Winners of the 22nd Annual Lambda Literary Awards Announced

The winners of the 22nd Annual Lambda Literary Awards Awards were announced last night by the Lambda Literary Foundation for books published in 2009. The organization recognizes exceptional writing about gay and lesbian lives across multiple genres published by large and small presses.

The winners in the Mystery category are:

◊ Gay men's mystery: What We Remember by Michael Thomas Ford (Kensington)
◊ Lesbian mystery: Death of a Dying Man by J. M. Redmann (Bold Strokes Books)

Mystery Bestsellers for May 28, 2010

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending May 28, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Just some minor shuffling among the top 4 bestsellers this week, with the 10th mystery in the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, remaining in the top spot. One new title debuts this week.

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Entering the list in 9th position is the third and final thriller in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson.

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders.

With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.

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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.

Today's Featured Free Kindle Mystery: Shadow of Power by Steve Martini

Kindle Mysteries is pleased to feature a mystery title that is currently available in Kindle eBook format for free from Amazon.com. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so download it today!

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Shadow of Power by Steve Martini
A Paul Madriani Mystery (9th in series)
HarperCollins (Kindle eBook)
Download Link

About Shadow of Power (from the publisher): A writer is savagely slain while on a publicity tour—a literary provocateur who craved headlines, but whose last book may have gone too far. His revelations about secret language buried in the U.S. Constitution—and hints about an explosive missing letter of Thomas Jefferson's—may be enough to cause an irreparable tear in the fabric of the nation ... and perhaps drove a volatile youth to homicide. But Paul Madriani thinks a troubled young man with dark connections has been chosen as a scapegoat to cover up something far deadlier that festers in America's political heart. And in the wake of the strange disappearance of a Supreme Court judge, Madriani must survive long enough to find the devastating answers hidden in the shadow of power.

This special free edition includes an excerpt from Steve Martini's latest Paul Madriani novel, The Rule of Nine.

Read our Review of Shadow of Power by Steve Martini at Mysterious Reviews.

Mystery Book Review: The Significant Seven by John McEvoy

Review of The Significant Seven by John McEvoy

Former marketing executive Jack Doyle, who is currently "between opportunities", agrees to work with the FBI to investigate a number of horse spongings at a local Chicago racetrack, only to be drawn into series of highly coincidental deaths of lifelong friends and partners of a valuable horse in The Significant Seven, the third mystery in this series by Jack McEvoy.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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The Significant Seven
John McEvoy
A Jack Doyle Mystery

Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-705-7 (1590587057)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-705-8 (9781590587058)
Publication Date: April 2010
List Price: $24.95

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Three Murder Mystery Short Stories Optioned for Film

The Risky Business blog of The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that independent production company Roberts/David Films has optioned three short stories that it intends to weave together into a multi-tiered film titled The Thrillers involving a murder in Los Angeles committed by a celebrity.

The short stories, all of which involve murder, are "Killing Bernstein" by Harlan Ellison (which originally appeared in Ellison's 1978 collection Strange Wine), "The Method" by Janet Fitch (which originally appeared in the anthology Los Angeles Noir), and "Hot Springs" by James Crumley (which originally appeared in Otto Penzler's Murder for Love anthology, published in 1999).

“Pre-awareness is more important than ever in indie film,” says Roberts/David’s Mark Roberts, who will executive produce the project. “By combining these three amazing authors with talented indie filmmakers, we create a product that will have a built-in audience.”

Games of Mystery: PuppetShow, Souls of the Innocent Collector's Edition

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. 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.

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Felicia, the daughter of a genius master of mechanics, has never given up the idea to return her lost beauty. To fulfil her ominous dream she requires the souls of innocent children. Having created a number of wonderful puppets she brings them into a little town to sell in a puppet shop to trustful citizens. During the day the puppets were giving joy to the children but in the night the puppets became alive -- they stole the children's souls and brought them into the castle for their Mistress. Can you get into Felicia's castle without becoming scared of her puppets? Will you be able to destroy the evil plans of Felicia and save the innocent children's souls?

This special Collector's Edition, which precedes the standard edition by 2-3 weeks, includes hours of bonus gameplay, a "behind-the-scenes" video, and a built-in strategy guide.

See also the previous game in this series, PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville.

PuppetShow: Souls of the Innocent Collector's Edition may be downloaded and purchased for $19.95 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (105.90 MB) may be downloaded and played for free for one hour; the full version is 333.18 MB.

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 Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic, and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations!

eHarlequin's BOGO Sale on Now through May 31st, 2010

Through the end of this month only (May 31st, 2010), eHarlequin is having a Buy One Get One Free sale! Simply purchase any book and a second book of equal or lower value is your free. Use coupon code BOGO43D at checkout.

eHarlequin has several imprints that offer mystery and suspense titles, including Harlequin Intrigue, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense, and their exclusive Worldwide Mystery paperbacks.

Visit eHarlequin.com through May 31st to take advantage of this BOGO sale! (Offer excludes eBooks and themed collections.)

Winners of the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Announced

We're not quite sure when these were first announced, but the winners and finalists of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards have been posted to the organization's website.

Recognizing independent authors and publishers in several categories, here are the results for the Mystery category:

◊ Winner (tie): Disturbing the Peace by P. D. LaFleur (RGI Press)
◊ Winner (tie): Timber Beasts by S. L. Stoner (Yamhill Press)

◊ Finalists: Felonious Jazz by Bryan Gilmer, Red Planet Noir by D. B. Grady, Rude Awakenings by Keith Donaldson, and The Burden of Truth by Lois Lewandowski.

GalleyCat Talks with Mystery Author David Baldacci

Jeff Rivera of GalleyCat caught up with author David Baldacci, whose latest novel Deliver Us From Evil, is currently on the list of bestselling mysteries and thrillers in the US.

In the interview, which you can listen to below, Baldacci talks about his writing secrets including the dangers of outlining.

About David Baldacci (from the author's website): His first novel, Absolute Power, was adapted into a film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman, and was followed by a string of bestsellers. His books are published worldwide in at least 45 different languages. He is involved in several philanthropic efforts. His family foundation, the Wish You Well Foundation, works to eliminate illiteracy. The foundation has partnered with Feeding America in Feeding Body & Mind, a joint effort that strives to meet both physical and intellectual needs through food and book donations for those in need.

Listen to GalleyCat's conversation with David Baldacci below.

Games of Mystery: Special Enquiry Detail Investigating The Hand that Feeds

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce the availability of a new mystery casual game from Big Fish Games released today and available to BFG Club members. 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.

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Help the Special Enquiry Detail crack the case, and catch a criminal, in this fun and exciting hidden object game!

Join Detectives Turino and Lamonte, who have recently been transferred to the Special Enquiry Detail unit of the New York Police Department. Their first case is the shocking -- and suspicious -- death of the daughter of a wealthy family of benefactors. Interrogate suspects, find clues, and use forensics to solve the crime.

Also available: Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds Game Walkthrough.

Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (117.23 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 Ms. Terri's reviews of the adventure and casual mystery games featured on this site, including Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!, Enlightenus, and many more!

Big Fish Games: Bestsellers

Big Fish Games: New releases

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Games of Mystery is your source for mystery-themed video, electronic, and board games, parties for kids and adults, and murder mystery weekends and mystery getaway vacations!

New Hardcover Mysteries for June 2010

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated its list of new hardcover mysteries with books scheduled for publication in June 2010. Please note that some titles may publish early (and may already be available) and some may be delayed, published at a later date.

Below we're listing those authors with returning series characters, new series characters, and non-series or stand-alone mysteries in separate sections. All titles are available on our June new mystery books page (which will become the default home page for the site on June 1st).

• Authors with mysteries featuring returning series characters (in parentheses) this month:

Kenneth Cameron (Denton 2nd), Rebecca Cantrell (Hannah Vogel 2nd), Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder 2nd), P. F. Chisholm (Robert Carey 5th), Catherine Coulter (FBI Thriller 14th), Clive Cussler and Justin Scott (Isaac Bell 3rd), Jeffery Deaver (Lincoln Rhyme 9th), Nelson Demille (John Corey 5th), Connie Dial (Mike Turner 2nd), Carola Dunn (Cornish 2nd), Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum 16th), Meg Gardiner (Jo Beckett 3rd), Tess Gerritsen (Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles 8th), Kerry Greenwood (Corinna Chapman 5th), Carolyn Haines (Sarah Booth Delaney 10th), Tarquin Hall (Vish Puri 2nd), John Harvey (Will Grayson and Helen Walker 2nd), James Hayman (Michael McCabe 2nd), David Housewright (David McKenzie 6th), R. T. Jordan (Polly Pepper 4th), Marshall Karp (Lomax and Biggs 4th), Dean Koontz (Frankenstein 4th), Julie Kramer (Riley Spartz 3rd), Jon Land (Caitlin Strong 2nd), Mike Lawson (Joe DeMarco 5th), Sophie Littlefield (Stella Hardesty 2nd), Mary Logue (Claire Watkins 8th), Eric Van Lustbader (Jason Bourne 8th), Phillip Margolin (Dana Cutler 2nd), Steve Martini (Paul Madriani 11th), Sharyn McCrumb ("Ballad" 4th), Stella Rimington (Liz Carlyle 4th), Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, and Michael Lark (Gotham Central 3rd graphic novel), Maggie Sefton (Kelly Flynn, Knitting 8th), Karin Slaughter (Grant County 8th), Frank Smith (Neil Paget 8th), Victoria Thompson (Gaslight 12th), Brad Thor (Scot Harvath 9th), Aimee Thurlo and David Thurlo (Sister Agatha 7th), Peter Turnbull (Hennessey and Yellich 19th), Martyn Waites (Joe Donovan 4th), Stella Whitelaw (Casey Jones 3rd)

• Authors with mysteries introducing new series characters (in parentheses) this month:

Julian Cole (Rounder Brothers), Amanda Flower (India Hayes), Mitzi Kelly (Silver Sleuths), Camilla Lackberg (Bertil Mellberg), Jeanne Matthews (Dinah Pelerin), Cynthia Robinson (Max Bravo), Jack Rosenblatt (Jack Dooney), Susan C. Shea (Danielle "Dani" O'Rourke)

• Authors with non-series or stand-alone mysteries this month:

Robert Barnard, Glenn Beck, S. J. Bolton, Lisa Brackmann, Bill Cameron, Colin Campbell, Jodi Compton, Justin Cronin, Blake Crouch, Barry Eisler, R. J. Ellory, Alan Furst, Thomas Greanias, Russ Hall, Payne Harrison, Susan Hasler, Dana Haynes, Mick Herron, Joshilyn Jackson, Michael Koryta, Michael Lister, Doug Magee, Cammie McGovern, Deborah Noyes, Michael Parker, Carolyn Parkhurst, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, Richard North Patterson, Maggie Pouncey, Adam Ross, Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe, Scott Sigler, Alexandra Sokoloff, Whitley Strieber, Dennis Tafoya, Danny Tobey, Brian M. Wiprud, Irene Ziegler

For more information on any of these titles, please visit the June new mysteries page on our website. If you're interested in new paperbacks, visit The Mystery Bookshelf where you can discover a library of new mysteries, also updated with June 2010 releases.

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.

Mystery Book Review: Red Flag Warning by Kurt Kamm

Review of Red Flag Warning by Kurt Kamm

Kurt Kamm crafts an interesting, if rather thinly plotted, serial arson whodunit-style mystery set in the Los Angeles area in Red Flag Warning, the title taken from the alert issued by the National Weather Service to indicate ideal conditions for natural -- and some intentionally set -- wildfires.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews.

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Red Flag Warning
Kurt Kamm
Non-series

Aberdeen Bay (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-60830-029-3 (1608300293)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60830-029-7 (9781608300297)
Publication Date: May 2010
List Price: $15.95

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Mysterious Reviews is your source for the latest mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime novel reviews, edited by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Film Adaptation of Elmore Leonard's The Switch in Development

JoBlo.com is reporting that an adapted screenplay has already been penned based on the novel The Switch by Elmore Leonard. Written some 14 years before Rum Punch, which itself was the basis for the film Jackie Brown, The Switch features the two characters played by Samuel L. Jackson and Robert De Niro in the film.

The article notes that Quentin Tarantino, who directed Jackie Brown, is not involved with The Switch. Elmore Leonard will executive produce. No studio is attached to the project, though the search for a director is underway.

About The Switch (from the publisher): Ordell Robbie and Louis Gara hit it off in prison, where they were both doing time for grand theft auto. Now that they're out, they're joining forces for one big score. The plan is to kidnap the wife of a wealthy Detroit developer and hold her for ransom. But they didn't figure the lowlife husband wouldn't want his lady back. So it's time for Plan B and the opportunity to make a real killing -- with the unlikely help of a beautiful, ticked-off housewife who's hungry for a large helping of sweet revenge.

Winners of the 2010 IPPY Awards Announced

The winners of the IPPY Awards have been announced by Independent Publisher. These awards are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers. The winners, chosen in 67 categories, will be honored at a gala awards ceremony in New York City on May 25th.

Below are the winners in the mystery, suspense, and thriller category.

◊ Gold: The Big Wake-Up by Mark Coggins (Bleak House)
◊ Silver (tie): Death of a Bronx Cop by Tom Walker (iUniverse)
◊ Silver (tie): Shamrock Alley by Ronald Damien Malfi (Medallion Press)
◊ Bronze: Dead Air by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid  (Oceanview Publishing)

 indicates a review by Mysterious Reviews.

Mysteries on TV: Flashpoint, George Gently, Leverage, and True Blood, 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 or Blu-ray disc, is profiling one series being released this week.

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Flashpoint is a drama which depicts the emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the SRU (inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force). It's a unique unit that rescues hostages, busts gangs, defuses bombs, climbs the sides of buildings and talks down suicidal teens. Members of a highly-skilled tactical team, they're also trained in negotiating, profiling and getting inside the suspect's head to diffuse the situation to try and save lives.

The ensemble cast includes Enrico Colantoni as Gregory Parker, Hugh Dillon as Ed Lane, Amy Jo Johnson as Juliana "Jules" Callaghan, Sergio Di Zio as Mike "Spike" Scarlatti, and Michael Cram as Kevin "Wordy" Wordsworth.

The Flashpoint: Season Two DVD set of 2 discs contain the 13 episodes that aired from January through May 2009 on CBS. The definition of a "season" here is a bit confusing. Strictly speaking, the first four episodes on this DVD are from the original first season, and are combined with the first nine episodes from the original second season of 18, leaving nine episodes unaired in the US (which CBS will characterize as the series third season when they are finally shown, probably this summer). Thirteen more episodes are currently being filmed as the third season in Canada, but likely the fourth season in the US. Flashpoint is not on CBS's official Fall 2010 schedule.

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George Gently stars Martin Shaw as the titular character, a former Scotland Yard sleuth now tracking murderers in Britain’s North Country. Far from London, these once-quiet counties are just beginning to feel the social and political changes of the 1960s. The menacing crimes test even Gently’s big-city experience and hard-won wisdom. And his impulsive young protégé, Sergeant John Bacchus, tests nearly all of his patience.

This series finds Gently and Bacchus confronting sex-club entrepreneurs, corrupt politicians, gangs, and more. The first-rate supporting casts include Tim McInnerny, Nicholas Jones, Mark Williams, and Andrew Lee Potts. Based on the long-running series of novels by Alan Hunter, these feature-length modern dramas teem with intrigue, wit, and style.

The George Gently: Series Two DVD set of 4 discs contain the four 90-minute episodes that originally aired on BBC during May 2009.

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Leverage is a slick and crafty drama following a team of thieves, hackers and con artists who act as modern-day Robin Hoods, standing up for the little guy who has been victimized by the rich and powerful. In this riveting and timely second season, the team takes on corrupt bankers, high fashion, the tabloid media and, most shockingly, an old nemesis from their past!

One of our favorite new series, Leverage stars Timothy Hutton as Nathan Ford, leader of the group, Gina Bellman as Sophie Devereaux, Christian Kane as Eliot Spencer, Beth Riesgraf as Parker, and Aldis Hodge as Alec Hardison. Jeri Ryan joined the cast this season for seven episodes as Tara Cole, a friend of Sophie's who helps out while Sophie is away (Gina Bellman being pregnant for most of the season).

The Leverage: Season Two DVD set of 4 discs contain the 15 episodes that aired on TNT from July through September 2009, continuing from January through February 2010. The third season returns on June 20th at 9 PM (ET/PT).

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Welcome back to Bon Temps, home to mystery, Southern sensuality and the dark secrets of True Blood.

For Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), life is more dangerous than ever after she and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) become more deeply involved. Meanwhile, Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley) finds herself under a lover’s spell; Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) puts his trust in an unlikely ally; Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) becomes involved with an anti-vampire sect; Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) becomes interested in Sookie after he recruits her to investigate the disappearance of his 2,000-year-old maker; and Maryann Forrester (Michelle Forbes) is revealed to possess a power that can control almost everyone in town. Then, after making a shocking discovery, Sookie, Bill and Sam must form the last line of defense against a diabolical plan that raises this award-winning series to bloody new heights.

True Blood is based on the series of Southern Vampire mysteries by Charlaine Harris.

The True Blood: Season Two DVD set of 5 discs contain the 12 episodes that originally aired on HBO from June through September 2009. True Blood: Season Two (Blu-ray disc) is also available. The third season of True Blood returns on June 13th at 9 PM (ET/PT). Watch a preview for the season here.

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Visit our Mysteries on TV website to discover more television mystery series currently available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.