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

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books recently updated its list of November 2010 hardcover mysteries as well shelved new November 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 November.

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Title: Miss Dimple Disappears
Author: Mignon F. Ballard
Series Character: Dimple Kilpatrick
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Miss Dimple Kilpatrick is a 1st grade teacher in Georgia.

Her first case: It’s 1942, almost a year since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and the residents of the small town of Elderberry, Georgia, have been rattled down to their worn, rationed shoes. For young teacher Charlie Carr, life and love aren’t going exactly as planned—her head dictates loyalty to the handsome corpsman, Hugh, but whenever she thinks of her best friend’s beau, Will, her heart does the Jersey Bounce. Charlie is doubly troubled by the disappearance of beloved schoolmistress Miss Dimple Kilpatrick one frosty November morning just before Thanksgiving. Miss Dimple, who has taught the town’s first graders—including Charlie—for almost forty years, would never just skip town in the middle of the school year, and Charlie and her best friend, Annie, are determined to prove it.

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Title: Midnight Whispers
Author: Curtis Christopher Comer
Series Character: Blake Danzig
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Blake Danzig is a paranormal investigator in San Francisco.

His first case: The star of the syndicated show Haunted California and owner of Danzig Paranormal Investigations, Blake has been able to see and talk to the dead since he was a small boy. Born into a circus family, Blake eventually made his way to San Francisco where he wrote his first book and opened his paranormal investigation office.

Assisted by his best friend and self-proclaimed witch, Melody Adams, Blake helps his ex-lover and San Francisco Police Detective, Brian Cox, solve cold case murders by contacting the spirits of the victims. But, when he gets too close to a psychotic spirit, all hell breaks loose and Blake ends up risking losing not only his boyfriend, Joe, but his very soul.

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Title: Kind of Blue
Author: Miles Corwin
Series Character: Ash Levine
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the character: Ash Levine is an ex-LAPD homicide detective.

His first case: When a legendary ex-cop is mudered in Los Angeles, the pressure's on to find the killer. Lt. Frank Duffy needs his best detective on the case, but his best detective, Ash Levine, quit a year ago.

A tenacious, obsessive detective, Ash resigned after Latisha Patton, the witness in a homicide case he was working, was murdered. Without his job, Ash is left unanchored -- and consumed with guilt that he somehow caused Latisha's murder. When he's asked to rejoin the force, Ash reluctantly agrees. Getting his badge back could give him the chance to find Latisha's killer.

Ash dives headfirst into the shadowlands of Southern California to investigate the ex-cop's murder. But even when he has a suspect in custody, something about this case doesn't sit right with Ash, and he continues working the increasingly dangerous investigation while quietly chasing leads in Latisha's murder. Unable to let either case go, Ash finds that his obsessive nature might prove fatal.

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Title: Blond Run
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Series Character: Trane Ravenwood
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Trane Ravenwood is a homicide detective in San Francisco.

His first case: While frantically hunting for an elusive killer who is scheduled to take the next victim by the end of the week, Ravenwood witnesses an unrelated murder from a place he shouldn't be. Almost immediately, he is pulled into the edgy world of Trance St. Croix, a beautiful attorney who is too mysterious to trust and too hypnotic to resist.

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Title: Casino Caribbean
Author: Graham Tempest
Series Character: Oliver Steele
Format: Trade Paperback

What we know about the character: Oliver Steele is an investigative accountant.

His first case: When the ruthless founder of a hugely successful Internet casino is assailed simultaneously by a rival group trying to steal his business, and by the friends of a compulsive gambler he has ruined, seeking redress, Oliver is hired by sharp financier Carlton Tisch to dig into the case of the elderly gambler.

Helped and sometimes hindered by the man's talented daughter Kathy, and by Tisch's Israeli soldier-of-fortune sidekick, Kon Feaver, he finds himself dodging bullets on Antigua and trying to thwart casino operator Frankie Leon and his devious attorneys.

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Title: The Athena Project
Author: Brad Thor
Series Characters: The Athena Project
Format: Hardcover

What we know about the characters: The Athena Project is a group of women trained to combat terrorism.

Their first case: Just as skilled, just as fearsome, and just as deadly as their colleagues, Delta Force’s newest members have only one thing setting them apart—their gender. Part of a top-secret, all-female program code-named The Athena Project, four of Delta’s best and brightest women are about to undertake one of the nation’s deadliest assignments.

When a terrorist attack in Rome kills more than twenty Americans, Athena Team members Gretchen Casey, Julie Ericsson, Megan Rhodes, and Alex Cooper are tasked with hunting down the Venetian arms dealer responsible for providing the explosives. But there is more to the story than anyone knows.

In the jungles of South America, a young U.S. intelligence officer has made a grisly discovery. Surrounded by monoliths covered with Runic symbols, one of America’s greatest fears appears to have come true. Simultaneously in Colorado, a foreign spy is close to penetrating the mysterious secret the U.S. government has hidden beneath Denver International Airport.

As Casey, Ericsson, Rhodes, and Cooper close in on their target, they will soon learn that another attack—one of unimaginable proportions—has already been set in motion, and the greatest threat they face may be the secrets kept by their own government.

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For a list of more mysteries scheduled for publication during November, 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 November 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.

One Series, One Mini-Series, and Three Collections, New This Week on DVD

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, one mini-series, and three collections being released this week.

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Sir Derek Jacobi is Brother Cadfael, a 12th-century Benedictine monk and former Crusader who uses his worldly knowledge, apothecary skills, and keen intuition to solve crimes in Cadfael.

Based on the bestselling novels by Ellis Peters, this award-winning series is a fascinating mix of costume drama, Middle Ages spirituality, and classic whodunit.

The Cadfael: The Complete Collection DVD set of 13 discs contain all 13 episodes that aired from 1994 through 1998, which were previously released on four separate DVD sets. Extras include audio comments by Derek Jacobi, production scrapbooks, and historical background notes.

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David Janssen stars as Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive.

Accused of the murder of his wife, the night before his execution, he escapes. The only chance to prove his innocence is to find the one-armed man he saw kill her. Kimble, persecuted by Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse), risks his life several times when he shows his identity to help other people out of trouble.

The The Fugitive: Season Four (Volume 1) DVD set of 4 discs contain the first half of the final season of the series, which aired during the fall of 1966.

The series was the basis for a 1993 theatrical film starring Harrison Ford as Kimble and for a short-lived update of the series in 2000 starring Timothy Daly.

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John Nettles stars as Detective Chief Inspector in Midsomer Murders, a series based on characters created by mystery author Caroline Graham and located in the fictional English county of Midsomer.

The Midsomer Murders: Village Case Files DVD set of 16 discs collects the 16 episodes previously released on DVD sets Nine through Twelve, which originally aired between 2004 and 2006. John Hopkins stars as Barnaby's partner Detective Sergeant Dan Scott in the first half of these episodes, and Jason Hughes as his new (and current) partner Detective Sergeant Ben Jones in the second half.

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When ITV rebooted a series of Miss Marple mysteries in 2004, Geraldine McEwan was hired to portray the amateur sleuth, a role she played for three seasons (12 episodes).

Prim and proper in her smart tweed suits and matching hats, Miss Marple is often overlooked by the police and underestimated by criminals. But she proves her mettle time and again, solving cases that leave even the most experienced professionals flummoxed.

The Miss Marple: The Geraldine McEwan Collection DVD set of 12 discs collects these episodes that were previously released as three separate sets.

Read Mr. E. Reviews Miss Marple: The Geraldine McEwan Collection at MrEReviews.com.

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Robbie Coltrane and Sharon Small star in Murderland, an clever and compelling thriller that tells a traumatic murder story through the eyes of three central characters: Carrie the daughter of the murdered woman, Douglas Hain, for whom the investigation becomes a haunting obsession; the detective in charge of the investigation; and Sally the murder victim.

Murderland aired as a three-part miniseries on ITV in 2009.

The Murderland: The Complete Miniseries DVD set is comprised of 2 discs.

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

Bloodline of the Fallen: Anna's Sacrifice, a New Game of Suspense from 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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When Anna's father is murdered, uncomfortable truths that call her past into question come to light. She remembers her father telling her of the horrors he had witnessed as a member of a mysterious cult. Although she didn’t believe they were true, the tales were so strong and fascinating that Anna wrote a book and told the world. Now, disturbing nightmares of the cult haunt her and she feels a grave danger. Were the stories real?

Find out as you follow Anna and her friends headlong into a confrontation with her dark destiny. See how her life begins to unravel when she journeys across the world in search of answers. Piece together puzzles and find objects in 24 frightening levels. Will Anna make the ultimate sacrifice to save her soul?

Bloodline of the Fallen: Anna's Sacrifice may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (207.13 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 Godoku Puzzle for November 01, 2010

A new Mystery Godoku Puzzle has been created by the editors of the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books and is now available on our website.

Godoku is similar to Sudoku, but uses letters instead of numbers. To give you a headstart, we provide you a mystery clue to fill in a complete row or column (if you choose to use it!).

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This week's letters and mystery clue:

A C F J K O U R S

These playing cards are featured in the 12th title of the Wycliffe mysteries by W. J. Burley (9 letters).

We now have two weeks of our puzzles on one page in PDF format for easier printing. Print this week's puzzle here.

Previous puzzles are stored in the Mystery Godoku Archives.

Enjoy the weekly Mystery Godoku Puzzle from the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, and Thanks for visiting our website!

Blood Count by Reggie Nadelson (Book Review)

Blood Count by Reggie Nadelson. An Artie Cohen Mystery. Walker Hardcover, October 2010.

A superb example of an intricately crafted, multi-layered novel of suspense, the ending of which -- the whodunit, if you will -- will likely come as a surprise to most readers.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Blood Count by Reggie Nadelson.

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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.

Ms. Terri Reviews Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat

As a mystery game, Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat is really first rate. The beautifully rendered scenes are appropriately mysterious and there is a lot to do, most of which requires some thoughtful action by, sometimes interaction with, the player. The storyline is well thought out, and though the titular cat has only a small role here, every time you see it there's a real sense of moving forward in the plot.

Read Ms. Terri's complete review on Games of Mystery Reviews: Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat.

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

Mr. E. Reviews Agatha Christie Marple: The Geraldine McEwan Collection

The twelve episodes in Agatha Christie's Marple: The Geraldine McEwan Collection clearly showcase the range the actress brings to the character -- and they are better for it. Many of these adaptations deviate significantly from their source -- indeed, some of the original novels don't even feature Miss Marple -- but, I would argue, they are often for the better; even in those episodes where the plot does seem to drag a bit, McEwan shines.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews: Agatha Christie's Marple: The Geraldine McEwan Collection.

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

Sherlock Holmes in The Blind Banker, Sunday October 31st on PBS Masterpiece Mystery!

Tomorrow, Sunday October 31st, the second of three episodes of Series I of Sherlock airs on PBS (check your local listings for air times).

We watched last week's episode ("A Study in Pink") and were enthralled, from the spot-on character depictions to the well-plotted storyline to the introduction of modern twists on classic lines from the canon. ("It's quite a three patch problem, Watson.")

In the second episode, "The Blind Banker," John Watson (Martin Freeman) is scrambling to do the errands and find a job while Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) sits around, apparently in deep contemplation. Sherlock seems oblivious, and in no hurry to take a case. When there's been a break-in at a bank, Sherlock inexplicably springs into action. Nothing has been stolen, only indecipherable graffiti painted on a wall. A bank employee is soon found dead in his apartment, the windows and doors locked from the inside, and Sherlock is at full, frenetic attention. An exhausted and hungry Watson (Sherlock doesn't eat while on a case — it just slows him down) watches from the sidelines of a case of which he'll soon inexplicably find himself at the center.

This first series of Sherlock will be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on November 9th, 2010, and is available to pre-order from Telemystery: Sherlock. If you missed last week's episode, you can watch it online through December 7th, 2010, on the PBS: Sherlock website.

Watch a preview for "The Blind Banker" below:

The Walking Dead Premieres Sunday, October 31st, on AMC TV

Tomorrow, Sunday October 31st -- Halloween -- The Walking Dead premieres on AMC TV at 10 PM (ET/PT).

Based on Robert Kirkman's popular comic book series, The Walking Dead is an epic, edge-of-your-seat drama where personal struggles are magnified against a backdrop of moment-to-moment survival.

The comic book series first appeared in 2003, with six issues each collected into a series of books. The first is titled The Walking Dead Volume 1: Days Gone Bye with the most recent, The Walking Dead Volume 13: Too Far Gone, is scheduled for publication in late November.

In the series, County Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up in an empty hospital after weeks in a coma, and finds himself utterly alone. The world as he knows it is gone, ravaged by a zombie epidemic. A survivalist story at its core, the series explores how the living are changed by the overwhelming realization that those who survive can be far more dangerous that the mindless walkers roaming the earth. They themselves have become the walking dead.

Shot on location in Atlanta, the first episode of six in the AMC series shares its title with the first entry in the comic book series: "Days Gone Bye." In the video embedded below, producer Frank Darabont and author Robert Kirkman discuss the process of converting the comic book into a television series, what they have in common and how they differ. More videos can be seen on the AMC: The Walking Dead website.

Murder au Naturel by Allen Barlowe (Book Review)

Murder au Naturel by Allen Barlowe. Non-series. Llumina Press Trade Paperback, August 2010.

Though this light murder mystery set at a clothing-optional resort may be intended as escapist fun for genre fans, there's too little humor and not enough suspense to achieve that level of entertainment.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Murder au Naturel by Allen Barlowe.

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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.

Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (101030)

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.

The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie. The second suspense novel in the Oracles of Delphi Keep series, recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "This is a great novel full of face-paced action, well-developed characters, and never-ending suspense. This book is very interesting, and very exiting. I just couldn't put it down!"

Roll Up the Streets by John Badek. A non-series mystery adventure recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "On the first reading, the beginning of the story is confusing, slow and Jake's little jokes and comments are supposed to be funny but instead are annoying. [But w]hen I read the book again, the beginning was not as confusing and I liked Jake's comments more than the first time I read the book. I got much more out of the book the second time I read it, so I suggest you read the book twice too."

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.

Four Games of Mystery and Suspense, New This Week from AVG

Games of Mystery is pleased to announce this week's new mystery and suspense casual and adventure games available for immediate download from Amazon Video Games.

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

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Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper

1888, London, district of Whitechapel. A series of particularly horrible murders takes place in this district of the East End of London where atrociously mutilated prostitutes' bodies are found. The police are unable to find a serious lead and the murders increase creating a real psychosis. Sherlock Holmes starts looking for clues in the dark and sinister alleys of Whitechapel in order to follow the macabre trail of the one the press now calls Jack the Ripper. During a frightening adventure, Sherlock Holmes will try to bring out the true identity and the motives of the one who hides behind this scary alias.

Presented in full 3D, Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper offers players 2 different perspectives available at any moment in the game: a third-person view in the pure style of traditional point 'n' click adventure games and a first-person view for close-up investigation. Players have the total freedom to choose either of the angles they wish or use them both to immerse themselves completely in this terrifying adventure.

ESRB Rating: Mature.

Windows Vista/XP (1590 MB download).

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Kate Arrow: Deserted Wood

Set off on an adventure to help Kate return a valuable idol to a tribe by traveling deep into the jungle to find her grandfather in this fun hidden object game. Pack your bags and use your wits to avoid dangerous situations, and make it through a plane crash! Track down your grandfather and deliver the powerful idol that he has promised to the tribe that saved his life many years ago.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (151 MB download).

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Women's Murder Club: Little Black Lies

A cold case heats up when an inquisitive writer is put on ice.

Regina Blacklock, celebrated true-crime author and friend of the Women's Murder Club, is famous for uncovering the truth. But sometimes the truth can be deadly. Now her latest book is also her last. When Regina's body is discovered in her car, authorities find a strange clue leading them to the Women's Murder Club.

Join Lindsay, Claire and Cindy as they reveal what the murder of a teenage girl from 1975 has to do with Regina's recent demise. What did Regina uncover when digging deeply into the past ... what will you find in the present?

Discover the truth behind the lies in the fourth chapter of the hit series critics have called "smart,""inventive," and "refreshingly different." Search for hidden clues in a variety of beautifully illustrated scenes. Choose your own path as you explore a seemingly quaint, northern California town tormented by one horrifying night. Reveal a chilling story by solving challenging puzzles. Search for the disturbing truth behind the little black lies.

Based on characters created by bestselling mystery author James Patterson.

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (200 MB download).

Read Ms. Terri's Review of Women's Murder Club: Little Black Lies.

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Nightfall Mysteries: Asylum Conspiracy

Help Christine explore the spooky Ashburg Asylum and find her missing grandfather in this dark hidden object game! Travel to the eerie grounds of Ashburg and work your way through spine-chilling locations. Solve unique puzzles to progress deeper into the asylum, and closer to Christine's grandfather. Meet interesting characters, unravel a mystery, and uncover an evil plot!

ESRB Rating: Not Specified.

Windows Vista/XP (191 MB download).

Read Ms. Terri's Review of Nightfall Mysteries: Asylum Conspiracy.

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

Explore in Eerie Mansion in Mystery Valley, New from 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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A rash of murders has struck, and it’s up to you as an FBI agent to find the murderer in this dark and spooky hidden object game! Explore an eerie mansion and find clues and the motive behind the murders. As you dive deeper in the case, you realize that you’re more connected to the murders than you ever would have imagined.

Mystery Valley may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (141.22 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!