The 52 Book Club: 2026 Challenge discussion

What is the Mystery Genre Challenge?
Welcome to our very first full-sized genre-specific challenge. This challenge is similar in premise to our annual 52 Book Club reading challenges, with a few key differences:

1) This challenge must be completed using one genre only. All books read for this challenge must be mysteries.

2) There is no timeline for completing this challenge. Take as long or as short as you like.

Our mystery challenge contains fifty different “cases” (we usually call them “prompts”). Match one mystery to each case for a total of fifty different books. Cases are related to different mystery elements and tell you what to look for in a book. Cases are loosely connected to their chapter heading but can be completed in any order.


Chapter Two: The Detective
11. The “brilliant detective” trope (list)
12. An amateur sleuth (list)
13. Antagonist toys with the detective (list)
14. Includes a podcaster, writer, or journalist (list)
15. A crime-solving duo (list)
16. Detective has to confront their own past (list)
17. An iconic detective (list)
18. Police procedural (list)
19. A detective on the cover (list)
20. Title starts with first letter of author’s last name (list)


11. The “brilliant detective” trope. A classic trope in the mystery genre includes the “brilliant detective.” This character is intellectually superior, highly observant, and usually focused on logic and deduction. They often have a “Watson” type sidekick and solve cases that baffle the local authorities.

Examples include detectives like Sherlock Holmes, C. Auguste Dupin, Lisbeth Salander, Adrian Monk, Miss Marple, or Hercule Poirot.

12. An amateur sleuth. A sleuth is another word for an individual who investigates crimes. An amateur sleuth is a character who solves crimes without formal law enforcement training or compensation. They may be a shopkeeper, librarian, retiree, etc, who happens to stumble across crimes. Much of the story emphasizes this sleuth’s history, personality, and connections.

Examples include Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, Vera Wong, Jessica Fletcher, Flavia de Luce, Enola Holmes, or Finlay Donovan. Some mysteries take real historical characters and feature them solving crimes in an amateur capacity, such as Queen Elizabeth, Jane Austen, etc.

13. Antagonist toys with the detective. For this prompt, we’re looking for a book in which the culprit deliberately toys with the detective. This is a cat-and-mouse style story. There may be psychological manipulation, physical intimidation, written or verbal taunts, threats, etc.

14. Includes a podcaster, writer, or journalist. Any mystery featuring a podcaster, writer, or journalist will fit this prompt. They may be a main or secondary character. Their career may or may not feature heavily within the plot. As a creative twist, this could be a true crime mystery written by a journalist or podcaster.

15. A crime-solving duo. Crime-solving duos are popular within detective fiction. This features two protagonists working together to solve a crime. They may be personal friends, work together professionally, husband and wife, siblings, etc. Examples include Holmes & Watson, Poirot & Hastings, Tommy & Tuppence Beresford, Nero Wolfe & Archie Goodwin, Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, etc.

16. Detective has to confront their own past. For this prompt, we’re looking for a book in which the detective is forced to confront their own past as they unravel a mystery. The crime may mirror or intertwine with their personal history, trauma, or secrets. The case often has high emotional, mental, or career-based stakes.

17. An iconic detective. Iconic detectives are legendary characters within the mystery genre. They are known for their unique methods, style, and long-lasting cultural impact. These are highly popular and well-known detectives. They may be amateur or professional.

18. Police procedural. A police procedural is a sub-genre of detective fiction that focuses on the realistic, day-to-day work of law enforcement officers as they investigate crimes. Unlike amateur detectives, this type of fiction focuses on police procedures like forensics, search warrants, interrogations, etc.

19. A detective on the cover. For this prompt, choose any book with a detective on the cover. This may be an illustration or part of the cover design. It may be a book featuring the detective’s name in the title or subtitle, or a book written by an actual detective.

20. Title starts with first letter of author’s last name. Choose any mystery in which the title starts with the same letter as the author’s last name. For example, “Cards on the Table” by Agatha Christie. It’s up to you whether you choose to include definite or indefinite articles like “the,” “a,” or “an.”

M, I’m not sure but I think maybe Oakdale confidential would work for #12

The Richard castle series of novels may work for 14.

What do you think?

The descriptions of 14 and 16 are the same.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally could fit number 12, because the main character (detective) is a lady of the aristocracy.

15. A crime-solving duo. Mary Russell Holmes and her husband Sherlock Holmes in the series by Laurie R. King could work for this one.

Ooohh this is very challenging! 🥰

I just finished . I put it in 11. The “brilliant detective” trope. This book has two distinct mystery stories in it. Can I use it as a twofer?

Liz wrote: "I just finished . I put it in 11. The “brilliant detective” trope. This book has two distinct mystery stories in it. Can I use it as a twofer?"

Your challenge, your rules. You're the only one tracking your challenge :)

I read Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie for Prompt 11-the “brilliant detective” trope. Hercule Poirot with his “little grey cells” is perfect for this prompt.

11. The “brilliant detective” trope The Bone Collector
12. An amateur sleuth
13. Antagonist toys with the detective
14. Includes a podcaster, writer, or journalist A Caller's Game
15. A crime-solving duo Asistente del villano
16. Detective has to confront their own past
17. An iconic detective
18. Police procedural
19. A detective on the cover
20. Title starts with first letter of author’s last name

11. The “brilliant detective” trope -
✅12. An amateur sleuth The Busybody Book Club
13. Antagonist toys with the detective -
14. Includes a podcaster, writer, or journalist -
15. A crime-solving duo -
16. Detective has to confront their own past -
17. An iconic detective -
18. Police procedural -
19. A detective on the cover -
20. Title starts with first letter of author’s last name -