Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

LEVELS & CATEGORIES:
Each participant should choose a level and complete the number of categories for that level. The books chosen must be from the lists or shelves next to the category name. Feel free to add books to the lists or shelves.

LEVELS:

Level #1: Bachelor of History - 3 to 5 books from at least 3 categories
Level #2: Master of History - 5 to 10 books in at least 5 categories
Level #3: Doctor of History - 10 to 15 books in at least 10 categories
Level #4: History with Honors - 15-20 books in at least 15 categories

Categories
1. Historical Mysteries - 4/15/22
2. Historical Mysteries 2014
3. Regency and Victorian Mysteries
4. Historical Ghost Fiction
5. Historical Mysteries 2015 -
6. Sleuths in Silks (Female Detectives) - 2/14/22
7. Historical Mysteries 2016
8. Historical Mysteries in Ancient Times (Greece & Rome)
9. YA Historical Mysteries - 5/12/2022
10. Historical Mysteries 2017 - 1/23/22
11. Dual Time Mysteries
12. Mysteries with Literary Authors
13. Sherlock Holmes - 5/16/22, 10/31/2022
14. Historical Mysteries 2018 - 6/12/2022
15. Historical Cozy Mysteries
16. Historical Mysteries 2019 - 3/6/22
17. Best Historical Crime Fiction
18. Historical Mysteries 2020 - 07/16/2022
19. Medieval Mysteries - 09/14/22, 10/03/22
20. Great War Veterans as Detectives - 6/28/22
21. Historical Mystery 2021 - 4/24/22
22. Historical Mystery 2022
23. Mysteries first published before 1970

Jan - M
Feb - Y
Mar - U
Apr - T
May - E
Jun - M
Jul - Q
Aug - Y
Sep - S
Oct - D
Nov - L
Dec - M

I will be working on Level #2: Master of History - 5 to 10 books in at least 5 categories

A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 1
B. Random letter for January: M
C. Category: 10. Historical Mysteries 2017
D. Title: A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee


E. Date completed: 1/23/22

I picked this up for the Featured Author selection last August and now appreciate the excitement everyone expressed over this series. I was pulled in by the cultural and historical descriptions and really love the dedicated but flawed character of Wyndham. I was disappointed that Banerjee's contribution felt insignificant. In reading the reviews, I was expecting a more equal or perhaps intuitive connection with Wyndham. However, this is my first book of the series and the relationship may be different in others. 4 stars. I plan to continue with the series.

A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 2
B. Random letter for February: Y
C. Category: 6 Sleuths in Silks (Female Detectives)
D. Title: The Frangipani Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu


E. Date Completed: 2/14/22
Entertaining! 4 Stars

Kerri wrote: "A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 1
B. Random letter for January: M
C. Category: 10. Historical Mysteries 2017
D. Title: A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee
[bookcover: A Necessary Evil|3540759..."

Don't despair, Banerjee does get developed more as the series progresses.

A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 3
B. Random letter for February: Y
C. 16. Historical Mysteries 2019
D. Title: The Paper Bark Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu


E. Date Completed: 03/06/2022

This series is very entertaining, I especially enjoy the cultural comparisons. However, I did not find this particular story as interesting as the first but do plan to continue with the series. 3 stars.

A. Level: #2: Master of History
B. Random letter for March: U
C. 19. Medieval Mysteries
D. Title: The Name of the Rose (Incomplete)


E. Date completed: TBD

Things got a bit busy this month and did not get this one done. Will give a try again later.

A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 4
B. Random letter for April: T
C. 1. Historical Mysteries
D. Title: Third Girl by Agatha Christie


E. Date Completed: 04/15/2022

This was only my second Poirot read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, in fact, better than the first outing with the great detective. Third Girl takes place in the mid-1960s and begins with Poirot's ego taking a hit when a young woman tells him he is "too old" to help her. This is a fast-paced mystery, laced with memorable characters and wit. 4 stars.

A. Level: #2: Master of History- Book 5
B. Random letter for April: T
C. 21. Historical Mystery 2021
D. The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds, T.E. Kinsey


E. Date Completed: 4/24/22 The witty dialogue is entertaining but detracts from the mystery which did not hold any surprises. 3 stars/

This is 5 books in 5 categories and will fulfill the minimum requirements for the Level 2 Master of History. I will consider challenging myself for Level 3. Either way, I will keep reading!

A. Level 2: Master of History - Book 6
B. Random Letter of May: E
C. Category: 9 YA Historical Mysteries
D.
The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye (Enola Holmes) by Nancy Springer

E. Date Completed: 5/12/2022 Clever and courageous Enola Holmes outsleuths her older brother once again!
Reading these out of order as they become available through the library. Still a joy to read! 4 stars.

A. Level 2: Master of History - Book 7
B. Random Letter for May: E
C. Category: 13 Sherlock Holmes
D.
The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan (Enola Holmes) by Nancy Springer

E. Date Completed: 5/16/2022 Fun Series. 4 stars.

A. Level 2: Master of History -
B. Random Letter for May: E
C. Category: 17 Best Historical Crime Fiction
D. Edinburgh Twilight by Carole Lawrence

E. Date Completed: DNF
Putting this one aside for now. It feels a bit too dark for summer reading. will try again later.

Stepping up to the next challenge level this month.
Book 8
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for June: M
C. Category: 14 Historical Mysteries 2018
D.
Island of the Mad by Laurie King (Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes)

E. Completed 6/12/22 Another enjoyable outing with Russel and Holmes. This installment pairs the grim reality of asylums against the lush glamor of the wealthy on holiday in the most romantic of cities with a glimpse into the colorful world of Cole Porter. 4 stars.

Book 9
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for June: M
C. Category: 20. Great War Veterans as Detectives
D.
Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee

E. Date completed: 6/28/22 Superb writing style and thoroughly researched but I found myself easily distracted. I suspect this has more to do with me than the story. 3.5 stars

(Random note: In my head, it is the voice of Daniel Craig who narrates. :0)

Book 10
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for June: M
C. Category: 18. Historical Mysteries 2020
D.
The Mimosa Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu

E. Date Completed: 07/16/2022 This is the 3rd book I have read in the series. The story was interesting for the historical details, but the mystery fell short, particularly in the last quarter of the book where the writing felt rushed and non-cohesive. still enjoyable and I will continue to read on! 3 Stars.

Applies to June...running a bit behind.

Book NA
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for July: Q
C. Category:

D:
Murder in Mayfair by D. M. Quincy

E: Date completed: DNF
Well written with interesting characters. Equal parts historical romance and mystery. I seem to be preoccupied with family and summer and had to return to the library before I could finish! Will try to pick it up again later this year.

Book 11
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for September: S
C. Category: 19. Medieval Mysteries

D:
The Booksellers Tale by Ann Swinfen

E. Date Completed: 09/14/22 Very enjoyable read. I felt instantly transported to the day-to-day life of another time. Wonderful, warm, and believable characters. This has been on my shelf for a while and so glad I finally picked it up (especially since I have had a series of disappointing reads this year.) Already have the second installment on hold at the library. 4 stars

Book DNF
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for September: S
C. Category: 23. Mysteries first published before 1970
D: The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

E: Date Completed: DNF
This one did not hold my attention. Will try again when I am not so distracted.

Book 12
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for September: S
C. Category: 19. Medieval Mysteries
D.

E. Date Completed: 10/04/22 Enjoying this series!

October Letter: D Busy month so, sadly, no books read in this category.

November Letter: L

Book 13
A. Level 3: Doctor of History
B. Random Letter for November: L
C. Category: 13. Sherlock Holmes
D.
Castle Shade by Laurie R. King

E. Date Completed: 10/31/2022 Putting this towards the November reads.
Atomsospheric, an enjoyable read for the season. Not my favorite of the series but still entertaining. 3.5 stars