The Mystery Bookshelf: Lowboy by John Wray

The Mystery Bookshelf, where you can discover a library of new mysteries, is pleased to feature a new suspense title we recently received from the publisher.

Lowboy by John Wray
Non-series
Picador (Trade Paperback)
Publication Date: February 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-42933-1

About Lowboy (from the publisher): Early one morning in New York City, Will Heller, a sixteen-yearold paranoid schizophrenic, gets on an uptown B train alone. Like most people he knows, Will believes the world is being destroyed by climate change; unlike most people, he’s convinced he can do something about it. Unknown to his doctors, unknown to the police—unknown even to Violet Heller, his devoted mother—Will alone holds the key to the planet’s salvation. To cool down the world, he has to cool down his own overheating body: to cool down his body, he has to find one willing girl. And he already has someone in mind.

This is the story of Will’s fantastic and terrifying odyssey through the city’s tunnels, back alleys, and streets in search of Emily Wallace, his one great hope, and of Violet Heller’s desperate attempts to locate her son before psychosis claims him completely. She is joined by Ali Lateef, a missing-persons specialist, who gradually comes to discover that more is at stake than the recovery of a runaway teen: Violet -- beautiful, enigmatic, and as profoundly at odds with the world as her son -- harbors a secret that Lateef will discover at his own peril.

About John Wray: The author of two critically acclaimed novels, he was named one of Granta magazine’s Best of Young American Novelists in 2007. The recipient of a Whiting Award, he lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit his website at JohnWray.net.

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Games of Mystery: Empress of the Deep in The Darkest Secret, New from Big Fish Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed board, electronic and video games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations, is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual 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.

A beautiful young woman awakens in a vast and mysterious undersea temple complex, not knowing who or where she is. She soon learns her name is Anna and that she has been imprisoned, frozen in a death-like slumber in a secret crypt for over a century. Now she must escape the crypt and explore the ancient underwater chambers to unravel the mystery of her entrapment. Use your hidden object and puzzle-solving skills to help Anna unlock the enchanted Royal Relics, and reveal the terrible secrets of her own magical identity ... before it's too late.

Also available: Empress of the Deep: The Darkest Secret Game Walkthrough.

Empress of the Deep: The Darkest Secret may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (159.86 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour.

Watch a preview video below:

Get any standard 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. And if you purchase any 6 games within a single month, you earn a free game with the Big Fish Game Club Monthly Punch Card! (Collector's Editions earn 3 punches each, half-way towards your free game!)

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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Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas To Star in Film Adaptation of The Woman in the Fifth by Douglas Kennedy

Variety is reporting that Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas have been signed to star in the film adaptation of The Woman in the Fifth, the 2007 thriller by Douglas Kennedy. Filming is expected to begin this March in Paris with Pawel Pawlikowski directing.

About The Woman in the Fifth (from the publisher): Harry Ricks is a man who has lost everything. A romantic mistake at the small American college where he used to teach has cost him his job, his marriage and his relationship with his only child. When the ensuing scandal threatens to completely destroy him, he flees to Paris.

Harry arrives in the French capital in the bleak midwinter and finds himself in a grubby room in a grubby quarter, with a job as a nightwatchman for a sinister operation. Just when thinks that he has hit rock bottom, he meets Margit – an elegant, cultivated Hungarian émigré – widowed and, like Harry, alone.

But though Harry is soon smitten, Margit keeps her distance. She will only see him at her apartment in the fifth arrondissement, and is guarded about her work, her past, her life. While Margit remains reticent, Harry concerns shift, as he begins to feel that there is a dark force is at work in his life. When a man is found dead and the police look to Harry, he finds himself waking up in a nightmare from which there is no easy escape.

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Games of Mystery: The Tarot Card Mystery and Born Into Darkness, New This Week at Amazon Video Games

Games of Mystery, your source for mystery-themed board, electronic and video games, parties for kids and adults, murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations, and more mysterious fun, is pleased to announce this week's new mystery and suspense games available for immediate download from Amazon Video Games.

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Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery

FBI Agent Claire Ellery has a knack for getting assigned strange cases, and is currently investigating a triple kidnapping in a small town. But what initially seems like an open and shut case soon unravels into something much more sinister. Follow the tarot cards left by an anonymous source and search mysterious scenes for clues to help Agent Ellery rescue the kidnapped girls and stop an evil ritual.

Windows Vista / XP (107 MB download).

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Born Into Darkness

Amber Blythe is the night curator at the Bostonian Museum, where she is surrounded by artifacts and relics of the past. Considering she is a 200 year old vampire, she feels right at home. One night, she is confronted by Nathaniel Black, who makes Amber a strange proposition - help him find the legendary Shroud of Lazarus, a relic said to cure any illness and even bring the dead back to life! In order to find it, the two must travel the world on a wild hidden object adventure!

Windows Vista / XP (126 MB download).

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

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Nominations for 2009 Agatha Awards Announced

Malice Domestic has announced the nominees for the Agatha Awards, which honor the "traditional" mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The winners will be announced at the 2009 Agatha Awards banquet to be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010, during the Malice Domestic conference.

Listed below are the nominees for Best Novel, Best First Novel, and Best Children's/Young Adult; for a complete list, visit the Malice Domestic website.

2009 Best Mystery Novel Nominees:

◊ Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
◊ Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett (Berkley Prime Crime)
◊ Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen (Berkley Prime Crime)
◊ A Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (St. Martin's Minotaur)
◊ Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan  (Mira)

2009 Best First Mystery Novel Nominees:

◊ For Better, For Murder by Lisa Bork (Midnight Ink)
◊ The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley   (Delacorte Press)
◊ Posed for Murder by Meredith Cole (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
◊ The Cold Light of Mourning by Elizabeth Duncan (St. Martin's Minotaur)
◊ In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff   (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best Children's/Young Adult Nominees:

◊ The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford (Viking Juvenile)
◊ The Hanging Hill by Chris Grabenstein (Random House)
◊ The Case of the Poisoned Pig by Lewis B. Montgomery   (Kane Press)
◊ The Other Side of Blue by Valerie O. Patterson (Clarion Books)
◊ The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer (Philomel)

  indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews.

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Mystery Bestsellers for February 19, 2010

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending February 19, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Not much change among the top 10 bestsellers this week, but two new titles enter the list this week.

Coming in at number 13 is The Man from Beijing, a stand-alone thriller by Henning Mankell, author of the Kurt Wallander mysteries.

In the Swedish hamlet of Hesjövallen, nineteen people have been massacred. The only clue is a red ribbon found at the scene.

Judge Birgitta Roslin has particular reason to be shocked: Her grandparents, the Andréns, are among the victims, and Birgitta soon learns that an Andrén family in Nevada has also been murdered. She then discovers the nineteenth-century diary of an Andrén ancestor—a gang master on the American transcontinental railway—that describes brutal treatment of Chinese slave workers. The police insist that only a lunatic could have committed the Hesjövallen murders, but Birgitta is determined to uncover what she now suspects is a more complicated truth.

The investigation leads to the highest echelons of power in present-day Beijing, and to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. But the narrative also goes back 150 years into the depths of the slave trade between China and the United States—a history that will ensnare Birgitta as she draws ever closer to solving the Hesjövallen murders.

One step lower is The Last Surgeon, the latest medical thriller by Michael Palmer.

Dr. Nick Garrity, a vet suffering from PTSD—post traumatic stress disorder—spends his days and nights dispensing medical treatment from a mobile clinic to the homeless and disenfranchised in D.C. and Baltimore. In addition, he is constantly on the lookout for his war buddy Umberto Vasquez, who was plucked from the streets by the military four years ago for a secret mission and has not been seen since.

Psych nurse Gillian Coates wants to find her sister’s killer. She does not believe that Belle Coates, an ICU nurse, took her own life, even though every bit of evidence indicates that she did—every bit save one. Belle has left Gillian a subtle clue that connects her with Nick Garrity.

Together, Nick and Gillian determine that one-by-one, each of those in the operating room for a fatally botched case is dying. Their discoveries pit them against genius Franz Koller--the highly-paid master of the “non-kill”—the art of murder that does not look like murder. As Doctor and nurse move closer to finding the terrifying secret behind these killings, Koller has been given a new directive: his mission will not be complete until Gillian Coates and Garrity, the last surgeon, are dead.

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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BBC Begins Production on Series based on the Aurelio Zen Mysteries by Michael Dibdin

Last summer, we reported that the BBC had commissioned three scripts based on the Aurelio Zen mysteries by Michael Dibdin. Today, the BBC is reporting that production is to begin this spring on the series with Rufus Sewell starring as the fictional Italian detective.

Rufus Sewell said: "I'm thrilled to be a part of this project with the opportunity to play such an intriguing, complex and likeable character."

Andy Harries, Chief Executive of Left Bank Pictures, which will produce the series, said: "The Dibdin novels are much loved and they are great detective stories which are both very entertaining and full of insight into Italian life. Zen is handsome, humorous and romantic and Rufus Sewell is the perfect choice to play Didbin's delightful creation."

Michael Dibdin lived in Italy for many years and published 11 books in the Aurelio Zen series prior to his death in 2007. The titles being adapted for the BBC are the first three in the series, Ratking, Vendetta, and Cabal.

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First Clues Review: The Secret of the Lonely Grave by Albert A. Bell Jr.

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

The Secret of the Lonely Grave by Albert A. Bell Jr.
The Steve and Kendra Mysteries

Ingalls (Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-932158-79-0 (1932158790)
ISBN-13: 978-1-932158-79-3 (9781932158793)
Publication Date: July 2007
List Price: $8.95

Review written by Karan, a 6th grade student. Date of review: February 2010.

Review: Put your seat belts on and get ready to go on a wild ride because the book The Secret of the Lonely Grave written by Albert A. Bell, Jr. is jumping to the top 10! There are two other secondary characters in the story too, Dwayne Mitchell, a school bully who finds out that having a friend might help him get away from his crazy dad, and Doc, the “Flower Freak” who guides them to Steve and Kendra’s journey of a lifetime.

Here is a little summary of what the book is about, but you have to read the rest if you want to find all the suspense stuffed in that book. The lonely grave has been abandoned and neglected for a very long time. But 150 years of silence is good enough for two friend, Steve Patterson (a white boy who really likes baseball and is a kid of age 11), and Kendra Jordan (an African American girl who likes Sherlock Holmes, age of 11 too), to embark on a mission to solve the mystery once and for all.

The Secret of the Lonely Grave is a phenomenal book with really suspenseful parts. My favorite part though is when Steve and Kendra get trapped in the tunnel and have to put their minds together and figure out how to get out of the hole. And my second favorite part is when they find Doc, the “Flower Freak”, but if you want to find out who that is then you have to read the book! This book accommodated very good visualization, and also upheld some character contrast between the different race color involved in the plot which brings me to the fact that the plot was satisfying, and honorable. But I’m not the only one who loved The Secret of the Lonely Grave. This book is so good, it got two awards: the “Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Award” and the “Mom’s Choice Award Honoring Excellence”. This book deserves a 5 star rating because it has so much suspense and will surely give anyone a laugh! No wonder it got a quote from Book Review Café saying, “What a fantastic book” and one also from MyShelf.com saying, “… an entertaining mystery that even adults could enjoy. It has some memorable characters, as well as lessons about why hatred and bigotry are wrong … while they learn, kids are treated to a great can’t-put-it-down mystery.” This is why I think the book The Secret of the Lonely Grave is a wonderful book. And I’m even reading the second one in the series, called “The Secret of the Bradford House”. I can’t wait!!!

If you are interested in purchasing The Secret of the Lonely Grave from Amazon.com, please click the button to the right.

First Clue Mysteries is pleased to provide information on over 100 mystery series for children and young adults. Each series is conveniently listed under four different age categories: New Sleuths (ages 4 to 6), Future Sleuths (ages 7 to 10), Sleuths in Training (ages 10 to 12), and Apprentice Sleuths (ages 13 and older). If you have a favorite mystery series you'd like to see added to our site, please contact us.

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

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eHarlequin Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Titles for March 2010

eHarlequin.com has released the March 2010 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.)

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Dead Air by Robin Caroll

When she finds her coworker's body in front of the station doors, nighttime DJ Gabby Rogillio knows it was murder. But how can the police suspect the station's owner, a man who's been like a father to Gabby?

She's determined to clear her friend's name, and will recruit anyone she can find to help. Even the mysterious newcomer in town, handsome businessman Clark McKay. Gabby doesn't quite trust Clark, but she can't crack the case alone. Especially when the killer threatens them both—either back down from the investigation … or be silenced forever.

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Midnight Caller by Diane Burke

Three deaths, one connection—the anonymous calls all three women reported in the weeks before they died. Detective Tony Marino wants to close this case before another woman disappears. Especially when he meets a fatherless little boy whose mother is being stalked. Single mom Erin O'Malley tells Tony about her anonymous caller's heavy breathing and unnerving silences. And the feeling of being watched—constantly.

Now, after years of thinking he had nothing to offer a wife and child, Tony will do anything to protect the family that feels like his own. Because Erin is next on the killer's list.

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Running for Cover by Shirlee McCoy

Morgan Alexandria moved to Virginia to escape her past … but her past isn't ready to let her go. Thanks to her ex-husband's shady dealings, someone's after her, and if it weren't for Jackson Sharo, she might already be dead. Can Morgan trust Jackson?

Maybe not.

The former big-city cop is practically a stranger. But trying to handle everything on her own just leads to new disasters. And without Jackson's help, she could find herself running right into a trap …

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Cowboy Protector by Margaret Daley

Two years ago, Hannah Williams left the Witness Protection Program—and she's been running ever since. To stay ahead of the mob, she changes her name and location constantly. So when she takes a job caring for a Montana rancher's sick daughter, she expects to leave soon.

But little Misty Taylor tugs at Hannah's heartstrings—and so does her handsome father. Hannah knows Austin Taylor suspects she's keeping secrets. But how can she tell him the truth without endangering the pair she's come to love?

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If you enjoy the suspense books in this series, you can get 2 free Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books plus 2 free gifts just for giving the automatic program a try. Accepting your two free Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books and mystery gifts places you under no obligation to buy anything. You may keep the books and gifts and return the shipping statement marked cancel. If you do not cancel, about two months later, and then every other month, eHarlequin will send you four additional Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books.

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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