Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Harlequin Worldwide Mystery Titles for June 2010

Harlequin Mysteries

eHarlequin.com has announced the June 2010 titles for their Worldwide imprint, your partner in crime. Amateur sleuths, traditional cozies, police procedurals and private-eye fiction, written by award-winning authors. For more information or to purchase any of the books below, click on the book title or book cover. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

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Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo
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Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo
A Maggy Thorsen Mystery (2nd in series)

Self-made espresso bar owner Maggy Thorsen would rather be whipping up steam with her sexy sheriff boyfriend than organizing a barista competition. But the big Java Ho convention, the coffee industry's seasonal trade show, has come to Milwaukee. And this year it's not only insane, it's murder…when Maggy finds the body of Marvin LaRoche, proprietor of the HotWired coffee chain, under a banquet table.

LaRoche was powerful, mean and nasty—or maybe he just drank too much of his own coffee. Either way, somebody bludgeoned him with Maggy's first-place barista trophy. Hoping to clear her name, Maggy watches the man's too-cheerful widow and an angry activist accusing LaRoche of exploiting Third World coffee growers. With a killer to catch and coffee to brew, Maggy is working overtime to save her own beans.

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The Midnight Tree by Dorothy Kliewer
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The Midnight Tree by Dorothy Kliewer
A Deedra Masefield Mystery (4th in series)

When Rufus County sheriff Aaron Blaine is found murdered in plainclothes in front of a courthouse outside his jurisdiction, investigative reporter Deedra Masefield tackles the most heartbreaking story of her life. Not only was he the man she wanted to marry, but he was a man with secrets worth killing for.

The brutality of his execution and clues to the missing contents of his briefcase help explain his recent strange behavior. Determined not to let his death be in vain, Deedra picks up on grim clues Aaron left for her about the case, involving missing children and a secret meeting place called the Midnight Tree. When a twelve-year-old boy is found dead under the same tree, Deedra uncovers the terrible truth about what's really happening in this small, quiet town. All while a clever killer puts a dark plan in motion to make sure she never tells.

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Deadly Diversion by Eleanor Sullivan
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Deadly Diversion by Eleanor Sullivan


The intensive care unit at St. Teresa's hospital in St. Louis is head nurse Monika Everhardt's personal war zone—understaffed, overworked, tangled in union and government bureaucracy. And that's on a good day. On a bad day, two suspicious deaths make her wonder if one of her own is a killer.

As police and pencil pushers descend, Monika takes matters into her own hands with the help of top cop and best girlfriend, BJ. The first death could have slipped between the cracks—a critical patient, a tired nurse. But the second victim was an old-time mob boss and person of interest to the local D.A. Monika knows it's easy to make a terminal man's death look innocent, but an expert nurse knows the difference between incompetence and murder.

The hard part is finding out who—and why—before the killer strikes again.

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If you enjoy the books in this series, you can join Worldwide Mystery and get 2 free books plus 2 free gifts just for giving the automatic program a try. Accepting your two free Worldwide Mystery 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 three additional Worldwide Mystery 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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The Mystery Bookshelf: Awakening by S. J. Bolton

The Mystery Bookshelf: Discover a Library of New Mysteries

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

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Awakening by S. J. Bolton
Non-series
St. Martin's Minotaur (Trade Paperback)
Publication Date: June 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-38187-5

Awakening by S. J. Bolton
More Information About Awakening by S. J. Bolton

About Awakening (from the publisher): Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon in charge of a wildlife hospital in a small English village, is young and intelligent, but nearly a recluse. Disfigured by a childhood accident, she generally prefers the company of animals to people. But when a local man dies following a supposed snakebite, Clara’s expertise is needed. She’s chilled to learn that the victim’s postmortem shows a higher concentration of venom than could ever be found in a single snake—and that therefore the killer must be human.

Assisted by a soft-spoken neighbor and an eccentric reptile expert, Clara unravels sinister links to an abandoned house, an ancient ritual, and a fifty-year-old tragedy that has left the survivors secretive. But for someone the truth must remain buried in the past—even if they have to kill to keep it there.

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About S. J. Bolton: Growing up in Lancashire, England, she now lives near Oxford with her family. Her novels are inspired by her fascination with British folklore. Awakening was the winner of the 2010 Mary Higgins Clark Award.

Mysterious Reviews: Mysteries Reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery BooksMysteries by S. J. Bolton reviewed by Mysterious Reviews: Sacrifice (2008) and Awakening (2009).

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Firsts on the 1st: New Series Characters Being Introduced in June 2010 Mysteries

New Hardcover Mysteries from the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books recently updated its list of June 2010 hardcover mysteries as well shelved new June paperbacks on The Mystery Bookshelf.

In this series of monthly posts, which we call Firsts on the 1st, we're introducing readers to new series characters who will make their mysterious debut during June.

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A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams
More information about the book

Title: A Killer Plot
Author: Ellery Adams
Series Character: Olivia Limoges, Books by the Bay
Format: Mass Market Paperback

What we know about the character: Olivia Limogies is a writer living in the small coastal town of Oyster Bay, North Carolina.

Her first case: Olivia is the subject of constant gossip. Ever since she came back to town -- a return as mysterious as her departure -- Olivia has kept to herself, her dog, and her unfinished novel. With a little cajoling from the eminently charming writer Camden Ford, she agrees to join the Bayside Book Writers, break her writer's block, and even make a few friends ...

But when townspeople start turning up dead with haiku poems left by the bodies, anyone with a flair for language is suddenly suspect. And it's up to Olivia to catch the killer before she meets her own surprise ending.

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Damaged by Pamela Callow
More information about the book

Title: Damaged
Author: Pamela Callow
Series Character: Kate Lange
Format: Mass Market Paperback

What we know about the character: Kate Lange is an attorney in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Her first case: Haunted by the death of her sister and wounded by her ex-fiancé's accusations, Kate throws herself into her new career at a high-powered law firm.

When the grandmother of a lonely private school student seeks her counsel, Kate thinks it's just another custody case. But then the teen is brutally murdered. And it isn't only Kate who wonders if her legal advice led to the girl's death.

Put on notice by Randall Barrett, the firm's charismatic managing partner, Kate must fight for her career, for her reputation—and for redemption.

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The Amateur Historian by Julian Cole
More information about the book

Title: The Amateur Historian
Author: Julian Cole
Series Characters: The Rounder Brothers
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the characters: Rick Rounder is a private investigator; his brother Sam is a detective.

Their first case: Rick returns to his hometown a decade after failing to save a young girl from her suicidal father. He sets up as a private eye, much to the envy of his policeman brother Sam, who has risen up the ranks to chief. The two brothers square up across the sibling divide as they are both drawn into the case of a missing girl.

But the case gets more complicated as Rick’s past catches up with him, and the only clues that the brothers have, relate to a girl who lived—and died—in poverty one hundred years ago. The amateur historian has one last lesson to teach.

MBN note: Originally published in the UK in 2007, the first of two books (to date) in the series.

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Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
More information about the book

Title: Maid of Murder
Author: Amanda Flower
Series Character: India Hayes
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: India Hayes is a starving artist who pays the rent as a college librarian in Ohio.

Her first case: Childhood friend and now knockout beauty, Olivia Blocken is back in town to wed her bodybuilder finance with India a reluctant attendant ... not just because the bridesmaid's dress is a hideous mess, but because she's betraying her brother. Mark still carries a torch for the bride who once broke his heart and sent his life into a tailspin.

When Olivia turns up dead in the Martin College fountain and the evidence points to Mark, India must unmask the real culprit while juggling a furious and grieving Mother of the Bride, an annoyingly beautiful Maid of Honor, a set of hippie-generation parents, the police detective who once dated her sister and is showing a marked liking for her, and a provost itching to fire someone, anyone -- maybe even a smart-mouthed librarian.

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A Cutthroat Business by Bente Gallagher
More information about the book

Title: A Cutthroat Business
Author: Bente Gallagher
Series Character: Savannah Martin
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Savannah Martin is a real estate agent in Tennessee.

Her first case: Savannah has always been a good girl, doing what was expected and fully expecting life to fall into place in its turn. But when her perfect husband turns out to be a lying, cheating slimeball -- and bad in bed to boot -- Savannah kicks the jerk to the curb and embarks on life on her own terms. With a new apartment, a new career, and a brand new outlook on life, she's all set to take the world by storm. If only the world would stop throwing her curveballs ...

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Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy
More information about the book

Title: Grace Under Pressure
Author: Julie Hyzy
Series Character: Grace Wheaton, Manor of Murder
Format: Mass Market Paperback

What we know about the character: Grace Wheaton is a curator at the mansion/museum Marshfield Manor.

Her first case: Everyone wants a piece of millionaire Bennett Marshfield, owner of Marshfield Manor, but now it's up to Grace and handsome groundskeeper Jack Embers to protect dear old Marshfield. But to do this, they'll have to investigate a botched Ponzi scheme, some torrid Wheaton family secrets-and sour grapes out for revenge.

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Classic Revenge by Mitzi Kelly
More information about the book

Title: Classic Revenge
Author: Mitzi Kelly
Series Characters: The Silver Sleuths
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the characters: The Silver Sleuths are Trish Anderson, Edna Radcliff, and Millie Morrow, who have 193 years of combined "life" experience between them.

Their first case: The tragic accident claiming the life of Susan Wiley had been classified as just that, an accident. Then why is her husband being charged with her murder? The very thought is ludicrous. But Chief of Police Henry Espinoza doesn't agree, refusing to listen to arguments that Sam's neighbors, Trish Anderson, Edna Radcliff and Millie Morrow present regarding his character and the relationship he had with his wife.

Angry at being dismissed so easily, the women resolve to prove Sam's innocence, not only to help their friend, but to show Henry they are not ready for a nursing home just yet. Using the experience, determination, and pigheadedness their combined ages of 193 years afford them, they rush headlong into danger and intrigue, learning something about themselves during the process. They seem to have a knack for this detective stuff!

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The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg
More information about the book

Title: The Ice Princess
Author: Camilla Lackberg
Series Character: Bertil Mellberg
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Bertil Mellberg is a police superintendent in the small Swedish coastal town of Fjällbacka.

His first case: Returning to her hometown after the funeral of her parents, writer Erica Falck finds a community on the brink of tragedy. The death of her childhood friend, Alex, is just the beginning. Her wrists slashed, her body frozen in an ice-cold bath, it seems, at first, that she has taken her own life. Erica conceives a memoir about the beautiful but remote Alex, one that will help to overcome her writer's block as well as answer questions about their own past. While her interest grows to an obsession, local detective Patrik Hedstrom is following his own suspicions about the case. But it is only when they start working together that the truth begins to emerge about this small town with a deeply disturbing past!

MBN note: Not a new character per se, Bertil Mellberg has been around since 2002 and is featured in seven (to date) mysteries published in Swedish. This first in the series is also the first to be published in English.

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Bones of Contention by Jeanne Matthews
More information about the book

Title: Bones of Contention
Author: Jeanne Matthews
Series Character: Dinah Pelerin
Format: Hardcover and Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Dinah Pelerin is an anthropologist.

Her first case: The Top End of Australia is a land teeming with crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and curious Aboriginal myths. It’s a strange place to choose to end one’s life, but that is what Dinah’s wealthy American uncle has done. Dying of cancer, he has summoned his entire family – current wife, ex-wife, assorted children and niece – to a remote, comfortless lodge where he intends to rewrite his will and commit suicide with the aid of a rogue Australian physician with whom he shares a mysterious history.

Dinah sees this time with her uncle as a last chance to learn the truth about her father, who died during the commission of a felony when she was a child. But when she arrives, she discovers that the truth has more and darker ramifications than she’d bargained on.

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City of Angels by Sheralyn Pratt
More information about the book

Title: City of Angels
Author: Sheralyn Pratt
Series Character: Rhea Jensen
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Rhea Jensen is a 20-something private investigator.

Her first case: Rhea is your typical single girl ... if by typical you mean a private investigator who studies ways to escape from handcuffs while waiting to take down another serial sleaze. But when a seemingly open-and-closed embezzlement case goes awry, her on-again-off-again boyfriend starts fooling around behind her back, and some Mormon missionaries stop her on the street during a stakeout, Rhea realizes her life is anything but typical ... even by her standards.

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The Dog Park Club by Cynthia Robinson
More information about the book

Title: The Dog Park Club
Author: Cynthia Robinson
Series Character: Max Bravo
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Max Bravo is a retired opera singer and amateur sleuth in Berkeley (California).

His first case: Max Bravo — vain, arch, brittle — is bored with his life when his opera career stalls out on the mid-tier. His hobby — debauchery — has become routine. And there's not enough fairy dust in the world to change the fact that, after a thirty-year adolescence, Max is finally middle-aged. But when Max becomes enmeshed with the eccentric regulars at a Berkeley dog park, he finds himself swept along into a bumbling, keystone chase to corner the murderer of a beautiful and beguiling young woman.

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Neighborhood Boys Who Ran by Jack Rosenblatt
More information about the book

Title: Neighborhood Boys Who Ran
Author: Jack Rosenblatt
Series Character: Jack Dooney
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Jack Dooney is a private investigator in New York City.

His first case: Boyhood friends move on after Regis High School: Sal to the family business, Billy to law, and Jack to private investigation after a stint in the NFL. A simple errand for Billy sets Jack off on the race of his life through the streets, bridges, penthouses, subways, offices, churches, and bars in every borough of the city. Jack s loyalty is soon tested but never waivers. Calling on an improbable and outrageous assortment of local characters and his own ability to bluff, charm, and think fast, Jack perseveres for answers he may not want. Knowing the City as only a lifelong New Yorker can, he plays it to his advantage especially since the bad guys are just boys from another neighborhood.

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Murder in the Abstract by Susan C. Shea
More information about the book

Title: Murder in the Abstract
Author: Susan C. Shea
Series Character: Danielle "Dani" O'Rourke
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Dani O'Rourke is a fund-raiser for the (fictional) Devor Museum in San Francisco.

Her first case: Dani's gala evening at the Devor Museum ends in catastrophe when the body of a young artist plummets from her office window. The police label it murder and suspect Dani. Self-preservation and an insider's understanding of how money moves the art world drive her to investigate who might have a motive for murder. Dani's playboy ex-husband and a green-eyed cop complicate matters as her search moves through the fashionable worlds of San Francisco and Santa Fe.

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For a list of more mysteries scheduled for publication during June, please visit our New Mysteries home page. 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 also 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.

Harlequin Mira Mystery and Suspense Titles for June 2010

Harlequin Mysteries

eHarlequin.com has announced the June 2010 titles for their Mira imprint, the brightest stars in women's fiction. From all titles available, we've only listed those that are mystery, thriller, or suspense on this page. For more information or to purchase any of the books below, click on the book title or book cover. (Previous months titles can be found on the backlist page.)

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Damaged by Pamela Callow
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Damaged by Pamela Callow
A Kate Lange Mystery (1st in series)

Haunted by the death of her sister and wounded by her ex-fiancé's accusations, Kate Lange throws herself into her new career at a high-powered law firm.

When the grandmother of a lonely private school student seeks her counsel, Kate thinks it's just another custody case. But then the teen is brutally murdered. And it isn't only Kate who wonders if her legal advice led to the girl's death.

Put on notice by Randall Barrett, the firm's charismatic managing partner, Kate must fight for her career, for her reputation—and for redemption.

Unwilling to live with the damage she may have caused, Kate pursues the case on her own and unearths some chilling facts.

Facts that lead straight to the heart of a legal conspiracy.

Facts that lead Kate directly into the surgically skilled hands of the Body Butcher.

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Blown Away by Sharon Sala
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Blown Away by Sharon Sala
The Storm Front Trilogy (1st in series)

Writer Cari North thought she knew all there was to know about plot twists—until she stumbled across her ex-fiancé, Lance Morgan, digging a shallow grave in the Louisiana woods. After one horrifying moment of shared recognition, Cari knew her life hinged upon whether she could outrun Lance and the hurricane-spawned tornado that was barreling down on their heels.

Just when she thinks she's lost Lance and heads for home, the storm throws in yet another twist that will change her fate—forever.

Cari's house, her family—her entire life—have been wiped out by the storm. Badly injured herself, and knowing Lance will come after her, she trades clothing and ID with the near-identical cousin who'd been visiting and flees to Baton Rouge. While the world mourns Cari North, she begins an agonizing recovery as her cousin Susan—until Susan's boss calls her bluff and finds himself drawn into her incredible tale.

Hunted by a man she once loved, sheltered by a man she hardly knows, Cari chooses to become the bait … and plots the twist of a lifetime to catch a killer.

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Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress by Kyra Davis
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Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress by Kyra Davis
A Sophie Katz Mystery (5th in series)

Overjoyed at Mary Ann's engagement, amateur sleuth Sophie Katz can't wait for the wedding vows and party toasts to begin. But then Dena — best friend, bridesmaid and all-around vixen — is mysteriously shot just after the announcement. Leave this to the authorities? No way. Dena may never walk again, and Sophie vows to marry her fists with the shooter's face.

Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts — from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena's made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop — and, yes, she's no saint — but really, who deserves to be shot?

With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie's barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.

Big if.

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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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Games of Mystery: AGON: From Lapland to Madagascar

Games of Mystery

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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AGON: From Lapland to Madagascar
AGON: From Lapland to Madagascar

Professor Samuel Hunt, a middle-aged historian from the British Museum, embarks on a journey after finding a mysterious letter, a few torn codex pages, and an unknown artifact. His travels take him to 12 corners of the world, where he has to rediscover long-forgotten board games, and has to remove the curse of the families who guard them. Finding the keepers of the games and the rules is not an easy task, but the facts that come into his possession in the process suggest a legend of horrible doom, and by this knowledge his original goals are questioned.

Dive into this mystery and get lost in the immersive atmosphere of the game, which includes the second and third episodes of the series ("Adventures in Lapland", and "Pirates of Madagascar").

See also the first episode of the series, AGON: The London Scene.

Also available: AGON: From Lapland to Madagascar Strategy Guide.

AGON: From Lapland to Madagascar may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (491.59 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!

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