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2013-11-21T05:46:00.000-06:00

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2013-02-06T07:10:00.001-06:00

We've moved! The Thrill of it All is now here.

12 Cozies of Christmas: Rosemary and Thyme

2012-12-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

As part of Spyglass Lane Mysteries' "12 Cozies of Christmas" campaign, here is a special guest post from cozy mystery author Candice Speare Prentice. Take it away, Candice!

I love a good murder mystery, but I don’t like gushing blood, raunchy language, and random naked body parts—dead or alive. For instance, I’ve never watched Silence of the Lambs. When it first came out on VCR years ago, my family rented it. After the first ten minutes, I left the room. Please understand that this isn’t criticism of people who loved that movie; it’s about my sensitivity. Television shows and movies live second lives as reruns in my brain—especially the vivid, gory ones.

That’s why I enjoy a good cozy mystery. I like to write them, I like to read them, and I like to watch them. They give me the satisfaction of a good murder mystery without gory, in-your-face violence. They also provide a bit of psychological thrill without weirdness.

(If you like cozy mysteries, check out the 12 Cozy Mysteries of Christmas eBook Giveaway below.)

Recently I discovered a BBC cozy mystery series through Netflix titled Rosemary and Thyme. Yes, I’m behind the times. The show ran from 2003 to 2007. The main characters are middle-aged gardening sleuths Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme. Rosemary, who is single, lost her job as a plant pathologist and lecturer at a college. Laura was a former police constable whose cheating husband recently asked for a divorce. Their joint gardening business gives them exposure to plenty of opportunities for mayhem to occur. Their friendship is realistic. The scenery is amazing. And I’m even learning a few things about plants.

Unfortunately the series was short-running, only 22 episodes. But I’m savoring each show, usually during my afternoon break while I have a cup of coffee. It makes me feel...cozy.

There are two ways to enter the 12 Cozy Mysteries of Christmas eBook Giveaway

Create a Pinterest Pinboard entitled "My 12 Cozies of Christmas." Fill it with 12 Spyglass Lane titles that either you want to read, or have already read and love! Be sure to use the #12CoziesofChristmas hashtag in the description of each pinned book cover. One pinboard will automatically enter you in each daily drawing!
Tweet about Spyglass Lane mysteries. Simply Tweet about the giveaway or one of your favorite Spyglass Lane Mysteries or authors and include the #12CoziesofChristmas hashtag along with the www.spyglasslanemysteries.com link. You may Tweet as many times as you want each day! Only Tweets sent out the day of the giveaway will be considered for that day’s drawing. Follow us on the Spyglass Lane blog, Twitter @SpyglassMystery or Facebook for the latest info on the 12 Cozies of Christmas giveaway! Each day, we’ll reveal which Spyglass Lane cozy mystery we’ll be giving away.

Win a cozy mystery: 12 Cozy Mysteries of Christmas Ebook Giveaway!

2012-12-12T09:33:00.001-06:00

Starting today, Spyglass Lane Mysteries is giving away one cozy mystery each day for the next twelve days! I'm honored to discover that today's giveaway is my own whodunit, Nursing a Grudge, the first volume in the Earl Walker Mysteries. You can find details on how to enter here:
12 Cozy Mysteries of Christmas Ebook Giveaway!

Fixed link: You could win a 5-pack of Steven James thrillers

2012-12-07T12:22:00.002-06:00

I posted this item yesterday but there was an error with the link...so here is the updated version with the correct link:

For the next few days, we're running a contest where the winner gets a five-pack of thrillers written by Steven James, starring his FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers. Just go here to get your name in the hat -- the final day to enter is Dec 12, 2012. Good luck!

Just to be safe: The contest link is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Well/161973267192678?sk=app_228910107186452

Related links:
Complete PATRICK BOWERS by Steven James
STEVEN JAMES: Make Things Worse
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010

My Fall 2012 author newsletter

2012-10-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

If you missed my Fall 2012 author newsletter, you can look at the archive here.

You could win a CHARADE two-pack!

2012-10-14T18:49:00.000-05:00

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Charade (1963) Opening Titles

2012-10-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

In a few days, newsletter subscribers will receive details about our fall giveaway: A 'Charade' prize pack that includes the classic 1963 comedy thriller on DVD, a digital copy of the film, and a CD of the original score by Henry Mancini. NOTE: Today (October 1, 2012) is the last day to sign up for the newsletter and make sure you get the details first!

Charade (1963) Opening Titles

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! Deadline to sign up is October 1, 2012!

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

Get these two exclusive eBooks FREE when you sign up for my author newsletter! (I promise you'll only hear from me every few months.) Free downloads available for Kindle, Nook, iPad, Kobo, and more. Sign up now!

Henry Mancini - Latin Snowfall

2012-09-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, we've been running clips from the movie the past few weeks. This week, here's a piece from the motion picture score composed by the great Henry Mancini.

Henry Mancini - Latin Snowfall

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

"Is that why you dragged me all the way up here—to ask me that?"

2012-09-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, here's another clip from the movie: Peter (Cary Grant) and the hook-handed Scobie (George Kennedy) duke it out on the rooftop of the American Express building!

Charade (6/10) Movie CLIP - Rooftop Fight (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

"Don't trust him. He's after the money."

2012-09-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, here's another clip from the film: Regina (Audrey Hepburn) confides in Peter (Cary Grant)—and then receives a phone call warning her not to trust him.

Charade (5/10) Movie CLIP - Who Can You Trust? (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

Avengers Parodies: 5 for Friday (Sep 7, 2012)

2012-09-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

With Marvel's The Avengers coming to DVD and Blu-ray in September, we thought it would be a good time to check out some of the fun parodies on YouTube—and these five are definitely worth checking out. The playlist below includes remakes with action figures, movie trailer mashups, and Nick Fury making cameo appearances in completely different movies.

CLICK TO WATCH!

FEATURED VIDEOS:

Marvel Legends The Avengers Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1aXoemMSFc&feature=share&list=PL938948B284EA284B

Nick Fury in Other Movies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7vIP_SYezE&feature=share&list=PL938948B284EA284B

The Avengers Hangover Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF-PLhdgAs8&feature=share&list=PL938948B284EA284B

The Avengers Trailer - sweded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLgdMz0p5Y&feature=share&list=PL938948B284EA284B

Justice League Trailer (Avengers Style) Parody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyNXnuHNF8k&feature=share&list=PL938948B284EA284B

LET'S CONNECT!
Google+ ► http://plus.google.com/113518809148525636497
Facebook ► http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Well/161973267192678
Twitter ► http://twitter.com/chriswellwriter
Website ► http://studiowell.com

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

"I don't bite, you know. Unless it's called for."

2012-09-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, here's another clip from the movie: When Regina (Audrey Hepburn) is attacked in her room by a one-armed man (George Kennedy), Peter (Cary Grant) chases him off.

Charade (4/10) Movie CLIP - Herman Attacks (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

5 Great Videos with Count Von Count

2012-08-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week's episode of "Five for Friday" pays tribute to Muppeteer Jerry Nelson (1934-2012), who passed away last week. Nelson voiced and/or worked several notable characters for Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fragglerock. One of Nelson's great characters was Count Von Count—so I'm also including five memorable appearances of the Count below. Enjoy!

Remembering Muppeteer Jerry Nelson (1934-2012)
5 for Friday #002

Bonus Videos:

1. Sesame Street - The Count counts Ernies Blocks
The Count's 1972 debut on Sesame Street!

2. Sesame Street: Kermit Reports News On Three Little Pigs

3. Sesame Street: Cookie Monster And Count Cooperate

4. Classic Sesame Street - The Count and Harry Belafonte

5. Sesame Street - Count Up To Nine

Related links:
Jerry Nelson dies at 78; puppeteer voiced Count von Count (Los Angeles Times)
Remembering Jerry Nelson, voice of Count Von Count (CBS News)
Jerry Nelson, voice of Count von Count on ‘Sesame Street,’ dead at age 78 (NY Daily News)
Jerry Nelson Dead: Count von Count Of 'Sesame Street' Dies At Age 78 (Huff Post)
Jerry Nelson (Muppet Wiki)

Mustard and Ketchup in "Double Date"

2012-08-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

StudioWell Presents Mustard and Ketchup in "Double Date": Mustard and Ketchup discuss their plans to take the Cabbage Sisters out for a night on the town.

"It could get a whole lot worse, you know."

2012-08-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, here's another clip from the film: Tex (James Coburn) corners Regina (Audrey Hepburn) in a phone booth and demands she get him what he wants—or else.

Charade (3/10) Movie CLIP - Tex Threatens Regina (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Get a free copy of First Shot: 10 Stories when you sign up for my author newsletter! This collection of short fiction includes bonus excerpts from two of my novels. (I promise you'll only hear from me every three months or so.) Free download available for Kindle, Nook, iPad, Kobo, and more. Sign up now!

Philip Marlowe, ReelSEO, Kindle Fire: 5 For Friday #001

2012-08-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Watch the first episode of a new video format I'm trying out: "5 for Friday," in which I plan to offer assorted rants, recommendations, and random notes. The first installment includes a (brief) rant about Philip Marlowe, a recommendation of ReelSEO, a recommendation of the Kindle Fire, and then a couple of personal news items. Let me know what you think!

Subscribe to my email newsletter and get a free book!
► http://studiowell.com/Newsletter-Sign-Up

Featured in the video:

► TOO GOOD TO BE TRUMAN
You Never Had Money Trouble Like This
http://studiowell.com/Truman-Files

► John Banville to Revive Raymond Chandler's Detective
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/john-banville-to-revive-classic-raymond-chandler-detective_b55615

► ReelSEO
Your Guide to Business Video Online
http://www.reelseo.com

► FamilyFiction Weekly
Your Source for Christian Fiction News
http://www.familyfiction.com/newsletter-weekly

► Kindle Fire
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-Tablet/dp/B0051VVOB2

LET'S CONNECT!
Google+ ► http://plus.google.com/113518809148525636497
Facebook ► http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Well/161973267192678
Twitter ► http://twitter.com/chriswellwriter
Website ► http://studiowell.com

"Don't ask me, I'm only the widow."

2012-08-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, here's another clip from the movie: At her husband's funeral, Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) witnesses a variety of strange characters paying "respects"—and receives a letter from the CIA.

Charade (2/10) Movie CLIP - Mr. Lampert's Funeral (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFT TO YOU!

"Shakespeare never said that! It's terrible. You just made it up."

2012-08-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Counting down to our drawing to give away a 'Charade' prize pack, we'll be running clips from the movie the next several weeks. Here's the classic meeting between Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) and Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn).

Charade (1/10) Movie CLIP - When Strangers Meet (1963) HD

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. The film is supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Win 'Charade' starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, plus the score by Henry Mancini

2012-08-07T10:22:00.000-05:00

Here's the deal: I love the movie Charade. I watched it for the first time as a kid and I've watched it a dozen times over the years. And I still love it. It's exciting, it's funny, it's romantic—and it's got more twists and turns than a film by M. Night Shyamalan. And that music! What a great film.

In the Fall 2012 issue of my author newsletter, which goes to subscribers sometime in October, we'll include details on how you can win a Charade prize pack! The prize includes:

* A DVD of the 1963 film starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn
* A digital copy of the film
* A CD copy of the original score by Henry Mancini

About the movie
When a woman's husband is murdered, a handsome stranger offers to help her find a fortune in stolen gold. But with a CIA administrator needling her and three crooks who will stop at nothing to get to the gold first, who can she really trust?

Charade is a stylish romantic-comedy-thriller directed by Stanley Donen. The cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass. Supported by a classic motion picture score by Henry Mancini.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch for details in the Fall 2012 issue! (Deadline to sign up: October 1, 2012.)

PLUS: Everyone who signs up gets this exclusive eBook! (Details below.)

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

Old Time Radio: MYSTERY IN THE AIR: "Beyond Good and Evil" (Aug 1947)

2012-07-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

In the summer of 1947, screen legend Peter Lorre starred in the radio drama series Murder in the Air, an anthology that adapted classic tales of crime and horror from such authors as Edgar Allan Poe, Theodore Sturgeon, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. In "Beyond Good and Evil," from the story by Ben Hecht, an escaped convict murders a minister and assumes his identity.

Mystery In the Air: Beyond Good and Evil Part One

Mystery In the Air: Beyond Good and Evil Part Two

MY GIFTS TO YOU!

Everybody's a Suspect Mysteries by Cecil Murphey

2012-06-30T14:11:00.000-05:00

Neither Psychologist Julie West nor Pastor James Burton fancies themselves detectives—amateur or otherwise—until one after another of their mutual acquaintances are found murdered! Written by by Cecil Murphey:

Everybody Loved Roger Harden

Psychologist Julie West and Pastor James Burton always seem to find themselves at the wrong place and the wrong time-together. They first meet at a dinner party on Palm Island, off the Georgia coast, at the home of a wealthy philanthropist. Both West and Burton thought Everybody Loved Roger Harden. Until they discover he's been murdered...
* Buy for Kindle
* Buy for Nook
* Buy from Smashwords

Everybody Wanted Room 623

Just as romance develops between the unlikely head-versus-heart duo, the body of a second mutual acquaintance is found, murdered, on the floor of room 623 in the prestigious Cartledge Inn. Would Everybody Want Room 623 if they knew a murder had just occurred there?
* Buy for Kindle
* Buy for Nook
* Buy from Smashwords

Everybody Called Her a Saint

Then, while on an Antarctic cruise, the warmth of romance turns to ice against the undertow of Burton's deep, dark secrets. Can these Georgia residents-turned-amateur-sleuths set their chilly feelings aside long enough to solve yet another murder of a beloved mutual friend whom Everybody Called a Saint?
* Buy for Kindle
* Buy for Nook
* Buy from Smashwords

Related links:
Spyglass Lane Mysteries (Official Site)
30 Christian Authors Who Write Whodunits (Christian Fiction News)
Spyglass Lane Mysteries under a dollar!

More amateur sleuths:
EARL WALKER MYSTERIES: More Earl, More Formats
Misadventures of Miss Aggie Mysteries by Frances Devine
PAIGE TURNER (Garden Gate Mysteries) by Susan Sleeman
RUTH BUDGE (Finny's Nose Mysteries) by Dana Mentink
Scents of Murder Mysteries by Lynette Sowell
CASEY ALEXANDER by Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery
TRISH CUNNINGHAM (Mayhem in Maryland) by Candice Speare Prentice
KAREN MAXWELL by K.D. Hays
EMILY GRAY (Mainely Mysteries) by Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis
BAILEY WALKER by Anita Higman
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010

The Two Sides of Donald Westlake

2012-06-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

An assortment of crime writers and collaborators share their thoughts on the legacy of the late Donald Westlake (1933-2008), who pulled off the nifty trick of writing crime fiction that was funny (Dortmunder series) and crime fiction that was dark (Parker series, under the pen name Richard Stark)—and being great at all of it.

"They're a university course in how to write a well-plotted, fast-moving novel," notes Otto Penzler, publisher for Mysterious Press, which has been reissuing Westlake's classic Dormunder crime comedies to eBook.

Related links:
Donald Westlake's posthumous crime novel The Comedy Is Finished (PW)
The Complete DORTMUNDER by Donald Westlake (1970)
The Complete PARKER by Richard Stark (1962)
Donald Westlake: Gone, Not Forgotten
Donald Westlake 1933-2008

The Old Place

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google-site-verification: googlecf8f7ec679615236.html

Top 10 Thriller Links

Go to the new place

12 Cozies of Christmas: Rosemary and Thyme

Win a cozy mystery: 12 Cozy Mysteries of Christmas Ebook Giveaway!

Fixed link: You could win a 5-pack of Steven James thrillers

My Fall 2012 author newsletter

You could win a CHARADE two-pack!

Charade (1963) Opening Titles

Henry Mancini - Latin Snowfall

"Is that why you dragged me all the way up here—to ask me that?"

"Don't trust him. He's after the money."

Avengers Parodies: 5 for Friday (Sep 7, 2012)

"I don't bite, you know. Unless it's called for."

5 Great Videos with Count Von Count

Mustard and Ketchup in "Double Date"

"It could get a whole lot worse, you know."

Philip Marlowe, ReelSEO, Kindle Fire: 5 For Friday #001

"Don't ask me, I'm only the widow."

"Shakespeare never said that! It's terrible. You just made it up."

Win 'Charade' starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, plus the score by Henry Mancini

Old Time Radio: MYSTERY IN THE AIR: "Beyond Good and Evil" (Aug 1947)

Everybody's a Suspect Mysteries by Cecil Murphey

The Two Sides of Donald Westlake