Bouchercon 2012 is underway in Cleveland this week — Crime Fiction Rocks! — and that means award presentations!
First up we have the winners of the Barry Awards, recognizing the best of crime fiction in several categories, the winners chosen by the editorial staff of Deadly Pleasures.
• Best Novel: The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (Dutton)
• Best First Novel: The Informationist by Taylor Stevens (Crown)
• Best British Novel: Dead Man's Grip by Peter James (Macmillan)
• Best Paperback Original: Death of the Mantis by Michael Stanley (Harper)
• Best Thriller: The Informant by Thomas Perry (Atlantic Monthly)
• Best Short Story: "The Gun Also Rises" (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January-February 2011) by Jeffrey Cohen
Special thanks to The Rap Sheet for notifying us of the results.
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Winners of the 2012 Barry Awards Announced
Telemystery: ABC Orders Killer Women
ABC has ordered Killer Women, a crime drama project based on the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas, which itself is adapted from the trilogy of thrillers by Marisa Grinstein.
It isn't at all clear to us if Mujeres Asesinas, translated as "Killer Women", is non-fiction or fiction. The original books seem to be essentially a collection of short stories, each of which features a different female killer. The drama aired for four seasons in Argentina, winning all sorts of awards.
The project ordered by ABC will be centered on a female Texas Ranger. Modern Family's Sofia Vergara will executive produce a script written by Hannah Shakespeare (The Raven).
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Mujeres asesinas
Marisa Grinstein
No synopsis available.
Telemystery: CBS Orders Pilot Based on Anatomy of Violence by Adrian Raine
CBS has ordered a pilot for Anatomy of Violence, a crime drama based on the yet to be published non-fiction book by Adrian Raine of the same title. Homeland co-creators Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa will co-write the script and co-executive produce the project.
The storyline is reportedly centered on a female FBI agent, who starts working with a mysterious psychiatrist with whom she shares a past connection.
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The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime
Adrian Raine
A leading criminologist, who specializes in the neuroscience behind criminal behavior, Adrian Raine introduces a wide range of new scientific research into the origins and nature of violence and criminal behavior. He explains how impairments to areas of the brain that control our ability to experience fear, make decisions, and feel empathy can make us more likely to engage in criminal behavior. He applies this new understanding of the criminal mind to some of the most well-known criminals in history. And he clearly delineates the pressing considerations this research demands: What are its implications for our criminal justice system? Should we condemn and punish individuals who have little to no control over their behavior? Should we act preemptively with people who exhibit strong biological predispositions to becoming dangerous criminals? These are among the thorny issues we can no longer ignore as our understanding of criminal behavior grows.
Three More Posters for Killing Them Softly
The marketing department for Killing Them Softly has gone into overdrive! Earlier this week we featured three posters for the film; today we have three more (right and below; click for larger images).
Adapted from the crime novel Cogan's Trade by George V. Higgins (more about the book at the end of this post), the film follows Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) as an enforcer hired to track down three guys, who robbed a mob-protected card game.
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, Killing Them Softly was originally scheduled to open in theaters this month, but has now been moved to November 30th, 2012.
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Cogan's Trade
George V. Higgins
Jackie Cogan is an enforcer, and when the mob's rules get broken, Cogan is called in to take care of business. This time a high-stakes card game has been held up by an unknown gang of thugs.
Calculating, ruthless, businesslike, and with a shrewd sense of other people's weaknesses, Cogan plies his trade, moving among a variety of hoods, hangers-on, and big-timers, tracking those responsible, and returning "law and order" to the lawless Boston underworld.
Click on the Amazon.com button to check out the special Whispersync offer associated with this title.
New Teaser Poster for Jack Reacher
A new teaser poster with Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher has been released by the studio (right; click for slightly larger image). No tagline. Maybe one isn't necessary.
When a gunman takes five lives with six shots, all evidence points to the suspect in custody. On interrogation, the suspect offers up a single note: "Get Jack Reacher!" So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep.
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie from his own adapted screenplay — the film is based on One Shot, the ninth book in the series by Lee Child — Jack Reacher opens in theaters December 21st, 2012.
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One Shot
Lee Child
A Jack Reacher Thriller (9th in series)
Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, from the world he lives in — no phone, no address, no commitments — ex-military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. In Lee Child's astonishing new thriller, Reacher's arrival will change everything — about a case that isn't what it seems, about lives tangled in baffling ways, about a killer who missed one shot — and by doing so give Jack Reacher one shot at the truth …
The gunman worked from a parking structure just thirty yards away — point-blank range for a trained military sniper like James Barr. His victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But why does Barr want Reacher at his side? There are good reasons why Reacher is the last person Barr would want to see. But when Reacher hears Barr's own words, he understands. And a slam-dunk case explodes. Soon Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best.
Moving in the shadows, picking his spots, Reacher gets closer and closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. And for Reacher, the only way to take him down is to know his ruthlessness and respect his cunning–and then match him shot for shot …
Telemystery: ABC Family Renews Pretty Little Liars for 4th Season
ABC Family announced today that it has renewed Pretty Little Liars for a fourth season.
The series, based on characters created by Sara Shepard for her young adult books, is currently on a scheduled break for its third season, returning on October 23rd for a special Halloween-themed episode — "This is a Dark Ride" — and returning with new episodes in January 2013.
The fourth season is expected to premiere Summer 2013.
Keep up to date on the status of your favorite mystery and suspense television with our Telemystery Scoresheet. We've updated it with today's news.
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Pretty Little Liars
Sara Shepard
Everyone has something to hide — especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.
Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.
But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.
How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.
Promotional Poster and Premiere Date for House of Cards
Netflix released today a new promotional poster for its original drama series House of Cards (right; click for larger image) while at the same time announcing that the entire first season of 13 episodes will premiere on February 1st, 2013, exclusively on the video streaming service. (Netflix has already committed to producing a second season.)
Based on the Michal Dobbs trilogy of political thrillers that begins with House of Cards, Kevin Spacey stars as Francis Underwood, the House Majority Whip — masterful, beguiling, charismatic and ruthless. His equally ambitious wife Claire (Robin Wright) is determined to see her husband get to the top.
Written by Beau Willimon, the first two episodes are directed by David Fincher.
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House of Cards
Michael Dobbs
When Francis Urquhart decides to fight for the ultimate political job — Prime Minister — he issues no challenge to the present incumbent. Instead, using the ammunition of political secrets he's acquired over the years as Chief Whip, he begins a silent, deadly campaign to eliminate every other candidate in any way he can — including murder. Mattie Storin, a young woman journalist, is the only one to sense Urquhart's terrifying self-interest and intent — but to take him on she must range herself against the most powerful men in the country.
Today's Bestselling Free Kindle MystereBooks (121004)
Here is today's list of the Bestselling Free Kindle Crime Fiction: the top nine mysteries, novels of suspense, 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 click on the image to the right or use this link to see the relevant page on Amazon.com.
This Weekend Only: MCF Prime Suspects for 99 cents from BFG
This weekend only, from today through Sunday, October 7th, Big Fish Games is discounting one of the popular games in the Mystery Case Files series, MCF: Prime Suspects, to just 99 cents!
The Queen's Hope Diamond has been stolen! It's up to you to search for clues throughout 22 levels, find the offending culprit, and recover the stolen gem. Expand your investigations through the game's 29 unique locations by finding items that will unlock subsequent levels. Thousands of clues are cleverly hidden within the beautiful illustrations, creating a new game experience each time you step into this masterpiece of visual indulgences!
Visit the BFG website to learn more about the game and to purchase. At checkout, use the coupon code PRIME99 to get the discounted price. This special price is only available through October 7th, 2012.
Watch a trailer for the game below.
Review: A Cup Full of Midnight by Jaden Terrell
A Mysterious Review of …
A Cup Full of Midnight by Jaden Terrell. A Jared McKean Mystery.
Review summary: This is an exceptionally well crafted, intricately plotted mystery, with unexpected narrative turns that keep readers both on edge and guessing. Though its final chapters may be considered to be rather bleak, they are touching as well, a strongly written and really quite powerful conclusion to this most remarkable book. (Click here for text of full review.)
Our rating:
A Cup Full of Midnight
Jaden Terrell
A Jared McKean Mystery
Permanent Press (August 2012)
Publisher synopsis: At thirty-six, private detective Jared McKean is coming to terms with his unjust dismissal from the Nashville Murder Squad and an unwanted divorce from a woman he still loves. Jared is a natural horseman and horse rescuer whose son has Down Syndrome, whose best friend is dying of AIDS, and whose teenage nephew, Josh, has fallen under the influence of a dangerous fringe of the Goth subculture.
When the fringe group's leader — a mind-manipulating sociopath who consideres himself a vampire — is found butchered and posed across a pentagram, Josh is the number one suspect. Jared will need all his skills as a private investigator and former homicide detective to match wits with the most terrifying killer he has ever seen.
When he learns that Josh is next on the killer's list, Jared will risk his reputation, his family, and his life in a desperate attempt to save the boy he loves like a son.
Please Welcome Author C.R. Fausset
by C.R. Fausset
We are delighted to welcome novelist C.R. Fausset as our guest.
Clifford's debut thriller, The Golden Triangle (Burning Aces Press, September 2012 trade paperback and ebook formats) introduces Denton, Texas police officer Cliff Hanger.
Today Clifford tells us how he approached writing the book, and how the character and story came about. And don't miss the book's trailer at the end of this post.
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I love to read. I love to write. And I know what I'm looking for. Just needs to be a labor of love. And as for what I like, it doesn't matter as long as it organically fits. Wait, what? What does that mean? It just means that the story must be told with believability and conviction. Not saying it has to be set in the real world. Just saying that is must be a story that I believe in what's happening and can see a clear non-convoluted path. In clearer language, there can't be violence unless there's a need for violence, or swearing unless there's a need for it. But I want a straight forward human study with human emotions and a believability that takes the reader AWAY from their normal day to day lives. I also like the classic literary inventions of foreshadowing and misdirecting red-herrings, so naturally I have always been drawn to crime novels or mystery novels.
Photo provided courtesy of
C.R. Fausset
Alright, now that I got through that part that makes me sound smart (I think), let me tell you about my book and why I wrote it. The Golden Triangle is a story about a police officer named Cliff Hanger (the gimmick was intentional) who is early in his career. Why did I choose that time period of a cop's career? Why not start with him as a rookie?
Well, I can go into a huge spill about how that time period hasn't yet been explored in fiction. Or I can say that I wanted to have an 'origin-story' for my character. But, no, the truth is, I wrote about a cop early in his career, 'cause at the time I wrote the novel, I was a cop early in his career. Heck, I still am. Write what you know, right? Maybe that's why I gave my character my name, Cliff, or set the novel in my hometown of Denton? It was just a good way of really into my character's head.
But what about that particular timeframe in a cop's career appealed to me? Well, there are LOTS of 'detective' stories on the market and I would find myself having to compete with all of them. Instead, I decided to show the readers, that this cop doesn't know everything. That, as a new cop who just gets out of training, you don't know everything you're supposed to. Yet, these cops go out and try to tackle the world. They do stupid things to get themselves in trouble. This is what that story is about.
In the beginning, Cliff's friend Patrick is murdered and as anyone would, Cliff begins to speculate what happened. Though, Cliff instead takes it a little too far and begins — against orders — to investigate what happened. That's also when Cliff discovers that the case ISN'T as simple as he thought it would be. And like a 'young' officer would, he does things, without guidance, that may could get him in trouble. Afterall, how many times have you seen a news report about an officer abusing his authority or chasing after the bad guy recklessly? It isn't JUST a bad seed. Happens all the time to those without guidance.
So, that's the learning curve Cliff has to overcome throughout the novel. And soon he finds that he's shaken a hornet's nest he can't unshake. Then story takes a twist and Cliff begins to find out that maybe people aren't what they seem and he begins to challenge even his own views of why Patrick was murdered. All ending in a reveal that … well, there's a reason why the character's name is Cliff Hanger.
I know I haven't really explained much, but I can promise there's lots of action, humor, mystery, and even some romance. Plus, I've even tried to get inside Cliff's head in a scene to show the reader what a cop actually thinks while he's processing a crime scene. Definitely worth reading!
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C.R. Fausset lives in North Texas where he works as a police officer. He also holds a 3rd degree black belt and has trained in the martial arts for over 17 years. In addition to his debut novel, he has had two short stories — "Dawn" and "Doubleback" — published in Pulp Metal Magazine.
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The Golden Triangle
C.R. Fausset
A Cliff Hanger Thriller
It wasn't turning out to be a good week for police officer Clifford Hanger. First, his truck gets repossessed then Patrick, his friend from the police academy, gets murdered.
Everyone is quick to say Patrick was killed by a vindictive drug dealer, everyone except Cliff. But as Cliff digs deeper, he learns things aren't what they seem and Patrick may have gotten in over his head. Soon, Cliff is warned off the case, beaten down by drug dealers and left for dead.
Everything is pointing to police corruption but will Cliff find out the truth in time? Or will he find himself the killer's next victim?
Ratcatcher by Tim Stevens is Today's Third Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Ratcatcher by Tim Stevens 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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Ratcatcher
Tim Stevens
Publisher: Tim Stevens
Purkiss's job is straightforward. Track down agents of the intelligence services who are taking kickbacks, committing crimes, or otherwise abusing their positions. And bring them to justice.
Straightforward doesn't mean easy …
After a renegade British former spymaster, Fallon, is sighted in the Baltic city of Tallinn on the eve of a historic summit meeting between the Russian and Estonian presidents, Purkiss is despatched to investigate, and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to tear Europe, and the world, apart.
But Purkiss has personal reasons for going after Fallon. Four years ago, Fallon was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Purkiss's fiancée, a murder Purkiss himself witnessed.
Now, in an atmosphere of treachery and sudden violence, as the countdown begins to a potentially catastrophic conflict between Russia and the West, Purkiss must keep his desire for revenge under control for the sake of the world's — and his own — survival.
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.
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Sheer Murder by Patti Owen-Slater is Today's Second Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Sheer Murder by Patti Owen-Slater 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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Sheer Murder
Patti Owen-Slater
A Julie Preston Mystery
Publisher: Patti Owen-Slater
Police respond to a 911 call where they discover the body of a young woman who has been tortured, mutilated then strangled with a pair of pantyhose. Patrol cars sweep the vicinity of the killing and find Andy running in the street. A pair of pantyhose is found in his pocket. He is taken to the police station to be questioned and held as a person of interest.
Andy calls Julie Preston, his Psychologist, for help. She has her attorney make a call to the station on her behalf. After Andy is released Julie continues to treat him. As she delves into his past she discovers his monstrous secret, only to encounter a more sinister fiend.
Julie's office and files are ransacked and a dead body is found in her client chair. What information could she hold that threatens the savage serial killer on the loose who is now terrorizing her? Is her client the twisted killer? Is she in danger of being his next victim?
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.
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
Collateral Damage by Austin S. Camacho is Today's Featured Free MystereBook
MystereBooks is pleased to feature Collateral Damage by Austin S. Camacho 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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Collateral Damage
Austin S. Camacho
A Hannibal Jones Mystery
Publisher: Intrigue Publishing
Bea Collins came home from work to find that her boy friend Dean had disappeared. When she asked Hannibal Jones for help, Hannibal feared that his quarry had decided to run off with another woman after taking most of Bea's money. Little did he suspect that he would find Dean soon after he was accused of a bloody murder.
Then he learned of previous killings linked to Dean's life — one of which took the life of his father. It soon became clear that Hannibal would have to solve a series of murders in order to clear Dean's name.
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.
For more free mystery ebooks, visit our Free MystereBooks page.
