Mystery Book Review: Thought You Were Dead by Terry Griggs

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Thought You Were Dead by Terry Griggs. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Thought You Were Dead by Terry Griggs
Non-series

Biblioasis (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-897231-53-9 (1897231539)
ISBN-13: 978-1-897231-53-1 (9781897231531)
Publication Date: April 2009
List Price: $18.95

Review: Terry Griggs pens a most unusual tale, in a most unusual manner, with Thought You Were Dead, a murder mystery set in and about a fictional town in Ontario. Also included every few chapters or so are illustrations by Nick Craine.

The story features Chellis Beith, whose primary job is to research characters, locations, even methods of murder, for mystery writer Athena Havlock, who doesn't write under her own name, reserving that for more literate (and far less lucrative) novels. He's also slightly obsessed with women. As Athena tells him, "[Y]our mother abandons you as a baby, your adoptive mother dies, foolishly, unnecessarily, your girlfriend leaves you and marries someone else, but still uses you for test-marketing, and you are employed, dominated shall we say, by another female -- me. Your experience of women has been nothing but abandonment and betrayal." It is during the course of one of his research adventures for Athena that he learns of the murder of a local book reviewer. It doesn't really affect him one way or the other -- after all, he's only assumes the role of a private investigator when he's trying to unearth something for his employer to use in one of her books -- but then Athena vanishes and Chellis discovers a vast amount of information relating to the murder in her house. He initially attributes it to background material for a new mystery by the author, but later thinks it may be more sinister.

Thought You Were Dead demands quite a bit from the reader. Though not quite non-linear in style, it often reads that way. Chapters frequently start in a different time or place and it isn't until 2 or 3 pages pass that what's occurring right then and there becomes apparent. Similarly, an event may occur mid-chapter but not be explained until later. For example, when Chellis is hit on the head by an errant golf ball, it isn't until several rather incoherent paragraphs later that the golfer enters the picture to explain what happened. True, it helps illustrate the confusion in Chellis' mind at the time, but to the reader, it's merely confusing. There are also many, possibly just a few too many, diversions onto other topics, not necessarily unrelated to the murder mystery plot but definitely tangential. Finally, there's a sense that the author is having a bit of fun here. Images of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are evoked at times, albeit in a somewhat satirical manner.

Still and all, those readers looking for an unconventional novel with a unique sense of style, voice and place, will find Thought You Were Dead a most satisfying choice.

Special thanks to Biblioasis for providing a copy of Thought You Were Dead for this review.

Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved

If you are interested in purchasing Thought You Were Dead from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Meet the Perfect Man ... no, no, he's not the hero of Thought You Were Dead. That would be Chellis Beith, literary researcher, slacker, reluctant detective, and a man bedevilled by every woman in his life. There's his lost love, Elaine Champion, a now happily married inventor who uses him for market research, his best friend's dotty ex-wife, Moe, his two vanished mothers, and his menacing boss, Athena Havlock, a celebrated writer who herself becomes embroiled in the dark side of fiction. The humour is wild, the language a thrill, the mystery within marvelously deft and daft. And as for the Perfect Man ... well, nothing is as it seems. Is it?

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New Posters Released for Sherlock Holmes Movie

Empire Movie News has the first posters for the Guy Ritchie movie Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. Of the respective subtitles, "Nothing Escapes Him" is OK, but what exactly does "Crime Will Pay" mean? Shouldn't it be "Criminals Will Pay" or "Crime Does Not Pay"?

The first Sherlock Holmes trailer was released about a month ago, which we found interesting if not compelling. Don't get us wrong, we'd love to see a new twist on the classic sleuths; we're just not sure this is it. The posters are completely in character with the trailer so nothing's changed from our perspective; what do you think?

 

Sherlock Holmes will be in theaters December 25, 2009.

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Mystery Author Lawrence Kaplan Talks About -- and With -- His Series Character Joe Henderson

Mystery Books News is delighted to welcome Lawrence Kaplan, who is on tour this week to promote his debut novel introducing retired detective Joe Henderson, House of Ghosts.

Many readers might consider Joe the modern incarnation of Philip Marlowe--hard boiled, hard drinking, hard loving, delightfully cynical, offering wry observations of life in the age of Starbucks. He's all that and more. But is that the "real" Joe Henderson? We have a special guest today who probably knows him better than anyone.

Some call Joe Henderson a washed-up detective, says Larry Kaplan. But he was the determined powerhouse who uncovered the truths in my first novel House of Ghosts. Without him, the mystery of Paul Rothstein and the secrets of the foiled bombing raids over Auschwitz would never have been uncovered. No, as characters go, he's not easy to work with. He's ornery. Through the whole book, he smoked and drank too much. And then there was Alenia, the Russian ex-stripper he rolled around the sheets with, despite the existence of poor old Harry, her unsuspecting husband. But Alenia was at his side, taking risks to solve these mysteries too. Besides, it's a hell of a lot of fun having a stripper in my book. So I've brought them back as characters in my new book; and, I figured they should know about it.

The morning of the meeting arrived. I hate second guessing but was doing a great job of it. Having a sit-down with two of my characters seemed like a good idea when I finally made contact with Joe. After all, two words hadn’t passed between us since lowering Paul Rothstein into his new dirt condo at the conclusion of House of Ghosts. But I shouldn’t have left it to him to get in touch with Alenia with his inclination to rebel against authority and go out of his way to purposely not give a damn.

My suggestion, “Seven-fifteen at Populopulos’s hash house on North Avenue,” resulted in a typical Henderson groan of “Who in hell gets up that early? I’m a character in a stupid novel. There are no reasons to be up before noon.”

Maybe he meant it. My Timex read 7:45. I stuck a fork into my scrambled eggs.

I learned not to argue with Joe. His sessions with Dr. Headcase ended on a sour note. My writing him into a marriage with Kim might have been a bit hasty.

A happy call of “Lieutenant Joe!” floated from the speaker located above my head, the P.A.’s microphone left in the on position.

From my spot at a table in the more private section, in the rear of the standard silver chrome Jersey style diner, I could see Sebi, the owner, wrapping his arms around the man everybody loved. And naturally, they all ogled Alenia north to south, returning to that chest of hers which never failed to attract the male eye. She didn't mind. In fact, she enjoyed the attention. Modesty wasn’t a virtue listed in her character development profile.

“He’s in the back,” Sebi said.

The familiar clunk of Joe’s cane, a no-longer-used five-iron, was my only greeting. I looked up into a face that had shed an additional twenty-five pounds after the last period was placed on page 313. Kim’s weaning him off of beer was working magic. But that pack of Marlboros sticking out of his shirt pocket was evidence that her fight against North Carolina’s largest crop hadn’t achieved the objective.

Alenia sashayed down the aisle with an imperceptible ingrained stripper’s grind that threatened to knock the cheap stainless flatware off the equally cheap Formica tables.

There weren’t any smiles for me.

“You’re blanking cute,” Joe said, pulling out a chair for Alenia, whose eyes emitted a Moscow in December glare. “Same table as Driscoll, complete with the same eggs, the same whole wheat toast, and the same coffee. He didn’t wait either.”

I didn’t point out the fact that they were, by now, forty-five minutes late. FBI Special Agent Driscoll still burned his rear. The grudge would never die.

“Something to eat?” I purposefully took a gulp of my coffee.

“You know I’d love a cup of coffee, but with that stomach you gave me,” Joe said, removing a cigarette from the hard pack, “I’m on all kinds of antacids. Did I ever say thanks for nothing?” He fumbled for his prized Zippo in his pant pocket.

“I’m hungry,” Alenia said, her heavily red lipstick sticking at the corners of her mouth. “I want pancakes with much butter.” She slipped a hand into Joe’s.

“We’re not here to eat,” Joe said, defiantly withdrawing his paw. “Our Creator didn’t invite us for a social meeting. This is business.”

I had no intention of arguing the point. It wasn’t exactly business, but more of a heads up.

“How’s Harry?” I asked, stalling for time.

“Harry is Harry,” Alenia said, breathing with what she called the Russian lament. “You had to give me an old man. I told you I wanted Jozef.” She ran her hand through his fresh crew cut.

“Harry got you out of the club and put you in the lap of luxury,” I replied with an edge. “If you’re not eating, let’s get down to what Joe calls business.” I watched their eyes meet. “Put the cigarette away. There’s no smoking in restaurants anywhere in New Jersey. It’s 2009, not 2001.”

“You’re kidding,” Joe said, confusion on his face. He returned the cigarette to its cardboard coffin. “Get to the point.”

“I’m writing another novel and you both are in it,” I said, dropping the bomb.

“I want to go someplace exciting,” Alenia said, adjusting her halter top that was one size too small. “Westfield is so the same.”

“It’s a mystery with biotech, a drug that goes bad, and the Mafia’s involvement in legit business. It takes place a year before House of Ghosts with the principle location the colonial town of Westfield,” I said watching for changes in Joe’s expression and color.

I wasn’t disappointed. He became oatmeal pasty, beads of sweat lacing his brow. Alenia wrinkled her nose as if she had just smelled a skunk.

“If it takes place a year before this last travesty, then I’m going to have to get shot and nearly lose my leg,” he said, angrily banging the five-iron on the tile floor. “God damn it! A stupid cheap prequel. Am I correct?”
I nodded in the affirmative and handed them both printed copies of the final draft. “Give me your thoughts. I can still make minor changes.”

In a blur, the five-iron sent my coffee cup into my lap.

“Stick it where the sun don’t shine,” Joe said over his shoulder. “Leave me the hell alone.”

Alenia straightened the spaghetti straps on her nearly non-existent top. “Don’t worry, I’ll get him to cooperate. I have my ways with Jozef.”

Thanks so much, Larry, for the behind-the-scenes introduction to this most interesting series character.

We are thrilled to announce that Larry Kaplan is giving away a signed copy of his book, House of Ghosts, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to Larry’s book tour page, http://larry-kaplan.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 0461, for your chance to win. Entries from Mystery Books News will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on Larry’s book tour page next week.

A very special Thank You from MBN to Lawrence Kaplan for visiting us today and sharing his unique perspective on character development. Please be sure to visit all the host sites on Larry's tour this week.

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Mystery Bestsellers for June 19, 2009

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending June 19, 2009 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

No change among the top four bestselling mystery this week, and little elsewhere for that matter. The only new title enters the list at number 13.

FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are back in the electrifying thriller Knock Out by Catherine Coulter. Seven-year-old Autumn Backman has a gift: She can communicate telepathically with others. Not everyone, mind you, but with a select few with whom she shares a special kinship. When Autumn and her mother, Joanna, take her father’s ashes to be buried in the family plot in Brickers Bowl, Georgia, the child witnesses a horrifying sight: her grandmother and two uncles, burying a pile of dead bodies in the middle of the night. They head to Titusville, Virginia, to seek the help of an old family friend, but Autumn senses they need assistance on a grand scale. Using her telepathic powers, Autumn calls a man she’d seen only on television: FBI agent Dillon Savich. But before Savich and his wife and partner, Agent Lacey Sherlock, can get on the scene, Autumn and Joanna flee, fearing the retribution of her uncle Blessed. A huge manhunt ensues, with Titusville Sheriff Ethan Merriweather racing to reach the girl before Blessed can get his hands on her. Blessed’s got big things planned for Autumn and her gift, and he’ll stop at nothing to force her into his growing army of exploited children. Savich, Sherlock, and Merriweather face their most elusive foes to keep Autumn out of harm’s way—before it’s too late. Booklist calls Knock Out a "fast-paced thriller", adding it features "the author’s trademark wit in counterpoint to intense action, [and] is an excellent addition to Coulter’s popular FBI series."

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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eHarlequin's Free Book Friday: The Face by Angela Hunt

eHarlequin.com gives you another reason to love Fridays! Buy two or more books this Friday and they'll give you their weekly featured book absolutely free! That's right, every Friday, enjoy a featured free book with the purchase of two or more other titles! Your free book will automatically be added to your cart. Sometimes it's a mystery or suspense title, sometimes (alas) not, but it's always a great way to start your weekend!

This Friday's free book (06/19/2009) is from a New York Times bestselling author.

The Face by Angela Hunt
Non-series

Orphaned and severely deformed, from her earliest moments Sarah Sims has been kept hidden away in a secret CIA facility—until an unexpected discovery gives her an opportunity to make a life for herself at last.

Now Sarah has an ally, a long-lost aunt who has discovered her true identity. Aided by this brave psychologist, twenty-year-old Sarah must find the courage to confront the forces that have confined her for so long. And the strength to be reborn into a world she has never known.

Keep up to date by subscribing to eHarlequin.com's free newsletter that contains the latest information about their series of books as well as informing you about subscriber-only special offers and new products. Click on the banner below to subscribe for free:

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Nominations for 2009 Barry Awards Announced

Nominations for the 2009 Barry Awards were posted today on the Deadly Pleasures website. Awarded annually by the editorial staff of mystery magazine, the Barry Awards recognize the best of crime fiction in several categories.

And the nominees are ...

Best Novel:
Trigger City by Sean Chercover
The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason
Envy the Night by Michael Koryta
Red Knife by William Kent Krueger
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow

Best First Novel:
The Kind One by Tom Epperson
Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer
City of the Sun by David Levien
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
A Carrion Death by Michael Stanley
Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn D. Wall

Best British Novel
A Simple Act of Violence by R. J. Ellory
Ritual by Mo Hayder
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Shatter by Michael Robotham
Bleeding Heart Square by Andrew Taylor
Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

Best Paperback Original
The First Quarry by Max Allan Collins
Money Shot by Christa Faust
State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
The Black Path by Asa Larsson
Severance Package by Duane Swierczynski
Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin

Best Thriller
Collision by Jeff Abbott
The Deceived by Brett Battles
The Survivor (US title: No Survivors) by Tom Cain
The Finder by Colin Harrison
Night of Thunder by Stephen Hunter
Good People by Marcus Sakey

Best Short Story
"The Drought" by James O. Born
"The Fallen" by Jan Burke
"A Killing in Midtown" by G. Miki Hayden
"Proof of Love" by Mick Herron
"The Problem of the Secret Patient" by Edward D. Hoch

indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews.

Winners will be announced at this year's Bouchercon in October.

Congratulations from everyone at MBN to the nominees!

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Paramount Planning 4th Mission: Impossible Movie

Mission: Impossible is one of our favorite series of all time; we're currently working our way ... again! ... through the 4th season episodes on DVD. And while we absolutely hated the concept behind the first Mission: Imposible movie (though we admit it was well constructed) and thought MI:2 was really rather silly, we did enjoy the third. So it is with interest that we read on The Hollywood Reporter this morning that J. J. Abrams (MI:3's director) and Tom Cruise (the star of the movie franchise) have agreed to co-produce a fourth installment for Paramount for a possible release date in 2011.

Both Abrams and Cruise are busy men and neither mentioned directing or starring in the new film, but THR writes that MI:4 could be written for an ensemble along the lines of the original series, or with Cruise (as Ethan Hunt) acting as a mentor to a new team.

2011 is a long way off and anything can happen in the meantime. Still, we're interested and will be following the story as it (no doubt slowly) develops.

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ABC Provides a First Look at New Series Happy Town

ABC Television has released a first look at their upcoming series Happy Town. The network is billing it as a Twin Peaks-like mystery series, but from this preview we think it looks more like Harper's Island set in Minnesota.

For the past seven years Haplin, Minnesota's lived up to its nickname, Happy Town. Even the air is sweet with the smell of bread from the industrial bakery. Unfortunately, everything is about to change.

Seven years ago, an unknown psycho, nicknamed "The Magic Man", kidnapped seven children before Sheriff Griffin Conroy chased him away. But the discovery of a local's gruesome murder and the disappearance of a new child have everyone whispering the Magic Man is back. Now, Mayor Haplin has ordered Deputy Tommy Conroy to replace his father as Sheriff -- whether he wants the job, or not. Tommy knows better than to cross the town royalty, whose bakery employs half the town, including his wife. As Tommy begins investigating, his friends and neighbors become suspects and the quiet small town life he's always cherished begins to sour. But Tommy's not the only one investigating Haplin. A mysterious young woman has just arrived in town, and she's quietly searching for answers about her family's history with the residents of Happy Town.

According to ABC's announced schedule for the 2009 / 2010 television season, Happy Town is considered as a mid-season replacement. Watch a network-provided preview of the series below:

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Author Book Tour: Larry Kaplan Visits Chick with Books and Meritorious Mysteries

Mystery Books News is pleased to be coordinating the online book tour for Larry Kaplan and his debut novel House of Ghosts introducing retired police detective Joe Henderson.

Today, Thursday June 18th, Larry will be the guest blogger on 2 sites:

• Chick with Books where he discusses the truth within the fiction of House of Ghosts; and
• Meritorious Mysteries where he talks about his journey from DDS to historical mystery writer.

We're also thrilled to announce that Larry is giving away a signed copy of his new book to one lucky tour visitor. Visit each tour site and pick up a unique PIN to be used to enter the giveaway on that day. The entry form can be found on Larry's tour page, Author Book Tour: Larry Kaplan, which also has a complete schedule of Larry's tour including a biography and more information about House of Ghosts.

Please stop by each of the tour sites this week to learn more about Larry and his new partner in crime, Joe Henderson.

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Killer Hair, Based on the Crimes of Fashion Mysteries by Ellen Byerrum, Airs This Sunday

This Sunday, June 21st, at 8 PM ET/9 PM PT, Lifetime Movie Network airs Killer Hair, the first of two made-for-television movies based on the Crime of Fashion mysteries by Ellen Byerrum. Maggie Lawson stars as Washington DC fashion editor Lacy Smithsonian, who finds herself reporting on more than just this season's line when dead bodies start showing up in her best friend's hair salon. Lacey's uniquely trained fashion eye catches clues that others miss. The only thing that knocks Lacey from her high-heeled stride is the sudden appearance of Vic Donovan, the guy she left behind and the one man that makes her heart flutter. With her best friends, Stella, a punky hairstylist, and Brooke, an upper crust Georgetown lawyer, at her side, Lacey foils the murderer, solves the mystery and the fashion crime itself, all while meeting the deadline for her column. Killer Hair is a funny, fashionable, and fabulous murder mystery set against our nation's capital. (MBN note: Killer Hair is also the title of the debut mystery in this series.)

A week later, on June 28th, the second movie airs. Hostile Makeover, based on the third mystery in this series, has Lacey sashaying right back into trouble when her interview with reality TV makeover star turned fashion designer Amanda Manville reveals she's been receiving death threats. When the uber diva, whose bratty behavior and tendency to take credit for her sister Zoe's designs have ruffled more than a few feathers, is gunned down at her own runway show, Lacey jumps in to investigate, one fashion clue at a time. But the one thing that can knock Lacey off her stilettos is the sudden appearance of her mother and sister who are convinced Lacey should move home to Colorado. Not only does Mom think DC is too dangerous, she doesn't like that the vintage-loving Lacey has recycled the man who broke her heart the first time, gorgeous cop Vic Donovan. With best friends Stella and Brooke, and her mother and little sister in tow, Lacey foils the murderer and solves the fashion felonies.

Watch the trailer for the movies below:

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Mystery Book Review: Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush
Non-series

Zebra (Mass Market Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-4201-0338-5 (1420103385)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-0338-0 (9781420103380)
Publication Date: February 2009
List Price: $7.99

Review: A collaborative effort of sisters, Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush, Wicked Game wanders in its wickedness from a forensic cold case mystery to a steamy romance to a novel of the paranormal with touches of Stephen King.

For several of St. Elizabeth’s alumni, their high school years in Portland weren’t the happiest. For some there was bullying, for others rejection, and for 16-year-old seer, Rebecca “Becca” Sutcliff, now 34 years old and recently widowed, there was a miscarriage in an “accidental” auto wreck. For her 16-year-old friend and a fellow seer, Jezebel “Jessie” Brentwood, an adopted child with a reputation as a runaway, it was a time of murder – her own. Her death is described in gripping detail as her shadowy assailant stalks and viciously stabs her, mouthing incantations of hate. Now, twenty years later, an excavation on the St. Elizabeth’s campus reveals the contents of a makeshift grave that brings out Sam “Mac” McNally, the detective originally assigned to Jessie’s missing person’s case. This time, however, he’s got to deal with an annoying female partner as well as the same group of tight-knit, closed-mouthed friends of Jessie’s from twenty years earlier, but now grown into middle aged victims of a grim reaper. On the other hand, Mac now has help from modern forensics, from Becca, who experiences visions of Jessie’s spirit, and from another woman with psychic abilities, Renee Trudeau, a reporter and the twin sister of Becca’s boyfriend, Hudson Walker, who has recently re-entered Becca’s life. Mac needs all of the science he can muster, plus every benefit of Becca’s and Renee’s efforts as seers to divine what happened to Jessie. He also needs to learn who or what is now decimating the St. E. alumni and trying to kill Becca, her boyfriend, his sister, and an unborn child. There’s lots of dirty linen for airing, too, what with the dark details about Jessie’s family background as an adoptee, her sexually taunting ways, Mac’s obsession with Jessie’s death, the fatherhood of Becca’s first child, Becca’s connections to Jessie, Hudson and others, including psychic Mad Maddie, the surprising contents of the twenty-year-old gravesite, the intertwining intrigues, misdemeanours – even felonies - in the lives of the St. Elizabeth alumni, and the role that a mysterious cult called “Siren Song” has to play with the primary characters.

Although the novel needs tightening, several scenes grab and hold the reader’s attention. The car crashes, for example, are as good as any, and a couple of stabbings are hair-raising. The love scenes are tender but eventually become predictable in their passionate outcomes. The characters are all credible, even Becca’s pet pooch Ringo. Both the dialogue and the settings ring true, and the twisted mind of a villain is well-depicted in the dialogue interjected both before and after the perpetrator is revealed by the authors. From the Epilogue, it appears the demon has another mission to fulfill, and plans are already underway for the next steps in fulfilling it.

Special thanks to M. Wayne Cunningham (mw_cunningham@telus.net) for contributing his review of Wicked Game and to Nancy Berland Public Relations for providing an advance uncorrected proof of the book for this review.

Review Copyright © 2009 — M. Wayne Cunningham — All Rights Reserved — Reprinted with Permission

If you are interested in purchasing Wicked Game from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right. Wicked Game (Kindle edition) is also available. Learn more about the Kindle, Amazon's Wireless Reading Device.

Synopsis (from the publisher): One By One, They’ll Die …

Twenty years ago, wild child Jessie Brentwood vanished from St. Elizabeth’s high school. Most in Jessie’s tight circle of friends believed she simply ran away. Few suspected that Jessie was hiding a shocking secret—one that brought her into the crosshairs of a vicious killer …

Until There’s No One Left …

Two decades pass before a body is unearthed on school grounds and Jessie’s old friends reunite to talk. Most are sure that the body is Jessie’s, that the mystery of what happened to her has finally been solved. But soon, Jessie’s friends each begin to die in horrible, freak accidents that defy explanation …

But Her …

Becca Sutcliff has been haunted for years by unsettling visions of Jessie, certain her friend met with a grisly end. Now the latest deaths have her rattled. Becca can sense that an evil force is shadowing her too, waiting for just the right moment to strike. She feels like she’s going crazy. Is it all a coincidence—or has Jessie’s killer finally returned to finish what was started all those years ago?

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New Trailer for The Stepfather, Based on an Original Screenplay by Donald E. Westlake

In other mystery movie news, FirstShowing.net has the trailer for the upcoming remake of The Stepfather, based on the movie of the same name from 1987. The screenplay for the original film was written by mystery author Donald E. Westlake (but apparently not based on any of his novels), and he had written an early draft of the new screenplay prior to his death last December.

In The Stepfather, when a teenage boy begins to suspect that his new stepfather is a notorious serial killer who preys on broken families, he races to gather the evidence that will back up his radical claim before it's too late. The original starred the then virtually unknown Terry O'Quinn (Lost) as the stepfather; Dylan Walsh takes on the role in this new version.

The Stepfather is scheduled to debut in theaters October 16, 2009. Watch the trailer below:

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New Trailer for Whiteout, Based on the Graphic Novels by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber

It's been an on-again / off-again / on-again day for the "unofficial" trailer of Whiteout, with Warner Bros. first distributing it, then retracting it, but now allowing it to be shown. We're using the link from FirstShowing.net, but it is widely available elsewhere. Whiteout is based on the graphic novel (actually series of novels) of the same name written by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. The film, which stars Kate Beckinsale, was shot in 2007 but has been hidden by the studio since then.

The film appears to be based on the first novel of the series. Antarctica: cold, desolate, nothing but ice and snow for miles and miles. Carrie Stetko (played by Beckinsale) is a U.S. Marshal, and she's made it her home. In its vastness, she has found a place where she can forget her troubled past and feel at peace ... until someone commits a murder in her jurisdiction and that peace is shattered. The murderer is one of five men scattered across the continent, and he has more reason to hide than just the slaying. Several ice samples were taken from the area around the body, and the depth of the drilling signifies something particular was removed. Enter Lily Sharpe, who wants to know what was so important another man's life had to be taken for it. But are either of the women prepared for the secrets and betrayals at the core of the situation?

See the trailer below (which we like, but think the voiceover is odd to the point of being annoying). Whiteout is scheduled to be released on September 11, 2009.

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Author Book Tour: Larry Kaplan Visits Wendy's Minding Spot and Books Books The Magical Fruit

Mystery Books News is pleased to be coordinating the online book tour for Larry Kaplan and his debut novel House of Ghosts introducing retired police detective Joe Henderson.

Today, Wednesday June 17th, Larry will be visiting 2 blog sites:

• Wendy's Minding Spot where House of Ghosts will be reviewed; and
• Books, Books, The Magical Fruit where Larry writes about constructing his novel.

We're also thrilled to announce that Larry is giving away a signed copy of his new book to one lucky tour visitor. Visit each tour site and pick up a unique PIN to be used to enter the giveaway on that day. The entry form can be found on Larry's tour page, Author Book Tour: Larry Kaplan, which also has a complete schedule of Larry's tour including a biography and more information about House of Ghosts.

Please stop by each of the tour sites this week to learn more about Larry and his new partner in crime, Joe Henderson.

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eHarlequin Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Titles for July 2009

eHarlequin.com has released the July 2009 titles in their Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense series. Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books combine suspense, romance, hope and faith to create a unique page-turning series that today’s readers love. To purchase any of the books below, click on the book title. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

Deadly Intent by Camy Tang (book cover shown)

The Grant family's exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! When Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, everything falls apart. The salon's reputation is at stake … and so is Naomi's freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim's ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn … and whom can she trust?

The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn by Liz Johnson

Myles Parsons is just another inmate in Kenzie Thorn's GED course … until his abduction plan succeeds. Terrified, Kenzie doesn't want to believe his explanation. That he's Myles Borden, FBI agent—placed under cover because someone wants her dead.

Now that Myles has got her out of harm's way, his plans start to fall apart. He attempts to take Kenzie to a safe house—but the stubborn woman won't go! He struggles to protect her even as she takes care of him. He tries to keep his distance … and finds himself falling in love.

Witness to Murder by Jill Elizabeth Nelson (book cover shown)

Poised for an interview, TV reporter Hallie Berglund walks into a murder scene instead. The victim's boyfriend stands over the body, murder weapon in hand. Hallie couldn't stop the crime, but as the star witness, she'll see the man brought to justice…right? Not according to her colleague Brody Jordan, who is convinced the police—and Hallie—are targeting the wrong man. To prove it, he'll need Hallie's help. The victim was wearing a bracelet handcrafted by Hallie's long-dead mother. Now Hallie is the only one who can unearth the secrets of the past—and bring the sinister truth to light.

Someone to Trust by Ginny Aiken

So what if she's the fire chief's daughter? Arson investigator Rand Mason doesn't trust Catelyn Caldwell. Seven years ago, he was on the scene when Cate's drunken boyfriend ran her sister and brother-in-law off the road. But the purple-haired brat he remembers sitting in the passenger seat has become a poised, confident woman. With Cate's father critically injured in a meth lab fire, she's determined to find the person responsible. She needs Rand's help … and he needs to keep Cate close. Time to see if she's truly someone he can trust—and love.

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