Dreamworks has acquired the rights to the five books in the "Fever" series of romantic suspense fantasy thrillers by Karen Marie Moning with the intention of producing a live-action film. The first book in the series, Darkfever, was published by Delacorte Press in 2006.
The series features MacKayla "Mac" Lane, a perfectly ordinary 21st century woman to whom something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death — a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone — Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed — a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae …
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane — an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book — because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands …
The other books in the series are Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, and Shadowfever.
(Source: Variety.)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Dreamworks Acquires Film Rights to Fever Series of Fantasy Suspense Novels by Karen Marie Moning
Nominees for the 2011 TV and Film Daggers (Crime Thriller Awards) Announced
Last night we posted the nominees for the Fall 2011 CWA Dagger Awards, and made passing reference to the Film and TV Daggers, previously known as the Crime Thriller Awards, which are given out by the British network ITV. Our friends at The Rap Sheet provided the details for these latter awards, which we are listing below. The winners will be announced during a broadcast of the CWA Dagger Awards winners on October 11th on ITV3.
The Film Dagger:
• True Grit (Paramount Pictures)
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Momentum Pictures)
• Brighton Rock (Optimum Releasing)
• Source Code (Optimum Releasing)
The TV Dagger:
• Case Histories (Ruby Films, BBC One)
• Luther (BBC One)
• The Shadow Line (Company Pictures, BBC Two)
• Zen (Left Bank Pictures, BBC One)
• Vera (ITV Studios, ITV1)
The International TV Dagger:
• The Killing† (Arrow Films, BBC4)
• Boardwalk Empire (HBO, Sky Atlantic)
• Castle (ABC Studios, Alibi)
• Dexter (Showtime Networks, FX Channel)
• Spiral (Son Et Lumiere, BBC 4)
Best Actress Dagger:
• Sofie Gråbøl for The Killing (Arrow Films, BBC4)
• Brenda Blethyn for Vera (ITV Studios, ITV1)
• Maxine Peake for Silk (BBC One)
• Olivia Williams for Case Sensitive (Hat Trick Productions, ITV1)
• Sue Johnston for Waking the Dead (BBC One)
• Kelly Reilly for Above Suspicion (La Plante Productions, ITV1)
Best Actor Dagger:
• Idris Elba for Luther (BBC One)
• Lars Mikkelsen for The Killing (Arrow Films, BBC4)
• Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire (HBO, Sky Atlantic)
• Jason Isaacs for Case Histories (Ruby Films, BBC One)
• Rufus Sewell for Zen (Left Bank Pictures, BBC One)
Best Supporting Actor Dagger:
• Rafe Spall for The Shadow Line (Company Pictures, BBC Two)
• Bjarne Henriksen for The Killing (Arrow Films, BBC 4)
• Søren Malling for The Killing (Arrow Films, BBC 4)
• John Lithgow for Dexter (Showtime Networks, FX Channel)
• Aidan Gillen for Thorne (Stagereel/Cité Amérique, Sky One)
Best Supporting Actress Dagger:
• Ann Eleonora Jørgensen for The Killing (Arrow Films, BBC 4)
• Kelly Macdonald for Boardwalk Empire (HBO, Sky Atlantic)
• Ruth Wilson for Luther (BBC One)
• Amanda Abbington for Case Histories (Ruby Films, BBC One)
• Tara Fitzgerald for Waking the Dead (BBC One)
† This is the original Danish version of the series, not the AMC version shown here in the US.
Two Crime Drama Projects in Early Development for Fox
The Fall 2011 Prime Time Crime season hasn't even begun and we're already getting news on what may be coming next.
Fox has two crime drama projects in the works, with some interesting elements in each.
Stranger Planet involves a hard-boiled LA cop, who works with two aliens — from another planet presumably, and not from across the border — to solve intergalactic mysteries on Earth. The network has given the project a put pilot commitment.
The second is an unnamed series featuring two female cops — the twist here is that they're subjects of a reality series — who solve crimes in LA's toughest neighborhoods, to which Fox has given a script commitment.
(Source: Deadline|Hollywood.)
Review: The Devil Colony by James Rollins
The Devil Colony by James Rollins. A Sigma Force Thriller. William Morrow Hardcover, June 2011.
There's a familiarity to this political thriller that is both comforting and yet also disappointing. The underlying storyline is strikingly compelling and the locations in which the action takes place are creatively drawn, but the interchangeable, generic characters that carry the plot forward fail to make it as engaging as it could have been.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: The Devil Colony by James Rollins.
Nominees for the 2011 Shamus Awards Announced
The nominees for the 2011 Shamus Awards were announced yesterday by the Private Eye Writers of America, honoring excellent work in the PI genre. In the list below, the book's PI is indicated in parentheses following the title.
◊ Best PI Hardcover:
No Mercy (Mercy Gunderson) by Lori G. Armstrong 
The First Rule (Joe Pike) by Robert Crais (Putnam)
Voyeur (Remer) by Daniel Judson (Minotaur Books)
If the Dead Rise Not (Bernie Gunther) by Philip Kerr (Putnam)
Naked Moon (Dante Mancuso) by Domenic Stansberry (Minotaur Books)
◊ Best First PI Novel:
In Search of Mercy (Dexter Bolzjak) by Michael Ayoob
One Man's Paradise (Kevin Corvelli) by Douglas Corleone
Rogue Island (Liam Mulligan) by Bruce DeSilva (Forge Books)
Random Violence (Jade de Jong) by Jassy MacKenzie
City of Dragons (Miranda Corbie) by Kelli Stanley (Minotaur Books)
◊ Best PI Paperback Original:
Hostage Zero (Jonathan Grave) by John Gilstrap (Kensington)
Nightshade (Sam Montcalm) by Tom Henighan (Dundurn Press)
Mister X (Frank Quinn) by John Lutz (Pinnacle)
The Panic Zone (Jack Gannon) by Rick Mofina (Mira Books)
Asia Hand (Vincent Calvino) by Christopher G. Moore (Grove/Atlantic)
The Little Death (Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye) by P. J. Parrish
◊ Best PI Short Story:
"The God of Right and Wrong" by Steven Gore (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine)
"The Lamb Was Sure To Go" by Gar Anthony Haywood (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine)
"The Girl in the Golden Gown" by Robert S. Levinson (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
"Phelan's First Case" by Lisa Sandlin (Lone Star Noir)
"A Long Time Dead" by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins (The Strand Magazine)
(Hat tip to The Rap Sheet.)
Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending August 19th, 2011
A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending August 19th, 2011 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.
Another quiet week on the bestseller list, with no change in the titles among the top 15, just a bit of rearrangement in overall order. Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva retains the top spot.
In looking at pre-release sales data, however, come Labor Day, we're expecting a lot changes!
For more mystery books news, 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, August 18, 2011
Shortlist for the Fall 2011 CWA Dagger Awards Announced
The shortlists for the 2011 CWA Dagger Awards have been posted on the the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) website. The winners will be revealed at The Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards on Friday, October 7th, 2011 at the Grosvenor House, and televised the following Tuesday, October 11th, on ITV3, along with the Film and TV Daggers.
The four authors in contention for the CWA Gold Dagger ("Best Novel") are:
Tom Franklin for Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Macmillan); Steve Hamilton for The Lock Artist (Orion); A. D. Miller for Snowdrops (Atlantic Books); and Denise Mina for The End of the Wasp Season (Orion).
For the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award ("Best Thriller"), the nominees are:
Michael Gruber for The Good Son (Atlantic Books); Steve Hamilton for The Lock Artist (Orion), Craig Smith for Cold Rain (Myrmidon), and S. J. Watson for Before I Go To Sleep (Doubleday).
For the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger ("Best First Novel"), the nominees are:
Conor Fitzgerald for The Dogs of Rome (Bloomsbury), Sam Hawken for The Dead Women of Juarez (Serpent's Tail), Danny Miller for Kiss Me Quick (Robinson), and S. J. Watson for Before I Go To Sleep (Doubleday).
Review: Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten
Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten. A Tripping Magazine Mystery. Minotaur Books Hardcover, July 2011.
This delightfully entertaining, darkly comic mystery — it is not a paranormal mystery, per se — has the staff of Tripping magazine traveling to the Colorado town of Manitou Springs to investigate the ghostly appearance of a dead chihuahua, whose photographs started a profitable business of selling designer clothing to owners of tiny dogs.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten.
Ridley Scott to Direct New Blade Runner Film
Earlier this year we reported that Alcon Entertainment had acquired the film and television rights to the 1982 film Blade Runner. Now we're learning that that film's director, Ridley Scott, will also direct its prequel/sequel. (No one is saying whether the intended film will take place before or after the events in the original. But it is clear that the rights acquired do not include a remake.)
Blade Runner is adapted — very loosely — from the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and stars Harrison Ford as bounty hunter Rick Deckard, who must track down four replicants, robots that are visually identical to humans and that work exclusively in off-world colonies, which have escaped and are hiding in Los Angeles.
(Source: Deadline|New York.)
Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense Titles for September 2011
eHarlequin.com has released the list of September 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 book cover; other purchase options (Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, and The Book Depository) are also provided..
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Hidden in the Everglades by Margaret Daley
Bodyguarding is Kyra Morgan's business—but this was supposed to be a vacation! Still, she can't refuse the request from childhood friend and neighbor Michael Hunt. Michael's sister Amy ran away after witnessing a murder. Michael needs Kyra's help to find her and keep her safe. Yet as Kyra and Michael follow the trail along the Florida coast, their search grows more dangerous by the day. Terrorists are at work, and the stakes are perilously high. It will take everything they have—including trust they're both reluctant to give—to escape the Everglades alive …
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The Last Target by Christy Barritt
The paper found in a terrorist's pocket holds six names—and single mom Rachel Reynolds is the only one on the list who's still alive. Private security contractor Jack Sergeant wants to ensure she stays that way, but first he must convince Rachel the danger is real.
Rachel can't believe that someone's after her … until she's grazed by a shooter's bullet. She won't take chances with her son's life—but she doesn't want Jack getting too close. Yet as Jack comes to care for both mother and son, the target he's after is a family to love and protect for a lifetime.
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Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard
Maintaining his cover cost undercover cop Rick Gray the woman he loved. Sweet Ginny Bryson never really knew Rick—he never gave her the chance. Not then, and not now, when he's back with a new alias to gather evidence against Ginny's uncle. The man's crimes led to Rick's partner's death, and Rick wants justice to be served. But his investigation is stirring up trouble, and Ginny is smack-dab in the middle. Someone wants Ginny to pay the price for what her uncle has done. But how can Rick protect her without blowing his cover, jeopardizing his assignment … and risking both their lives?
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Lone Defender by Shirlee McCoy
When private investigator Skylar Grady finds herself abandoned in the Arizona desert, she knows two things. First, her "simple" case tracking a deadbeat dad has someone spooked. Second—that someone will kill to keep her off the trail. So even when her rescuer, former patrol agent Jonas Sampson, wants her to leave, Skylar knows she's staying. No one gets rid of her that easily. If Jonas wants her safe, then he'll have to stick by her side. But her new partner is a mystery, too—one Skylar will risk her heart to solve.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Trouble with Green by Liv James is Today's Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Trouble with Green by Liv James as today's free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically only until a certain number of downloads have been completed), so we urge you to download it while it is still available for free.
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The Trouble with Green by Liv James
Non-Series
Smashwords
About The Trouble with Green (from the publisher): Josie’s life turns upside down when her earth-friendly inns get national press. Her architect husband gets a job offer on the other side of the country, the owners of her best inn disappear, and an unwanted guest drags danger to her door. As Josie is drawn deeper into her guest’s twisted plan, she determines that she must fight the ghosts of her past if she has any hope of survival.
Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice, so please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
Review: Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey
Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey. A Darko Dawson Mystery. Random House Trade Paperback, July 2011.
Despite the horrific nature of the crimes that the Ghana Police Service Detective Inspector is investigating, there's an underlying sweetness in the book involving the relationships he has with his family and colleagues. More than just a whodunit-style mystery, it is a dynamic portrait of life in the country's capital of Accra.
Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey.
Harlequin Romantic Suspense Titles for September 2011
Sparked by danger, fueled by passion, eHarlequin.com has released the list of September 2011 titles in their Romantic Suspense series. Let yourself be swept away with characters who fall in love under larger-than-life circumstances. In Harlequin Romantic Suspense, suspense, emotion and glamour combine to create these highly charged books!
For more information about the book from eHarlequin.com, click on the book cover; other purchase options (Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, and The Book Depository) are also provided.
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The Rescue Pilot by Rachel Lee
As a Wyoming snowstorm rages around their downed plane, Rory Campbell knows survival should be all that matters. But she can't deny the desire that sizzles between her and ex-military pilot Chase Dakota. Rory is in capable hands … though it doesn't stop her from wishing for more than his protection.
Chase has flown his share of planes. There are no guarantees they're going to make it to safety—and see Rory's terminally ill sister to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Despite their dire circumstances, all he can think of is the captivating woman by his side. Dare he lose control long enough to let Rory into his heart?
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Cowboy Under Siege by Gail Barrett
An unknown enemy of the Kelley family is seeking vengeance on Cole Kelley—and the Montana ranch he'll fight tooth and nail to protect. His land is the only thing Cole can depend on. Not his powerful, scandal-ridden father. And especially not Bethany Moore—the beautiful Native American nurse who left him years ago … and is now back with secrets.
Bethany will go up against her own family to help the Bar Lazy K. And the proud cowboy whose guarded heart is as under siege as his land. Their flame burned brightly once before, but will they have a chance to rekindle it before all is lost?
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The Spy's Secret by Cindy Dees
Nick Cass wakes up in a hospital room with a case of amnesia—and a beautiful woman at his bedside. He only remembers that he was held captive for five grueling years. Surely he wouldn't forget someone as easy on the eyes as Laura Delaney. But Laura assures him that she and their son are very real.
Laura never forgot the man who stole her heart six years ago—even after he disappeared. She knows Nick will someday have to face his demons. But that day is suddenly upon them when Nick's past catches up to him and their son is kidnapped. Now he and Laura must rescue their child—and their last chance for a future together.
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Dangerous to Her by Virna DePaul
For years, court reporter Mattie Nolan kept her child a secret. The man she once loved chose his dangerous job—undercover cop—over her. But now, Sacramento detective Dom Jeffries is all that's standing between her and the drug kingpin set on revenge against everyone who put him away. Including Mattie.
Though teetering on the edge of burnout, Dom goes undercover as a bailiff in Mattie's courtroom. While he pretends not to remember her, thoughts of her touch, her smell and the smile that had been his alone keep resurfacing. Then he uncovers the secret she's protecting. To save the daughter he's never known and the woman he's never forgotten, Dom's ready to sacrifice not just his job, but his life …
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