Friday, August 26, 2011

First Clues, Mysteries for Kids: New Titles for September 2011

First Clues: Mysteries for Kids

First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is pleased to announce a selection of new mystery, suspense and thriller books (including series books) scheduled for publication during September 2011, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens.

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The Secret of the Skeleton Key by Penny Warner

The Secret of the Skeleton Key More Information about the book
Penny Warner
The Code Busters Club (1st in series)

When Cody and Quinn notice what could be a code on the window of a nearby house, the one owned by their strange neighbor, the guy they call Skeleton Man, the club gets to work. And it is a cry for help!

Now the Code Busters are on the case—and nothing will stop them from solving the mystery and finding the secret treasure that seems to be the cause of it all!

This exciting interactive mystery offers more than fifteen codes for you to decipher, including the Consonant code, Morse code, and American Sign Language. Test your brain with the Code Busters and solve the mystery along with them.

The Code Busters Club mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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The Case of the Missing Deed by Ellen Schwartz

The Case of the Missing Deed More Information about the book
Ellen Schwartz
The Teaspoon Detectives (1st in series)

Five cousins are looking forward to their annual vacation at their grandmother’s cottage. None of them knows that this may be their last such summer. A mining company has set its sights on the land and is determined to seize it. Grandma must produce the deed to prove that the property is really hers, but her memory is not what it used to be, and she can’t find it. The children suspect there may be clues to the deed’s whereabouts somewhere in the family’s cherished trove of recipes. But can they solve the mystery in time?

This Teaspoon Detectives culinary mystery is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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The Case of the Putrid Poison by Emma Kennedy

The Case of the Putrid Poison More Information about the book
Emma Kennedy
A Wilma Tenderfoot Mystery (2nd in series)

Wilma Tenderfoot's dreams have come true. She is now an apprentice detective to the famous Theodore Goodman, and she is one step closer to finding out what happened to her parents. Now a new case has come up for Theodore — actors at the Valiant Vaudeville Theatre are being poisoned one by one and the criminal is at large. Wilma may be small, but she's determined to put her apprenticeship skills to the test. Then, right in the middle of the investigation, Theodore disappears! Wilma is on her own (with her loyal beagle, Pickle, of course) and decides her best bet is to go undercover to solve the case. But will she unmask the poisoner before she is the next target?

The Wilma Tenderfoot mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Dance Off by Carolyn Keene

Dance Off More Information about the book
Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew (30th in series)

Dance fever has hit River Heights! Kids Can Dance, the famous reality tv show, is holding auditions at River Heights Elementary. Nancy and her friends are eager to try out, and meet the famous host, Bryce Brown. But when something goes wrong with every dancer's equipment, music, or routine, could someone be trying to ruin the River Heights try-outs? Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew are on the case!

The Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew adventure stories are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Big Trouble in the Big Apple by Thea Stilton

Big Trouble in the Big Apple More Information about the book
Thea Stilton
A Geronimo Stilton Special Edition (6th in series)

The Thea Sisters are off to New York City for another fabumouse adventure! Nicky has been training to run the Big Apple Marathon, and her friends are there to support her. While in the city, they all visit Pamela's family and have a delicious dinner at the family's pizzeria. But the mouselings discover that someone has been threatening to burn the restaurant down, and Pam's family might have to close it for good to stay safe! Will the Thea Sisters catch the troublemaker before it's too late?

The Geronimo Stilton books are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Movie Misson: Deathstalker Trilogy Book 2 by Franklin W. Dixon

Movie Misson: Deathstalker Trilogy Book 2 More Information about the book
Franklin W. Dixon
The Hardy Boys, Undercover Brothers

Frank and Joe Hardy have been posing as extras on the set of the upcoming teen movie, Deathstalker. The star, an ingenue named Anya, has already had her trailer burn down, and now someone keeps sending her threatening texts! While the Undercover Brothers manage to keep Anya safe at a comic book convention, the threats just keep coming. Can they figure out who's behind the mayhem surrounding the filming of the hit comic book? Or is this movie going to wrap before filming even begins?

The Hardy Boys, Undercover Brothers mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 and older.

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You Have to Stop This by Pseudonymous Bosch

You Have to Stop This More Information about the book
Pseudonymous Bosch
The Secret Series (5th in series)

I always feared this day would come. A secret is meant to stay secret, after all. And now we've come to this: the fifth and final (I swear!) book in my saga of secrets.

A class trip to the local natural history museum turns dangerous, or perhaps deadly — and I don't mean in the bored-to-death way — when Cass accidentally breaks a finger off a priceless mummy. Forced to atone for this "crime" of vandalism, Cass and her friends Max-Ernest and Yo-Yoji go to work for the mummy exhibit's curator, only to be blamed when tragedy strikes. To clear their names — and, they hope, to discover the Secret — the trio must travel deep into a land of majestic pyramids, dusty tombs, mysterious hieroglyphs, and the walking dead. Egypt? Or somewhere much stranger …

In the midst of it all, the Secret still lurks. You're our there, reading and talking about it, and now my life — and chocolate supply — is in the greatest danger yet. So please, with a cherry on top, I'm begging you: you have to stop this!

This final book in the Secret Series is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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City of Wind by Pierdomenico Baccalario

City of Wind More Information about the book
Pierdomenico Baccalario
The Century City Quartet (3rd in series)

When new information turns up about the Star of Stone, the object they found in New York, Mistral, Elettra, Harvey, and Sheng meet again in Paris. Harvey brings the stone to show to his dad's archaeologist friend. And it turns out that the friend knows much more about the kids' quest than they could have imagined. She gives them a clock that once belonged to Napoléon, and she tells them that if they can figure out how it works, it will lead them to another object of power. The clock sends the kids all over Paris, through old churches and forgotten museum exhibits, in search of an artifact linked to the Egyptian goddess Isis. But a woman with a penchant for venomous snakes and carnivorous plants—and her vast network of spies—is watching their every move …

The Century City Quartet books are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

The Aviary More Information about the book
Kathleen O'Dell

Twelve-year-old Clara Dooley has spent her whole life in the Glendoveer mansion, where her mother is a servant to the kind and elderly matron of the house. Clara has never known another home. In fact, she's confined to the grand estate due to a mysterious heart condition. But it's a comfortable life, and if it weren't for the creepy squawking birds in the aviary out back, a completely peaceful one too.

But once old Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara comes to learn many dark secrets about the family. The Glendoveers suffered a horrific tragedy: their children were kidnapped, then drowned. And their father George Glendoveer, a famous magician and illusionist, stood accused until his death. As Clara digs deeper and deeper into the terrifying events, the five birds in the aviary seem to be trying to tell her something. And Clara comes to wonder: what is their true identity? Clara sets out to solve a decades-old murder mystery—and in doing so, unlocks a secret in her own life, too.

This suspense thriller is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Monsters and Mischief by Dan Poblocki

Monsters and Mischief More Information about the book
Dan Poblocki
The Mysterious Four (3rd in series)

Can you crack the case with six clues or less?

Welcome back to Moon Hollow, where mystery lurks around every corner — and four kids have come together to solve crimes and puzzles big and small.

When a monster is sighted in the woods surrounding Moon Hollow, Viola, Sylvester, Rosie, and Woodrow know they're in for their creepiest case yet. But it's just one of fourteen mysteries competing for their attention. They'll have to uncover the truth in six clues or less — and readers are invited to guess alongside them each step of the way.

Each book comes with an exclusive code so that readers can download a FREE copy of the e-book … which includes an extra mystery unavailable anywhere else!

The Mysterious Four books are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Ghosts of Rockville: Search for the Dominion Glass by Justin Heimberg

Ghosts of Rockville: Search for the Dominion Glass More Information about the book
Justin Heimberg

When Jay Winnick receives a mysterious blank piece of paper in the mail, he doesn’t think much of it. After all, it’s not such a weird thing to a kid who routinely subdues poltergeists, fends off deadly apparitions, and otherwise meddles in the affairs of the undead.

Plus, there’s nothing even on the paper…

Soon, that “nothing” thrusts Jay into the most perilous quest of his young ghost-hunting life, a paranormal puzzle involving spirit boards, crop circles, an ancient secret order, and just about every ghost type in the Encyclopedia of the Paranormal.

At least he’s not alone. Joining Jay on his quest are his best friends and fellow ghost hunters: Danni, a forensics expert and lover of all things disgusting; Pam, a psychic of dubious ability at best; and Brian, a closet brainiac and nerd who lives a double life disguised as a dumb jock who just happens to be the most popular kid in school.

Together, Jay and his friends must find the key that will unlock a mystical artifact that holds the power to control the spirit world. At stake is nothing less than the balance between life and death.

This paranormal mystery is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Hide and Secret by Kathleen Fuller

Hide and Secret More Information about the book
Kathleen Fuller
The Mysteries of Middlefield (3rd in series)

Anna Mae and her friends are playing in the old tree house in the woods when a floor board suddenly breaks. No one is seriously hurt, but when they take a second look, they see that a metal box of money and a diary are hidden under the floor in the crook of the tree branches. Upon further inspection, they discover that it is a lot of money.

As the three set out to solve the mystery, they learn that Jeremiah and Anna Mae's grandmothers were once great friends, something they would have never guessed since the two women have only been distantly civil to each other in their lifetimes. As they search further, Jeremiah and Anna Mae realize there is a missing third party who must certainly hold the answers to this puzzle. Before they can find out, the money disappears again and threatens the trust of the three friends.

Can Anna Mae solve this mystery before it tears apart more relationships?

The faith-based books in the Mysteries of Middlefield series are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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The Mystery of the Missing Everything by Ben H. Winters

The Mystery of the Missing Everything More Information about the book
Ben H. Winters
A Bethesda Fielding Mystery (2nd in series)

There has been a shocking crime at Mary Todd Lincoln Middle School.

In a glass case in the front hall, a trophy—the trophy, the first trophy ever won in the school’s lackluster competitive history—has been stolen.

Even more horrifying, an outraged Principal Van Vreeland has canceled everything fun until the trophy is back, including the eighth graders’ long-awaited, once-in-a-lifetime field trip to Taproot Valley. Rock climbing, ropes courses, ecology hikes, s’mores … all gone!

Luckily, Bethesda Fielding is on the case. As self-appointed sleuth extraordinaire, Bethesda’s confident she’ll be able to track down the culprit in no time and save her class trip! Except it seems like the more she searches for answers, the more mysteries she reveals. Can Bethesda solve this baffling mystery—or are the eighth graders doomed for a Week of a Thousand Quizzes instead?

The Bethesda Fielding mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Guys Read: Thriller by Jon Scieszka

Guys Read: Thriller More Information about the book
Jon Scieszka
A Short Story Collection

A body on the tracks … A teenage terrorist … A mysterious wish-granting machine … The world’s worst private detective …

This collection of short stories is chock-full of mystery, intrigue, and nefarious activity. Featuring some of the best writers around, this book is a pulse-pounding collection of brand-new short stories, each one guaranteed to keep you riveted until the final page.

The Short Story Collection for boys is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Sally's Bones by MacKenzie Cadenhead

Sally's Bones More Information about the book
MacKenzie Cadenhead

2 Months, 28 Days, 9 Hours, and 12 minutes earlier …

Sally Simplesmith's life changed forever. She came face-to-face with death — a delightful, dearly departed little dog she lovingly calls Bones. But when the cadaverous canine is accused of a crime he didn't commit, Sally decides to solve the case herself!

Does Sally have what it takes to fetch a thief?

This paranormal mystery, which may be the first in a series, is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is your source for information on over 200 mystery series for children and young adults, where each series is conveniently listed under four different age categories (New Sleuths, ages 4 to 6; Future Sleuths, ages 7 to 9; Sleuths in Training, ages 10 to 12; and Apprentice Sleuths, ages 13 and older).

Mystery Bestsellers for the Week Ending August 26th, 2011

Bestselling Hardcover Mystery Books

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending August 26th, 2011 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

Very little change among the top tier of the bestseller list, with Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva retaining the top spot. Two new titles debut.

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Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs

Entering the list at number 9 is Flash and Bones the 14th mystery to feature forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs.

Just as 200,000 fans are pouring into town for Race Week, a body is found in a barrel of asphalt next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The next day, a NASCAR crew member comes to Temperance Brennan’s office at the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner to share a devastating story. Twelve years earlier, Wayne Gamble’s sister, Cindi, then a high school senior and aspiring racer, disappeared along with her boyfriend, Cale Lovette. Lovette kept company with a group of right-wing extremists known as the Patriot Posse. Could the body be Cindi’s? Or Cale’s?

At the time of their disappearance, the FBI joined the investigation, only to terminate it weeks later. Was there a cover-up? As Tempe juggles multiple theories, the discovery of a strange, deadly substance in the barrel alongside the body throws everything into question. Then an employee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention goes missing during Race Week. Tempe can’t overlook the coincidence. Was this man using his lab chemicals for murder? Or is the explanation even more sinister? What other secrets lurk behind the festive veneer of Race Week?

Purchase Options: Amazon.com Print/Kindle EditionBarnes&Noble Print/Nookbook EditionApple iBookstore eBookGoogle eBookKobo eBookIndie Bound: Independent BooksellersThe Book Depository: Free Worldwide Shipping

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The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman

New at number 14 is the latest stand-alone thriller by Laura Lippman, The Most Dangerous Thing.

Years ago, they were all the best of friends. But as time passed and circumstances changed, they grew apart, became adults with families of their own, and began to forget about the past — and the terrible lie they all shared.

But now Gordon, the youngest and wildest of the five, has died and the others are thrown together for the first time in years.

And then the revelations start.

Could their long-ago lie be the reason for their troubles today? Each one of these old friends has to wonder if their secret has been discovered — and if someone within the circle is out to destroy them.

Purchase Options: Amazon.com Print/Kindle EditionBarnes&Noble Print/Nookbook EditionApple iBookstore eBookGoogle eBookKobo eBookIndie Bound: Independent BooksellersThe Book Depository: Free Worldwide Shipping

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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 25, 2011

New Quad Poster for The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black (2012)

A week or so ago we posted the terrifying trailer for the upcoming Gothic thriller A Woman in Black. Now the studio has released a new UK quad poster for the film; click on the image for a larger version. The tagline reads, "Do you believe in ghosts?"

Adapted from the 1983 novel of the same title by Susan Hill, A Woman in Black stars Daniel Radcliffe as young lawyer Arthur Kipps, who who travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals. It is scheduled to be in US theaters on February 3rd, 2012.

USA Renews White Collar for a Fourth Season

White Collar (USA Network)

In what we hope is the most unsurprisingly prime time crime news of the week, USA Network has renewed its caper drama White Collar — and one of our favorite series — for a 16-episode fourth season.

White Collar, which is currently on its mid-season hiatus, stars Matt Bomer as con man — and ex-con — Neal Caffrey, who works with his FBI handler Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) to solve white collar crimes in New York City.

New Hardcover Mysteries for September 2011

New Hardcover Mysteries from the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books

The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated its list of new hardcover mysteries with books scheduled for publication in September 2011. 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 September new mystery books page, which will become the default home page for the site on September 1st).

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

Susan Wittig Albert (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, 8th) —  Carrie Bebris (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, 6th) —  James R. Benn (Billy Boyle, World War II, 6th) —  Lisa Black (Theresa MacLean, 4th) —  Rhys Bowen (Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 5th) —  Michael Brandman (Jesse Stone, 10th) —  James Lee Burke (Hackberry Holland, 3rd) —  Gianrico Carofiglio (Guido Guerrieri, 4th) —  Richard Castle (Nikki Heat, 3rd) —  Joelle Charbonneau (Rebecca Robbins, 2nd) —  Lee Child (Jack Reacher, 16th) —  Barbara Cleverly (Joe Sandilands, 9th) —  Margaret Coel (Catherine McLeod, 2nd) —  John Connolly (Charlie "Bird" Parker, 11th) —  Clive Cussler and Justin Scott (Isaac Bell, 4th) —  Judith Cutler (Lina Townend, 4th) —  William Deverell (Arthur Beauchamp, 5th) —  Sandy Frances Duncan and George Szanto (Islands Investigations International, 3rd) —  Ellen Hart (Jane Lawless, 19th) —  Veronica Heley (Ellie Quicke, 12th) —  Joseph Heywood (Grady Service, Woods Cop, 8th) —  Claude Izner (Victor Legris, 5th) —  Steven James (Patrick Bowers, 5th) —  D. E. Johnson (Will Anderson, 2nd) —  Nicholas Kilmer (Fred Taylor, 8th) —  Laurie R. King (Mary Russell, 11th) —  Paul Levine (Jake Lassiter, 8th) —  Archer Mayor (Joe Gunther, 22nd) —  Aly Monroe (Peter Cotton, 3rd) —  Helen Macie Osterman (Emma Winberry, 3rd) —  Sandra Parshall (Rachel Goddard, 4th) —  Spencer Quinn (Chet and Bernie, 4th) —  Ruth Rendell (Wexford, 23rd) —  J. D. Robb (Eve Dallas, "In Death", 33rd) —  Laura Joh Rowland (Sano Ichiro, 15th) —  S. J. Rozan (Bill Smith and Lydia Chin, 11th) —  Annelise Ryan (Mattie Winston, 3rd) —  Jeff Shelby (Noah Braddock, 3rd) —  Sally Spencer (Monika Paniatowski, 4th) —  Kelli Stanley (Miranda Corbie, 2nd) —  Stuart Woods (Stone Barrington, 21st)

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

Gordon Cope (Jack Kenyon) —  Cheryl Crane (Nicki Harper) —  Angela Gerst (Susan Callisto) —  Patricia Hall (Kate O'Donnell) —  Paula LaRocque (Ben Gallagher) —  Mitchell Scott Lewis (David Lowell) —  Michael Lister (Jimmy "Soldier" Riley) —  G. M. Malliet (Max Tudor) —  Leonard Rosen (Henri Poincaré) —  Kirk Russell (Ben Raveneau) —  Jason Webster (Max Cámara) —  Simon Wood (Aidy Westlake)

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

Raymond Benson —  Lawrence Block —  Sandra Brown —  Tania Carver —  Sam Christer —  Ben Coes —  Eoin Colfer —  Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee —  Richard Doetsch —  Zoran Drvenkar —  J. E. Fishman —  Denise Hamilton —  Linda Howard —  Arnaldur Indridason —  Jim Ingraham —  Lesley Kagen —  Gary Madden —  Nicole "Coco" Marrow and Laura Hayden —  Neil Mcmahon —  Deon Meyer —  Denise Mina —  Mary McGarry Morris —  Thomas Mullen —  Michael Savage —  Trevor Shane —  Neal Stephenson —  Simon Toyne —  Fred Wiehe —  Dave Zeltserman

For more information on any of these titles, please visit the September 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 mystery, suspense and thriller books, also updated with September 2011 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.

Review: A Case of Hometown Blues by W. S. Gager

A Case of Hometown Blues by W. S. Gager

A Case of Hometown Blues by W. S. Gager. A Mitch Malone Mystery. Dark Oak Mysteries Trade Paperback, July 2011.

Appealing and engaging characters help keep this fast-paced murder mystery moving right along. The resolve of the lead character to set aside old rivalries and not dwell on the past but instead focus on the present is handled quite well, and lends a lot of credibility to the story.

Read the full text of our review at Mysterious Reviews: A Case of Hometown Blues by W. S. Gager.

Trailer for Unordered Fox Series Locke & Key

Locke & Key (Fox)

One of the shows that Fox once considered for the upcoming television season was Locke & Key, based on the series of graphic novels, written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez. A pilot was filmed, but Fox passed on a series commitment. Despite this, the pilot was shown this summer at Comic-Con and now the trailer for the series has surfaced online; we've embedded it below.

It should be noted that the producers have stated emphatically that there is no chance for Locke & Key to become a series on Fox or any other network. Still, based on the trailer, one has to wonder how the storyline would have evolved.

In the comic series, the storylines are divided into six-issue "acts", of which the fifth, Clockworks, is currently being published. (The second issue comes out August 31st.) The publisher, IDW, has released the first four acts as graphic novels; see Joe Hill's author page for details.

Beautiful Dead Bella by Margaux Sky is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Beautiful Dead Bella by Margaux Sky 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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Beautiful Dead Bella by Margaux Sky

Beautiful Dead Bella by Margaux Sky
A Lana Cloud Mystery (1st in series)
Smashwords

Margaux Sky may be best known as the (former?) owner of Art Cafe and Bakery in San Luis Obispo, which Oprah Winfrey declared the best sandwich shop in America. Sky has also published cookbooks, and several recipes are included in Beautiful Dead Bella.

About Beautiful Dead Bella (from the publisher): Teenage crime solver Lana Cloud has a fascination with food, full moons, and murder. When high-class herbalist Bella Reinig winds up dead, Lana insists she’s the perfect person to crack the case. She enlists the help of her two best friends Clancy Adams and Johnny Schoonover to help her find the murderer of beautiful Bella. Not one to shy away from confrontation, Lana’s shenanigans cause uproarious ado about everything as she involves a slew of props and people to accomplish the task of solving the murder.

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):

Barnes&Noble Free Nook Book B&N Free Nook Book Download Link.

Smashwords Free eBook Smashwords Free Book Download Link.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Cookie Caper by Nicholas Sheridan Stanton is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Cookie Caper by Nicholas Sheridan Stanton as today's second 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 Cookie Caper by Nicholas Sheridan Stanton

The Cookie Caper by Nicholas Sheridan Stanton
A KK Undercover Mystery
Smashwords

It isn't often we see a free mystery for kids, but we're guessing adults will enjoy this light-hearted story as well.

About The Cookie Caper (from the publisher): KaSandra Dang — KK to her friends — and her colorful crew of grade school sleuths tackle the mystery of disappearing student lunches plaguing dear old Deer Canyon Elementary School. The team hatches a plan to hunt and trap the ''Lunchito Bandito'' in a whirlwind investigation that will involve teachers, family members, and every resource at their disposal. Together they gather clues and formulate a course of action that leads to the unmasking of this super-hungry fiend and to a surprise ending that will make you smile.

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):

Barnes&Noble Free Nook Book B&N Free Nook Book Download Link.

Smashwords Free eBook Smashwords Free Book Download Link.

Mr. E. Reviews The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer (DVD Cover)
Purchase/Rental Option(s)
The Lincoln Lawyer on DVDThe Lincoln Lawyer on Blu-ray DiscThe Lincoln Lawyer on iTunes

Matthew McConaughey — admittedly much to my surprise — hits all the right notes as defense attorney Mickey Haller in this film adaptation of Michael Connelly's bestseller of the name title. The plot is well conceived and executed and paced just right for a thriller, with Haller as the master of manipulating the legal system to the advantage of his clients, who suddenly finds himself the one being played.

Read the full text of our review at Mr. E. Reviews The Lincoln Lawyer.

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

OMN Welcomes Crime Novelist Shirley Wells

Omnimystery News: Authors on Tour

Omnimystery News is pleased to welcome Shirley Wells, whose second Dylan Scott mystery, Dead Silent (Carina Press, August 2011 eBook), is published this week.

Today Shirley writes about detectives, amateur sleuths, and private investigators — the characters that compel us readers to return to the series that feature them.

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Shirley Wells
Photo provided courtesy of
Shirley Wells

I fell in love with sleuths at a very early age. As a teenager and a Brit, my favourite was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation, Sherlock Holmes. I loved Holmes’s lightning-quick brain, his energy, his impatience and the way he made the police look like imbeciles. I was also an Agatha Christie addict and a fan of the polite, perfectly correct Miss Jane Marple who concentrated on her knitting while solving the latest murder case. Dapper Belgian and retired police officer, Hercules Poirot, was another I couldn’t resist.

When we Brits were treated to re-runs of American shows, a whole new world opened up. Columbo was totally different to anything we’d seen before. In Columbo, we knew exactly who the killer was because we saw the murder being committed. Yet viewers remained gripped as the disheveled detective hunted his prey.

Spenser: For Hire, the TV series based on the character created by Robert B Parker, was another must-see.

These days, mystery books and TV shows have become grittier and darker perhaps, but no less addictive. I’m eagerly awaiting the next series of Dexter. A blood splatter analyst working for the Miami Metro Police Department who just happens to be a serial killer? Great stuff!

This love affair with detectives and investigators meant that, when I started writing, I’d soon have a sleuth of my own.

The hero in my latest book, Dead Silent, is reluctant private investigator Dylan Scott. Dylan used to be a detective sergeant in the police force with a bright future ahead of him. Used to be. All that was lost to him when an habitual criminal accused him of using excessive force during an arrest. The force was keen to show the public that complaints about their officers were taken seriously and Dylan spent time behind bars and lost his job. Is he bitter? Hell, yes.

Dylan is a chauvinist and a poor excuse for a husband, but he’d lay down his life for his wife and son. He loves Arsenal Football Club and good beer. He despairs of the “dope-smoking irritation” he’s forced to call mother.

And, like all the best sleuths, he’ll stop at nothing to unearth the truth.

To find out more about Dylan Scott or me, visit my website or connect with me via Twitter or Facebook.

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Multi-published author Shirley Wells was born in the Cotswolds and lived in Cyprus and Orkney before settling in Lancashire, the UK, where the spectacular Pennine Hills provide the inspiration for her popular mystery novels. She and her husband share their home with two dogs, two cats and any other strays who fancy a pampered life.

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Dead Silent by Shirley Wells

About Dead Silent: Ten months ago, Samantha Hunt set off for work … and was never seen again.

Despite the statistics of cold cases, Dylan Scott wants to believe the young woman's alive—and not just because her father, his client, is desperate to find his missing daughter before he dies of cancer. By all accounts Sam was a lovely girl, devoted to her younger stepsisters, well-liked at her work, in love with her boyfriend.

But as usual not everything is as it seems in sleepy Dawson's Clough. Sam's boyfriend has a violent past. She may have been having an affair with her boss. And Dylan can't shake the feeling that her stepfather is hiding something. Meanwhile, someone is trying to scare Dylan off the case.

Who wanted to silence Sam, and why? The truth turns out to be worse than anyone expected …

Dead Silent is available to download from Amazon.com (Kindle edition), Barnes & Noble (Nook book), Kobo eBooks, and other retailers of eBooks.

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