Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2021 Go the Distance Challenge
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Jacqui's 2021 Go the Distance Challenge
Promt 25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover
Started 04/03/2021
Murder at Mondial Castle by Issy Brooke
Good Luck! I'm sure I'll never make 52 but its fun finding a category for each book you read..
Prompt 51. A book set in Medieval times
Started 06/03/2021 had to put on hold as I'm obviously not in the right frame of mind for this one. No reflection on the story just my attention span is not great.
Figure of Hate by Bernard Knight
Sandy wrote: "Good Luck! I'm sure I'll never make 52 but its fun finding a category for each book you read.."Thanks Sandy, just lucky that the two books in my currently reading happen to fulfill 2 of the prompts... good start I think! Best of luck and "never say never" as they say.
Prompt 25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover β
Completed 04/03/2021 1 Star
Murder at Mondial Castle by Issy BrookeUnfortunately the plot seemed rushed whilst at the same time nothing much happened until the final few chapters. Not an enjoyable read for me.
Prompt 13. A book with a female detective β
Female Detective Clara Fitzgerald.Completed 13/03/2021 3 Stars
A Body Out of Time: A Clara Fitzgerald Mystery by Evelyn James (Number 21 in the series)A very relaxed read which I enjoyed a great deal
Prompt 13. A book with a female detective - Oops forgot to post the extra entry.A Body Out of Time: A Clara Fitzgerald Mystery by Evelyn James (Number 21 in the series)
Started 13/03/021
Prompt 21. A cozy historical mystery β
Murder at the Manor by Catherine ColesFinished 14/03/2021
I definitely liked Tommy and Evelyn and Aunt Emily and will hopefully continue to other books in this series.
Prompt 10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR Dance of Death by Helen McCloy (Number 1 in the Dr Basil Willing series)
Started 16/03/2021
Prompt 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st) Heir Apparent by Susan Grossey
Started 19/03/021
Prompt 10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR β
Dance of Death by Helen McCloyFinished 17/03/2021 4 Stars
I found this read surprisingly modern in places and those details resonated with what I feel has been happening in the world over the last 10 to 15 years. I enjoyed it a lot and Iβll be looking for more by this author. I believe there are quite a few more Dr Willing mysteries out there.
Prompt 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st) β
Set in 1829
Heir Apparent by Susan GrosseyFinished 21/03/2021 4 Stars
Thoroughly enjoyed this sixth Sam Plank mystery as I have the previous five.
My Review
This looks like an interesting series. I just looked it up and itβs on Kindle Unlimited, so I will definitely be reading the first in the series.
Emma wrote: "This looks like an interesting series. I just looked it up and itβs on Kindle Unlimited, so I will definitely be reading the first in the series."I would definitely recommend the series. Engrossing reading I feel.
Prompt 16. A book with a real historical figure Chaucer and the House of Fame by Philip Gooden
Started on 29/03/2021
Prompt 51. A book set in Medieval times β
Set in the 1190sFinished 28/03/2021 3 Stars
Figure of Hate by Bernard KnightI didn't enjoy this as much as others I've read although I did learn quite a bit about melee, and a bit more than I did about jousting and duelling of the period. I've given it three stars because of the research and the hope that the next one in the series moves a little bit faster and in a forward direction.
I started this series years ago but didnβt get as far as you have. There are so many medieval series out there and so little time!
You're right Emma, too many others set in this period to stick with something that's lost it edge - I have about 4 more books in this series and I'm hoping that the storyline picks up again otherwise I won't be buying any more I don't suppose, and probably consigning the ones I have to my "maybe read when I've really got nothing else" shelf.
Prompt 16. A book with a real historical figure β
Geoffrey ChaucerFinished on 01/04/2021 3 Stars
Chaucer and the House of Fame by Philip GoodenNew to me author, new to me historical era - I enjoyed this and will be reading the next in the series
Prompt 42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how) Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
Started 02/04/2021
Prompt 42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how) β
WhyFinished 02/04/2021
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette HeyerNot her best I feel but still an enjoyable Whodunit.
Prompt 8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games The Ides of April by Lindsey Davis
Started 03/04/2021
Prompt 8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games β
Rome hosted the Olympics in 1960Finished 04/04/2021 3 Stars
The Ides of April by Lindsey DavisA little too drawn out in places but I'll be reading further books in the series.
Prompt 32. The first book in a series you have not read before Death of a Lady by R.A. Bentley
Started 04/04/2021
Prompt 36. A book written by an author with your initialsThe Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes
Started 16/04/2021
Prompt 9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title The Wolves of Savernake: A gripping medieval mystery from the bestselling author by Edward Marston
Started 11/04/2021
Prompt 32. The first book in a series you have not read before β
Finished 05/04/2021 2 Stars
Death of a Lady by R.A. BentleyThe wrap up was a bit involved and most of the clues seemed to appear in the last quarter of the book with some that I don't believe the reader had a chance to discover for themselves. That said though I liked it and will probably read some more of this series.
Jacqui wrote: "Prompt 32. The first book in a series you have not read before β
Finished 05/04/2021 3 Stars
Death of a Lady by R.A. Bentley..."
I have enjoyed all the books in this series. The characters are well written and I am usually surprised by the solution.
I thought the first one was okay, but the reviews on the next one were not very encouraging (all boating, no sleuthing).
Kimberly - I liked it even though I thought the number of "clues" that didn't appear until the conclusion was a little sneaky. Well written but I admit I was a bit disappointed.John - I haven't even looked at the reviews for the rest of the series. I'll have to have a think about it. If I'm going to read another though it won't be for quite some time anyway.
Prompt 35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.) Started 09/04/2021
The Fatal Flying Affair by T.E. Kinsey
Prompt 35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.) β
- Aeroplane on the Cover.Finished 10/04/2021 3 Stars
The Fatal Flying Affair by T.E. KinseyHumorous Cosy although the series may have reached its viable end for me. Will probably read the next if there is one.
Prompt 9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title β
Wolf on the Cover, Wolves in the Title
The Wolves of Savernake: A gripping medieval mystery from the bestselling author by Edward MarstonFinished 12/04/2021 3 Stars
Enjoyable mystery set in the time when the Domesday Book was being compiled. This had more than a few passages of very good description. I figured out the who but not the how so that was nice.
Prompt 19. A book with a disabled character β
Main character has scoliosis
The Royal Ghost by Linda StratmannFinished 15/04/2021 3 Stars
Prompt 6. A locked room mystery β
The Heiress of Linn Hagh by Karen CharltonFinished 16/04/2021 3 Stars
Prompt 36. A book written by an author with your initials β
The Mitford Murders by Jessica FellowesFinished 17/04/2021 3 Stars
Prompt 7. A book that has been made into a movie or television showA Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh
Started 17/04/2021
Jacqui wrote: "Prompt 6. A locked room mystery β
The Heiress of Linn Hagh by Karen CharltonFinished 16/04/2021 3 Stars"
I'm a huge fan of this series!
John wrote: "I'm a huge fan of this series!"Me too John. This was a reread but because I read them quite a few years ago and intend to take up where I left off I thought I'd read them again. It just fell into the challenge prompts as luck would have it.
Prompt 7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show β
The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries in the 1990s
A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio MarshFinished 18/04/2021 2 Stars
Prompt 3. A book with a lamp on the cover β
Murder in the Crypt by Irina ShapiroFinished 19/04/2021 3 Stars
Prompt 4. A book that has won an awardFriday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman
Started 19/04/2021
Prompt 4. A book that has won an award β
Won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel (1965)
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry KemelmanFinished 20/04/2021 3 Stars
Enjoyed this a lot. First published in 1964 so at the most recent end of the challenge rules. Set in 1960s America with the Rabbi and the Chief of Police becoming friends whilst solving a murder.
Historical Mystery Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Fortunate Dead (other topics)The Troubadour's Tale (other topics)
Green for Danger (other topics)
Death by Disputation (other topics)
Blackstone and the Rendezvous with Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ann Swinfen (other topics)David Penny (other topics)
Christianna Brand (other topics)
Anna Castle (other topics)
Sally Spencer (other topics)
More...
40 of 52 read
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CompletedTo Read π Currently Readingβ
1. Published in 2021 The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds by T.E. Kinseyβ
2. A book set in multiple countries The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christieβ
3. A book with a lamp on the cover Murder in the Crypt by Irina Shapiroβ
4. A book that has won an award Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelmanβ
5. A bestselling historical mystery And Then There Were None by Agatha Christieβ
6. A locked room mystery The Heiress of Linn Hagh by Karen Charltonβ
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marshβ
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games The Ides of April by Lindsey Davisβ
9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title The Wolves of Savernake: A gripping medieval mystery from the bestselling author by Edward Marstonβ
10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR Dance of Death by Helen McCloyβ
11. A book with an intriguing or inspiring first line Legacy: A Justice Belstrang Mystery by John Pilkingtonβ
12. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Envy) Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christieβ
13. A book with a female detective A Body Out of Time: A Clara Fitzgerald Mystery by Evelyn Jamesβ
14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffithsβ
15. A book with a rural/countryside setting on the cover Murder at the Village Fete by Catherine Colesβ
16. A book with a real historical figure Chaucer and the House of Fame by Philip Gooden17. A book by an author of colour Paving the New Road by Sulari Gentill
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18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st) Heir Apparent by Susan Grosseyβ
19. A book with a disabled character The Royal Ghost by Linda Stratmannβ
20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover A Wreath for the Bride by Maria Langβ
21. A cozy historical mystery Murder at the Manor by Catherine Coles22. A book with gothic elements Circle Of Shadows by Imogen Robertson
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23. A debut novel A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finchβ
24. A book set in a religious setting (convent, abbey, vicarage, temple, shrine, etc.) One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Petersβ
25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover Murder at Mondial Castle by Issy Brooke26. A book with alliteration in the title Death by Disputation by Anna Castle
27. A book with the name of a real place in the title The Malvern Murders by Kerry Tombs
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28. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym Fallen into the Pit by Ellis Petersβ
29. A book with a title that includes a character's name The Murder of Patience Brooke by J.C. Briggsβ
30. A book set during wartime The Custard Corpses by M.J. Porterβ
31. A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or in the title (rope, revolver, candlestick, lead pipe, dagger or knife, wrench The Old Man in the Corner by Emmuska Orczyβ
32. The first book in a series you have not read before Death of a Lady by R.A. Bentleyβ
33. A book recommended in the challenge suggestions thread The Fressingfield Witch by Jacqueline Beardβ
34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with Death in Delft by Graham Brackβ
35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.) The Fatal Flying Affair by T.E. Kinseyβ
36. A book written by an author with your initials The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes37. A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (death, disease, famine, war) Green for Danger by Christianna Brand
38. A book related to William Shakespeare Sleep of Death by Philip Gooden
39. A book with an "-ing" word in the title The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery by John Pilkington
40. A book with a Muslim character The Fortunate Dead by David Penny
41. A book connected to a specific season The Troubadour's Tale by Ann Swinfen
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42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how) Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer43. A book that includes a major world event (not a war) Blackstone and the Rendezvous with Death by Sally Spencer
44. A book with food or drink on the cover Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett
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45. A book by one of your favorite authors A Fatal Obsession by Faith Martinβ
46. A book with a royal character Belvoir's Promise: The Savernake Novels Book 1 by Susanna M. Newsteadβ
47. A book from another group member's bookshelf Gallows Court by Martin Edwardsβ
48. A book set in the Southern Hemisphere Miles Off Course by Sulari Gentill49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire) The Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor
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50. A book with a body part in the title The Head In The Ice by Richard Jamesβ
51. A book set in Medieval times Figure of Hate by Bernard Knightβ
52. A book with water on the cover The Ruffler's Child by John Pilkington