Earlier today Janet Rudolph posted the news that crime novelist Joe Gores has died.
Gores is the author the Dan Kearney mysteries, which he based on his own experiences as a San Francisco private investigator, as well as a number of non-series novels, including Hammett, which was adapted for the 1982 film of the same name. A former president of the Mystery Writers of America, he was also a prolific screenwriter, whose credits include Kojak, Columbo, Magnum P.I., and more.
His most recent work is Spade & Archer, an authorized prequel to Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, which we reviewed in 2009: "Gores seems to have captured the essence of Sam Spade exceptionally well; the rapid, clipped dialog pitch perfect."
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Crime Novelist Joe Gores Has Died
Kiefer Sutherland to Star in Web Series, The Confession
EW.com is reporting that 24 series lead Kiefer Sutherland will star in a series of webisodes to premiere exclusively online in March on Hulu.
Filmed last month in New York, The Confession features Sutherland as a hitman who discusses theology with a priest (played by John Hurt).
Written and directed by Brad Mirman (Body of Evidence, Resurrection), 10 episodes of 5 to 7 minutes each have been produced.
Rooney Mara in Character as Lisbeth Salander on Cover of W Magazine
W Magazine features Rooney Mara in character as Lisbeth Salander on the cover of its February 2011 issue. (See also the online article: On Set with David Fincher.)
Mara is starring as the "androgynous, bisexual computer hacker with multiple piercings and a distinctive tattoo on her back" in the English-language adaptation of the first book in the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The film, directed by David Fincher, also stars Daniel Craig as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who teams up with Lisbeth to find out what happened to the niece of a Swedish industrialist, who disappeared 40 years ago.
We recently published our review of the original Swedish-language adaptation, released in 2009; read it on Mr. E. Reviews: Män Som Hatar Kvinnor.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo hits theaters December 21, 2011.
Mr. E. Reviews Inception
With striking visuals, Inception is a stunning film to watch. Still, the focus here is on the plot: how much of the film is a dream in which the characters are playing roles in someone's mind, and how much, if any, is reality. Coming up with answers to that question, and many more, is clearly part of the fun and appeal of this creatively devised film.
Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews Inception.
Available on: 
Mr. E. Reviews is your source for mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime drama reviews of television and film.
Coupon Savings from KoboBooks.com
KoboBooks.com
Save 15% on Stieg Larsson titles by using coupon code STIEG15
Save 15% on any John Grisham legal thriller by using coupon code grisham15
Save 15% on Harlequin mysteries and romantic suspense by using coupon code save15hqn
And save 15% on selected bestsellers (which as of the date of this post include a large number of mystery, suspense and thriller novels) by using coupon code kobosave15
All coupon codes provided here are valid through March 31st, 2011.
Please also visit our own MystereBooks.com for a frequently updated list of new mystery ebooks available from Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and KoboBooks.com.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Law & Order SVU Producer to Write New Series of Mystery Novels
Deadline|Hollywood is reporting that Law & Order: SVU executive producer Neal Baer will write three books in a new series of medical thrillers featuring a forensic psychiatrist, to be published by Kensington Publishing.
Kill Switch, which introduces series character Claire Waters, is scheduled to hit bookstores in January 2012.
"I became interested in the science behind what makes a criminal mind," said Baer. "Claire is driven to understand the scientific explanation of why people would commit a crime."
Not surprisingly, Baer is also looking to adapt the books for film or television.
The Cruel Ever After by Ellen Hart (Book Review)
The Cruel Ever After by Ellen Hart. A Jane Lawless Mystery. Minotaur Books Hardcover, December 2010.
The well-crafted plot holds a number of surprises for Minneapolis restaurateur Jane Lawless ... and the reader. In addition to the mystery involving her ex-husband, Jane reflects on what has been in her life and where it may be going. This is yet another solid entry in this winning series that continues to deliver superior storylines with engaging characters in realistic settings.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Cruel Ever After by Ellen Hart.
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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.
New Trailer for Priest, Adapted from the Manhwa Series by Hyung Min-woo
A new trailer from Priest, the film adaptation of the Priest series of manhwa by Korean writer/artist Hyung Min-woo, was released today (via Yahoo! Movies) and can be seen below.
The storyline features a legendary Warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) from the last Vampire War, who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on an obsessive quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He is joined on his crusade by his niece's boyfriend, a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess who possesses otherworldly fighting skills.
Priest will be in theaters on May 13th.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry (Book Review)
The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry. A Cotton Malone Mystery. Ballantine Hardcover, November 2010.
This fast-paced international thriller featuring Cotton Malone includes extended passages that link the cultural history of China with its present political environment, providing a fascinating backdrop for the retired Justice Department operative's quest for an ancient lamp.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry.
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Read the first chapters of The Emperor's Tomb 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.
ABC Renews Castle for a Fourth Season
Just a quick note to report (via TV|Line) that ABC has officially renewed six series, including Castle, for next season. (The first two seasons of Castle are available on DVD from Telemystery: Castle.)
Castle stars Nathan Fillion as (fictional) crime novelist Richard Castle, whose (real) bestselling novels (Heat Wave and Naked Heat) feature NYPD homicide detective Nikki Heat, modeled after the cop Stana Katic plays in the series, Kate Beckett. You can read the first chapter of Heat Wave below:
Colin Farrell To Star in Total Recall Remake
Last summer Columbia Pictures announced it was moving forward on a remake of the 1990 sci-fi thriller Total Recall, which is adapted from the short story "We Can Remember It For you Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick and originally published in 1966.
Now we're learning (via Collider) that filming begins this May with Colin Farrell in the lead. Though few details on the storyline have been released, producer Neal Moritz says, "It’s closer to the book, the big difference is we don’t go to space ... instead of it being a spaceship that takes us to another planet, there’s something that takes us from one side of the planet to another that’s really interesting."
Total Recall (we're assuming that's what the title will be) is expected to be released in 2012.
Mystery Godoku Puzzle for January 10, 2011
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 B E F M N O R U
The title of John Verdon’s 2010 thriller suggests readers "think" this (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!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway and Paulo Henrique (Book Review)
Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway and Paulo Henrique. The Hardy Boys "The New Case Files" Mysteries. Papercutz Hardcover, October 2010.
This first in a new series of graphic novels to feature teen detectives Frank and Joe Hardy maintains many elements familiar to readers, but adds new layers of personality and conflict. The bright, colorful graphics work well with the storyline, which is developed and resolved quickly, allowing the book to be read as a stand-alone.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway and Paulo Henrique.
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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.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
The Cape Premieres Sunday, January 9th on NBC
Tomorrow, Sunday January 9th, NBC premieres its crime drama The Cape with a two-hour pilot episode at 9 PM (ET/PT), repeated on Monday also at 9 PM (ET/PT). It moves into its standard Monday timeslot on January 17th with new hour-long episodes.
David Lyons stars as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife Dana (Jennifer Ferrin) and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Vince Faraday becomes "The Cape" -- his son's favorite comic book superhero -- and takes the law into his own hands.
Rounding out the cast are James Frain as billionaire Peter Fleming, The Cape's nemesis who moonlights as the twisted killer Chess; Keith David as Max Milani, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape; Summer Glau as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City; Dorian Missick as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday; Martin Klebba as Rollo, member and unassuming muscle of the circus gang of bank robbers; and Vinnie Jones as Scales, resident thug and cohort of The Cape's nemesis Chess.
Watch a sneak peek of the series below:
Solve the Murder of an Artist in Blue Madonna: A Carol Reed Mystery, New 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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Blue Madonna: A Carol Reed Mystery
Did the artist Christina Falk really kill herself? If so, why did she phone Carol the day before her death, wanting to hire her? And was it really Christina that called Carol? With a dead client, Carol hasn't even got a case. And with so little information, she hasn't got any clues either. But the last thing that Christina did was to ask for Carol's help, so Carol figures that the least she could do is look into it. And when she uncovers several curious circumstances leading up to Christina's death, Carol just can't let it go.
See also the other game in this series: The Color of Murder.
ESRB Rating: Not Specified.
Windows Vista/XP (474 MB download).
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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!
Reviews of Mystery and Suspense Books for Kids, New This Week on Book Trends (110108)
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 Case of the Mysterious Countdown by Fred Rexroad. The third mystery in the Whiz Tanner series, recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 6th grade student, who writes, "[T]his mystery has the most enigmatic and remarkable clues that I have ever read which make this book exceedingly fascinating and out of the ordinary. It is nice to know that writers like Fred Rexroad can make two kid detectives as intelligent as Sherlock Holmes." (Read the entire review.)
Star of Stone by P. D. Baccalario. The second mystery adventure in the Century Quartet series, recommended for readers aged 10 to 12. Lexile measure: N/A. Reviewed by a 7th grade student, who writes, "I enjoyed the creative idea of putting in special middle pages in the book. This allowed the reader to go along with the book as more and more clues were discovered and truly organized everything perfectly." (Read the entire review.)
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.
Summit Options YA Thriller Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is reporting that Summit Entertainment (Twilight films) has optioned the yet-to-be-published young adult thriller Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Both film and TV rights were obtained.
Set at the turn of the 19th century, Night Circus tells the story of two young magicians, pawns in an age-old rivalry between their mercurial, illusionist fathers, and the enchanted circus where their competition (and romance) plays out, leaving the fates of everyone involved -- from creators and performers to patrons -- hanging in the balance.
Night Circus, published by Doubleday, hits bookshelves September 2011.
Friday, January 07, 2011
HBO's Game of Thrones to Premiere Sunday, April 17th
Earlier today we reported that The Killing, an original series from AMC, will premiere on April 3rd.
Now we're learning that HBO will premiere Game of Thrones two weeks later on April 17th.
Based on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" epic medieval fantasy suspense novels by George R. R. Martin, we've been looking forward to this series since HBO first announced the 10-episode adaptation almost a year ago.
Since then, HBO has produced a couple of trailers and previews for Game of Thrones. Hopefully we'll see more before the premiere date.
AMC's The Killing to Premiere Sunday, April 3rd
In a announcement this morning during the Television Critics Association press tour, AMC TV announced that its original series The Killing would premiere on Sunday, April 3rd at 10 PM (ET/PT).
The Killing is based on the successful Danish television series Forbrydelsen. It tells the story of the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation. Season One consists of 13 one-hour episodes.
Mireille Enos stars as Sarah Linden, the lead homicide detective that investigates the death of Rosie Larsen; Billy Campbell as Darren Richmond, Seattle’s City Council President, running for Mayor; Joel Kinnaman as Stephen Holder, an ex-narc cop who joins the homicide division in the investigation to find Rosie’s killer; Michelle Forbes as Rosie’s mother, Mitch Larsen; and Brent Sexton as Rosie’s father, Stan Larsen.
Following the premiere, each week AMCtv.com will feature new episodic and behind-the-scenes videos, exclusive Q&As with the cast and crew, trivia games, and more. The site also introduces a customized feature entitled, “Rosie’s Room,” which is an exclusive interactive experience that allows users to enter and explore the bedroom of the teenage murder victim Rosie Larsen to learn more about her life and uncover clues about what may have led to her untimely death.
New Carina eBook Mysteries for January 2011
Each month, Omnimystery News is pleased to list new mystery and suspense titles from Carina Press, an ebook only publisher. Links on this page are for the Kindle edition of the book; click on the banner to the right to be taken to the CarinaPress.com website to purchase other ebook formats.
New books of mystery and suspense for January 2011 from Carina Press include:
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Fatal Justice by Marie Force
A Sam Holland Mystery (2nd in series)
Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more. On the plus side, her relationship with Senator Nick Cappuano is heating up—but it's also attracting a lot of unwanted media attention and blinding flash bulbs.
The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair's killer, but a new lead in her father's unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice can be blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal ...
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The Paris Secret by Angela Henry
Non-series
Less than twenty-four hours after fleeing to Paris, Maya Sinclair is the prime suspect in a brutal murder—and targeted by the real killer. When she's viciously attacked in the gardens of Versailles, Maya barely escapes with her life thanks to sexy French journalist Simon Girard.
Simon has been investigating the mysterious death of his brother, an art forger with ties to the woman Maya is suspected of killing. Still healing from heartbreak of his own, Simon reluctantly joins forces with Maya, who has awakened feelings within him he thought long dead.
Their search for answers uncovers the existence of a secret society, and puts them on a quest to find a missing crucifix rumored to hold the key to everlasting life. Together, Maya and Simon race through Paris one step ahead of a killer who will do anything to ensure some secrets remain buried forever ...
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Carina Press, a division of Harlequin, is a digital-first publisher offering ebooks in a variety of genres, including mystery. eBooks from Carina can be read on the Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, B&N Nook, Borders Kobo, BlackBerry and mobile phones.
For more mystery, suspense and thriller ebooks, visit MystereBooks.com.
The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein by J. Michael Orenduff (Book Review)
The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein by J. Michael Orenduff. A Hubie Schuze Mystery. Oak Tree Press Trade Paperback, November 2010.
Though the plot is a little thin here and the whodunit never really in doubt, the primary reason to read this entertaining mystery is to listen to Anasazi pot expert (and sometime thief) Hubie Schuze tell a creative story of how a simple appraisal assignment went seriously wrong.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein by J. Michael Orenduff.
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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.
Cross Swords with a Vengeful Pirate in Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull, 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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Shortly after moving into a creepy mansion in Louisiana, Sara Lawson is struck with tragedy when her husband mysteriously disappears. Sara’s daughter, Magnolia, believes her father was kidnapped by the ghost of a vengeful pirate seeking to protect his lost fortune. With the locals terrified of the pirate’s curse, you are the family’s last hope. Only a Master Detective with incredible hidden object skills can locate Marcus Lawson in the seventh entry of this popular series!
For a more in-depth playing experience, check out the Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull (Collector's Edition) that includes features you won't find in the standard edition, such as bonus gameplay, an integrated strategy guide, concept art, and more.
See also the other games in the Mystery Case Files Series.
Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (574.17 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 January 07, 2011
A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending January 07, 2011 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.
The new year begins just as last year ended, with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson firmly atop the leaderboard. Two new titles enter the top 15 this week.
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In 14th position is Three Seconds, the fifth Sundkvist and Grens mystery by Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom, though only the second to be translated into English.
Piet Hoffman, a top secret operative for the Swedish police, is about to embark on his most dangerous assignment yet: after years spent infiltrating the Polish mafia, he's become a key player in their attempt to take over amphetamine distribution inside Sweden's prisons. To stop them from succeeding, he will have to go deep cover, posing as a prisoner inside the country's most notorious jail.
But when a botched drug deal involving Hoffman results in a murder, the investigation is assigned to the brilliant but haunted Detective Inspector Ewert Grens -- a man who never gives up until he's cracked the case. Grens's determination to find the killer not only threatens to expose Hoffman's true identity-it may reveal even bigger crimes involving the highest levels of power. And there are people who will do anything to stop him from discovering the truth.
Three Seconds (original Swedish title: Tre Sekunder) was the winner of the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers' 2009 award for Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year.
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Actually debuting last week just off the list and moving up to number 15 is Dead Zero, the seventh mystery featuring Bob Lee Swagger by Stephen Hunter.
Who killed Whiskey 2-2?
And why won’t it stay dead?
A marine sniper team on a mission in tribal territories on the Afghan-Pakistan border, Whiskey 2-2 is ambushed by professionals using the latest high-tech shooting gear. Badly wounded, the team’s sole survivor, Gunnery Sergeant Ray Cruz, aka “the Cruise Missile,” is determined to finish his job. He almost succeeds when a mystery blast terminates his enterprise, leaving a thirty-foot crater where a building used to be—and where Sergeant Cruz was meant to be hiding.
Months pass. Ray’s target, an Afghan warlord named Ibrahim Zarzi, sometimes called “The Beheader,” becomes an American asset in the region and beyond, beloved by State, the Administration, and the Agency. He arrives in Washington for consecration as Our Man in Kabul. But so does a mysterious radio transmission, in last year’s code. It’s from Whiskey 2-2.
Is Ray Cruz back? Has he gone rogue, is he insane, or just insanely angry? Will he succeed, though his antagonists now include the CIA, the FBI, and the same crew of bad boys that nearly killed him in Zabol province? Not to mention Bob Lee Swagger and a beautiful CIA agent named Susan Okada who gives Swagger more than just a patriotic reason to take the case.
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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.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
BBC Commissions Waking the Dead Spin-off, The Body Farm
In a press release today, the BBC announced the network had commissioned The Body Farm, a spin-off of its crime drama Waking the Dead and starring Tara Fitzgerald as forensic pathologist Eve Lockhart.
Eve leads a brilliant and ambitious team of scientists at a private facility where human remains are donated for scientific experiment. They are called upon by police forces all over the world to provide expert knowledge to help solve crimes.
"Eve Lockhart is a powerful and brilliant character from Waking The Dead – compassionate but cool and committed she searches for truth and justice in the darkest human experience." said Kate Harwood, Controller, Drama Series and Serials. "The Body Farm visually combines forensic and mortal elements in a cinematic, beautiful, surprising and arresting series."
A 90-minute pilot and five 60-minute episodes will be produced. Filming starts this spring.
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