Blood of Eden: A Legend Begins.
This week, the first novel in a new young adult fantasy series, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, was published … and we're hearing that it has already been optioned for film; Palomar Pictures has acquired the screen rights to the series.
The storyline is set in a future world, where vampires reign.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked — and given the ultimate choice. Die … or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend — a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what — and who — is worth dying for.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Julie Kagawa's New Blood of Eden Series Optioned for Film
Review: Under Oath by Margaret McLean
We've just published our Review of Under Oath by Margaret McLean. Forge Books Hardcover, April 2012.
Our rating:
Available to purchase from …
Three Crime Thrillers Open in Theaters This Friday, April 27th
It's going to be a busy weekend at the theaters, with two crime thrillers opening wide across the US and a third in a limited release.
The Raven. Opens in theaters April 27, 2012.
When a mother and daughter are found brutally murdered in 19th century Baltimore, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a startling discovery: the crime resembles a fictional murder described in gory detail in the local newspaper — part of a collection of stories penned by struggling writer and social pariah Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). But even as Poe is questioned by police, another grisly murder occurs, also inspired by a popular Poe story. Realizing a serial killer is on the loose using Poe’s writings as the backdrop for his bloody rampage, Fields enlists the author’s help in stopping the attacks. But when it appears someone close to Poe may become the murderer’s next victim, the stakes become even higher and the inventor of the detective story calls on his own powers of deduction to try to solve the case before it’s too late.
Directed by James McTeigue from a screenplay by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare.
Running time: 111 minutes. Rated R for bloody violence and grisly images.
Watch a trailer for the film below:
Safe. Opens in theaters April 27, 2012.
A second-rate cage fighter on the mixed martial arts circuit, Luke Wright lives a numbing life of routine beatings and chump change … until the day he blows a rigged fight. Wanting to make an example of him, the Russian Mafia murders his family and banishes him from his life forever, leaving Luke to wander the streets of New York destitute, haunted by guilt, and tormented by the knowledge that he will always be watched, and anyone he develops a relationship with will also be killed. But when he witnesses a frightened twelve-year-old Chinese girl, Mei, being pursued by the same gangsters who killed his wife, Luke impulsively jumps to action … and straight into the heart of a deadly high-stakes war.
Written and directed by Boaz Yakin.
Running time: 94 minutes. Rated R for strong violence throughout, and for language.
Watch a trailer for the film below:
Headhunters. Limited opening in theaters April 27, 2012.
Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) is a successful, high-powered headhunter living way beyond his means, lavishing gifts on his stunning blonde trophy wife. He supplements his income by stealing rare artworks from his clients. Handsome Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his original Rubens seem like an irresistible target but Clas lives the life of a Bond villain and the two men are soon embroiled in a deadly feud.
Directed by Morten Tyldum from a screenplay by Lars Gudmestad, Ulf Ryberg, and Jo Nesbø, the author of the crime thriller from which this film was adapted.
Running time: 98 minutes. Rated R for bloody violence including some grisly images, strong sexual content and nudity.
Watch a trailer for the film below:
Encore to Air Mark Billingham's Crime Series Adaptation, Thorne
David Morrissey and Sandra Oh star in a two-part made-for-television drama based on characters created by crime novelist Mark Billingham to air this June on Encore.
The cable network will air Thorne over two consecutive nights on June 12th and 13th at 9 PM (ET/PT). David Morrissey plays Detective Inspector Tom Thorne with Sandra Oh playing his partner, Detective Sergeant Sarah McEvoy.
UK's Sky1 previously aired these two episodes in 2010, which are adapted from the first two books in Billingham's series, Sleepy Head and Scaredy Cat.
Last summer Billingham tweeted that there's more to come: "Working on scripts now. Hope to start filiming [sic] early part of next year."
Malice Domestic 24 Begins this Friday, April 27th
Malice Domestic 24 begins this Friday, April 27th in Bethesda (MD). And it looks to be a busy weekend; the program schedule lists dozens of interesting — and mysterious! — panels and discussion groups. A lengthy list of authors have already registered to attend.
This year's guest of honor is crime novelist Jan Burke, who is probably best known for her long-running series of Irene Kelly mysteries. Other honorees include Elizabeth Peters, the winner of this year's Amelia Award; Lee Goldberg, this year's Poirot Award winner; and Simon Brett, recognized for his Lifetime Achievement to the genre.
On Saturday night, the annual Agatha Awards will be given out to authors of books that honor the "traditional mystery".
Download "The Usual Suspects" newsletter or visit the Malice Domestic website for more information about the conference, including registration and hotel details.
Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120425)
Here is today's list of the top bestselling free Kindle mysteries, suspense novels and thrillers.
We're using a script to embed an RSS feed from Amazon.com, which is updated hourly, but if you cannot see the box below — or have scripts blocked — you can use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.
New Hardcover Mysteries for May 2012
The Hidden Staircase Mystery Books has updated its list of new hardcover mysteries with books scheduled for publication in May 2012. 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 May new mystery books page, which will become the default home page for the site on May 1st.
• Authors with mysteries featuring returning series characters (in italics) this month:
Barbara Allan (Brandy Borne, Trash and Treasures, 6th) — Ace Atkins (Quinn Colson, 2nd) — Ace Atkins (Spenser, 40th) — Jefferson Bass (Bill Brockton, Body Farm, 7th) — Raymond Benson (Judy Cooper, "Black Stiletto", 2nd) — Gyles Brandreth (Oscar Wilde, 5th) — Jane Casey (Maeve Kerrigan, 2nd) — Chris Cavender (Eleanor Swift, 4th) — Paul Charles (Christy Kennedy, 10th) — Marcia Clark (Rachel Knight, 2nd) — Darwyn Cooke (Parker Graphic, 3rd) — Clive Cussler and Graham Brown (NUMA Files, 10th) — Judith Cutler (Lina Townend, 5th) — Bruce DeSilva (Liam Mulligan, 2nd) — David Downing (John Russell, 5th) — Gillian Galbraith (Alice Rice, 5th) — Sally Goldenbaum (Seaside Knitters, 6th) — Paul Goldstein (Michael Seeley, 3rd) — Chris Grabenstein (John Ceepak, 7th) — Sarah Graves (Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, Home Repair is Homicide, 15th) — J. M. Gregson (Inspector Percy Peach, 16th) — Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire, 12th) — Graham Hurley (Faraday and Winter, 12th) — Lisa Jackson (Regan Pescoli and Selena Alvarez, 4th) — Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire, 8th) — Jim Kelly (Peter Shaw, 4th) — Mike Knowles (Wilson, 4th) — Camilla Lackberg (Bertil Mellberg, 3rd) — Robert McCammon (Matthew Corbett, 4th) — Catriona McPherson (Dandy Gilver, 6th) — Barbara Nadel (Cetin Ikmen, 14th) — Chris Nickson (Richard Nottingham, 3rd) — Katherine Hall Page (Faith Fairchild, 20th) — Bernadette Pajer (Benjamin Bradshaw, 2nd) — James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Women's Murder Club, 11th) — Pauline Rowson (Andy Horton, Marine, 7th) — Kirk Russell (Ben Raveneau, 2nd) — John Sandford (Lucas Davenport, 22nd) — Sarah R. Shaber (Louise Pearlie, 2nd) — Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins (Mike Hammer, 17th) — Marc Strange (Orwell Brennan, 2nd) — Jon Talton (Will Borders, 2nd) — Victoria Thompson (Gaslight, 14th) — Steve Ulfelder (Conway Sax, 2nd) — Elaine Viets (Helen Hawthorne, Dead-End Job, 11th) — F. Paul Wilson (Adversary Cycle, 6th) — Qiu Xiaolong (Chen Cao, 7th) — Elizabeth Zelvin (Bruce Kohler, 3rd)
• Authors with mysteries introducing characters (in italics) in a new series this month:
Charles Atkins (Lil Campbell and Ada Strauss) — David Freed (Cordell Logan) — Daniel Friedman (Buck Schatz) — Alex Grecian (The Murder Squad) — P. F. Lennon (Charlie Blanco) — David Lyons (Jock Boucher) — James McGee (Matthew Hawkwood) — Sara Sheridan (Mirabelle Bevan)
• Authors with non-series or stand-alone mysteries this month:
Alessandro Baricco — Jeremy Bates — Anne Berry — Steve Berry — Robin Blake — Lawrence Block — Larry Bond — Lisa Brackmann — Kevin Brophy — Jeffrey B. Burton — Víctor del Árbol — Peter T. Deutermann — Edward Falco — Peter Farris — Brian Freeman — Tess Gerritsen — Robert Goddard — Chuck Greaves — Richard Helms — Mark Henshaw — Joseph Kanon — Korey Kaul — Eleanor Kuhns — Nicolai Lilin — Gerard Macdonald — Douglas MacKinnon — Emily St. John Mandel — Robert Pobi — Piero Rivolta — Jeremy Robinson — Greg Rucka — Mark Harril Saunders — J. Thomas Shaw — Lynn Shepherd — Todd Shimoda — Jon Steele — James Swain — Jan Wallentin — Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin — Richard Zimler
For more information on any of these titles, please visit the May 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 May 2012 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.
Dunston Falls by Al Lamanda is Today's Fourth Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Dunston Falls by Al Lamanda as today's fourth free mystery ebook.
This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.
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Dunston Falls by Al Lamanda
Original Publisher: Five Star
About Dunston Falls (from the publisher): Isolated during a severe winter storm in 1959, the small community of Dunston Falls in northern Maine is completely cut off from the rest of the state. When town residents begin to experience strange occurrences such as unexplained migraines and hallucinations, the stage is set for a brutal killer to begin his handiwork.
When Sheriff David Peck investigates the murders of two women, he slowly unravels the secrets behind Dunston Falls. As Peck closes in on the truth that lies in the heart of the town, he finds himself thrown into a dangerous web of deception. In a dramatic twist of circumstance, Peck finds that he is now the hunted and must do whatever he can to stay alive and expose the shocking truth behind the small town.
Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Shimura Trouble by Sujata Massey is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Shimura Trouble by Sujata Massey as today's third free mystery ebook.
This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.
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Shimura Trouble by Sujata Massey
A Rei Shimura Mystery
Original Publisher: Severn House
This is the 10th (and most recent) mystery to feature the antiques dealer and undercover spy.
About Shimura Trouble (from the publisher): During a family reunion on the island of Oahu, Japanese-American Rei Shimura is roped into helping the Hawaiian branch of her family regain land stolen from them during World War II. But when fire sweeps the island and her young cousin is accused of arson, Rei, with the assistance of both her boyfriend Michael and her ex-lover Hugh, must discover the truth that is linked to the Shimura family history.
Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
East of A by Russell Atwood is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature East of A by Russell Atwood as today's second free mystery ebook.
This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.
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East of A by Russell Atwood
A Payton Sherwood Mystery
Original Publisher: Ballantine
About East of A (from the publisher): Private eye Payton Sherwood, returning late one night to his East Village office after an upstate case, runs into trouble in the form of three bull-necked heavies and a tough 16-year-old runaway named Glory. After taking a beating and losing his gold wristwatch, Payton is left bleeding on the sidewalk.
Tracking after Glory and his stolen watch, Payton winds his way through Alphabet City — in and out of trendy after-hours dives, across vacant lots and occupied squats and into barrio tenements. Here the shadows that frighten aren't those that shade the street but rather the soul. Payton's dusk-to-dawn nightmare on the wide side is about to begin — and nothing will stop it but death …
Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon is Today's Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon as today's free mystery ebook.
This title was listed as free as of the date and time of this post. Prices are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your transaction.
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Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon
A Maryse Robicheaux Mystery
Original Publisher: Love Spell
This is the first mystery (of three to date) to feature this amateur sleuth.
About Trouble in Mudbug (from the publisher): Scientist Maryse Robicheaux thought that a lot of her problems had gone away with her mother-in-law’s death. The woman was rude, pushy, manipulative and used her considerable wealth to run herd over the entire town of Mudbug, Louisiana.
Unfortunately, death doesn’t slow down Helena one bit.
DEA Agent Luc LeJeune is wondering what his undercover assignment investigating the sexy scientist has gotten him into – especially as it seems someone wants her dead. Keeping his secrets while protecting Maryse proves to be easier than fighting his attraction for the brainy beauty.
Important Note: This book was listed for free on the date and time of this post. Prices can and do change without prior notice. Please confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase.
Download Link(s):
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Blood Work by Michael Connelly is Today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Blood Work by Michael Connelly as today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find. The deal price of $2.99 is valid only for today, Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
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Blood Work by Michael Connelly
Publisher: Little, Brown
This stand-alone was the winner of the 1999 Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel and the winner of the 1999 Anthony Award for Best Novel. It was later adapted into the 2002 film Blood Work starring Clint Eastwood.
About Blood Work (from the publisher): Thanks to a heart transplant, former FBI agent Terril McCaleb is enjoying a quiet retirement, renovating the fishing boat he lives on in Los Angeles Harbor. But McCaleb's calm seas turn choppy when a story in the "What Happened To?" column of the LA Times brings him face-to-face with the sister of the woman whose heart now beats in his chest. From her, McCaleb learns a terrible truth: that the donor of his heart was not killed in an accident, as he'd been told, but was murdered.
Wracked with guilt over the fact that he's alive because another human being was killed, McCaleb embarks on a private investigation of his donor's murder -- a crime as horrific as anything he ever encountered as a serial killer investigator for the FBI.
Important Note: Barnes&Noble updates its Nook Daily Find every day at approximately midnight PT. The title referenced above is available at a discounted price for Wednesday, April 25, 2012 only.
Download Link(s):
Shell Games by Kirk Russell is Today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Shell Games by Kirk Russell as today's Amazon Kindle Daily Deal. The deal price of $1.99 is valid only for today, Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
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Shell Games by Kirk Russell
A John Marquez Mystery
Publisher: Chronicle Books
This is the first mystery to feature the California Fish & Game warden.
About Shell Games (from the publisher): The discovery of thousands of empty abalone shells and two murdered divers sends John Marquez's poaching investigation in a new and very risky direction.
A former DEA agent and now head of a special operations unit of the California Department of Fish and Game, Marquez learns he himself has been targeted as the next victim. Stalking him is Kline, a vicious drug smuggler turned abalone poacher who has a vendetta against Marquez. John Marquez is supposed to protect wildlife, not solve murders, but the only way he can break the multi-million-dollar abalone-smuggling ring, as well as save his own life, is to find and stop Kline.
Important Note: Amazon.com updates its Kindle book deal every day at approximately midnight PT. The title referenced above is available at a discounted price for Wednesday, April 25, 2012 only.
Download Link(s):
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
TV Spots for Snow White and the Huntsman, Dark Shadows
We have two TV spots for upcoming films embedded below.
First up: Snow White and the Huntsman, a film we're really looking forward to seeing. It opens in theaters June 1st, 2012.
Next up: Dark Shadows, a film that looks like a lot of fun but one we'll almost certainly wait to see On Demand or on DVD. It hits theaters on May 11th, 2012.
Which of these two films are you most eager to see?
First Trailer for Lawless, Adapted from the the Novel The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant
The first trailer for Lawless, a film adaptation of Matt Bondurant's 2008 true-story based novel The Wettest County in the World, has been released by the studio; we've embedded it below.
Directed by John Hillcoat from a screenplay by Nick Cave, the film stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and Gary Oldman in a Depression-era story of brotherhood, greed, and murder.
The Bondurant Boys were a notorious gang of roughnecks and moonshiners who ran liquor through Franklin County, Virginia, during Prohibition and in the years after. Howard (played by Jason Clarke), the eldest brother, is an ox of a man besieged by the horrors he witnessed in the Great War; Forrest (Tom Hardy), the middle brother, is fierce, mythically indestructible, and the consummate businessman; and Jack (Shia LaBeouf), the youngest, has a taste for luxury and a dream to get out of Franklin. Driven and haunted, these men forge a business, fall in love, and struggle to stay afloat as they watch their family die, their father's business fail, and the world they know crumble beneath the Depression and drought.
Lawless is currently scheduled to be in theaters August 31st, 2012.
