The Impaler by Gregory Funaro (Mystery Book Review)

The Impaler by Gregory Funaro. A Sam Markham Mystery. Pinnacle Mass Market Paperback, February 2011.

This is an exceptionally detailed, well-thought out intellectual thriller that demands close attention; fast-reading it is not. Still, though it is creative and clever, and there are plenty of shocking, even horrific scenes, it seems to be missing something to make it exciting or, for lack of a better word, thrilling.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Impaler by Gregory Funaro.

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Read the first chapter(s) of The Impaler below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.

New Edition of Cowboys & Aliens Graphic Novel to be Published on February 22nd

This coming Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011, HarperCollins is reissuing the graphic novel Cowboys & Aliens in hardcover. A trade paperback will be published in May, a few weeks prior to the release of the film adapted from the book. This new edition of the book includes all-new tie-in art to the film.

Written by Andrew Foley and Fred Van Lente with artwork by Dennis Calero and Luciano Lima, from a concept by Scott Rosenberg, Cowboys & Aliens is the story of what happens when an alien invasion interrupts the ultimate showdown between cowboys and Indians in the Old West.

Originally published in 2006 by Image Comics, the graphic novel is being adapted into the film Cowboys & Aliens starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, which is scheduled to open in theaters July 29th, 2011; a preview of the film aired during the Super Bowl.

ABC Family Expected to Order Series Adapted from The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

ABC Family is expected to order a series based on the young adult thriller The Lying Game by Sara Shepard, according to a report by Deadline|Hollywood. A pilot was filmed last fall starring Alexandra Chando playing the roles of twin teenaged girls separated at birth. Shepard is also the author of the "Pretty Little Liars" series of books, which are the basis for the television series Pretty Little Liars, also on ABC Family.

In The Lying Game, what would you do if you had a long-lost twin? What if she disappeared the day you were supposed to meet? How far would you go to find out what went wrong? Emma Paxton travels to Arizona to start a new life with her long-lost sister—but the life she's about to begin is the one her sister left behind ...

You can read the first chapter(s) of The Lying Game below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.

Summit Adapting Houdini Biography for Action/Adventure Film

Film and television projects featuring Harry Houdini seem to be coming from all directions!

A week or so ago we reported on a film project in which Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle team up with a psychic to solve a series of murders in 1920s New York City. Separately there were reports that SyFy was developing a television series centered on the two men solving mysteries, based on the graphic novel Among the Spirits by Steve Valentine and Paul Chart.

And now The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is reporting that Summit Entertainment has hired Noah Oppenheim to adapt the biography The Secret Life of Houdini, The Making of America's First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman, creating a fictional action/adventure story to feature the master magician.

None may make it into production, but the all seem to have merits.

You can read the first chapter(s) of The Secret Life of Houdini below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.

Teaser Trailer Released for Jurassic Park: The Game

Telltale Games has released a teaser trailer for the first episode in its upcoming series Jurassic Park: The Game.

We don't know much about the gameplay, other than the events take place immediately following the close of the first Jurassic Park film and players will portray supporting characters in the film.

Jurassic Park: The Game will be available for PC and Mac, and is currently scheduled for release in April 2011. Watch the trailer below.

A Gift for Murder by Karen McCullough (Mystery Book Review)

A Gift for Murder by Karen McCullough. A Heather McNeil Mystery. Five Star Hardcover, January 2011.

This delightful murder mystery introducing a new amateur sleuth includes some laughs, a touch of romance, and an abundance of red herrings. Heather is an engaging lead, and her supporting cast offers both contrast and balance to her role.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: A Gift for Murder by Karen McCullough.

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Paramount Options Film Rights to Forgotten, a YA Mystery by Cat Patrick

Paramount has optioned the soon to be published young adult mystery Forgotten by Cat Patrick, and has Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) lined up to star (via Deadline|New York).

In the book, each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.

When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting -- before it destroys her future.

Forgotten is scheduled to be published by Little, Brown in June, 2011.

Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense Titles for March 2011

eHarlequin.com has released the list of March 2011 titles in their Love Inspired Suspense series. Love Inspired Suspense books combine suspense, romance, hope and faith to create a unique page-turning series that today’s readers love.

For more information about the book from eHarlequin.com, click on the title or cover; other purchase options are also provided.

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Double Identity by Diane Burke

Sophie Clarkston is shocked to learn that she isn't who she thinks. Her birth certificate is forged. Her name — made up. And her widowed "father" is suddenly missing, leaving behind a heartbreaking letter asking forgiveness. Desperate for answers, Sophie turns to private investigator Cain Garrison in tiny Promise, Virginia. But the moment they leave his office, her life is threatened and her home ransacked. Who is after her? And who, exactly, is she? With questions about his own past, Cain vows to help Sophie uncover the truth. Before someone comes out of the shadows to keep it hidden forever.

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Code of Justice by Liz Johnson

Her sister's last words shake FBI agent Heather Sloan to the core. They also convince her that the helicopter crash only Heather survived wasn't an accident. Sheriff's deputy Jeremy Latham is assigned the case — he's the one who can help Heather find the person responsible … once she convinces him they should work together. As they dig for the truth, they learn to trust and care for each other. Will they lose it all when the killer targets Heather? She's willing to risk her life to find her sister's killer — but her code of justice could cost her the chance to win Jeremy's love.

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Mission: Out of Control by Susan May Warren

Brody "Wick" Wickham is a former Green Beret turned security agent — with a 100 percent mission success rate. No way is his new assignment changing that. Even if it's protecting a diva American rock star while she's on tour in Europe. Except Veronica "Vonya" Wagner isn't just a beautiful celebrity used to having her way — she's the daughter of a U.S. Senator. And she's hiding a dangerous secret. When Wick discovers what's at stake, how far over the line will he go to keep them both alive?

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Face of Danger by Valerie Hansen

Giving murder victims a face is forensic artist Paige Bryant's specialty. She can always put the pieces together. But her work turns dangerous when Texas Ranger Cade Jarvis brings her a special project related to the notorious Lions of Texas. Identifying the victim could help with the ongoing search for the murderer of Cade's boss … yet it also draws deadly attention to Paige. As she contends with attack after attack with only Cade's protection, the two of them draw closer together, learn to open their hearts … and struggle to identify the face of danger before it's too late.

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Keep up to date by subscribing to eHarlequin.com's free newsletter that contains the latest information about their series of books as well as informing you about subscriber-only special offers and new products. Click on the banner to subscribe for free.

Dive into a Dark Atmosphere in Mystery Agency: A Vampire's Kiss, 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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Help Sarah find her missing friend Emilia, who was taken away by a dark being in the middle of the night! As a member of the private detective Mystery Agency, it's up to you to investigate the person responsible for Emilia's disappearance. Dive into a dark atmosphere and help save Sarah's friend before time runs out and it's too late!

Mystery Agency: A Vampire's Kiss may be downloaded and purchased for $6.99 with a Big Fish Game Club membership. A demonstration version (69.09 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 February 18, 2011

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending February 18th, 2011 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.

Though The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson remains atop the list, last week's featured title, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, in only its second week, moves solidly into the top 4.

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Debuting last week at number 16 and moving up to number 9 this week is the third mystery with 11-year-old Flavia de Luce, A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley.

Flavia had asked the old Gypsy woman to tell her fortune, but never expected to stumble across the poor soul, bludgeoned in the wee hours in her own caravan. Was this an act of retribution by those convinced that the soothsayer had abducted a local child years ago? Certainly Flavia understands the bliss of settling scores; revenge is a delightful pastime when one has two odious older sisters. But how could this crime be connected to the missing baby? Had it something to do with the weird sect who met at the river to practice their secret rites? While still pondering the possibilities, Flavia stumbles upon another corpse—that of a notorious layabout who had been caught prowling about the de Luce’s drawing room.

Pedaling Gladys, her faithful bicycle, across the countryside in search of clues to both crimes, Flavia uncovers some odd new twists. Most intriguing is her introduction to an elegant artist with a very special object in her possession—a portrait that sheds light on the biggest mystery of all: Who is Flavia?

As the red herrings pile up, Flavia must sort through clues fishy and foul to untangle dark deeds and dangerous secrets.

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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.