Wallander in The Man Who Smiled, Sunday October 10th on PBS

Tomorrow, Sunday October 10th, the second of three new episodes of Series II of Wallander airs on PBS (check your local listings for air times).

In "The Man Who Smiled", adapted from the fourth novel in the Wallander series of crime thrillers by Henning Mankell, Gustaf Torstensson quietly chants "Mea culpa, mea culpa," as he drives to his death. His son Sten Torstensson, a friend of Inspector Kurt Wallander (Kenneth Branagh), begs the detective to investigate the suspicious case — Wallander is his last hope. But hope has all but drained from Wallander's life, as he's now on indefinite leave from his work and has been all but forgotten after enduring an on-the-job trauma. When Sten is found dead, an apparent suicide, Wallander is drawn back to inquire. The clues and suspects are provocative enough — postcards with death threats, a respected and reviled philanthropist working in Africa and a former cop tormented by his own personal demons. But Wallander's reentry is an uneasy one, and even as the case comes together, his fragile stability and increasingly questionable judgment are severely tested.

The first series of Wallander is available on DVD from Telemystery: Wallander. This second series will be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on October 19th, and may be pre-ordered.

A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell (Book Review)

A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell. A Greg McKenzie Mystery. Night Shadows Press Trade Paperback, September 2010.

When rumors of an NBA team coming to Nashville have the area's NHL fans up in arms, private investigators Jill and Greg McKenzie are hired to learn how serious the opposition is, in A Sporting Murder, the fifth mystery in this series by Chester D. Campbell.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: A Sporting Murder by Chester Campbell.

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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.

Mr. E. Reviews The Oxford Murders

Several years ago, I reviewed The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martínez, an intellectual whodunit-style mystery. Published originally in Spanish in 2003, an English language translation came out in 2005, and a film adaptation was announced soon thereafter. And though The Oxford Murders was released in Spain in 2008, it sort of disappeared until this week, when film (on DVD and Blu-ray disc) was released here in the US.

As I enjoyed the book, I was eager to see the film treatment. I'm pleased to say upfront that, for the most part, it is a successful and enjoyable adaptation.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews: The Oxford Murders.

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Mr. E. Reviews is your source for mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime drama reviews of television and film.

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (101009)

Book Trends, a review site for young adult and children books, published several new book reviews this past week. We're presenting here a summary of those in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.

All Hallows' Eve by Vivian Vande Velde. A short story collection for readers 12 and older. Lexile measure: 1010L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "Murder, suspense, horror and the supernatural ... This book made me want to sleep with the lights on. I think it is amazing how she put this many spine chilling stories into one book."

The Presence by Eve Bunting. A stand-alone title recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: 550L. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "If you like mystery/romance novels, this book is good for you. The book is a ghost story, but only because there's a ghost in it. The most thrilling part is the end because it's very suspenseful."

For more reviews of children and young adult books of all genres, visit Book Trends; their reviews will amaze you! You can also follow Book Trends on Twitter.

Match Wits with a Famous French Thief in Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin, New at BFG

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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Play the role of Sherlock Holmes and embark on an investigation full of suspense in this thrilling adventure in the heart of 19th century London. Arsene Lupin, a young French thief with an impressive track record, has crossed the Channel with a daring proposition for you on your own territory. Lupin challenges you to prevent the theft of five priceless artefacts over five days, stored in prestigious locations such as the National Gallery, the British Museum and even Buckingham Palace! Prepare to rise to Lupin's challenge and confront the master thief!

See also the previous games in this series featuring the famous consulting detective: Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy, Sherlock Holmes: The Secret of the Silver Earring, and Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. Due to its large size, a demonstration version is not available.

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!

CWA Announces Winners of Gold, Steel, and New Blood Dagger Awards

Three CWA Dagger Awards were given out today by the Crime Writers Association celebrating the very best in crime and thriller writing. The winners are:

◊ Gold (best novel): Blacklands by Belinda Bauer (Corgi)
◊ Ian Fleming Steel (best thriller): A Loyal Spy by Simon Conway (Hodder & Stoughton)
◊ New Blood (best first novel): Acts of Violence by Ryan David Jahn (Pan)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One Will Not Be Released in 3D

In a press release this afternoon, Warner Bros. announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One will not be released in 3D, saying, in part, that the studio "will not have a completed 3D version of the film within our release date window. Despite everyone’s best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film on November 19, 2010, as planned. We, in alignment with our filmmakers, believe this is the best course to take in order to ensure that our audiences enjoy the consummate Harry Potter experience."

Director David Yates added, "This decision, which we completely support, underscores the fact that Warner Bros. has always put quality first."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two is still scheduled to be released in both 2D and 3D on July 15, 2011.

Solve a Literary Mystery with Inspector Dupin in Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat, New at BFG

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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Go on a thrilling literary adventure with Inspector Dupin and behold Edgar Allan Poe's world of the macabre! Monsieur Mark Davies has reported his wife, Sara, missing and now it’s up to you to track her down and solve the mystery! Follow a mysterious black cat, who seems to be purposely helping you, and discover helpful clues. Use your hidden object talents to tackle the case, and discover the evil culprit behind Sara’s disappearance.

For a more in-depth playing experience, check out the Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat Collector's Edition, which includes bonus gameplay, original soundtrack, an integrated strategy guide, and more.

Also available: Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat Strategy Guide and Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat Game Walkthrough.

See also the first game in this series, Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's Murder in the Rue Morgue, which is also available in a Collector's Edition.

Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (373.12 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!

Mystery Bestsellers for October 08, 2010

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending October 8th, 2010 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Though The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson continues to dominate the top of the list, we're seeing more new titles enter -- three this week.

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New last week but debuting just off the list, Bury Your Dead, the 6th Armand Gamache mystery by Louise Penny moves up smartly to number 7.

It is Winter Carnival in Quebec City, bitterly cold and surpassingly beautiful. Chief Inspector Gamache has come not to join the revels but to recover from an investigation gone hauntingly wrong. But violent death is inescapable, even in the apparent sanctuary of the Literary and Historical Society—where an obsessive historian’s quest for the remains of the founder of Quebec, Samuel de Champlain, ends in murder. Could a secret buried with Champlain for nearly 400 years be so dreadful that someone would kill to protect it?

Although he is supposed to be on leave, Gamache cannot walk away from a crime that threatens to ignite long-smoldering tensions between the English and the French. Meanwhile, he is receiving disquieting letters from the village of Three Pines, where beloved Bistro owner Olivier was recently convicted of murder. “It doesn't make sense,” Olivier’s partner writes every day. “He didn't do it, you know.” As past and present collide, Gamache must relive the terrible event of his own past before he can bury his dead.

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The 16th mystery featuring Harry Bosch and the 3rd with Mickey Haller, The Reversal by Michael Connelly enters the list in 10th position.

Longtime defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to change stripes and prosecute the high-profile retrial of a brutal child murder. After 24 years in prison, convicted killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Haller is convinced Jessup is guilty, and he takes the case on the condition that he gets to choose his investigator, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.

Together, Bosch and Haller set off on a case fraught with political and personal danger. Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years.

With the odds and the evidence against them, Bosch and Haller must nail a sadistic killer once and for all. If Bosch is sure of anything, it is that Jason Jessup plans to kill again.

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New on the list in the 11st spot is the 38th Spenser mystery, Painted Ladies by the late Robert B. Parker.

Called upon by The Hammond Museum and renowned art scholar Dr. Ashton Prince, Boston private investigator Spenser accepts his latest case: to provide protection during a ransom exchange -- money for a stolen painting.

The case becomes personal when Spenser fails to protect his client and the valuable painting remains stolen. Convinced that Ashton Prince played a bigger role than just ransom delivery boy, Spenser enters into a daring game of cat-and-mouse with the thieves. But this is a game he might not come out of alive ...

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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.

William Friedkin May Direct Film Adaptation of Dimiter by William Peter Blatty

William Peter Blatty tells the Rue Morgue magazine (as reported by Shock Till You Drop) that he is planning on working with director William Friedkin on a film adaptation of his latest thriller, Dimiter. Friedkin last worked with the author on the 1973 film The Exorcist, adapted from the author's novel of the same name.

Dimiter, published earlier this year, is set in Albania in the 1970s, where an American agent named Paul Dimiter escapes state security, and on his way to freedom in Jerusalem, completes a mysterious mission.

New Trailer for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

A new trailer has been released for the next movie in The Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which can be seen below. The film is adapted from the young adult adventure novel The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis; it is the third written in the series, but the fifth chronologically.

This new quest has Edmund and Lucy joining King Caspian on a sworn mission to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia. Sailing uncharted seas, the old friends must survive a terrible storm, encounters with sea serpents, dragons, and invisible enemies to reach lands where magicians weave mysterious spells and nightmares come true. They need every ounce of courage and the help of the great lion Aslan to triumph in their most hazardous adventure of all.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader opens in theaters on December 10th, 2010.

Ridley Scott to Produce BBC Mini-Series Adapted from The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Deadline|London is reporting that Ridley Scott will produce a mini-series for BBC adapted from the political thriller The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. Scott previously directed another Dick adaptation, 1982's Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford (which was somewhat loosely based on the short story "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?")

The author's novels and short stories have been a frequent source for film and television adaptations, and include The Minority Report, Total Recall ("We Can Remember It For You Wholesale"), Next ("The Golden Man"), and next year's The Adjustment Bureau.

In the alternate reality presented by The Man in the High Castle, it is 1962 and the United States and its allies have lost World War II, the US now occupied by the Germans and the Japanese. But the two countries cannot agree on how the occupied territory should be governed ... leading to unintended -- but not unexpected -- conflict.

The book won the 1963 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Read the first chapters of TheMan in the High Castle below.

OMN Welcomes Steven Nedelton, Author of The Raven Affair

Omnimystery News is pleased to welcome Steven Nedelton as our guest blogger. Steven is the author of The Raven Affair (Asylett Press, Trade Paperback, March 2010, 978-1-934337-78-3), an international novel of suspense.

Today, Steven writes about where plots and characters come from ... how real are they?

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Photo provided courtesy of
Steven Nedelton

“How did the author come up with the idea used in this novel? Are the characters, the protagonist, real people?”

Many readers ask these questions while reading a book they heard about and ended up getting. In the case of the famous historic suspense novel The Three Musketeers, readers are still asking those same questions over a century after the author’s death. A lot of research was done since 1880s and yet, no one is quite sure who the real d’Artagnan was. But does it really matter?

All professional writers are in the business of writing for profit. Sure they like to create; after all, they are creative people. The truly big names, those who are able to sustain themselves by their writing alone, are under contracts demanding new books. These writers are constantly searching for new ideas for their next creation, for their next best-seller. Where do they get them? Life by itself, particularly the everyday jobs, is often drudgery; there are very few individuals who can boast about their daily grinds. And there are very few events/characters that are really worth writing about. But, since the serious readers, the "avids," are constantly looking for new interesting novels, about crime, detectives, lawyers, vampires and monsters, to name a few, most successful books end up in the fiction genre.

In some cases, with monsters and vampires for example, there’s not much substance to the stories. They are the truly pure dream-worlds’ escapes. In other sub-genres writers depict real life drama in a fictitious, mostly exaggerated manner. Such works tend to be somewhat fairly realistic in their content, and can be educational too. It is interesting to note that in the not too far past, the governments of the former Eastern Block and China prohibited all writing and reading of fiction unrelated to the glory of the People and the System, blaming the genre for its otherwise decadent, adverse effect on the minds of the proletariat. Thus, pure imaginary was unacceptable, even punishable. A very pleasant life in such an environment.

My suspense novels, Crossroads and The Raven Affair, fall into the category of books using real people and true events in a fictitious manner. I based The Raven Affair on the life of a real criminal and his successful evasion of justice. The rest of this horror/suspense story is mostly fiction. The avenger, the protagonist, the two priests and the infamous hit-man and his pretty girlfriend, make the story enjoyable, and yet they are imaginary characters. So are the South American drug dealer and his death. Aside from the mass murderer, there is only one other true life character depicted in the novel. Obviously, without the invented characters and events, the novel would not be interesting. Hence, fiction is dominant, most writers employ it in their writing to embellish their work.

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Steven Nedelton is an author with three novels, Crossroads, The Raven Affair and Fear Factor/Dawn for the Fearless (submitted in April). He is working on his fourth novel, Tunnel. Thrillers are his preferred genre though he is not limiting himself and does write in other styles. He lived in London, England and Paris, France for several years and is able to draw from his experiences living abroad to add realistic descriptions of these locales and characters in his novels. Steven’s novels have been reviewed by a number of professionals, Midwest Book Review, Apex Reviews, The US Book Review of Books and others. Visit his website at SNedelton.com.

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About The Raven Affair: A man on the run. Anton was on the run for the past twenty years. Italy, Spain, Ireland, America. What is his horrible secret?

Two priests living in San Francisco, Father Dominic and Father Joe, like millions of Americans, had never heard of him. Interpol agents are pursuing him when their employer suddenly and unexplainably stops them. They are unaware that one of them is leading a double life and operating clandestinely as a high priced hit-man "Raven."

And then, there are Mick and Lynnie in San Fran. Mick, ostensibly the very popular maitre d’ at the Westin St. Francis’ Michael Mina Restaurant but—unknown to Lynnie and his employers—also a dreaded underworld figure codenamed "Clerk." What invisible circumstance connects the innocents with the criminals? Romance with a killer?

Watch a trailer for the book below:

Could The Wild Wild West be the Next Series to be Remade?

One wonders if CBS's relative success with its update of Hawaii Five-O this season is a good thing ... or not. Will it prompt the network -- or its peers -- to dust off other series to freshen, series best left as is to enjoy?

Earlier this year, for example, NBC was considering a "new" The Rockford Files. Fortunately, that idea didn't get past the pilot stage. Now, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that a remake of the classic series The Wild Wild West is under consideration (by Ron Moore, who, to give him all due credit, successfully updated Battlestar: Galactica). Not that this would be the first time the Robert Conrad/Ross Martin series has been revisited; Wild Wild West, a dreadful film starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline, was made in 1999.

The Wild Wild West ran for 4 seasons on CBS from 1965 through 1969. We're fans of the series -- the first couple of seasons, in particular; it got a little silly there towards the end of its run -- and think, in the right hands, it could be reimagined. What do you think?

Film Adaptation Planned for The Sitter by R. L. Stine

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is reporting that Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures has secured the film rights to the 2003 horror novel The Sitter by R. L. Stine. Dana Stevens will write the adaptation, tentatively titled The Au Pair.

In The Sitter, Ellie Saks is sick of dead-end jobs in the city and takes a job as a nanny for a family in the Hamptons. But then she meets family's four-year-old Brandon, who hasn’t spoken for months. The boy’s icy stare and demonic laughter make clear to Ellie that he is troubled, haunted by something too horrible for words. She soon begins to receive threatening messages and disturbing gifts, and every once in a while, in a crowd, she sees a face she hasn’t seen in seven years—the face of a boy who died long ago. It would seem that Ellie’s summer of fun has turned into a summer of horror—one she’ll never forget ... if she survives it at all.

Read the first chapters of The Sitter below.