Watch an Amazing Fan-Made Film Adaptation of The Hunger Games

Earlier this month we learned a film adaptation of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was in the works. The first book in the futuristic Hunger Games trilogy, the storyline features Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called "The Hunger Games."

The budget for the film is reported to be in the $60 million range (about 50% more than Twilight cost to make), but watch below a short film that a fan made on what is almost certainly a tiny fraction of that amount. It's pretty amazing. (Spoiler alert: some plot elements of the book are revealed in this video.)

Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply (Book Review)

Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply. A Brady Coyne Mystery. Minotaur Books Hardcover, November 2010.

The intricate plot of this final book in the series is one of misdirection, deception and lies, and well suited to the investigative approach taken by Brady Coyne that relies far more on deductive reasoning than action. One of the most likeable characters in crime fiction; he (and his creator) will be missed.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Outwitting Trolls by William G. Tapply.

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Read the first chapters of Outwitting Trolls below.

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

Film Prequel Approved for USA Series Burn Notice

Deadline|Hollywood is reporting that USA Network has given the go-ahead for a film prequel to its hit series Burn Notice.

The untitled film will be set in late 2005 and will focus on Sam Axe's last mission as a Navy SEAL. Bruce Campbell, who plays ex-agent Axe in the series, will also star in the film. Jeffrey Donovan, who plays burned covert operative Michael Westen in the series, will direct.

Burn Notice recently completed production on its fourth season. The network has renewed the series for a fifth season.

Second Season of Archer Premieres January 27th, 2011, on FX Networks

FX Networks has announced that the second season of its animated spy spoof series, Archer, will premiere on Thursday, January 27th, 2011 at 10 PM (ET/PT).

The series features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin as suave master spy Sterling Archer, whose less-than-masculine code name is “Duchess;” Jessica Walter as Malory Archer, his domineering mother and head of the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS); and Aisha Tyler as his ex-girlfriend and current co-worker, Agent Lana Kane.

The first season of Archer is being released on DVD next month and is available to pre-order from Telemystery: Archer.

ABC Schedules Body of Proof Premiere for March 29th, 2011

ABC has finally set a date for the premiere of its medical examiner crime drama Body of Proof: March 29th, 2011. It will air in the Tuesday 10 PM time slot currently occupied by Detroit 1-8-7.

In Body of Proof, Dana Delany stars as Dr. Megan Hunt, a brilliant neurosurgeon whose world is turned upside down when a devastating car accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. She resumes her career as a medical examiner determined to solve the puzzle of who or what killed the victims. Her instincts are sharp, but she’s developed a reputation for graying the lines of where her job ends and where the police department’s begins.

The series also stars Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphy, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Windell Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield, Nic Bishop as Peter Dunlop and Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker.

Below is a promo of Body of Proof from last May, when it was originally announced as a Fall 2010 series.

New Poster Released for The Adjustment Bureau, Adapted from a Philip K. Dick Short Story

A new poster has been released for Universal's upcoming thriller The Adjustment Bureau. The film, which opens in theaters March 4th, 2011, stars Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in an adaptation of the Philip K. Dick short story "The Adjustment Team", originally published in 1954.

Film synopsis (from the studio): On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Matt Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) — a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart.

David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself — the men of The Adjustment Bureau — who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path … or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.

The Adjustment Bureau was originally scheduled for a September 2010 release. The trailer (from last May, and via Yahoo! Movies) can be see below:

Crime Novelist Linda Fairstein to Receive Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo Credit: Sigrid Estrada

A press release this morning announced that former prosecutor and best-selling crime novelist Linda Fairstein, along with eight other exceptional business and philanthropic leaders, will be honored at the annual New York Women’s Agenda STAR Breakfast, Tuesday, December 7th at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City. Fairstein will be presented with the Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award.

New York County District Attorney Cyrus Roberts Vance, Jr. said, “I am pleased to present the Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award to my good friend and colleague, Linda Fairstein. Her leadership and achievements as a world-renowned authority on prosecuting sex crimes, and her unparalleled contribution to criminal justice and victims’ rights, make her the perfect candidate for this honor. From an elite prosecutor to a best-selling crime novelist, Linda's career trajectory proves that the second chapter in one's life can be as rewarding and exciting as the first.”

Fairstein held the position of Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for more than two decades and is America’s foremost legal expert on crimes of violence against women and children.

She is also the author of twelve mysteries featuring Alexandra "Alex" Cooper, a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney for the Sex Crimes Unit. Fairstein is most recently developing a crime drama for ABC titled One Police Plaza.

Cut & Run by Alix Bosco Wins Inaugural Ngaio Marsh Award

Crime Watch is reporting that the winner of the inaugural Ngaio Marsh Award for Best New Zealand Crime Novel is Cut & Run by Alix Bosco.

The award ceremony was originally scheduled to take place in September, but a regional earthquake caused a postponement until today (actually tonight, local New Zealand time).

Winter's Bone Wins Gotham Indepdendent Film Awards Best Feature

The Gotham Indepdendent Film Awards were given out last night and Winter's Bone won the top prize for Best Feature. The film was also honored for Best Ensemble Performance.

Winter's Bone, which also won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize earlier this year, is adapted from the 2006 novel of the same title by Daniel Woodrell.

Omnimystery's resident TV and film reviewer called Winter's Bone "one of the best films of the year", adding "the outstanding performance by Jennifer Lawrence as a young woman determined to do whatever it takes to save her family [in] a superficially simple yet deceptively complex plot that keeps us engaged throughout." (Mr. E. Reviews Winter's Bone)

About Winter's Bone (from the studio): Deep in the Ozark Mountains, clans live by a code of conduct that no one dares defy—until an intrepid teenage girl has no other choice. When Ree Dolly's crystal-meth-making father skips bail and goes missing, her family home is on the line. Unless she finds him, she and her young siblings and disabled mother face destitution. In a heroic quest, Ree traverses the county to confront her kin, break their silent collusion, and bring her father home.

Watch the trailer for the film below (via Yahoo! Movies):

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, New This Week on DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Cinemystery, your source for information on TV series, made-for-television movies, and theatrical films adapted from novels of mystery and suspense, which are now available on DVD or Blu-ray disc, is profiling a film scheduled for release this week.

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Adapted from the novel Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, it all begins with a choice in this third film of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse.

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is surrounded by danger as Seattle is hit by a string of murders and an evil vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, Bella is forced to choose between her love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and her friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) — knowing that her decision may ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf.

Eclipse runs 124 minutes and is rated PG-13.

The featured title on this page is Eclipse: Two-Disc Special Edition DVD. Also available: Eclipse: Single Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Eclipse: Single Disc Edition DVD, and Eclipse: Movie Only Blu-ray Disc.

Note: Most film releases occur on Tuesdays, but Eclipse is being released on Saturday, December 4th. All versions may be pre-ordered, however.

The two previous films in the series, Twilight and New Moon, are also available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

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Visit the Cinemystery website to discover more TV and film adaptations currently available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

New Clip from HBO's Game of Thrones

HBO has released a new clip from Game of Thrones, its upcoming adaptation of the books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. The title comes from the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones. (Four books have been written in the series; three more are planned.)

From the official description of the series: Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyon. Kings and Queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men ... all will play the Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones is filming now in Ireland and is expected to premiere next year. Watch the clip below (via HBO/Game of Thrones):

A Touch of Frost, 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 being released this week.

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David Jason stars as Detective Inspector William Edward "Jack" Frost in A Touch of Frost, based in part on the crime novels by R. D. Wingfield, who wrote six books featuring the character from 1984 through 2008. In contrast to many crime dramas, there has no regular sidekick for Frost over the years.

A Touch of Frost has aired on an irregular schedule since its premiere in 1992, with some seasons (like this one) consisting of but a single episode.

The A Touch of Frost: Season Fifteen DVD set of 1 disc contains the two-part episode that originally aired on ITV as an "Easter Special" in April 2010. This may be the last season for the series as the network has not indicated its intention to continue it.

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

Mystery Godoku Puzzle for November 29, 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 G H L K O S T W

The 2nd antiquarian book mystery with Dido Hoare by Marianne MacDonald has this title (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!

New Hardcover Mysteries for December 2010

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

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

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

Rachel Brady, Emily Locke (2nd); Don Bruns, James Lessor and Skip Moore (4th); Tom Clancy and Grant Blackwood, Jack Ryan Jr. (2nd); Alys Clare, Lassair (3rd); Edwidge Danticat, Short Story Collection; P. C. Doherty, Hugh Corbett (15th); Ruth Downie, Gaius Petreius Ruso (4th); Loren D. Estleman, Amos Walker (21st); Geraldine Evans, Rafferty and Llewellyn (13th); Monica Ferris, Betsy Devonshire, Needlecraft (14th); H. Terrell Griffin, Matt Royal (5th); W. E. B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV, Presidential Agent (6th); Ellen Hart, Jane Lawless (18th); Tami Hoag, Tony Mendez (2nd); Stephen Hunter, Bob Lee Swagger (7th); Arthur Conan Doyle and Kelley Jones, Sherlock Holmes Graphic (3rd); Colleen McCullough, Carmine Delmonico (3rd); Otto Penzler, Short Story Collection; Ann Purser, Lois Meade (10th); Frederick Ramsay, Mpoo Kgopa Sanderson (2nd); Jon Talton, David Mapstone (6th); Donald Thomas, Sherlock Holmes Collection (6th); Livia J. Washburn, Delilah Dickenson (3rd).

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

Douglas Alan, John Delaney; Adrian Magson, Harry Tate.

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

Sam Bourne, Milton T. Burton, K. J. Dahlen, Kyle Darcy, Peter Guttridge, Keith Hollihan, Dean Koontz, Graham Moore, Scott Oden, Howard Owen, Theodore W. Pietsch, Diane Sawyer, Ian Vasquez.

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

Please visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books where we are committed to providing readers and collectors of mystery books with the best and most current information about their favorite authors, titles, and series.

Collusion by Stuart Neville (Book Review)

Collusion by Stuart Neville. Non-series. Soho Crime Hardcover, October 2010.

The literary quality of this work cannot be denied, it is an exceptionally well written book; but the story here is so pedestrian, and so drawn out, that it feels many times longer than it really is. Indeed, for all practical purposes, it is not a sequel to The Ghosts of Belfast, but a novel-length epilogue.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Collusion by Stuart Neville.

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Read the first chapters of Collusion below.

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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.