With less than a week to go until the opening of Snow White & the Huntsman in theaters, the studio is still turning out posters. Or banners in this case. Three character, one combined banners are shown below; click for larger versions. (The latter formed the opening background for the interactive trailer we posted earlier this week.)
Snow White & the Huntsman is a new take on the classic fairy tale which features an expanded role for the Huntsman. In the fairy tale, he is ordered to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, but instead lets her go. In the new take, the Huntsman is not a love interest but acts more as a mentor, teaching Snow White to fight and survive.
Starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, and Chris Hemsworth, the film opens June 1st, 2012.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Four Banner Posters for Snow White & the Huntsman
Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (120526)
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.
Special Offer: Save 50% on All Big Fish Games this Memorial Day Weekend
This Memorial Day Weekend, through Monday, May 28th, 2012, you can save 50% off the retail price on all games at Big Fish Games, standard and collector's editions.
For standard edition games, use coupon code FOREVER at checkout; for collector's edition games, use coupon code HONOR at checkout.
We haven't posted recently about mystery games, in part because we're restructuring our Mystery Games website, but intend to start posting again soon! In the meantime, check out the selection of games available to download — here's a "mysterious" place to start! — and enjoy half off this weekend only!
CBS Will No Longer Air Jesse Stone Movies
In disappointing, but not entirely unexpected, news, CBS has notified the producers of the "Jesse Stone" made-for-television films that the most recent, "Benefit of the Doubt", will be the last for the network.
Though the movie was the most watched program last Sunday night, it had the lowest ratings among 18-49 year-olds so highly prized by advertisers.
Michael Brandman, who co-executive produces the films with star Tom Selleck, said, "'Both of us are surprised CBS was so wedded to those [younger] demographics. ... It's really hard for us to grasp."
Earlier this year Selleck predicted "Benefit of the Doubt" would be the last for CBS, though he went on to say, "That being said, that's not the end of Jesse, or at least I don't think so. There are a lot of other entities, whether cable or even feature films … I'm not done with the character, though."
We enjoyed "Benefit of the Doubt" quite a bit, probably more than the last couple that preceded it, though we have to admit we didn't quite understand the ending, which had a rushed, incomplete feel to it.
Let's hope Tom Selleck and Michael Brandman, who took over writing the "Jesse Stone" mysteries following the death of creator Robert B. Parker, can come up with an alternate way of continuing the series.
(Related article: Variety.)
MystereBooks: This Week's Update of Kindle Books Priced $2.99 or Less (120526)
Every month Amazon publishes a list of 100 Kindle books priced $3.99 or less. We thought we'd take that idea and improve on it, publishing a list of 100 Kindle mystery books priced $2.99 or less and updating it every week!
Here is our general criteria for selecting titles to include: books from major or specialty publishers of crime fiction and those written by authors familiar to us. There are far more than 100 to choose from, so we use our best judgment to narrow it down.
A few notes about today's update.
• Earlier this week we mentioned the first three "Taylor Jackson" mysteries by J. T. Ellison are available from Mira Books for just $1.99 each. They're still available at this price and we've included them on the list below.
• Also new this week are five "Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James" mysteries by Deborah Crombie — the 9th through 13th — available from HarperCollins for just $2.99 each.
• And we discovered a new publisher, Cozy Cat Press, that prices many of its titles at $2.99 or less. We haven't included any of their titles on our list this week, but intend to do so over the coming weeks.
Shown below are some of the new titles we added today; click on the cover or title to purchase the Kindle edition.
Important Note: Prices can and do change without prior notice! We strongly urge you to confirm the price of the book before completing your purchase. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of purchase is the price of the book.
Blood Ties by Jane A. Adams.
A Naomi Blake Mystery (6th).
Now May You Weep by Deborah Crombie.
A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery (9th).
In a Dark House by Deborah Crombie.
A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery (10th).
Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie.
A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery (11th).
Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie.
A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery (12th).
Necessary as Blood by Deborah Crombie.
A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery (13th).
All the Pretty Girls by J. T. Ellison.
A Taylor Jackson Mystery (1st).
14 by J. T. Ellison.
A Taylor Jackson Mystery (2nd).
Judas Kiss by J. T. Ellison.
A Taylor Jackson Mystery (3rd).
Up Jumped the Devil by Blair S. Walker.
A Darryl Billups Mystery (1st).
Shortlists Announced for Mid-Year 2012 CWA Dagger Awards
The Crime Writers' Association announced yesterday the shortlists for six mid-year 2012 CWA Daggers, awards which celebrate the best in contemporaty crime writing. The winners of these Daggers including the CWA Diamond Dagger — which was previously announced to be Frederick Forsyth — will be announced at a black tie dinner on July 5th, when the longlists for the second set of Daggers — the Gold, Steel, and John Creasey — will also be announced. The winners of this second set will be revealed later in the year.
International Dagger …
• I will have Vengeance by Maurizio de Giovanni, translated by Anne Milano Appel (Hersilia Press)
• Phantom by Jo Nesbø, translated by Don Bartlett (Harvill Secker)
• The Dark Valley by Valerio Varesi, translated by Joseph Farrell (Quercus/Maclehose)
• The Potter’s Field by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli (Mantle)
• Trackers by Deon Meyer, translated by T K L Seegers (Hodder & Stoughton)
• Until Thy Wrath Be Past by Åsa Larsson, translated by Laurie Thompson (Quercus/Maclehose)
Ellis Peters Historical Dagger …
• The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau (Orion)
• Bitter Water by Gordon Ferris (Corvus)
• I Will Have Vengeance by Maurizio de Giovanni (Hersilia Press)
• Prague Fatale by Philip Kerr (Quercus)
• Icelight by Aly Monroe (John Murray)
• Sacrilege by SJ Parris (HarperCollins)
• A Willing Victim by Laura Wilson (Quercus)
Non-Fiction Dagger …
• To Live Outside the Law by Leaf Fielding (Serpent’s Tail)
• Dark Market by Misha Glenny (Vintage)
• Hood Rat by Gavin Knight (Pan Macmillan)
• Witness by David Smith with Carol Ann Lee (Mainstream)
• The Negotiator by Ben Lopez (Little, Brown)
• The Eleventh Day by Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan (Doubleday)
Short Story Dagger …
• "A Long Time Dead" (The Best American Mystery Stories 2011) by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
• "The Golden Hour" (Guilty Consciences) by Bernie Crossthwaite
• "Hixton" (Crimes by Moonlight) by William Kent Krueger
• "The Message" (Best Eaten Cold) by Margaret Murphy
• "He Did Not Always See Her" (Guilty Consciences) by Claire Seeber
• "Laptop" (Best Eaten Cold) by Cath Staincliffe
Debut Dagger …
• Death by Glasgow by Jon Breakfield
• Easy to Die by Sean Carpenter
• The Watchers by Karen Catalona
• One Man Army by Bram E. Gieben
• Beached by Sandy Gingras
• Trick by Sean Hancock
• Broken-Winged Bird by Renata Hill
• Death Knell by Rob Lowe
• Chasing Shadows by Lesley McLaren
• The Wrong Domino by Simon Miller
• Message from Panama by Britt Vasarhelyi
• Port of Spain by Elizabeth Wells
The Dagger in the Library, given to an author for a body of work, not a specific title …
• Belinda Bauer
• S. J. Bolton
• Susan Hill
• Peter May
• Steve Mosby
• Imogen Robertson
The Axeman's Jazz by Julie Smith is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Axeman's Jazz by Julie Smith 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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The Axeman's Jazz by Julie Smith
A Skip Langdon Mystery
Publisher: Minotaur Books/booksBnimble
This is the second mystery in this Edgar Award-winning series.
About The Axeman's Jazz (from the publisher): It's a steamy August in New Orleans and a murderer has borrowed the name of the Axeman, a serial killer who roamed the city in 1919. The modern-day Axeman has strangled a young woman and stabbed an elderly man, beside whose body a teddy bear is found. The letter "A" is scrawled near both corpses in lipstick and in blood. Both victims, it develops, were members of 12-point recovery programs modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous; the killer may be using the groups' anonymity as a shield.
A most appealing heroine, social-misfit Skip Langdon, is now a homicide detective assigned to the Axeman team. Risking her life, Skip must get close to suspects, among them beautiful but ditzy Di, a New Era devotee; the very angry Alex, "a walking testosterone bomb" who writes self-help books; Sonny Gerard, a stressed-out second-year medical student; and Missy, Sonny's overmothering girlfriend. As Skip threads her fascinated way from one self-help group to another, she finds she has more in common with the twelve-steppers than just the murder. And she knows what they do not: that among their anonymous numbers is a deadly murderous, and dangerously attractive — psychopath …
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.
Flying the Coop by John Sailors is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Flying the Coop by John Sailors 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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Flying the Coop by John Sailors
A Video Game Mystery
Publisher: Story Crest Press
About Flying the Coop (from the publisher): Bernard Walker, the eccentric founder of a video game startup, has his life put on hold when the police fail to deal with a grisly murder, so he tries using his company's video game technology to solve the horrible crime, pitting video game designers against inept police officers, overpaid city officials, and irritating venture capitalists in a hilarious battle of wit, cunning, and vastly different tastes in hot dogs and tofu.
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.
A Flash of Noir by Christopher Pinto is Today's Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature A Flash of Noir by Christopher Pinto 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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A Flash of Noir by Christopher Pinto
Flash Fiction and Very Short Stories with a Twist
Publisher: Stardust Mysteries
About A Flash of Noir (from the publisher): From smokey bars in New York City to the tropical islands of the Florida keys, this collection takes you for a spin through the seediest gin joints and darkest alleys. One minute you're speeding down I-95 in a hot rod, the next you're tasting cheap whiskey in a basement tap room where the women are heartless and the men are unforgiving. Gangsters, cops, private eyes, strippers, murderers, phantoms … plus a few comedy pieces to keep you from wanting to slit your wrists.
Over 40 stories of crime fiction, ghost stories, retro fiction and short beatnik poetry plus noir-esque original photographs by the author make this a fast, fun read. There's even a flash written entirely of song titles … see if you can list every one!
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.
The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor is Today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find
MystereBooks is pleased to feature The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor as today's Barnes&Noble Nook Daily Find. The deal price of $2.99 is valid only for today, Saturday, May 26, 2012.
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The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor
A Scot Harvath Thriller
Publisher: Atria Books
Note: The B&N Daily Find page lists the price as $3.99 but, as of the time of this post, when you click over to the Nook book page it is priced at $2.99.
About The Lions of Lucerne (from the publisher): On the snow-covered slopes of Utah, the President of the United States has been kidnapped and his Secret Service detail massacred. Only one agent has survived—ex-Navy SEAL Scot Harvath. He doesn’t buy the official line that Middle Eastern terrorists are behind the attack and begins his own campaign to find the truth and exact revenge. But now, framed for murder by a sinister cabal, Harvath takes his fight to the towering mountains of Switzerland—and joins forces with beautiful Claudia Mueller of the Swiss Federal Attorney’s Office. Together they must brave the subzero temperatures and sheer heights of treacherous Mount Pilatus—where their only chance for survival lies inside the den of the most lethal team of professional killers the world has ever known …
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 Saturday, May 26, 2012 only.
Download Link(s):
Friday, May 25, 2012
Save up to 25% this Memorial Day Weekend at Booksamillion.com
Stock up and save on your summer reading this Memorial Day weekend with books from Booksamillion.com.
Select your books and use one of the following coupon codes at checkout:
MDSL25 to save $25 off purchases of $100 or more;
M2685DX to save 20% of your order of $50 or more;
MT28XS to save 10% off your entire purchase regardless of amount.
And while you're checking out the book selection, don't miss the Blockbuster Movie Sale, with prices up to 53% off bestselling DVDs.
All coupon codes expire Monday, May 28th, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST.
Run Among Thorns by Anna Louise Lucia is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Run Among Thorns by Anna Louise Lucia 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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Run Among Thorns by Anna Louise Lucia
Publisher: Medallion Press
About Run Among Thorns (from the publisher): A harrowing trio of murder, romance, and power propel the action forward in this story about little Jenny Waring. In a moment of dire crisis, she did something exceptional, and the authorities want to know how and why she killed three armed men like a seasoned agent. It's Kier McAllister's job to break Jenny Waring—he's asking a lot of questions, and he isn't asking nicely. However much McAllister thinks he's in control, the balance of power is shifting. Jenny's accusing eyes are starting to hold the whole world for him, and that isn't good—not when the people he works for aren't about to leave her alone. Jenny Waring started out as McAllister's job, how can she become his redemption?
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.
Enter to Win One of Two Touchstone Mysteries
Two of Touchstone's crime novelists will be back with new books next month, and the publisher is generously providing us with the opportunity to give a copy of each to our readers.
Bryan Gruley's third "Starvation Lake" mystery, The Skeleton Box, is published on June 5th. We've enjoyed the first two books in the series, Starvation Lake and The Hanging Tree, and are definitely looking forward to this new one. The series character is Gus Carpenter, the editor of a rural Michigan newspaper.
A week later, on June 12th, Robert Dugoni's fifth "David Sloane" legal thriller, The Conviction, is published. We enthusiastically reviewed two of the four preceding books, Wrongful Death and Bodily Harm, and are excited to see what comes next in the series. (David Sloane is an attorney in Seattle.)
To enter our giveaways, visit Mystery Book Contests and click on the respective author's links. Enter your name and e-mail address, and this code, 6298 — the same code can be used for both books — for your chance to win. One entry per person; these contests end Monday, June 4th, 2012.
First Clues, Mysteries for Kids: New Titles for June 2012
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 June 2012, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens.
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The All-Star Joker
David A. Kelly
Ballpark Mysteries
The stars are out in Kansas City … the baseball stars, that is! Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game, and even get to go on the field during the Home Run Derby to catch pop-ups! That's where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher. But before the Home Derby ends, Josh finds himself in hot water. Someone is playing practical jokes on the other players, and the coach is sure it's him. Andy swears his dad is innocent. Who would want to frame Josh? And why?
Ballpark Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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July Jitters
Ron Roy
Calendar Mysteries
The kids and their pets are going to march in the Fourth of July Pet Parade! The winner of the patriotic pet costume contest gets a great prize—to be mayor for a day! For Bradley's entry, Polly the Pony gets to be President Thomas Jefferson for the day. But Polly runs off with her red wig and hat still sitting on her head. Maybe she has stage fright! Can the kids find her and calm her down before the fourth of July festivities begin?
Calendar Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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August Acrobat
Ron Roy
Calendar Mysteries
Bradley, Brian, Nate and Lucy go to trapeze school! But their high-flying fun is interrupted by another mystery to solve.
Calendar Mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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The Case of the Fatal Phantom
Emma Kennedy
Wilma Tenderfoot
Mystery is afoot when Wilma and her dog, Pickle, snuffle up a mummified body holding an ancient-looking key at Blackheart Mansion, home of the wealthiest family on Cooper Island. When it is revealed that the body belongs to a long-lost ancestor, Bludsten Blackheart, the family fights over Bludsten's key and races to find the treasure it unlocks — rumored to be guarded by a fatal phantom. And just when things reach fever pitch, Wilma discovers another clue about who her parents may be.
The Wilma Tenderfoot cases are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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The Blue Scarab Hunt
Thea Stilton
Geronimo Stilton
The Thea Sisters have been invited to Egypt to participate in a fabumouse archeological excavation. They are helping to look for the legendary ancient Treasure of the Sun! A precious blue stone scarab may be the key to their search, and they work enthusiastically to uncover the past. But they also discover that thieves are after the hidden treasure. It's up to the Thea Sisters to stop them!
Geronimo Stilton books are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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Sleepover Stakeout
Kim Harrington
Sleuth or Dare
Norah and Darcy's detective agency, Partners in Crime, is taking on a new and chilling case. The girls' classmate, Maya, is hearing strange, crackling voices coming over the baby monitor while she's babysitting late at night. Maya is worried someone might be in danger.
To help investigate, Norah and Darcy join her for a sleepover stakeout. In between eating snacks and watching TV, the girls are on high alert for anything suspicious. Soon, they stumble upon a mysterious secret they never could have imagined — but Norah and Darcy clash over how to interpret the new clues.
Can the girls get past their differences to see their way to the truth?
The Sleuth or Dare series mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
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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).
