Press Release: Shots Awards for 2009 Announced

Press Release: SHOTS Magazine, the UK's leading online fanzine, has announced the annual Shots Awards for mystery fiction in its December "Getting Away With Murder" column.

The Shots Awards are given in six categories for books published in the UK in 2009. And the winners are:

 • Shots Thriller of the Year: The Information Officer by Mark Mills [HarperCollins].
 • Crime Shot of the Year: At The City's Edge by Marcus Sakey [Penguin].
 • Historical Shot: The Interrogator by Andrew Williams [John Murray].
 • Shot in Translation: Havana Fever by Leonardo Padura [Bitter Lemon].
 • First Shot (debut novel): The Twelve (US title: The Ghosts of Belfast) by Stuart Neville [Harvill Secker].
 • Comic Shot: Mystery Man by Colin Bateman [Headline].

The winning titles include two British novels set during WWII (Mills and Williams); two set in Belfast by writers from Northern Ireland (Neville and Bateman); plus one set in Chicago (Sakey) and one in Cuba (Padura).

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Mystery Bestsellers for December 11, 2009

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending December 11, 2009 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Last week's featured title, U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton, moves into the top 4 this week, and a new series political thriller enters the list.

Former US Justice Department agent Cotton Malone returns for his fifth adventure in The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry.

When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?

Cotton Malone isn't looking for trouble when it comes knocking at his Copenhagen bookshop. Actually, it breaks and enters in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces him to follow his unexpected new ally.

Their first stop is the secluded estate of Malone's good friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. Only by matching wits with a terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for Napoleon's legendary lost treasure can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy.

But Thorvaldsen's real objective is much more personal: to avenge the murder of his son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Thorvaldsen's vendetta places Malone in an impossible quandary—one that forces him to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, Malone plays a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?

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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Disney Options New Fallen Series by Lauren Kate

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Disney has optioned the film rights to the young adult Fallen series, the first book of which, Fallen by Lauren Kate, publishes this week. A total of four books in the supernatural romantic thriller series is expected.

About Fallen: There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce -- and goes out of his way to make that very clear -- she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret ... even if it kills her.

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Mystery Book Review: The University by Jeffrey Leever

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

The University by Jeffrey Leever
A Kevin Gibson Mystery

Capital Crime Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-9799960-6-6 (0979996066)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9799960-6-1 (9780979996061)
Publication Date: November 2009
List Price: $14.95

Review: Indianapolis investigative reporter Kevin Gibson travels to an elite college in Nebraska to look into the disappearance of a student in The University, the second mystery in this series by Jeffrey Leever.

Kevin's cousin ("former cousin-in-law", as he puts it) Deswood Graham, an ex-cop from Tremont, Nebraska, relates a story of mysterious goings-on at the local university, eventually piquing the reporter's interest. "Think about it," Desmond says, "[an] unsolved murder in a college town, a two-year-old mystery, an inept police investigation, a missing student." Dead is a co-ed, shot in the face two years ago, her boyfriend also shot, but not killed, and who remains in a coma. The missing student is James Reed, who seems to have simply vanished one night. His friend, Brett Duncan, seems to be the only one concerned about his disappearance. The police have no interest in looking into the matter, and even his family seems resigned that he's gone for good, though why is unknown. Kevin travels to Tremont and learns of a secret organization, one with possible occult leanings, that may be operating in the town and using the university as its base.

For a purported suspense thriller, The University suffers from not being terribly suspenseful or thrilling. The problem lies not in the subject matter, but in the way it's presented. The narrative is excessively choppy with too many characters participating in rapidly shifting points of view. The author also frequently uses mini point-of-view cliffhangers as a means of generating suspense. ("He slit the seal and saw a piece of paper, which he took out and unfolded. Need help on this one! Instantly he recognized the handwriting. He glanced back in the envelope. Professor Howard couldn't believe what he saw next.") Finally, so much is known to the reader about what's happening in Tremont and on the university campus that Kevin's investigation, which should be a means of tying everything together, seems almost redundant.

The University tends to fall into the movie-of-the-week category of novels, one with some interest and appeal, but in the end, one of little substance.

Special thanks to Jeffrey Leever for providing an ARC of The University for this review.

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

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

Synopsis (from the publisher): Ah, college life at Tremont University. A place for learning. Partying and dating. And murder.

When investigative journalist Kevin Gibson lets his cousin, a former cop, talk him into looking into a student's disappearance at Tremont University, he gets more than he bargained for. A former student — injured in a brutal attack two years ago and in a coma — may hold a critical piece of information that can solve the mystery. Meanwhile, an attractive coed continues to hide a very dark secret.

Tremont junior Brett Duncan is determined to find out what happened to his best friend, who's gone missing. Along with his girlfriend Ciera Kindle, Brett is drawn into a cunning world few know exist -- a conspiracy involving faculty, students, and some well-connected people in high places.

Beneath the campus’ Hallmark-card exterior lie many secrets, and a pulse-racing mystery with plenty of chills along the way.

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Games of Mystery: Jane Angel in the Templar Mystery, New from Big Fish Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed electronic and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway 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 by visiting our Mystery Games: Big Fish Download Games page or by clicking on the links provided below.

Jane Angel, an FBI agent and an art expert, is investigating the Holy Grail. Follow the clues to find this priceless treasure.

Where could the Holy Grail be found nowadays? Was it brought to Colombia by Columbus under the Red Templar’s Cross on his sails? Was it buried under Roslyn Chapel in the Scottish highlands? Are the Knights Hospitaller of Malta considered to be the keepers of the Holy Grail?

Discover the truth and solve a timeless mystery!

Jane Angel: Templar Mystery may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (60.73 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

Watch a preview video below:

Get any game for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Other benefits include the $2.99 Daily Deal, Tomorrow's Game Today, and special member rewards.

Read our new game reviews by Ms. Terri: Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy (Review), Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! (Review), The Hardy Boys: The Perfect Crime (Review), Enlightenus (Review), and Nick Chase: A Detective Story (Review).

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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

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Dorothy Gilman to Receive 2010 MWA Grand Master Award

In a press release this morning, the Mystery Writers of America announced that Dorothy Gilman, author of the Mrs. Pollifax series of suspense spy novels, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Grand Master Award. MWA's Grand Master Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing and was established to acknowledge important contributions to this genre, as well as significant output of consistently high-quality material. Gilman, a New Jersey native, has written and contributed to over 30 books that feature uncommon and unique characters. Her writing has continually kept readers coming back for 60 years.

"What a lovely surprise!" Gilman said. "The list of past Grand Masters is like a Who's Who of the great mystery writers of the last century. To be chosen for this award by my professional peers has to be the greatest honor of my 60 years as an author. Thank you, Mystery Writers of America! And thank you, too, for your important work on behalf of our profession."

The MWA also announced that the Raven Award is being shared by Broadway producer Zev Buffman and the Mystery Lovers Bookshop of Oakmont (PA). The Raven Award recognizes achievement in the mystery field outside of creative writing.

Finally, the 2010 Ellery Queen Award, which recognizes editors or publishers who have distinguished themselves by their support of the genre, is being given to Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald of Poisoned Pen Press.

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CBS Developing Crime Drama Based on the novel Private by James Patterson

Variety is reporting that CBS is developing a crime drama based on the yet-to-be-published novel Private by James Patterson (co-written with Maxine Paetro; see book synopsis below). Jason Cahill (Fringe, Profiler, The Sopranos) will write the adaptation.

The most recent adaption for television of Patterson's work was the short-lived ABC series Women's Murder Club, loosely based on the series of Women's Murder Club mysteries (1st To Die, 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, etc.).

About Private: Former Marine and CIA agent Jack Morgan inherits his father's renowned security and detective business--along with a case load that tests him to the breaking point. Getting to the bottom of an NFL gambling scandal and an unsolved LAPD investigation into 18 school girl slayings would be enough. On top of all that, Morgan takes on solving the horrific murder of his best friend's wife. As Morgan fights the urge to exact brutal revenge on that killer, he has to navigate a workplace imbroglio that could blow the roof off his elite agency. And it's an especially explosive situation ... because the love affair is his own.

Private is scheduled to be published by Little, Brown in June, 2010.

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Mystery Book Review: Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba
Non-series

Mainly Murder Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-615-29011-6 (0615290116)
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-29011-9 (9780615290119)
Publication Date: October 2009
List Price: $14.95

Review: Budding reporter Kris Langley reopens a 25-year-old unsolved murder investigation in Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, a mystery debut by Stacy Juba.

Kris is writing obituaries, press releases, and any other odds-and-ends assignment left on her desk for the newspaper of the small Massachusetts town of Fremont. Her primary task, though is to come up with the daily "25 and 50 Years Ago Today" column that is included with each edition of the paper. While researching the archives, she comes across an unsolved murder mystery that might be of interest. But she's reluctant to use it, as she has a murder in her own family, one that was solved from a legal perspective, but is unresolved in her own head. Believing that solving a crime from the past may help her deal with her own issues, she prints the story, opening long closed wounds in the community, and unwittingly putting her own life at risk.

Whether intended or not isn't clear, but Twenty-Five Years Ago Today has a claustrophobic, at times overwhelmingly so, feel to it. The small town, close confines of the newsroom, even Kris's constant introspection, all contribute to this impression. The author does a credible job conveying what it must be like to be the new employee in the newsroom, Kris's ambition to prove her value and worth to the organization, and later her amateur sleuthing. The cold case news item gambit may not be the most original choice here to set up the mystery, but the whodunit elements of the story are well done. As is Kris's desire to come to closure with the murder of her cousin (though some readers may find too much of the narrative dwells on this aspect of the story). Incorporating Greek mythology is an unexpected, and somewhat surprisingly relevant, angle. Overall, Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is an interesting mystery, and if the first in a series, serves as a solid introduction to the character of Kris Langley.

Special thanks to Stacy Juba for providing a copy of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today for this review.

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

If you are interested in purchasing Twenty-Five Years Ago Today from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods. Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares -- until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

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Mystery Book Review: Trick or Treat by Kerry Greenwood

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Trick or Treat by Kerry Greenwood. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Trick or Treat by Kerry Greenwood
A Corinna Chapman Mystery

Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-532-1 (1590585321)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-532-0 (9781590585320)
Publication Date: October 2009
List Price: $24.95

Review: There is trouble in the Melbourne neighborhood where the Earthly Delights bakery is located, and for its owner Corinna Chapman, when a franchised competitor selling baked goods and pastries at cut-rate prices opens its doors just down the street, in Trick or Treat, the fourth mystery in this series by Kerry Greenwood.

Corinna is beleaguered with situations most out of the ordinary. Not only has this new bakery opened, leaving her with too many baked goods and too few customers, Georgiana Hope, a to-die-for tall, slender, gorgeous woman (everything Corinna isn't) has shown up and taken residence in the home of her lover Daniel. Daniel insists he has no feelings for Georgiana, but that's little comfort to Corinna. Especially when Daniel disappears for hours at a time, and won't tell her where he's been. And now a mysterious substance has been found in the flour that Corinna uses, an ingredient rumored to cause madness in those who consume it. (The good news, if it can be characterized as such, is that the new bakery is also a victim.) Closed by the health authorities to investigate its origins, Corinna turns her attention to yet another problem: people are being assaulted in the alley behind Earthly Delights. When she reopens (if she reopens?) she wants to ensure a safe environment for her customers. But there's also (and still) the mystery of why Georgiana has shown up ... and the onset of Daniel's odd behavior; the two events simply cannot be coincidental.

Trick or Treat can be read as a comedic mystery or a mysterious comedy, as it has effectively combined elements of both into a winning formula. It's a first rate mystery with laugh-out-loud moments. Corinna is a bit more mellow here than in previous outings, and maybe just a tad less cynical, a decidedly favorable improvement on her character. The secondary characters, in particular the tenants of her apartment building, still retain their edge but seem less quirky, more appealing. Trick or Treat is a highly entertaining novel, and clearly the best of the series to date.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Trick or Treat and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.

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

If you are interested in purchasing Trick or Treat from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): When a cut-price franchise bakery opens its doors just down the street from Earthly Delights and crowds flock to purchase the bread, Corinna Chapman is understandably nervous. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Daniel's old friend Georgiana Hope has temporarily set up residence in his house, and it doesn't take Corinna long to work out that she's tall, blonde, gorgeous and up to something. Daniel is making excuses and Corinna is worried about his absences and also the strange outbreak of madness which seems to be centred on Lonsdale Street.

Will Corinna win through a maze of health regulations, missing boyfriends, sinister strangers, fraudulent companies and back-alley ambushes? Or will this be the end for the Earthly Delights Bakery?

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David Suchet "Relearns" Portrayal of Hercule Poirot with Each New Film

In AOL Entertainment News, it's being reported that David Suchet, who has portrayed Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot for over two decades, must relearn the character's voice with each new series of films. The actor admits he watches DVDs of previous episodes to remind him of how to play the part of the Belgian detective.

"It's odd," he says, "I've been working on his voice for 20 years, but every time I play him I have to find it again."

It's hard to believe now that Suchet was originally under contract for only one season, with an option for a second. Appointment with Death, his 61st episode as Poirot, is expected to air on ITV in the UK in early 2010 (and presumably soon thereafter in the US). Suchet's now looking to complete the entire body of work. "That would be a wonderful thing to achieve. When we come to the last story, where Hastings sees Poirot as a frail, little old man in a wheelchair, that will be it. My Poirot will have come to an end."

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Mysteries on TV: The Fugitive, Lost, and Perry Mason, New This Week on DVD

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.

— ◊ —

The conclusion of the third season of The Fugitive (1963) finds Dr. Richard Kimble (played by David Janssen) still on the run, but only for one more season. This season also marks its last filmed in black-and-white.

Wrongly accused of murdering his wife, Kimble sets off on a quest to find the real killer, a one-armed man he saw leaving the crime scene. Pursued by police lieutenant Philip Gerard (Barry Morse), Kimble criss-crosses the country, taking on odd jobs, and working in various communities to right local wrongs.

Guest stars this season include the stars of later television shows such as William Shatner, Marion Ross, Lee Meriwether, Wayne Rogers, and more.

The Fugitive (1963): Season Three (V2) DVD set of 4 discs contain the 15 episodes that aired on ABC during the spring of 1966.

— ◊ —

When destiny calls, the Oceanic 6 frantically race back to the island in the fifth season of Lost. Discover what forced them to return and find out the fate of all those who were left behind. The answers to some of Lost's most pressing questions are revealed.

The Lost: Season Five DVD set of 5 discs contain the 17 episodes that aired on ABC during the spring of 2009. Bonus features include four episodes with commentaries, and several featurettes ("Making Up for Lost Time", "Mysteries of the Universe", and "Lost on Location").

Lost: Season Five (Blu-ray) is also available on Blu-ray discs. Explore innovative new bonus features, including Lost University, an immersive collegiate experience powered by BD-Live where you can interactively examine the themes, stories and secrets of Lost.

— ◊ —

The fourth season of Perry Mason concluded strong, not even half-way through its original 9 seasons on the air.

Perry Mason was without his courtroom adversary during several episodes when William Talman, who played district attorney Hamilton Burger, was fired by CBS. Raymond Burr, who played Perry Mason, demanded he be rehired and CBS ultimately relented.

A distinguished cast of guest stars were featured during the season, including film stars Robert Redford, Louise Fletcher, and James Coburn.

Raymond Burr won his second Emmy for his performance during the season.

The Perry Mason: Season Four (V2) DVD set of 3 discs contain the last 12 episodes of the fourth season that aired on CBS during the spring of 1961.

— ◊ —

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

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Games of Mystery: The French Quarter Caper and Blood of Betrayal, New at PlayFirst Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed electronic and board games, parties for kids and adults, murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations, and more mysterious fun, is pleased to announce a list of recently released mystery and suspense games available for immediate download from PlayFirst Games.

— ◊ —

Cajun Cop: The French Quarter Caper

Join Inspector Jacques Lamont as he pursues a gang of jewel thieves through the streets of the Big Easy. In this hidden object game, scour the city for clues, from the haunts of the rich to gritty back alleys. As the evidence piles up, the puzzles and mini-games only become more baffling!

Windows Vista / XP (60.4 MB download).

— ◊ —

Masters of Mystery: Blood of Betrayal

Upon discovering two dead bodies in a penthouse, it's up to the experienced Carrie Chase to unravel the clues behind these grisly murders. Play challenging mini-games and learn startling secrets about Carrie's past in this thrilling hidden object game. Work your way through deception, an inter-office romance, and a betrayal so deep it will change Carrie's life forever.

Windows Vista / XP (147.9 MB download).

— ◊ —

All games are available to purchase for $9.95 with the PlayFirst PlayPass program. Trial versions for most games may be downloaded and played for one hour for free.

A complete list of downloadable mystery games is available on our Games of Mystery: PlayFirst Game Download page.

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Mystery Godoku Puzzle for December 07, 2009

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle 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!).

This week's letters and mystery clue:

A B D E L O R U V

Stephen Jay Schwartz's debut thriller has this title (9 letters).

We now have two weeks of our puzzles on one page 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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Winner of the 2009 Nero Award Announced

The winner of the 2009 Nero Award, for books published in 2008, was announced last night at the Black Orchid Banquet in New York City, and presented by the Nero Wolfe Society for literary excellence in the mystery genre written in the tradition of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories.

And the winner this year is:

◊ The Tenth Case by Joseph Teller 

We had the pleasure of reviewing The Tenth Case, calling the book "a cracker-jack of a page-turning mystery" and adding that it "sets the standard for defense attorney procedurals."

Also announced was The Black Orchid Novella Award, which is presented jointly by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine to celebrate the novella format popularized by Rex Stout. This year's winner is Steve Liskow for The Strangle Hold.

Our congratulations to the winners!

(Many thanks to In Reference to Murder, which forwarded to us a copy of the press release announcing the winners.)

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Mystery Book Review: Along Came a Fifer … by R. Michael Phillips

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Along Came a Fifer … by R. Michael Phillips. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Along Came a Fifer … by R. Michael Phillips
An Ernie Bisquets Mystery

Asylett Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-934337-62-5 (1934337625)
ISBN-13: 978-1-934337-62-2 (9781934337622)
Publication Date: June 2009
List Price: $13.30

Review: R. Michael Phillips introduces petty thief Ernie Bisquets, who is recruited by a private organization that works at the behest of the British Government to investigate sensitive crimes, in Along Came a Fifer ....

Ernie is released from prison early into the custody of Patterson Coats, founder of the East London Adventurers Club. Patterson's nephew Nigel is also a member of the club, as is Lily Jean Corbitt, an American, and Annie Chapman, the cook and housekeeper. Ernie is puzzled at first why the club would want a thief among them, but it's soon made clear that his talents, and connections, may come in handy. He's quickly put to the test when the club is asked to locate Manet's famous painting of a fifer, which has been stolen from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Ernie realizes that the museum's frame restorer, Jacques Millet, is in reality the master forger Jackie Miller, who maintains a flat in London. When the team visits, they discover a dead man, not Jackie but a guard from the museum. As their investigation proceeds, it becomes far more complicated ... and dangerous ... when a master criminal makes her demands known: find the Manet and give it to her or suffer the consequences.

Along Came a Fifer ... is an utterly charming book. It is written in such a way that, if not for modern references like the cell phone and the Eurostar, it seems to take place in late 19th century England. The characters and their manner of speaking, the description of buildings and locations, even the cadence of the narrative, all evoke a Victorian, at times Holmesian, style. It's really quite remarkable.

The mystery plot isn't elaborate or even elegant, but neither is it supposed to be, and nor does it detract from the story's appeal. Rather, the book's intent is most likely to serve as an introduction to Ernie Bisquets and the members of the East London Adventurers Club. And what an interesting group of characters these are. Even the master criminal, one Phynley Paine, is compelling in her own way, and (small spoiler here) promises to be the source of future adventures for the club.

Relatively short at just 200 pages, and perfectly paced, Along Came a Fifer ... is a delightful mystery that should not be missed. The author has already announced a sequel, Rook, Rhyme & Sinker, which will be eagerly awaited.

Special thanks to R. Michael Phillips for providing a copy of Along Came a Fifer … for this review.

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

If you are interested in purchasing Along Came a Fifer … from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

Synopsis (from the publisher): It is only by chance that Ernie Bisquets picked the pocket of Lord Patterson Coats, current president of the East London Adventurers Club. But it was by design that he was then introduced into a world where his talents would be used for a greater good. This was the opportunity placed before Ernie. By the time he realized what was happening, the attempted theft of a Manet from the Musee d’Orsay, and the subsequent investigation, was unfolding around him. It seems villainy is afoot. Lord Patterson Coats has been contacted through back channels to look into the attempted theft of the painting, which was on loan to the museum from the Royal family. The French police are satisfied the attempt failed, even with the mysterious disappearance of the thief, but Lord Patterson Coats is not convinced. He senses a more sinister crime rests just beneath the surface.

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