Friday, December 30, 2011

First Clues, Mysteries for Kids: New Titles for January 2012

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 January 2012, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens.

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The Mystery in Venice by Elisabetta Dami as Geronimo Stilton

The Mystery in Venice More Information about the book
Elisabetta Dami as Geronimo Stilton
A Geronimo Stilton Mystery

When my friend Petunia Pretty Paws gave me a crystal figurine of a boat as a gift, I had to accept it. After all, I have the biggest crush on Petunia! But oh, was that crystal boat ugly! So I wasn't too sad when my cousin Trap accidentally broke it, especially when I discovered a piece of paper inside with a mysterious message from someone in Venice, Italy, asking for help! A gentlemouse never ignores a request for assistance. So I, Geronimo Stilton, would do whatever it took to save the day!

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

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The Make-a-Pet Mystery by Carolyn Keene

The Make-a-Pet Mystery More Information about the book
Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew

In this 31st book of the series, River Heights has gone gaga over Make-a-Pets! Nancy and her friends are excited to make their own cuddly stuffed animals—and play the online game Petopia that goes along with Make-a-Pet animals.

But when Nancy’s friend, Violet, discovers that Hoppity, her Make-a-Pet, is missing, the Clue Crew is called on to help find the missing bunny. It seems there are a few possible suspects—including Violet’s best friend, Sonia, who claims Violet stole the idea about Hoppity from her. Could Violet’s best friend be the culprit? Or is the real thief even more of a surprise?

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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The Case of the Diamonds in the Desk by Lewis B. Montgomery

The Case of the Diamonds in the Desk More Information about the book
Lewis B. Montgomery
A Milo & Jazz Mystery

A jewelry store is robbed. A diamond necklace mysteriously shows up in Milo’s desk at school. The connection is crystal clear … isn’t it? Detective duo Milo and Jazz tackle their eighth case!

The Milo & Jazz mystery series books are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.

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Vanishing Acts by Leslie Margolis

Vanishing Acts More Information about the book
Leslie Margolis
A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery

When a movie starring tween heartthrob Seth Ryan starts filming in Park Slope, everyone gets movie mania-including Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair. Though her plans to become a movie extra don't quite work out, Maggie manages to capture Seth's attention and he seeks her out at the Pizza Den to talk. But just when Maggie's life is feeling like a romantic comedy, Seth disappears! Everyone thinks he's been kidnapped, but Maggie knows better in this second book of the series.

Maggie Brooklyn mysteries are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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The Whites of Their Eyes by Andrew Clements

The Whites of Their Eyes More Information about the book
Andrew Clements
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers School

This could be the last great Memorial Day weekend on Barclay Bay, and Ben knows it. This time next year, he might not be able to stand in the yard of the Oakes School and watch the harbor shake off winter—boats buzzing just beyond the bulkhead and families spreading picnics in the fields. If the school gets torn down and replaced by an amusement park, the town will never be the same. But that’s only if the school gets torn down. Ben and Jill are determined to keep that from happening. And the evil janitor Lyman has taken note. He’s following their every move—and undoing their progress along the way. Good thing Ben and Jill have a secret weapon. (Who knew that annoying Robert Gerritt would be such a spy wiz?) But Lyman has a secret weapon as well: a vicious guard dog. These kids are smart, but can they outsmart Lyman—and his beast—as the clock tick, tick, ticks toward total demolition? (This is the 3rd book in this series.)

Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers School books are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Stealing Magic by Marianne Malone

Stealing Magic More Information about the book
Marianne Malone
A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure

Ruthie and Jack thought that their adventures in the Thorne Rooms were over … until miniatures from the rooms start to disappear. Is it the work of the art thief who's on the loose in Chicago? Or has someone else discovered the secret of the Thorne Rooms' magic?

Ruthie and Jack's quest to stop the thief takes them from modern day Chicago to 1937 Paris to antebellum South Carolina. But as more items disappear, including the key that allows them to shrink and access the past worlds, what was once just an adventure becomes a life and death race against the clock. Can Ruthie and Jack catch the thief and help the friends they meet on the way before the magic—and the rooms—are destroyed forever?

The Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Ghost Detective by Diana Shaw

Ghost Detective More Information about the book
Diana Shaw


With his young friend Thomas, and the great detective, Sherlock Holmes for inspiration, William sets out to investigate mysterious happenings in and around Hardleigh Manor, all with a little help from his readers …

Can William stop the bicycle thief? Who is causing the sabotage at Hardleigh Hotel? Floods, false trails, enormous exploding marrows and suspects upended in pig swill — all in a day's work for William!

Loaded with clue summaries, suspect lists and lots of action, readers can help William and Thomas in their efforts to become great detectives.

This non-series book is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.

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Movie Mayhem by Franklin W. Dixon

Movie Mayhem 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 the Undercover Brothers had their work cut out for them keeping her safe at a comic book convention. But though the threats haven’t stopped, the filming has begun and enough is enough: It’s time to get to the bottom of who’s behind all the movie mayhem—and the Undercover Brothers will do just that in the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy!

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

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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 December 30, 2011

Bestselling Hardcover Mystery Books

A list of the top 15 mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending December 30th, 2011 has been posted by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books.

It's been another fairly quiet holiday week, with no new additions to the bestselling mystery list … though we're featuring two titles that just missed our cutoff.

Atop the list this week is a new number one, Death Comes to Pemberley, a stand-alone novel by P. D. James.

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D.C. Dead by Stuart Woods

Debuting at number 17 is the 22nd Stone Barrington mystery, D.C. Dead by Stuart Woods.

Seemingly out of the blue, Stone Barrington and NYPD detective, Dino Bacchetti, receive a most welcome invitation from the White House. It seems President Will Lee needs their investigative talents—and legendary discretion—for a particularly sensitive case. For his part, Stone is pleased to discover they’ll be working with his former partner in crime (and in bed), CIA agent Holly Barker.

In the exclusive world of Washington politics, power and privilege often go hand in hand with private indulgences and clandestine affairs. As Stone’s investigation takes him from the multi-million-dollar Georgetown houses of the city’s elite to the luxurious apartments of Watergate to the private residence of the president himself, it becomes clear that even clubby, buttoned-up Washington high society has a scandalous side that its most favored members would kill to keep secret.

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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Down the Darkest Road by Tami Hoag

Just one place lower at 18 is Down the Darkest Road, the third thriller in the "Oak Knoll" series by Tami Hoag.

Four years after the unsolved disappearance of her sixteen-year-old daughter, Lauren Lawton is the only one still chasing the ghosts of her perfect Santa Barbara life. The world has given her daughter up for dead. Her husband ended his own life in the aftermath. Even Lauren’s younger daughter is desperate to find what’s left of the childhood she hasn’t been allowed to have.

Lauren knows exactly who took her oldest child, but there is not a shred of evidence against the man. Even as he stalks her family, Lauren is powerless to stop him. The Santa Barbara police are handcuffed by the very laws they are sworn to uphold. Looking for a fresh start in a town with no memories, Lauren and her younger daughter Leah move to idyllic Oak Knoll. But when Lauren’s suspect turns up in the same city, it feels to all the world that history is about to repeat itself. Leah Lawton will soon turn sixteen, and Oak Knoll has a cunning predator on the hunt.

Sheriff’s detective Tony Mendez and his team begin to close in on the suspected killer, desperate to keep the young women of their picturesque town safe. But as the investigators sift through the murky circumstances of an increasingly disturbing case, a stunning question changes everything they thought they knew.

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, December 29, 2011

Irreparable Harm by Melissa F. Miller is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Irreparable Harm by Melissa F. Miller as today's third free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically for a limited time only or 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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Irreparable Harm by Melissa F. Miller

Irreparable Harm by Melissa F. Miller
A Sasha McCandless Mystery
Publisher: Brown Street Books

About Irreparable Harm (from the publisher): There's a smartphone app capable of crashing a commercial jet. And it's for sale to the highest bidder …

Attorney Sasha McCandless is closing in on the prize: After eight years of long hours, she's about to make partner at a prestigious law firm. All she has to do is keep her head down and her billable hours up. Then a plane operated by her client slams into the side of a mountain, killing everyone aboard. She gears up for the inevitable civil lawsuits. But, as Sasha digs into the case, she learns the crash was no accident. She joins forces with a federal air marshal and they race to prevent another crash. People close to the matter start to turn up dead. And Sasha's next on the list. She'll need to rely on her legal training and Krav Maga training in equal measure to stop a madman and save herself.

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):

Amazon Free Kindle Book Amazon Free Kindle Edition Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

The Deadliest Sin by Caroline Richards is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Deadliest Sin by Caroline Richards as today's second free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically for a limited time only or 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 Deadliest Sin by Caroline Richards

The Deadliest Sin by Caroline Richards
The "Sin" Trilogy
Publisher: Brava

The first title in an unforgettable trilogy filled with dangerous sensuality and dark secrets.

About The Deadliest Sin (from the publisher):

Dark Dreams …
They had haunted Julia Woolcott all her life, but the strangest of all began with an invitation to a scandalous house party, and a game more dangerously arousing than any she'd ever imagined.

Unbound Desires …
Driven by his ruthless ambition, Alexander Strathmore would do anything to come face to face with the mystery man who'd challenged him to first debauch Julia, then destroy her.

Deadly Sins …
A wild shot … a frantic carriage ride through the night … a forbidden seduction. Rakehell adventurer and sheltered spinster, Alexander and Julia will break every rule to chase down their nemesis and consummate their unlikely passion.

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):

Amazon Free Kindle Book Amazon Free Kindle Edition Download Link.

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

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

Mysterious Reviews: The Best Mysteries of 2011

Mysterious Reviews

The title of this post is a little misleading, as the books listed below aren't necessarily the best mysteries of 2011, only the ones I most enjoyed reading and was most enthusiastic in reviewing. Only seven titles received my top rating of 5 stars — or diamonds, since that's the symbol I've chosen to use on the review summary page — but I am also listing six "honorable mention" books that would have received 4½ stars, if I actually had such a rating.

Another quick note: I'm only including those books I reviewed in this post. We oten feature guest reviewers; their choices as the best mysteries of the year aren't included here.

Herewith the best crime novels — mysteries, suspense novels, thrillers — reviewed by Mysterious Reviews during 2011, listed alphabetically by author.

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Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent
Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent

Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent
Soho Crime (February 2011 Hardcover)

Of the three things I typically look for in a mystery — solid plot/storyline, strong characters, interesting setting — sometimes it only takes one to capture my imagination and set it apart from all the others. It's rare when it's all three, yet that is the case here. Nearly everything works well together: the incredibly realized characters, the spectacular setting, and an intriguing whodunit-style plot. This is an extraordinary debut.

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent.

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Bad Bird by Chris Knopf
Bad Bird by Chris Knopf

Bad Bird by Chris Knopf
Minotaur Books (February 2011 Hardcover)

Chris Knopf frequently appears on my "best of" lists, and with good reason. I find his characters engaging and appealing, and his murder mystery plots, which tend to be deceptively simple on the surface, and delightfully complicated without being obtuse or contrived. Bad Bird is the second mystery in this series, which is actually a spin-off of his Sam Acquillo mysteries, another outstanding series of crime novels.

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: Bad Bird by Chris Knopf.

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Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs

Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Minotaur Books (December 2011 Hardcover)

Storm Damage is another first-rate debut with a strongly developed lead character. I really enjoyed how the plot unfolded — this is definitely a mystery that's hard to predict what's going to happen next — though I dinged it ever so slightly in my review for leaning a bit too heavily on Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath in New Orleans.

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs.

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Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger
Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger
Atria Books (August 2011 Hardcover)

Rarely do I characterize a novel as heart-pounding suspense, but that's exactly what this one is. Crisply written, it takes place in a remote region of Minnesota, a setting that enhances an already thrilling storyline. Cork O'Connor's mentor Henry Meloux is one of the best supporting characters in any series, and it's always a pleasure to revisit him. As I stated in my review, "This find series just keeps getting better."

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger.

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East on Sunset by Ken Mercer
East on Sunset by Ken Mercer

East on Sunset by Ken Mercer
Minotaur Books (June 2011 Hardcover)

I must say, my expectations for this novel were low given I really didn't enjoy its predecessor, the first in the series. Suffice it to say, no one was more surprised than me when I found myself riveted to the storyline here. I think a comment from my review sums it up best: "There are no eye-rolling 'gotcha' twists in East on Sunset; rather the reader will likely feel in the end as if they were being smartly played ... and they were."

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: East on Sunset by Ken Mercer.

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All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen
All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen

All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen
The Permanent Press (September 2011 Hardcover)

There is a quiet confidence in this novel, from its strongly developed lead character to its really complicated — but in a good way — plot, that suggests the author has been at it for quite some time. Yet it is his first book, and simply stated it's a terrific one. I will be very surprised if this title doesn't appear as a nominee for best first mystery when awards are announced next year.

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen.

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Liquid Smoke by Jeff Shelby
Liquid Smoke by Jeff Shelby

Liquid Smoke by Jeff Shelby
Tyrus Books (September 2011 Hardcover)

This relatively short, fast-paced mystery surprised me from the very beginning. It is an example of crime novel with a superficially predictable storyline that isn't, unfolding in unexpected ways. I had to include a minor spoiler in my review since the book's ending had me guessing as well: "It's hard to believe this character won't be heard from again, but it's also hard to see how he can return."

Read the complete text of my review at Mysterious Reviews: Liquid Smoke by Jeff Shelby.

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And now six mysteries that are definitely worth seeking out, but — for often really minor issues — didn't quite make the top tier on my list this year.

Hurt Machine by Reed Farrel Coleman. Tyrus Books (December 2011 Hardcover). One of the best murder mystery plots of the year … but with a narrative burdened by Moe Prager's diagnosis of stomach cancer.

The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming. St. Martin's Press (March 2011 Hardcover). A nuanced, smartly written thriller … but overly convoluted at times, and unnecessarily so.

Wyatt by Garry Disher. Soho Crime (August 2011 Hardcover). This winner of the 2010 Ned Kelly Award is a prequel to the series. Solidly written … but slightly uneven.

Trespasser by Paul Doiron. Minotaur Books (June 2011 Hardcover). Atmospheric with a well-crafted plot and a strong lead character … but not quite as polished as it could have been.

The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey. Dutton (June 2011 Hardcover). One of the more original, cleverly devised crime novel plots of the year … but some story elements seem overly contrived.

Thick as Thieves by Peter Spiegelman. Knopf (July 2011 Hardcover). A crime caper novel with a superior storyline … but one that can be hard to follow at times and relies on an overused plot device in the end.

Jump Cut by Rory Tate is Today's Featured Free MystereBook

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature Jump Cut by Rory Tate as today's free mystery ebook. We don't know how long it will be offered at this special price (typically for a limited time only or 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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Jump Cut by Rory Tate

Jump Cut by Rory Tate
A Mimi Raynard Mystery
Publisher: CreateSpace

Rory Tate is a pen name used by crime novelist Lise McClendon. This book is the first in a new series.

About Jump Cut (from the publisher): Seattle reporter Mimi Raynard is having a bad week. Her ex-husband is now her boss at the TV station and wants her head on a platter. When three prostitutes die of a suspicious heroin overdose Mimi gets the story but in her nervous enthusiasm manages to bungle it. The narcotics detective on the case tries to help but both are out-foxed by the buxom intern. What’s a girl to do?

Desperate and out of ideas Mimi takes a friend’s advice and dresses up as a Russian Mafiya Madam for a resume tape she has no intention of sending out. But the lark turns serious when the intern steals the tape.

At the Seattle Police Department the narcotics detective Shad Mulgrew has his own career crisis. He is framed for stealing drugs from evidence. Are the murdered prostitutes linked to his case? Is he getting too close to the truth? And what is Mimi's father doing working for Eastern Europe's last Communists?

Working together to save their reputations, Mimi and Shad look for the truth, from the fishing docks of Puget Sound to the tiny Republic of Moldova.

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):

Amazon Free Kindle Book Amazon Free Kindle Edition Download Link.

For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.

The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville is Today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find

MystereBooks: Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks

MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville as today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find. The deal price of $3.49 is valid only for today, Thursday, December 29, 2011.

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The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville

The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville
Non-Series
Soho Crime

Originally published in the UK under the title The Twelve, this debut novel was the winner of the 2009 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the mystery/thriller category.

About The Ghosts of Belfast (from the publisher): Fegan has been a “hard man,” an IRA killer in northern Ireland. Now that peace has come, he is being haunted day and night by twelve ghosts: a mother and infant, a schoolboy, a butcher, an RUC constable, and seven other of his innocent victims. In order to appease them, he’s going to have to kill the men who gave him orders.

As he’s working his way down the list he encounters a woman who may offer him redemption; she has borne a child to an RUC officer and is an outsider too. Now he has given Fate — and his quarry — a hostage. Is this Fegan’s ultimate mistake?

Read our review of The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville.

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 Nook Daily Find B&N Nook Daily Find 12/29/2011 Download Link.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Watch a 10 Minute Preview to Next Week's Return of Revenge

Revenge (ABC)

The one stand-out new television show for us this season has been Revenge on ABC.

Emily VanCamp stars as Emily Thorne, who returns to the Hamptons home of her childhood to take revenge on the people who framed her father for a crime he didn't commit. The storylines are familiar and somewhat predictable, but what sets this series apart and keeps us coming back are the outstanding characters and the actors that portray them, in particular VanCamp and Madeleine Stowe as her nemesis Victoria Grayson.

ABC has released a 10-plus minute preview to next week's episode, "Duress", which airs on January 4th, 2012. We've embedded the video below.

Review: The Devil's Ribbon by D. E. Meredith

Taylor Swift's Single Safe & Sound from The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (2012)

Lionsgate has released a single from the soundtrack to its upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Titled "Safe & Sound", it features Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars in a ballad that seems perfectly suited to the storyline of the book (and film). We've embedded a version below (via the studio). The single can also be purchased from iTunes.

The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a teenager forced to compete in a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. It opens in US theaters March 23rd, 2012.

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