The Thrill of it All

More Earl, More Formats

2012-05-21T16:39:00.000-05:00

The books in the Earl Walker mystery series continue to trickle their way through the eBook sphere, and are now in a few formats:

NURSING A GRUDGE (Earl Walker Mysteries #1)
What's the worst that could happen?
With the nursing home about to close for good, can grumpy old man Earl Walker find a killer—and figure out his relationship with his new lady friend—before all the suspects move away? "I love how Well know when to be serious and when to lighten the situation just a notch. His timing is perfect."—The Christian Manifesto
BUY NOW - only 99-cents!
Amazon
Kobo
Smashwords (multiple formats)

BURYING THE HATCHET (Earl Walker Mysteries #2)
It's an impossible crime!
When two men walk into a room and only one comes alive, can Earl prove his pastor was inexplicably framed—or is it time to start looking for a new church? "Chris Well just shot to one of the top spots in my mystery writers list."—Carole Brown
BUY NOW - only 99-cents!
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple
Kobo
Smashwords (multiple formats)

KNOCKING 'EM DEAD (Earl Walker Mysteries #3)
Is it curtains for Earl and Gloria?
When Earl's darkest secret comes to light, it threatens to derail his wedding plans—can Earl hook a killer before the final curtain call?
BUY NOW - only 99-cents!
Amazon
Kobo
Smashwords (multiple formats)

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 my Booke Cases mystery "Don't Fall for that Trick," plus bonus excerpts of two of my novels—the whodunit Nursing a Grudge, and the crime novel Forgiving Solomon Long. (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!

Watch your inbox!

2012-05-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Those of you who signed up for my author newsletter, the May/June/July 2012 issue went out this morning! The issue includes an exclusive link to get a free copy of the new eBook Too Good to be Truman.

The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled for sometime in August. We hope to have some fun announcement (or announcements) ready by then.

In the meantime, I'm busy writing one book, proofing another book, and there are a few titles in the hands of my agent right now. So all kinds of things are going on!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Slight change of plans

2012-05-09T14:41:00.001-05:00

Okay, no sooner do I reveal the "new" cover for the reissue of Forgiving Solomon Long than I discover that there could be another player (or players) in the game. This is a good thing. But it also means that the three Kansas City Blues crime books are on hold for the time being.

Meanwhile, my brand-new crime comedy Too Good to be Truman will be available FREE to those who receive my author newsletter later this week. The cutoff date for sign-up is Friday, May 11—and the newsletter goes out (God willing) this weekend or early next. It's a quarterly newsletter, so you won't be hearing from me again until late summer.

I'm already at work on the second Truman book, with an eye toward having that out later this year.

So, clearly, if you want to stay updated on any of the above, then you need to sign up for my newsletter. (And you also get a free copy of First Shot: 10 Stories at the time you sign up!)

Misadventures of Miss Aggie Mysteries by Frances Devine

2012-05-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Complete list of cozy mysteries in the "Misadventures of Miss Aggie" series. Written by Frances Devine:

Miss Aggie's Gone Missing

On a cold morning in January, the Cedar Chapel Bank was robbed -- and that same afternoon, Aggie Pennington-Brown is declared missing. As secrets and long-lost loves begin to surface from the missing woman’s past, a horrible possibility arises...
* Buy for Kindle, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android, smart phone, or Apple device
* Buy for Nook, iPad, Sony Reader, Kobo, and more

Miss Aggie Cries Murder

Oh, no, Miss Aggie—not again! Victoria and her friends encounter danger as they search the tunnels of Pennington House for a link to a murder and Miss Aggie’s second mysterious disappearance.
* Buy for Kindle, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android, smart phone, or Apple device
* Buy for Nook, iPad, Sony Reader, Kobo, and more

Rest in Peace, Miss Aggie

When the local pet store owner is found dead, the coroner deems it due to a fall. But Victoria, Benjamin, and the residents of Cedar Chapel Lodge think it’s murder. Then their friend Miss Aggie disappears—leaving her blood-stained clothing behind.
* Buy for Kindle, PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android, or Apple device
* Buy for Nook, iPad, Sony Reader, Kobo, and more

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

More amateur sleuths:
EARL WALKER by Chris Well
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
SUMMER MEADOWS by Cynthia Hickey
ANNIE PETERSON (Bridal Mayhem Mysteries) by Janice Hanna
IVY MALONE by Lorena McCourtney
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010

Forgiving Solomon Long: Director's Cut

2012-05-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

My very first novel was Forgiving Solomon Long, which could be described as The Replacement Killers meets King Lear. Back when I was working with my original publisher, the content editor mistakenly thought the book was supposed to be a mystery—and pressured me to remove a crucial piece of information from the book.

As a result, more than one scene that had been written to be suspenseful...wasn't. Because you had no idea that these people were in danger. On top of which, some reviewers also complained that a particular character just dropped out of the book without explanation—but, of course, the "missing" information explained (well, implied) what happened.

All of which is to say, I am in the process of proofing Forgiving Solomon Long for its eBook debut...and I am taking the opportunity to replace a chapter that had been deleted, and to replace some missing information in another chapter.

These aren't enormous changes to the overall book—this is not Greedo shooting first. But it makes the book a better read. Maybe now I can just get on with my life.

Watch for the all-new eBook editions of my Kansas City crime series Forgiving Solomon Long, Deliver Us From Evelyn, and Kingdom Come.*

*(Yes, I changed the title of the third book. But that is a story for another day.)

PS—The new cover above features an illustration by Erica Well and cover design by Allie Krukowski.

Free eBook: TOO GOOD TO BE TRUMAN

2012-04-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

In a couple weeks, folks who receive my author newsletter will get a free eBook copy of the brand-new crime comedy TOO GOOD TO BE TRUMAN. Here are the details:

When unemployed crime reporter Harry Truman gets a note from a local mission thanking him for his generous contribution—to the tune of a half million dollars—he's reasonably certain he had nothing to do with it. But then the IRS comes banging on his door, followed quickly by the FBI, and some very nasty men, and soon Truman knows he's got to figure out who stuck him with this halo if he doesn't want to get fitted with prison stripes—or a harp and wings...

FOR READERS WHO LIKE: Gregory Mcdonald (Fletch), Oliver Bleeck (Philip St. Ives series), Donald Westlake (Dortmunder series), Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty), Carl Hiaasen (Nature Girl), and Harlan Coben (Myron Bolitar series)

HOW TO GET THIS BOOK FREE: Sign up for my author newsletter and watch in May for the Spring 2012 issue! There will be a link to a secret page for a download for multiple e-readers—including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, Sony Reader, and many more. (And this is on top of the free book you get for signing up in the first place.)

UPDATE: Last day to sign up for the free eBook is May 11! Planning to send out the newsletter shortly after. (Shooting for May 14.) This is a limited offer, so sign up today!

Complete CONTINENTAL OP by Dashiell Hammett

2012-04-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

One of crime fiction's earliest examples of the "hard-boiled private detective," the Continental Op first appeared in pulp fiction magazine Black Mask in October 1923. An operative of the Continental Detective Agency's San Francisco office, the character narrates his cases -- and never shares his name with readers. He appeared in 36 short stories—some of which were links into novels. Written by Dashiell Hammett:

Books with the Continental Op
Red Harvest (1929)
The Dain Curse (1929)
The Big Knockover: Selected Stories and Short Novels (1966)
The Continental Op (1974) - short stories
Nightmare Town and Other Stories (1999)
Crime Stories and Other Writings (2001)- short stories

NOTE: Red Harvest is credited with inspiring a host of similar tales on film -- including Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961), Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964), Walter Hill's Last Man Standing (1996), and the Coen brothers' Miller's Crossing (1990).

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Please Take This Book

2012-04-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've got some good news and some bad news.

First the good news: I want to give you a free novel! I'm putting the finishing touches on my latest book, which is the start of an all-new crime comedy series. (It's still a secret, which is why the "book cover" to your right is actually blank.)

If you want this novel free—even before it's available for sale!—subscribe to my author email newsletter and watch in May for the Spring 2012 issue. That issue will include a link to a secret web page where I will have posted this brand-new novel in multiple eBook formats. (This bonus book is on top of the free eBook you already get for signing up in the first place!)

Now the bad news: Our audiobook series is on hiatus. Frankly, there've just been too many demands on my time the past few weeks, and something had to give. If I expect to have seven books available for e-readers this summer, I've got to be choosier about my commitments. Audiobook fans, take heart—I do plan to finish the series. If you want to read the story right now, it's available in my free book First Shot: 10 Stories.

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Spyglass Lane Mysteries: 5 Detectives Who Solve Impossible Crimes

2012-04-13T07:04:00.000-05:00

Once again, our "5 For Friday" is a guest post I wrote for Spyglass Lane Mysteries. My mystery Burying the Hatchet, starring grumpy old amateur sleuth Earl Walker, involves an impossible crime—so I offer examples of some other great detectives who've solved locked room mysteries, unbreakable alibis, and other impossible crimes. The list includes cases from Adrian Monk, Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown, Hercule Poirot, and Dr. Gideon Fell—and also shares the title of the Best Locked Room Mystery of All Time. Read it here: Mission Improbable: 5 Detectives Who Solve Impossible Crimes

Related link: Spyglass Lane Mysteries under a dollar!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Previously:
Spyglass Lane Mysteries: 5 Senior Sleuths
5 TV Stars Who Sang Their Own Theme Song
5 Musical Guests as Themselves in Crime Stories: Mannix, Monk
5 Crime Stories on '60s Sitcoms
Top 5 Fight Scenes on TV

Complete Historical Society Murders by Mary Nealy

2012-04-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Complete list of Historical Society Murders cozy mystery series by Mary Nealy (a.k.a. Mary Connealy):

Bury the Lead (formerly Of Mice...and Murder)

Carrie Evans loves the big city, so why has she taken up residence in her dinky hometown? She has visions of success as a big city journalist, instead she’s the editor of the Melnik Bugle, the smallest of small town weeklies. She wants her life back, but the cute guy who’s repairing her decrepit house seems to think Melnik is a best place on earth.

Fright at the Museum (formerly Pride and Pestilence)

Museum curator Bonnie Simpson is attacked then nearly run over, then she finds a dead guy in Melnik’s Historical Museum, which is the closest she’s come to having a visitor to the museum all week. Joe, the guy who attacked her might have been diving on her to save her from the car. And the car might have just been an octogenarian with an accelerator/brake problem. But that still leaves a corpse to explain...

Trial and Terror (formerly The Miceman Cometh)

Just when Melnik looks set for revitalization, Maddie a troublemaking doctoral student comes to town doing research that could ruin everything. When Maddie finds a dead body and is arrested, Tyler Simpson finds out he’s the court-appointed attorney for the most hated woman in town.

Related links:
Free and cheap mysteries for your Kindle
Spyglass Lane Mysteries: 5 Senior Sleuths

More mystery series:
Complete FATHER DOWLING by Ralph McInerny
EARL WALKER Mysteries by Chris Well
Amateur Sleuth PAIGE TURNER (Garden Gate Mysteries)
RUTH BUDGE (Finny's Nose Mysteries) by Dana Mentink
Scents of Murder Mysteries by Lynette Sowell
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Another delay

2012-04-09T09:04:00.002-05:00

If you missed the post last Friday, we have run into another delay with the audiobook series. I hope to have another episode for next Monday.

Free: Spider-Man and Fantastic Four vs. the evils of drinking

2012-04-07T12:37:00.004-05:00

Marvel Comics and The Elks Drug Awareness Program have teamed up for a special comic book and video that helps children understand the dangers of underage drinking. The story, "Hard Choices," which features Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, targets fourth through eighth-graders. The story is created to encourage dialogue between parents, teachers and children by addressing a difficult topic in a fun format.

"Hard Choices" is available free online as both a digital comic and in a clickable video with music.

Of course, Marvel has been doing stuff like this for years: Back in the 1970s, a three-issue arc in Amazing Spider-Man dealt with substance abuse. Created at the request of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, those issues were published without then then-familiar shield "Approved by the Comics Code Authority"—because the CCA ruled against it. (Even though the story was clearly about the dangers of drug abuse.) Does the CCA even exist anymore?

More free comics:
Read the origin of BATMAN free online!
Free comics: Batman: Shadow of Sin Tzu
Free comics: Batman, Shazam, Scooby Doo
Free Comics: Batman, Justice League, Teen Titans, LSH

My apologies

2012-04-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

Hey, gang—I need to postpone today's edition of "5 For Friday" and Monday's episode of our audiobook mystery "Don't Fall For That Trick." God willing, we can get things back on track soon!

In the meantime, previous "5s" are here: 5 For Friday

And you can listen to our audio series to date in that video window to your right.

Have a great weekend—and Happy Easter!

Free and cheap mysteries for your Kindle (April 4)

2012-04-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

Here are several mysteries and detective fiction titles you can download for Kindle cheap. Or free. (Don't have a Kindle? Amazon also has free apps for your computer, Android, Blackberry, or Apple device.) NOTE: These prices are set by the retailer and the publishers. I have no control over them. Make sure the price says "00.00" or ".99" before you click to buy!

I want to point out here that my own whodunit, Nursing a Grudge, is available for only 99-cents:
Buy for Kindle
Buy for other formats

And now our list...

FREE

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence) by Agatha Christie
The Wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton
The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton
Tom Sawyer: Detective by Mark Twain
A Double Barrelled Detective Story by Mark Twain
Design on a Crime (Deadly Décor Mysteries, Book 1) by Ginny Aiken
Invisible (Ivy Malone Mystery Series #1) by Lorena McCourtney
Love Me If You Must (Patricia Amble Mysteries) by Nicole Young

ONLY 99-CENTS
Nursing a Grudge (Earl Walker Mysteries) by Chris Well
Murder on the Ol' Bunions (A LaTisha Barnhart Mystery) by S. Dionne Moore
Miss Aggie's Gone Missing (The Misadventures of Miss Aggie) by Frances Devine
Trouble Up Finny's Nose (The Finny Series) by Dana Mentink
A Suspicion of Strawberries (Scents of Murder Mysteries) by Lynette Sowell
Nipped in the Bud (Garden Gate Mysteries) by Susan Sleeman
Murder in the Milk Case (Mayhem in Maryland Series) by Candice Speare Prentice
Where the Truth Lies (Massachusetts Mayhem Mysteries) by Janelle Mowery, Elizabeth Ludwig
The Wedding Caper (Bridal Mayhem Mysteries) by Janice Hanna
Homicide at Blue Heron Lake (Mainely Mysteries) by Susan Page Davis, Megan Elaine Davis
Another Stab at Life (Volstead Manor Series) by Anita Higman
George Washington Stepped Here (Karen Maxwell Mysteries) by K. D. Hays
Everybody Loved Roger Harden (Everybody's Suspect) by Cecil Murphey
Fudge-Laced Felonies (Summer Meadows Mysteries) by Cynthia Hickey
The Murders in the Rue Morgue and other stories of Auguste Dupin by Edgar Allan Poe
"House of Darkness" by Ellery Queen
The Thinking Machine Mysteries: Professor Van Dusen Stories by Jacques Futrelle

(These links are for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to induce any person to participate in the lottery or or download to their Kindle. Or whatever.)

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 my Booke Cases mystery "Don't Fall for that Trick," plus bonus excerpts of two of my novels—the whodunit Nursing a Grudge, and the crime novel Forgiving Solomon Long. (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!

Episode Four: "Don't Fall For That Trick" audio mystery

2012-04-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Check out the fourth installment of my serialized audio short mystery "Don't Fall For That Trick," written and performed by me.

This episode: At the urging of wife Darla, Tom Booke visits the home of country legend Trick Henderson—and learns a few things from the man's ex-wife. But what did Darla really expect Tom to find?

Don't Fall For That Trick Episode Four

Got behind? If you need to catch up on previous episodes, here are links:
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three

Or listen to them right here in this handy playlist...

Don't Fall For That Trick: A Booke Cases Mystery

And don't forget that you can read the original story free in the book below!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

An Author's Life: Checking In

2012-03-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

We pre-empt our weekly roundup of crime fiction news to give you some updates from a little closer to home:

Last fall, my wife and I attended a writer's conference in Chicago that was all about the "marketing" and "branding" part of the business. Following that trip, I determined that I would use 2012 to work on building my platform as an author. To that end...

1. I launched an all-new quarterly author newsletter. (Get a FREE BOOK when you sign up here.) We put out a test issue a few months ago, but our first real-deal issue comes out in May. If I can work out the details, I hope to have a nice surprise for subscribers in that issue.

2. I launched a new audiobook series. I am narrating my own stories in a series of audiobook chapters. During this "figure it out" phase, we're serializing one of my short stories, the Booke Cases mystery "Don't Fall For That Trick." We have a fun summer replacement series scheduled, and then I'm hoping this fall to come back with an audiobook version of one of my novels—I just haven't decided yet which one.

3. And I'm working on making a variety of my books available in the coming months.

My Earl Walker mysteries are all making their way to your local e-readers in the coming weeks. A new edition of Nursing a Grudge is out already (and only 99-cents!); a new edition of Burying the Hatchet comes out in the next couple of weeks; and the finale, Knocking 'Em Dead, makes its world premiere by the end of April. We're also creating an inexpensive companion eBook, titled Digging Up Clues, which will include sample chapters and exclusive bonus materials. This series features "fair play" mysteries—where the readers get all the clues—populated by a variety of quirky characters.

Coming up this summer, we're working on bringing out my first three crime novels—Forgiving Solomon Long, Deliver Us From Evelyn, and the book that was published as Tribulation House—in brand-new eBook editions. As we get deeper into the process, I'm considering whether (or how much) to revise these books. These books are more shoot-em-ups with cops and mobsters and con men and all other types. These books also have quirky characters, but many of them are quirky and also quite dangerous.

And then I have a secret book that I am writing RIGHT THIS MINUTE. (Well, right about now.) The plan at this point is to go straight to eBook with that just to see what happens.

And then I have another novel that is in the hands of my agent. That book features the most bizarre angle I could come up for a protection racket. I look forward to it finding a good home.

So a lot of stuff going on. To stay up-to-date, please sign up for my newsletter. You can also like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Spyglass Lane Mysteries: 5 Senior Sleuths

2012-03-30T08:36:00.000-05:00

This week's "5 For Friday" takes place over on the blog for Spyglass Lane Mysteries. To celebrate the new edition of my mystery Nursing a Grudge, I wrote a guest post that introduces my lead character, Earl Walker—a grumpy old man who becomes a reluctant amateur sleuth. Then I point to some other notable mystery series that star crime solvers in their golden years. Read it here: Still Kicking: 5 Senior Sleuths

Related link: Spyglass Lane Mysteries under a dollar!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Previously:
5 Great James Bond Car Chases
5 TV Stars Who Sang Their Own Theme Song
5 Musical Guests as Themselves in Crime Stories: Mannix, Monk
5 Crime Stories on '60s Sitcoms
Top 5 Fight Scenes on TV

Complete Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen by Jacques Futrelle

2012-03-28T16:57:00.000-05:00

Complete list of short story mysteries starring Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen, Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S., M.D., M.D.S. -- i.e., the brilliantly logical detective called "The Thinking Machine." Written by journalist Jacques Futrelle (1875-1912). You can read many of these stories online free at the official website (link below.)

"The Problem of The Auto Cab"
"The Problem of The Broken Bracelet"
"The Brown Coat"
"The Case of the Life Raft"
"The Case of the Mysterious Weapon"
"The Case of the Scientific Murderer"
"Convict #97"
"The Problem of The Cross Mark"
"The Crystal Gazer"
"The Disappearance of Baby Blake"
"A Dressing Room"
"The Deserted House"
"The Fatal Cipher"
"The Flaming Phantom"
"The Ghost Woman"
"The Golden Dagger"
"The Great Auto Mystery"
"The Green Eyed Monster"
"The Haunted Bell"
"The House That Was"
"The Problem of The Hidden Million"
"The Interrupted Wireless"
"The Jackdaw Girl"
"The Knotted Cord"
"The Leak"
"The Lost Radium"
"The Man Who Was Lost"
"The Missing Necklace"
"The Motor Boat"
"The Mystery of a Studio"
"The Mystery of Room 666"
"The Opera Box"
"The Organ Grinder"
"A Perfect Alibi"
"The Phantom Motor"
"A Piece of String"
"Prince Otto"
"The Private Compartment"
"The Problem of Cell 13"
"The Ralston Bank Burglary"
"The Red Rose"
"The Roswell Tiara"
"The Scarlet Thread"
"The Silver Box"
"The Problem of The Souvenir Cards"
"The Problem of The Stolen Rubens"
"The Superfluous Finger"
"The Thinking Machine Investigates"
"The Three Overcoats"
"The Problem of The Vanishing Man"
"The Yellow Diamond Pendant"

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Related links:
Futrelle.com (Official Website)
The Remarkable Life and Mysterious Heritage of Jacques Futrelle (The Venetian Vase)
Mr. Jacques Heath Futrelle - Titanic Victim (Encyclopedia Titanica)
The Thinking Machine (Earstage: Modern Day Audio Plays)
The Best Thinking Machine Detective Stories by Jacques Futrelle (Vintage Pop Fictions)

More detectives:
C. AUGUSTE DUPIN by Edgar Allan Poe
SHERLOCK HOLMES by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A. J. RAFFLES by E. W. Hornung
FATHER BROWN by G.K. Chesterton
HERCULE POIROT by Agatha Christie
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010

Episode four is delayed

2012-03-25T22:42:00.000-05:00

Well, folks, due to technical difficulties, this week's episode of our audiobook mystery "Don't Fall For That Trick" has been postponed until next week.

If you need to catch up on previous episodes, here are links:
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three

Or listen to them right here in this handy playlist...

Don't Fall For That Trick: A Booke Cases Mystery

And don't forget that you can read the original story free in the book below!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Free Mysteries and Crime Fiction News (Mar 24): Ellery Queen, Elmore Leonard, Catholic Thriller

2012-03-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

And so we come to our weekly installment of links to free eBooks and crime fiction news! At the top of our news roundup is a review of the book Blood Relations, which features some of the written correspondence between mystery writers Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee. Under their shared byline Ellery Queen, the duo created an enduring brand, and some great mystery fiction. In fact, the book reveals the development of three of their best--Ten Days’ Wonder (a personal favorite), Cat of Many Tails, and The Origin of Evil.

Below, you'll find links to ten bits of crime fiction news, followed by a list of this week's Top 10 at The Thrill of it All. And then at the bottom you'll find this week's Free Mysteries. For the sake of convenience, I linked to the Kindle editions. (Reminder: You don't need a Kindle to read Kindle books!) For those of you with a Nook, you can easily find whether there are Nook edition of these books if you go to the Barnes &Noble website. REMEMBER: I do not set these prices. Make sure it says the price is "0.00" before you click to purchase!

Crime, Suspense and Mystery Fiction News, Reviews, and Interviews
01 Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 (Mystery Scene)
02 Watching the Victoria detectives (Sacramento Bee)
03 Spring Mystery Book Reading Ideas from Curated Mystery Books (WSJ: MarketWatch)
04 Karin Slaughter Series on TV (Mystery Scene)
05 This is a question for super Elmore Leonard/Justified Fans (Elmore Leonard)
06 Catholic Thriller Week: Dimiter by William Peter Blatty (Happy Catholic Bookshelf)
07 Review: Harlan Coben's 'Stay Close': From quiet domesticity to sheer terror (Sun Sentinel)
08 James Patterson donates his own books to troops (Washington Post)
09 Murder in a Basket is Launched & Upcoming Event (Amanda Flower)
10 Criminologist, USF grad creates forensic fiction (The Oracle)

THRILL OF IT ALL'S TOP 10 OF THE WEEK (new entries in bold)
01 Episode Three: "Don't Fall For That Trick" audio mystery
02 5 TV Stars Who Sang Their Own Theme Song
03 Complete JACK RYAN by Tom Clancy
04 Complete PERRY MASON by Erle Stanley Gardner
05 Scott Sigler's Galactic Football League coming to bookstores in August
06 Complete FATHER DOWLING by Ralph McInerny
07 5 Musical Guests as Themselves in Crime Stories
08 Complete NERO WOLFE and ARCHIE GOODWIN by Rex Stout
09 Complete U.S. Marshal RAYLAN GIVENS (Justified) by Elmore Leonard
10 Spyglass Lane Mysteries under a dollar!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

10 FREE MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS
01 Nipped in the Bud (Garden Gate Mysteries) by Susan Sleeman
02 McGrave by Lee Goldberg
03 Design on a Crime (Deadly Décor Mysteries, Book 1) by Ginny Aiken
04 The Accidental Existentialist by Joshua Graham
05 Kill Alex Cross - Free Preview: The First 27 Chapters by James Patterson
06 Private Games - Free Preview: The First 16 Chapters by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
07 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
08 Freaks: A Rizzoli & Isles Short Story by Tess Gerritsen
09 Invisible (Ivy Malone Mystery Series #1) by Lorena McCourtney
10 Love Me If You Must (Patricia Amble Mysteries) by Nicole Young

Note: These are limited offers! The prices are not set by me—they are set by the publishers and the authors! Be sure it still says the price is "0.00" before you click.

Second note: I have not read all the books! The above links are not recommendations, they're just books I thought looked interesting and have downloaded for myself.

Previously:
Free Mysteries and Crime Fiction News (Mar 17): James Patterson, Margery Allingham, historical mysteries
Crime Fiction News Top 10 (Mar 10): Mystery Award Nominees, Justified, EQMM
Top 10: Crime Fiction News (Mar 3): Godfather prequel, George Smiley, Crime eBooks
Feb 25: Free Batman, J.K. Rowling, Sara Paretsky, Jewish Mystery Authors
Crime Fiction News (Feb 18): Agatha Awards, Jennifer Aniston, Father Dowling

5 Great James Bond Car Chases

2012-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here are five great car chases from the James Bond film series:

1. THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)

2. TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997)

3. THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987)

4. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)

5. DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002)

Out of the 20+ Bond films, there have been all sorts of chase scenes! Which ones were YOUR favorites? Please leave a comment below.

Previously:
5 TV Stars Who Sang Their Own Theme Song
5 Musical Guests as Themselves in Crime Stories: Mannix, Monk
5 Crime Stories on '60s Sitcoms
Top 5 Fight Scenes on TV

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Complete JACK RYAN by Tom Clancy

2012-03-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

Complete list of Jack Ryan thrillers by Tom Clancy:

In chronological order:
Without Remorse (1993)
Patriot Games (1987)
Red Rabbit (2002)
The Hunt for Red October (1984)
The Cardinal of the Kremlin (1988)
Clear and Present Danger (1989)
The Sum of All Fears (1991)
Debt of Honor (1994)
Executive Orders (1996)
Rainbow Six (1998) - Ryan does not actually appear, but he is mentioned
The Bear and the Dragon (2000)
The Teeth of the Tiger (2003)
Dead or Alive (2010)
Locked On (2011)

Movies:
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Patriot Games (1992)
Clear and Present Danger (1994)
The Sum of All Fears (2002)

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Related links:
Jack Ryan Reboot Update (Screen Rant)
Jack Ryan Needs A New Director As Jack Bender Departs The Project‎ (Cinema Blend)
Ex-Navy SEAL Max Moore returns in SEARCH AND DESTROY (Facebook/TomClancyAuthor)

Episode Three: "Don't Fall For That Trick" audio mystery

2012-03-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Check out the third installment of my weekly audiobook series as I continue to serialize my short mystery story "Don't Fall For That Trick," starring husband-wife amateur sleuths Tom and Darla Booke.

Got behind? Catch up on previous episodes here:
Episode One
Episode Two

At the end of last episode, Tom and Darla had rushed to the hospital—and, when Darla leaves the room for a moment, a nurse tells Tom that Darla has been hurt...

Don't forget, you can get this story FREE as part First Shot: 10 Stories, your free gift when you subscribe to my author newsletter! There's more information below the video.

With each episode, I learn more about the process. The master plan at this point is to do this story all the way through—and then take a break for the summer. In fact, I have a summer replacement series all lined up, with episodes from some of the greatest radio drama mystery series of all time! Then this fall, I hope to produce a weekly audiobook podcast of one of my novels—and shoot for wider distribution.

Meanwhile, thanks so much for joining me for this "cable access" version of my series. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please leave a comment below!

"Don't Fall For That Trick" Part Three

MY GIFT TO YOU!

Free comics: Batman, Shazam, Scooby Doo

2012-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

And yet another batch of free DC comics you can read online! This collection includes Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1, Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1, Justice League Unlimited #1, Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade #1, Super Friends #1, Tiny Titans #1, Looney Tunes #100, and Scooby-Doo #1.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1
Jumping out of your TV and into your comics comes BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD! The Dark Knight Detective faces challenges that only he can solve - with a little help from his DC Universe pals! Thrill as Batman visits new places and old friends. Chill as he chases down the most powerful villains in the DC Universe, armed with only his Bat-gadgets and his wits! Read it now!

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1
Welcome to the first issue of the all-fun adventures of Billy Batson as the World's Mightiest Mortal—Captain Marvel! Thanks to a magical rift created when Captain Marvel battled Mr. Mind's monsters, 14-year-old Theo Adam has been returned to Earth from banishment. One problem: He can't remember the magic word that gives him the powers of Black Adam. There's only one solution: follow Captain Marvel and get the word out of his alter ego, 11-year-old Billy Batson. Read it now!

Justice League Unlimited #1
Based on the Justice League Unlimited animated series, JLU features the world's most powerful heroes from all corners of the DCU! In this pulse-pounding premiere issue, the League bands together, only to witness its most powerful members calling it quits! What enigmatic foe is responsible for Superman, Wonder Woman and Captain Atom throwing in the towel? Can Zatanna, Batman and The Flash pull it together before it's too late? Read it now!

Batman Beyond # 1
Something seems to have gone horribly wrong with the new Batman, and he's gone on a spree of terror, wreaking havoc on Gotham City. Bruce Wayne determines that the only way to stop him is to once again don the garb of the Dark Knight and bring him down. But there's much more here than meets the eye when the reader learns who's behind the terror and which Batman is being controlled!
Read it now!

Scooby-Doo #1
Daphne's been sent to a "rest home" because no one believes her stories about a mystery-solving dog. But before the gang can plead her case, they fall into the clutches of a doctor who treats them for their "mass hallucination." In a back-up story, Scooby dreams about a recent adventure. Read it now!

Related links:
Free comics: Batman: Shadow of Sin Tzu
Crime Fiction News (Feb 25): Free Batman, J.K. Rowling, Jewish Mystery Authors
Free Comics: Batman, Justice League, Teen Titans, Legion of Super Heroes
Top 5 Fight Scenes on TV

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 crime and suspense fiction also includes bonus excerpts of two of my novels—the whodunit Nursing a Grudge, and the crime novel Forgiving Solomon Long. (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!

Free Mysteries and Crime Fiction News (Mar 17): James Patterson, Margery Allingham, historical mysteries

2012-03-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

In this week's news roundup, the first three links point to the March issue of International Thriller Writers' webzine The Big Thrill—James Patterson answers questions about Private Games, Alex Cross, and how a mid-list author can find an audience; Harlan Coben shares about his novel Stay Close; plus news about Lee Child's live Mentor Forum appearance.

Of course, we also have more than that below—including this week's Top 10 at the Thrill of it All. And if you scroll down even further, you'll find our new Top 10 list for Free Mysteries. For the sake of simplicity, I linked to the Kindle editions. (Reminder: You don't need a Kindle to read Kindle books!) For those of you with a Nook, you can easily find whether there are Nook edition of these books if you go to the Barnes &Noble website.

Crime, Suspense and Mystery Fiction News, Reviews, and Interviews
01 Between the Lines: An Interview with James Patterson (The Big Thrill)
02 Interview: Stay Close by Harlan Coben (The Big Thrill)
03 Behind the Scenes With Lee Child (The Big Thrill) - scroll down
04 Debut novel sets new tone in Swedish crime fiction (CBS News)
05 Sleuths soar as history loves company (Sydney Morning Herald)
06 St. Patrick's Day Crime Fiction (Mystery Fanfare)
07 A Writer to Remember: Margery Allingham (Mystery Scene)
08 Introducing the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery Series (Spyglass Lane Mysteries)
09 Meet Frances Devine (Spyglass Lane Mysteries)
10 Fact From Fiction: Writing Crime Fiction From Police Documents (Huffington Post)

THRILL OF IT ALL'S TOP 10 OF THE WEEK (new entries in bold)
01 Episode Two: Chris Well's Thrill of it All Audiocast!
02 Complete FATHER DOWLING by Ralph McInerny
03 Scott Sigler's Galactic Football League coming to bookstores in August
04 Top 5 Fight Scenes on TV
05 5 TV Stars Who Sang Their Own Theme Song
06 5 Musical Guests as Themselves in Crime Stories
07 Amateur Sleuth PAIGE TURNER (Garden Gate Mysteries) by Susan Sleeman
08 New covers for the Earl Walker Mysteries!
09 5 Crime Stories on '60s Sitcoms
10 Nashville's own Mysteries & More: Books to Die For!

MY GIFT TO YOU!

10 FREE MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS
01 Another Grave Matter (Volstead Manor Series) by Anita Higman
02 Guilty Wives (Free Preview: The First 23 Chapters) by James Patterson and David Ellis
03 Freaks: A Rizzoli & Isles Short Story by Tess Gerritsen
04 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
05 Invisible (Ivy Malone Mystery Series #1) by Lorena McCourtney
06 Love Me If You Must (Patricia Amble Mysteries) by Nicole Young
07 The Craigslist Killer (A Digital Short) by Aaron Patterson
08 Papoosed: An Essie Cobb Senior Sleuth Mystery by Patricia Rockwell
09 Design on a Crime (Deadly Décor Mysteries 1) by Ginny Aiken
10 Accomplished In Detection: A Victorian Mystery by Dara England

Note: These are limited offers! The prices are not set by me—they are set by the publishers and the authors! Be sure it still says the price is "0.00" before you click.

Second note: I have not read all the books! The above links are not recommendations, they're just books I thought looked interesting and have downloaded for myself.

Previously:
Crime Fiction News Top 10 (Mar 10): Mystery Award Nominees, Justified, EQMM
Top 10: Crime Fiction News (Mar 3): Godfather prequel, George Smiley, Crime eBooks
Feb 25: Free Batman, J.K. Rowling, Sara Paretsky, Jewish Mystery Authors
Crime Fiction News (Feb 18): Agatha Awards, Jennifer Aniston, Father Dowling
Crime Fiction News (Feb 11): Janet Evanovich, J.A. Jance, Eric Wilson