Mysteries on TV: BBC1 Orders 4 More Episodes of George Gently

Mysteries on TV

Last week we reported the availability of the . C21Media.net is now reporting that BBC One has ordered four additional episodes (made-for-television movies) to air during 2009. No specific titles have yet been announced.

George Gently stars Martin Shaw in the title role as a Scotland Yard Inspector in the mid-1960s. The series also stars Lee Ingleby as his partner Detective Sergeant John Bacchus.

George Gently is based on the long-running series of crime novels by Alan Hunter featuring the inspector, the first of which was published in 1955 (Gently Does It) and the last in 1999 (Gently Mistaken). Hunter died in 2005.

Peter Flannery, who adapted the novels, says of the series, "The youthful rebellion element of the film – the jukebox cafes, biker gangs and drugs running – contrast brilliantly with Gently's old-school persona; and the spectacular landscapes, including wild fells and rugged coastline, really add to the dramatic visual style of the piece."

Series 1 of George Gently (consisting of three episodes) is available on DVD from . A short trailer can be viewed below:

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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Games of Mystery: Holiday Mystery Parties for Kids and Adults

Games of Mystery

, your source for mystery-themed games, parties, and vacations, has some suggestions for your next holiday party. With Christmas less than 6 weeks away, it isn't too early to think about hosting a mystery at your home this season. We have three party ideas here, but visit our site for many more.

The Christmas Crimes: A Mystery Party for Kids

Developed for a children's mystery party is . Bebe Bumbletree is hosting a Christmas party for all her friends and is determined for everything to be perfect. The eggnog has snowman-shaped ice cubes floating in it, she’s borrowed Christmas music from her parents’ CD collection, and she has even hung mistletoe in hopes of catching her secret crush, Barry Broadbarn, underneath. She rented a Christmas movie for them all to watch and has bought and wrapped a gift for each of her guests, which she carefully placed under the tree. Everything is perfectly planned – that is, until strange things start happening, things Bebe is not expecting, and certainly won’t stand for. Before the night is through, the Christmas Crimes will be solved!

This Christmas-themed kid's mystery party has three mini-mysteries: the mystery of the headless snowman, the case of the toppled tree and the mystery of the missing presents. An optional adult player and even the family pet can join in the fun! For 8 to 9 guests, ages 7 to 12. Rated E.

The Case of the Stolen Menorah: A Mystery Party for Kids

Also for kids (actually, the whole family) is . A letter arrives from a long lost great uncle who happens to be an archaeologist. In his letter, he discloses that he has discovered a scroll that mentions the menorah from the second temple. According to the scroll, after the first miracle of oil, the menorah would always stay lit; it actually was an eternal flame. He believes that your menorah could be the original menorah. His grandmother insisted that one of your ancestors rescued it before the temple was looted. He never believed her, but now he urges you to light the menorah and see how long the candles burn. If the candles don’t burn out, then you’ve got a precious artifact on your hands! Curiosity gets the best of the family, and everyone decides to check out the claim. When they go to get the family menorah, it’s gone!

The clues and games culminate in a scavenger hunt. This mystery party is perfect for the whole family, 6 or more players, ages 6 and older. Rated E.

I'm Dreaming of a Red Christmas: A Mystery Party for Adults

And for adults, there's I'm Dreaming of a Red Christmas. Residents of the North Pole are accustomed to keeping secrets. They swear never to disclose the location of Santa’s Workshop, and they keep Santa’s identity anonymous. A Santa Claus serves for a term. When he retires, he appoints his successor. Most retired Santas then leave the North Pole and travel the world with their spouses. The current Santa showed no signs of retiring. In recent years, he bewildered the sweet Pole folk with what can only be described as “poor choices;" he even bordered on being bad-listed! Somebody decided that enough was enough and laced his eggnog with poison at the Annual Christmas Eve party. His death comes as a guilty relief to most, but now there’s no Santa to deliver the gifts at midnight. The Pole Folk must discover the killer, in order to convince someone else to step up to be Santa and save Christmas! For once, the North Pole has a secret that is too big to keep.

This scripted Christmas mystery is set on Christmas Eve at the North Pole and is designed for a large group of guests, 18 and older. Rated M.

For more suggestions on , , and , visit where you'll also find all types of mysterious fun!

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Mysteries on TV: Bones, Burke's Law, and Hawaii Five-O, New on DVD This Week

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, is profiling three series that have season DVDs being released this week.

is based on characters created by forensic anthropologist and mystery author and stars Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan who has an uncanny ability to read clues left behind in a victim's bones. The series also stars David Boreanaz as Special Agent Seeley Booth of the FBI's Homicide Investigations Unit. Bones debuted on Fox in 2005 and is currently in its fourth season.

The Bones: Season Three DVD set of 5 discs contains all 15 episodes that aired from September 2007 through May 2008. Additional features on the DVD set include extended episodes, a gag reel, and four bonus episodes from season four. For more information about the series, visit the official site on Fox.com.

Gene Barry starred as Amos Burke, the Los Angeles multi-millionaire chief of detectives, in , a series that ran for two and a half seasons on ABC from September 1963 through January 1966. Each episode featured unusual plot twists, glamorous settings and a fabulous list of A-list guest stars. They also featured a "Burke's Law", a witticism or other pithy comment ("Look innocent when you're suspicious", "If catching a killer was easy, anyone could do it", "To catch a criminal, you have to think like one", and dozens more). Episodes were titled "Who killed ..." followed by a character name or profession and opened with the murder taking place. It was up to Burke and his detectives to identify the killer.

The Burke's Law: Season One, Volume Two DVD set of 4 discs contains the 16 episodes that aired during the second half of the first season, from January through May 1964.

Jack Lord starred as Steve McGarrett, the head of a (fictional) elite state police unit, for 12 seasons in . Filmed entirely in Hawaii, the series had a terrific look and storylines derived from its remote setting.

In August of this year, The Hollywood Reporter reported that CBS had ordered a pilot for an updated version of the series (dubbed Hawaii Five-O 2.0). Like the original series, it chronicles the workings of the fictional Hawaiian state police department but in the new series, McGarrett's son Chris will be the top cop. The famous opening music will be back as will a version of the classic closing line "Book 'em, Danno".

The Hawaii Five-O: Season Five DVD set of 6 discs contain all 22 episodes that aired from September 1972 through March 1973 on CBS.

Visit the Mysteries on TV website to discover more currently available on DVD.

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Mystery Godoku Puzzle for November 17, 2008

A new has been created by the editors of the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is now 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!).

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for November 17, 2008

This week's letters and mystery clue:

A E F M N O S T W

In this 2002 bestseller by Jennifer Crusie, falling in love can be murder (9 letters).

New! We now have our puzzles in PDF format for easier printing. Print this week's puzzle here.

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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