Murder Most Civil by Karen Frisch (Book Review)

Murder Most Civil by Karen Frisch. Non-series. Mainly Murder Press Trade Paperback, June 2010.

Boston socialite Henrietta Newell Cobb's brother, Freddy, stands accused of murder when a prominent abolitionist is killed in his home -- Freddy standing over the body of Angus McLaren when it is found -- in Murder Most Civil, the first in a series of Victorian mysteries by Karen Frisch.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Murder Most Civil by Karen Frisch.

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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.

Never Wave Goodbye by Doug Magee (Book Review)

Never Wave Goodbye by Doug Magee. Non-series. Touchstone Hardcover, June 2010.

The innocent act of a parent watching their excited child board a bus for summer camp, only to learn later that the bus is a decoy and the child has been kidnapped is the premise for the suspense thriller Never Wave Goodbye by Doug Magee.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Never Wave Goodbye by Doug Magee.

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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.

Idris Elba Cast as Dr. Alex Cross in Film Adaptation of Cross by James Patterson

Deadline: New York is reporting that Idris Elba has been cast as Dr. Alex Cross in the film adaptation of the novel Cross, the 12th in the series of suspense thrillers by James Patterson. Production is expected to begin next year.

Morgan Freeman starred as the forensic psychologist in two previous film adaptations, Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls.

In the book, Cross's former partner, John Sampson, calls in a favor. He is tracking a serial rapist in Georgetown, one whose brutal modus operandi recalls a case Sampson and Cross worked together years earlier. When the case reveals a connection to his wife's death, Cross latches on for the most urgent and terrifying ride of his life.

A Bad Day's Work by Nora McFarland (Book Review)

A Bad Day's Work by Nora McFarland. A Lilly Hawkins Mystery. Touchstone Trade Paperback, August 2010.

After Bakersfield television "shooter" Lilly Hawkins gets a scoop and films a crime scene in which a local young man is found murdered, events begin to spiral out of control for her in A Bad Day's Work, the first mystery in this series by Nora McFarland.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: A Bad Day's Work by Nora McFarland.

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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.

Seith Mann to Write, Direct Film Adaptation of Graphic Noir Novel Miss: Better Living Through Crime

Last November, we wrote that the 2002 graphic noir novel Miss: Better Living Through Crime, written by Philippe Thirault and illustrated by Marc Riou and Mark Vigouroux, was being adapted for film. Today The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is reporting that the Spike Lee executive produced film will now be written and directed by Seith Mann, whose credits include the television series The Wire and Fringe.

Set during the early 1900s in New York City, Miss tells the tale of two unlikely partners in crime, Enola, a poor white girl who has learned to survive by hook or by crook, and Slim, a black pimp with an uncertain past, trying to keep one foot out of the grave. When their paths cross, and their options run out, Enola and Slim forge a partnership as killers for hire.

“Watching Seith’s work, you see he really knows how to develop characters and show their humanity,” said producer Hicham Benkirane. “In addition to that, he really gets that universe, that particular time in American history and the noir world.”

eHarlequin Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Titles for September 2010

eHarlequin.com has released the September 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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Legacy of Lies by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Evidence from a decades-old murder is the last thing Nicole Keller-Mattson expected to find in her grandmother's backyard. The finger-pointing and accusations aimed at her family were easier to predict. Everyone in Ellendale is eager to blame the Kellers—but after an attack leaves Nicole's grandmother in a coma, only Nicole can clear the family name. With the assistance of police chief Rich Hendricks, she stands a chance of solving the mystery … if she's willing to accept Rich's help. Nicole lost her husband in the line of duty—trusting another cop is too painful. But not trusting Rich could be deadly.

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Formula for Danger by Camy Tang

Someone wants dermatologist Rachel Grant's latest research, and they'll do anything to get it. Including trashing the plants needed for her breakthrough scar-reducing cream—and trying to run Rachel down. Desperate for help, she turns to Edward Villa, the only man she trusts. But the greenhouse owner knows too much about Rachel's research, and now he's a target, too. Break-ins, muggings, murder … the would-be thief is getting desperate—and getting closer. Edward vows to protect Rachel at all costs. Yet with time ticking away, Edward knows they have to uncover the madman shadowing Rachel before their chance for a future is destroyed.

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Out on a Limb by Rachelle McCalla

When Elise McAlister's hang glider is shot down, she survives the fall to find her troubles have followed her to the ground. There's a gunman chasing her and, worst of all, he runs her right into Henry "Cutch" McCutcheon's arms. With the generations-old feud between their families, depending on any McCutcheon is difficult. And depending on Cutch, the man who loved her but left her, seems disastrous. But Cutch won't lose this chance to win Elise back—and keep her safe. Together, they take to the skies again to find the source of the deadly secret, little knowing someone's already setting them up for a fall …

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High-Stakes Inheritance by Susan Sleeman

Despite the threatening warning, Mia Blackburn won't let anyone scare her from the rustic resort she inherits from her beloved uncle. But when a fire traps her in a burning barn, she fears that she won't get out alive. Just in time her ex-boyfriend volunteer firefighter Ryan Morgan rescues her from the deadly blaze. He had once broken her heart, yet she still has feelings for him. With Ryan insisting on keeping a close eye on her, Mia feels safer—and closer to Ryan than ever before. Yet the threats haven't stopped, and soon Mia's high-stakes inheritance includes a murder—and Mia could be the next victim.

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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:

Short Lists for 2010 Ned Kelly Awards Announced

The short list for the 2010 Ned Kelly Awards have been announced by the Crime Writers Association of Australia. The awards recognize outstanding works in the field of crime fiction and non-fiction by Australian authors.

Best Novel
◊ The Black Russian by Lenny Bartulin
◊ Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham
◊ Wyatt by Garry Disher

Best First Novel
◊ Document Z by Andrew Croome
◊ King of the Cross by Mark Dapin
◊ Death and the Running Patterer by Robin Adair

Best Short Story
◊ "The Fountain of Justice" by Lucy Sussex
◊ "Leaving the Fountainhead" by Zane Lovitt
◊ "The Travertine Fountain" by Robert Goodman

Best True Crime
◊ Crooks Like Us by Peter Doyle
◊ Pitcairn: Paradise Lost by Kathy Marks
◊ Medical Murder by Robert M. Kaplan

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on September 3rd. A Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented to Peter Doyle.

Rooney Mara Cast as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision blog is reporting that Sony has cast Rooney Mara in the role of Lisbeth Salander in the English-language film adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Mara will star opposite Daniel Craig, who will play Mikael Blomkvist.

Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal recently said that "Every actress in the world wants [the part]. It’s the greatest character for a girl since I-don’t-know-what."

David Fincher is directing the first in what is expected to be a trilogy of films based on the books.

Rooney Mara's previous roles have primarily been in television episodes, though she starred in the 2010 re-imagining of the horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street and will have a role in The Social Network, also directed by Fincher.

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair (Book Review)

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair. A Vintage Magic Mystery with Madeira Cutler. Berkley Prime Crime Mass Market Paperback, July 2010.

Vintage clothing shop owner Madeira "Maddie" Cutler travels to New York City after the death of Broadway star Dominique DeLong and is drawn into an investigation of how she died -- and who might have wanted her dead -- in Death by Diamonds, the third mystery in this series by Annette Blair.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair.

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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.

eHarlequin Silhouette Romantic Suspense Titles for September 2010

Sparked by danger, fueled by passion, eHarlequin.com has released the September 2010 titles in their Silhouette Romantic Suspense series. Let yourself be swept away with characters who fall in love under larger-than-life circumstances. In Silhouette Romantic Suspense, suspense, emotion and glamour combine to create these highly charged books! 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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Mesmerizing Stranger by Jennifer Greene

Harm Connolly wants to leave his bad history with women on terra firma. Two weeks of business on a cruise would help accomplish that. First complication: the sexiest woman he's ever met is on board the vessel. Second complication: a dead body—one of his associates.

Adventure chef Cate Campbell knows his type—arrogant corporate hotshot, taking his guys out for some R & R. No problem. She'll have Harm eating out of her hand in seconds flat. No problem … until a killer on the loose forces her to find safety and comfort in his arms. Will mayhem at sea throw any chance of romance overboard?

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Protector's Temptation by Marilyn Pappano

When AJ Decker left Dallas for the peaceful Georgia town of Copper Lake, the big-city cop wasn't looking to put his life at risk again. But when an old friend asked him to help out a woman in danger, how could he refuse? Then he found out who she was. Masiela Leal. His ex-lover.

Masiela knew AJ lived by a strict code of honor. That made him the only man the embattled attorney could trust. But hiding out in AJ's house awakened bittersweet memories of the night she'd spent six years trying to forget. As desire reignited, Mas knew they were fighting for their future … and a second chance at love.

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The Librarian's Secret Scandal by Jennifer Morey

Fifteen years ago Lily Masterson was Honey Creek's bad girl—until she fled with a terrible secret. She's now a responsible librarian, but no one believes she's changed—except handsome sheriff Wes Colton. And though she's determined to keep her secret, she and the sheriff certainly give 'em all something to talk about …

Former navy SEAL Sheriff Wes Colton is all about truth and justice. He's convinced Lily got the short end of the stick. Gossipmongers be damned, she's got that type of earthy beauty that keeps him up at night. When threats become more sinister, it's the last straw—he won't rest until she's safe.

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Cavanaugh Reunion by Marie Ferrarella

Ethan O'Brien is run over by a beautiful woman as she emerges from a burning building, children in tow. An arsonist is loose in Aurora, and Ethan plans on stopping him. But the beauty is no victim, oh no. She's the very investigator assigned to work with Ethan on his arson case. And just his luck, standing near her makes him hot all over.

Kansas Beckett is determined to find the arsonist who's been torching the city. And she sure doesn't need the likes of Ethan O'Brien getting in the way. Something about the man spells "trouble." But when he kisses her, her defenses melt, putting her in distinct danger of losing her heart …

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Dexter, New This Week on DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Telemystery, your source for one of the most comprehensive selections of detective, amateur sleuth, private investigator, and suspense television mystery series, mini-series and made-for-television movies, now available or coming soon to DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling one series being released this week.

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In the fourth season of Showtime's original crime drama Dexter, America's favorite serial killer has gone from freewheeling bachelor to responsible husband and doting dad. Maintaining an average-guy facade while satisfying his need to kill has never been easy. But now, with wife and kids in tow, Dexter's got more to lose then ever, as he gets drawn into a deadly game with a killer every bit as dangerous -- and conflicted -- as he is.

Dexter stars Michael C. Hall as Miami forensic blood spatter expert Dexter Morgan, and is based on a character created by Jeff Lindsay in his novels Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter.

The Dexter: Season Four DVD set of 4 discs contain the 12 episodes that aired on Showtime from September through December 2009. Dexter: Season Four on Blu-ray is also available.

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Visit the Telemystery website to discover more television mystery series currently available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.