Cozy Mysteries discussion
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Leslie's Challenges
USA ChallengeMy start date for this challenge will be June 1.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California Shoulder Bags and Shootings 7/24/10
Colorado The Serpents Trail 9/3/10
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida Mama Rides Shotgun 7/15/10
Georgia Broken 8/19/10
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois Whiskey Sour 8/18/10
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana Death Tidies Up 6/20/10
Maine Trick or Treat Murder 7/17/10
Maryland
Massachusetts Truly, Madly 6/22/10
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi Crossed Bones 6/8/10
Missouri Half-Price Homicide 6/4/10
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire Murder is Binding 8/15/10
New Jersey Sizzling Sixteen 7/27/10
New Mexico
New York Closet Confidential 8/11/10
North Carolina A Deadly Row 10/25/10
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon The Quick and the Thread: An Embroidery Mystery 11/6/10
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Death Threads 6/15/10
South Dakota
Tennessee Delicious and Suspicious 8/5/10
Texas Scoop to Kill 9/21/10
Utah
Vermont
Virginia Stirring Up Strife 9/13/10
Washington Lye in Wait 8/17/10
West Virginia
Wisconsin Buzz Off
Wyoming
August Theme Read1) Read a mystery about travel or vacations; a mystery location at a popular vacation destination works too.
The Serpents Trail 9/2 (This book was slooow going...and I just couldn't finish it on time;)
2) At the end of a nice summer vacation, it's back to school time - read an academic mystery.
Murder 101 8/31
September Theme Read1) Read a mystery involving a farm, produce, cooking - basically anything that celebrates harvested food.
Eggs Benedict Arnold 9/5
2) In particular, September seems to be the month for grape harvesting and wine making, so read a mystery that involves, wine, vineyards, or other spirits.
The Merlot Murders 9/24
Read the Season 2 Sept 23-Dec 20
A
U
T
U
M
N
For October, let's go with the obvious and read a mystery centered around Halloween or autumn. Or, read a mystery centered around something usually associated with Halloween (but not occurring around Halloween) - i.e. ghosts, witches, candy, costumes, etc. 
10/12To celebrate National Card Making Day, read a book centered around paper crafts - i.e. card making, scrapbooking, rubber stamping
10/15
One of the most famous detective board games is Clue/Cluedo made by Parker Brothers. This challenge will be based around the characters, weapons and rooms from the original game. The challenge will run for a year, until Oct 1, 2011. Books may only be used once for this challenge, so you'll be reading 17 to 22 books to complete the challenge. Clue Characters:
Miss Scarlet (a red piece)
Colonel Mustard (a yellow piece)
Mrs. White (a white piece)
Mr. Green (a green piece)
Mrs. Peacock (a blue piece)
Professor Plum (a purple piece)
Weapons:
Dagger/Knife Murder at the PTA
Candlestick
Revolver Dirty Deeds 10/24
Rope
Lead Pipe
Wrench/Spanner
Rooms:
Kitchen
Ballroom
Conservatory
Dining Room
Billard Room
Library
Study
Hall
Lounge
Cellar/Stairs
October Featured AuthorSusan Wittig Albert
10/20
Novemeber is here, time for a new theme. Since there is a lot to do with family and children as well as Thanksgiving in Novemeber the themes will be: 1.- A book about Thanksgiving or Family
11/112.- A book about books: Library, Librarian, bookstore, book collector, bookbinder, etc.
11/3
100,000 PAGE CHALLENGE:Start: Jan 2012. End: Aug 2013
I'll highjack this topic if no-one (such as the original Leslie) objects....
In another group I saw someone had a challenge to read a million pages. That inspired me to look at my total for the year -- a measly 10,000 pages or so. Granted I have read less than usual this year, but still!! So my more moderate challenge is to read one-tenth of that (100,000).
As of 8/8/12, I have read 10,717 pages in 38 books. Gotta keep reading!
8/15/12 update: 44 books, 11,673 pages...
8/24/12 update: 50 books; 13,723 pages...
9/3/12 update: 59 books; 15,697 pagess...
9/22/12 update: 72 books; 19,231 pages...
10/12/12 update: 88 books; 23,453 pages...
10/31/12 update: 111 books; 29,756 pages...
11/15/12 update: 127 books; 34,614 pages...
12/3/12 update: 138 books; 37,718 pages...
final update of 2012: 164 books; 44,059 pages
1/30/13 update: 53,411 pages
2/28/13 update: 61,870 pages
6/4/13 update: 86,686 pages
7/20/13 update: 97,606 pages
8/22/13 update: 102,226 pages -- DONE!
Here is my READ AROUND THE USA Challenge (starting 8/2012)Progress: 40 mysteries + 7 non-mystery books = 47 completed out of 51
District of Columbia -- Murder Takes the Cake
Idaho --
Kansas --
Oklahoma
Progress on my READ THE SEASON Challenge:8/17/2012 Done!
S = Sarah Groves – Trap Door done
U = Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo done
M = The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie done
M = The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle done
E = Edgar Wallace – The Case of the Twisted Candle done
R = Kelley Roos – Sailor, Take Warning done
Progress on my SHERLOCK HOLMES Challenge: Done!edited 8/24/12; 9/3/12; 9/5/12; 9/17/12
Started: 8/01/2012 . Ended: 10/7/12
1. Sherlock Holmes – Read a book with a detective or private eye as a main character.
The Case of the Twisted Candle by Edgar Wallace (finished 8/15/12)
2. Dr. John H. Watson – Read a book where the person solving the mystery has an assistant or helper.
The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout (finished 8/19/12)
3. 221 B Baker Street – Read a book with an address in the title, or mentioned somewhere in the book. Or there is a character named Baker, or Baker is in the title, or is part of the author’s name.
22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson (finished 8/25/12)
4. London – Read a book that takes place in England.
The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin (finished 9/14/12)
5. Books – There are 4 novels and 56 short stories that make up the Sherlock Holmes original works. Read any one of those, or you may read a book that is based on Sherlock Holmes in any way.
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle (finished 10/5/2012)
6. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Read a book by an author with a 3 word name, the author is knighted (Sir or Dame), Or “Arthur”, “Conan” or “Doyle” is found in the authors name (including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, if you wish to read another book by the author himself).
That Affair Next Door by Anna Katherine Green (finished 8/24/12)
7. Smoking – Holmes smoked a Meerschaum pipe, and occasionally cigarettes and cigars. Read a book where there is a pipe, cigarettes, or cigar either on the cover, in the title, or used by a main character in a book.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (finished 9/14/12)
8. Drugs – Holmes had a habit of using cocaine and occasionally morphine as a stimulant. Read a book where drugs are part of the story or someone uses a stimulant (including caffeine).
coffee in Uncommon Grounds by Jessie Chandler (finished 8/12/2012)
9. Deductive Reasoning – Holmes was famous for this. Read a book where a mystery is solved by following and interpreting clues.
The Killings At Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham (finished 9/5/12)
10. Disguise – Holmes frequently disguised himself. Read a book where, for whatever reason, someone wears a disguise or costume.
Lady Molly of Scotland Yard by Baroness Emmuska Orczy (finished 9/3/2012)
11. Forensic Science – This was used frequently by Holmes. Read a book where some type of forensic science is mentioned. It could be anything from fingerprints to CSI type lab work.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (finished 8/16/12)
12. Deerstalker hat & cape – This was what Holmes is usually pictured wearing. Read a book where someone wears either a hat or a cape, of any kind, at some point in the book. (Police officers, cowboy, etc.)
suburban rapper in Caught by Harlan Coben (finished 8/3/2012)
13. Dr. Moriarty – He was Holmes’ archvillian. Read a book where there is one major villain.
Count Fosco in The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (finished 9/13/12)
September 2012 Mini-Challengeonly finished 2 of these...
Sept 2 - National Beheading Day - Read a book where someone was murdered.
The Killings at Badger’s Drift by Caroline Graham (finished 9/5/12)
Sept 6 - Fight Procrastination Day - Read the oldest book on your GR's TBR list.
Assuming oldest to mean been on the list longest (rather than published earliest):
The Elusive Pimpernal by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Sept 11 - No News is Good News Day - Read a book with a building on the cover.
The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves
Sept 19 - International Talk Like A Pirate Day - Always a fun one. Read any book with a pirate in it, or any book that has a scene that takes place on a ship, or has a ship on the cover. BONUS: Make a post here that day where you sound like a pirate. ;)
Cerulean Isle by G.M. Browning
Sept 28 - Ask a Stupid Question Day - Read a book that has at least one ditzy character in it.
Carbs & Cadavers by J.B. Stanley (finished 9/17/12)
Autumn 2012 Read the Season10/31/12 -- finished!
A = Artifacts by Mary Anna Evans (finished 10/8/12)
U = Untimely Death by Cyril Hare (finished 10/4/12)
T = Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon (finished 10/6/12)
U = Uneasy Spirits by M. Louisa Locke (finished 10/19/12)or Ulysses by James Joyce (finished 10/12)
M = Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke (finished 10/15/12)
N = Never Buried by Edie Claire (finished 10/31/12)
October Mini-Challenge10/31/12 -- finished all but one
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Read a book that has the color pink on the cover.
Amethyst Dreams by Phyllis Whitney
Computer Learning Month - Read an ebook.
The Rules of Engagement by Bruce Alexander (my first Kindle book loan from my local library!)
Oct 11 - Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day and
Oct 28 - Plush Animal Lover's Day - Read a book with a stuffed animal mentioned in it, part of the plot, on the cover, or in the title. skipped this challenge
Oct 13 - International Skeptics Day - Give a book another try. Try to finish a book you put down and didn't finish, or give an author another try if you didn't like one of their previous works.
Ulysses by James Joyce (not a mystery but otherwise fits the category!)
Oct 27 - National Tell a Story Day (in Scotland and the U.K.) - Read a book that has been recommended to you or that is popular and being talked about alot.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (recommended to me by a GR member of another group)
November Mini-ChallengeNov 2 - Book Lovers Day - Read a book by your favorite author.
No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer (Done 11/3/12)
Nov 6 - Election Day - Read a book with a red, white, or blue cover. Bonus points if the book mentions any form of an election (in which case, the cover can be anything). Extra bonus points: VOTE TODAY!
Elected for Death by Valerie Wolzien (Nov monthly author) plus I voted! (Done 11/17/12)
Nov 11 - Veteran's Day - Read a book where any character was or is a veteran, past or present. If you can't find a book that qualifies, then at least find a book with an american flag (any size) on the cover.
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (Iris & Laura Chase’s father was a veteran of WW1) (Done 11/4/12) or
Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan (Will Hewitt, veteran of Civil War) (Done 11/8/12)
Nov 15 - America Recycles Day - Read a book that you borrowed from a friend, borrowed from the library, or a book that you bought used.
Cheerfulness Breaks In by Angela Thirkell (borrowed from my mom) (Done 11/13/12) or
Dead Simple by Peter James (mystery borrowed from the library) (Done 11/10/12)
Nov 22 - Thanksgiving - Read a book that includes any of the fall holidays. (Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Day, All Soul's Day, Thanksgiving, Hannaukah, Christmas, etc.)
Haunted Spouse by Heather MacAllister (Halloween) (Done 11/13/12)
Clue Board Game Challenge - Done!The challenge will run for a year:
Start: 15 October 2012 End: 31 August 2013
Books may only be used once for this challenge, so you'll be reading 17 to 22 books to complete the challenge.
Clue Characters:
Read a book where someone on the cover is wearing the same color clothes as the clue character. (ie a red dress, a green suit, etc. Outfit on cover does not have to be specifically a dress or suit, as long as the person on the cover is prodominately dressed in the color.) Read one book for each person.
Weapons:
Read a book where either one of the following weapons is pictured on the cover, specifically named in the title, or was used to murder someone in the book. Read one book for each weapon.
Rooms:
Read a book with one the following rooms pictured on the cover, specifically named in the title, or featured prominately in the plot. The room doesn't have to be the main place the story takes place but if the characters just walk through the room once it isn't enough to count. If an entire scene takes place in the room, then it's enough to qualify. Choose 5 of the 10. (Some will be harder, so you don't have to find them all unless you want to.)
Ballroom
Conservatory
Lounge
BONUS #1: Read a book based on the actual game Clue. BONUS #2: Play the board game with family and/or friends.
BONUS #3: Watch the movie CLUE starring Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Lesley Ann Warren, Michael McKean, Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn, and Martin Mull. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clue_(film)
NOTE: The books read for this challenge do not have to all be mysteries. It's your choice.
Read the Season – Winter 2012-13 done 3/12/13Either name of the the author (first or last) or title of the book
Dec. 21, 2012 – March 21, 2013
W = The Wicked Wager by Anya Wylde (finished 1/19)
I = In the Blood by Steve Robinson (finished 3/12)
N = Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles (finished 1/29)
T = Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank (finished 1/30)
E = Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood (finished 2/8)
R = Red Green or Murder by Steven F. Havill (finished 2/19)
Finished!Jan 2 - Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day - Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton done 1/1
Jan 6 - Cuddle Up Day - Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters done 1/13
Jan 10 - Peculiar People Day - The Skull Beneath the Skin by P.D. James done 1/21
Jan 16 - National Nothing Day - Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles done 1/29
2nd Week of Jan is Letter Writing Week - Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley done 1/26
2013 A to Z challenge Done!I got this idea from another group. A year-long challenge in which you try to read one book for each letter of the alphabet - the book's title or author's name must start with the letter. (The words A, An, and The at the beginning of the title can be ignored) No genre restriction but the more mysteries, the better.
I'm putting my mysteries in bold.
A = Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton (1/1)
B = Buck Fever by Ben Rehder (2/13)
C = Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (1/3)
D = Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (1/26)
E = Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood (2/8)
F = Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler (2/5)
G = A Grave Talent by Laurie R. King (3/3)
H = Henning Mankell's 'Faceless Killers' (6/15)
I = In the Blood by Steve Robinson (3/12)
J = James M. Cain's 'Double Indemnity' (6/3)
K = The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (4/3)
L = Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters (1/13)
M = The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (1/11)
N = Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles (1/29)
O = Oolong Dead by Laura Childs (3/1)
P = Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwall's 'The Man Who Went Up in Smoke' (6/20)
Q = Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz (3/24)
R = Red, Green, or Murder by Steven F. Havill (2/19)
S = The Skull Beneath the Skin by P.D. James (1/24)
T = Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank (1/30)
U = An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P.D. James (1/15)
V = Van Dine's 'The Bishop Murder Case' (2/26)
W = The Wicked Wager by Anya Wylde (1/19)
X = The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton (6/16)
Y = The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilmore (10/17)
Z = Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm (12/20)
March Mini-challenge Done 3/26/132nd Week of March is Crochet Week - Murder Spins a Tale: A Flock and Fiber Mystery by Veryl Ann Grace (done 3/24)
Bonus if it has anyone crocheting or knitting in it, or has yarn on the cover - it has knitting in it plus yarn on the cover
Mar 2 - Old Stuff Day - oldest mystery on my TBR A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (done 3/26)
Mar 8 - Be Nasty Day - The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba by Dorothy L. Sayers (done 3/8/13)
Mar 10 - Middle Name Pride Day - The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart (done 3/8/13)
Mar 20 - Extraterrestrial Abductions Day - Read a book that starts with the letter "E", or alternately, you can read any book with an alien in it - A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (done 3/18)
Read the Season - Spring 2013Either name of the the author (first or last) or title of the book
March 21, 2013 - June 21, 2013
S = A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (done 3/26)
P = Parker, I.J.: The Hell Screen (done 5/1)
R = The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham (done 4/10)
I = Izzy Ballard: Alaska Virgin Air (done 4/13)
N = No Nest for the Wicket by Donna Andrews (done 4/17)
G = Grace, Veryl Ann: Murder Spins a Tale (done 3/24)
April Mini-challenge - only 3 completed out of the 5 this monthApril is Keep America Beautiful month - Read a book set in a US State. - "Alaska Virgin Air" by Izzy Ballard (done 4/13)
Library Week - Easy. Read a library book. - "Keeper of Lost Causes" by Jussi Adler-Olsen (done 4/3)
Apr 14 - International Moment of Laughter Day - "The Comedy of Errors" by William Shakespeare (done 4/11) or "No Nest for the Wicked" by Donna Andrews (done 4/17)
Apr 15 - Titanic Remembrance Day - Read any book about the Titanic, or any book with a scene that takes place on a boat. - "The Tin Roof Blowdown" by James Lee Burke (done 5/15)
Apr 26 - Hug an Australian Day - Read a book either set in Australia, or written by an Australian author. - Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
May Mini-challenge - again only 3 completed out of the 5 this month :(May 1 - May Day - Read a book with a 3 word title, or the author's (first or last) name has 3 letters. - Love Lies Bleeding by Edmund Crispin (done 5/4)
May 1 - Mother Goose Day - Read a book with a Mother in it (the Mother can be of any age, her children could be newborn or fully grown, or it could be a mother dog with her puppies), or a Goose (either in the title or on the cover). BONUS points for the goose! - The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope (not a mystery) (done 5/22)
May 6 - No Diet Day - Read a book with any kind of food in the title or shown on the cover.
May 18 - No Dirty Dishes Day - Read a book with a dish (of any kind) on the cover.
May 30 - Water a Flower Day - Read a book with a flower either on the cover or in the title. The Ghost Orchid Murder by Nancy Jill Thames
(done 5/26)
Read the Season - Summer 2013June 21 - September 20
S = Still Life by Louise Penny (done 6/27)
U = The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (done 8/23)
M = The Madman of Bergerac by Georges Simenon (done 7/3)
M = The Man on the Balcony by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (done 8/9)
E = Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (done 7/25) not a mystery
R = The Railway Children by E. Nesbit (done 7/31) not a mystery or The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (done 9/20)
June is Aquarium Month…the 18th is Go Fishing Day-
- The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay (not a mystery) (done 6/13)
June 13 is Sewing Machine Day-
- The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton (done 6/16)
June 18 is International Panic Day -
- The Beast Must Die by Nicholas Blake (done 6/12)
June 21 is Finally Summer Day- Summer Solstice -
- Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter (done 6/5)
June 28 is Paul Bunyan Day - In honor of his companion, Babe the Blue Ox, read a book with a blue cover.
- Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (done 6/15)
September 2013 Mini-challenge Done 9/22!Sep is Self Improvement Month - Read a DIY mystery or self-help book. - The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves (done 9/14)
Sep 6 is Read a Book Day - All you have to do is read a book that day, any book. And not even the whole book. Enjoy! Pssst.... that's tomorrow!! Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brönte (read Sept. 2-12, including 9/6!) {not a mystery}
Sep 13 is Blame Someone Else Day - first Friday the 13th of the year. Read a book where someone is superstitious or blames someone else. The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens (done 9/5)
Sep 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Always a favorite. Read a book about Pirates or something that takes place on the high seas. Bonus: Talk like a pirate that day. :) - Post Captain by Patrick O'Brian (done 9/22) {not a mystery}
Sep 28 is Ask a Stupid Question Day - Read a book where at least one character would qualify for this. - The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (done 9/20)
Read the Season - Fall/Autumn 2013 Sept. 22 - Dec. 20, 2013Can do either or both "Fall" and "Autumn"
F = The Fire Engine that Disappeared by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (done 10/3)
A = Alan Bradley's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (done 9/27)
L = Andrew Lane's Death Cloud (done 11/18)
L = Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene's Perilous Pranks (done 12/1)
A = Arnaldur Indriðason's Hypothermia (done 9/28)
U = Uncle Abner Master of Mysteries: A Collection of Classic Detective Stories (done 12/19)
T = The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (done 11/23)
U =
M = Moonlighting In Vermont by Kate George (done 9/29)
N =
COZY THEMES READING CHALLENGEStart: 24 Sept. 2013 Done: 26 Jan. 2014
10/10 Finished
For this challenge you will need to read 10 books, one for each category/theme. You can read more, but you only need to read one each. You can choose your books before you start, change them later as you go along.
Cozy Themes:
#1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (done 9/27/13)
#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940. The Widow of Jerusalem by Alan Gordon (set 1198-1209) (10/1/13)
#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc. - Moonlighting in Vermont by Kate George (main character lives on a farm) (done 9/29/13)
#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries. - Hot Chocolate by Dawn Greenfield Ireland (done 1/26)
#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc. - Opal Fire by Barbara Annino (done 10/22/13)
#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live. The Fire Engine that Disappeared by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (set in Sweden) (not cozy) (done 10/3/13)
#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery. Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley (done 11/16/13)
#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc. -- Perilous Pranks by Joyce and Jim Lavene (done 12/1/13)
#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur sleuth. -- Winter Study by Nevada Barr (done 12/31/13)
#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older. The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter (Morse is 50 in this) (not cozy) (done 10/16/13)
November 2013 Mini-Challenge -- done!November is National Novel Writing Month - Read a book where someone (not necessarily the main character) is a writer of some kind (novelist, reporter, etc.) - The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Watson supposedly writes the chronicles of Holmes' cases) (done 11/19)
Nov 2 is Book Lovers Day - Read a book set in a bookstore, about someone who repairs or restores books, or about a librarian. -- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (done 11/23)
Nov 11 is Veteran's Day - Read a book where a character is active duty military or a veteran, or the cover has a flag on it. A book would also count if the author was a veteran. - The Riddle of the Third Mile (done 11/20)
Nov 15 is America Recycles Day - Read a used book, or a book that involves recycling in some way. - The Duke's Daughter (not a mystery) (done 11/29)
Nov 21 is False Confession Day - Read a book where a character makes a false confession -- Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (done 11/13)
Read The Season - Winter -- done 7 March 14Dec. 21, 2013 - March 20, 2014
W = The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (audiobook) (done 12/23/13)
I = Dawn Greenfield Ireland's Hot Chocolate (done 1/26)
N = Nevada Barr's Winter Study (done 12/31/13)
T = Twelve Drummers Drumming (done 1/9/14)
E = Enter a Murderer (done 3/7/14)
R = Rest You Merry (done 12/26/13)
JANUARY MINI CHALLENGE, 1/1 - 1/31PROGRESS: 5/5 -- DONE!
Jan 1 - Read a new author you've never read before. - Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison (done 1/9)
Jan 6 - Cuddle up with an old favorite. Reread a favorite book or curl up with one of your favorite authors. -The Game of Kings (not a mystery) (done 1/17)
Jan 11 - Read a book with any kind of water on the cover or in the title. (Pond, ocean, puddle, rain, lake, heck for that matter snow is just frozen water.) - Dog River Blues (done 1/10)
Jan 12 - Read a book by a male author or a book with a gorgeous handsome man on the cover. :) The Rubber Band by Rex Stout (done 1/6)
Jan 23 - Read a book that has anything to do with feet or measurements OR read a book with someone standing on the cover and you can see their feet or see a pair of shoes/boots - The Red Box (done 1/23)
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2014 A-to-Z Challenge Progress: 26/26 done!! I think that I will try this again this year... As with last year, mysteries will be in bold, but this year I am only using titles (not authors' names).
A = An American Tragedy (audiobook) (3/3) or The Abominable Man (4/27)
B = The Booktaker (audiobook)
C = The Cruelest Month (2/7)
D = Dog River Blues (1/10)
E = Enter A Murderer (3/7)
F = From Russia with Love (2/21) or Frequent Hearses (3/19)
G = The Game of Kings (1/17) or Goldfinger (6/20)
H = Hot Chocolate (1/26)
I = Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (2/24)
J = The Jewel That Was Ours (3/12)
K = Knots and Crosses (2/4)
L = Lorna Doone (3/18) or The Long Divorce (3/30)
M = Middlemarch (3/2) or Maigret and the Black Sheep (4/24)
N = Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea (2/17) or The Notting Hill Mystery (12/11)
O = Outrage (2/1)
P = The Prime Minister (2/5) or The Poisoned Chocolates Case (4/5)
Q = Queens' Play (4/3)
R = The Rubber Band (1/6)
S= Spy Killer (2/11) (audiobook) or Speedy Death (5/1)
T = Twelve Drummers Drumming (1/9)
U = Unsolicited (7/20)
V = Vile Bodies (1/26) or Vintage Murder (7/25?)
W = The Wench Is Dead (2/19)
X = X Y Z (8/5)
Y = Young Miles (3/21)
Z = The Zurich Conspiracy (9/8)
FEBRUARY Mini-Challenge -- DONE!The Winter Olympics start today in Sochi, Russia.
Read books with covers (or spines) with a main color matching one of the colors of the Olympic Rings, plus the flag background, or the color is a word in the title, or perhaps even an author's last name:
BLUE - Greenmantle (done 2/8) {not a mystery}
YELLOW - Spy Killer (done 2/11) {audiobook}
BLACK - Hamlet, Revenge! (done 2/14)
GREEN - The Cruelest Month (done 2/7), or The Wench Is Dead (done 2/19)
RED - Outrage (done 2/1)
WHITE - From Russia with Love (done 2/21)
Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in Russia, or having anything to do with the Olympics - see above WHITE book
MARCH Mini-Challenge ☓As always, read as many or as few as you want. They don't have to be all cozies.
It's your choice.
Mar 2 - Old Stuff Day Read either the oldest cozy mystery on your TBR list/shelf (virtual here on GRs or physical shelf at home), or read a cozy author that had their book published before 1900.
·The Dorrington Deed-Box by Arthur Morrison (1897)
Mar 10 - Middle Name Pride Day - Read a book whose author uses 3 their middle name (not just their initial) on the cover of the book.
Mar 12 - Plant a Flower Day - Read a book with a flower(s) on the cover, a flower in the title, or the author's name or the books main character's name matches that of a flower (for example, author's first name is Lily, Rose, etc.)
Mar 15 - Everything You Think is Wrong Day - Read a book where a character runs into this problem, and has a severe bad day, string of bad luck, etc. - ??The Crossing Places (done 3/6)
Mar 29 - National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day - Read a book where a main or semi-main character owns their own business.
Read the Season--SPRING 2014 (March 20-June 20)
S-- Maigret and the Black Sheep by Georges Simenon (done 4/24)
P-- The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch (done 4/3)
R-- The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart (done 5/9)
I-- Lament For A Maker by Michael Innes (done 5/12)
N-- The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø (done 4/19)
G-- Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (done 3/29)
April Mini-ChallengeFirst Week of April is Library Week and April 16 is National Librarian Day - Easy, read a library book. -- The Poisoned Chocolates Case (done 4/5)
April 12 is International Tom Hanks Day - Read a book that one of his movies is based on, anything written by him or about him. The day named after him raises money for Tom's favorite charity http://lifelineenergy.org/. They provide "Technology Solutions for Off-Grid Learning", mostly in sub-sahara Africa. So if you can't find anything else to read to fit this category, read a book set in or about Africa.
April 14 is International Moment of Laughter Day - Read a book that makes you laugh. - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (done 4/13) {not a mystery}
April 17 is Pet Owners Independence Day - Read a book where a pet plays a prominate role, or is mentioned in the title.
April 26 is Hug an Australian Day - Read a book either set in Australia or written by an Australian Author (either born there or currently living there). - Tracks (done 4/26) {not a mystery}
May Mini-ChallengeRemember — books for these challenges DO NOT have to all be mysteries, but can be from any genre. You can only use a title once for the below challenges, but can apply them to other challenges (eg: Spring challenge, Read the USA challenge, etc). Have fun and do as many as you are able! ☺
The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover. Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk.
Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).
-- The Daughters of Cain by Colin Dexter (done 5/8)
National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?
-- Black Skies by Arnaldur Indriðason (done 5/7)
May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.
May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum
-- Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco (currently reading)
June Mini-ChallengeJune is National Adopt a Cat Month and June 4th is Hug Your Cat Day - Read a book with a cat as a character, shown on the cover, or listed in the title.
June 3rd is Repeat Day (I said "Repeat Day") - Reread a favorite book. -- A Shilling for Candles (done 6/10)
June 4th is Old Maid's Day - Read a book with an old spinster in it (doesn't have to be the main character). -- The Brutal Telling (Ruth Zardo) (done 6/6)
June 26 is Beautician's Day - Read a book that has a scene in a beauty parlor, barber shop, etc. Extra credit if the book's main theme centers around a beauty shop. - An Appointment With Murder (massage therapy shop) (done 6/24)
June 27 is Sun Glasses Day - Read a book that takes place on or near a beach, shows a beach on the cover, or if sunglasses are specifically mentioned in the title or anyone on the cover is wearing a pair.
Read the Season - Summer 2013June 21 - September 20
S = The Secret Vanguard by Michael Innes (done 6/28)
U = Unsolicited by Julie Kaewert (done 7/20)
M = Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles (done 7/18)
M = Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith (currently reading)
E = Even Money by Dick Francis and his son Felix Francis (done 9/17)
R = Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders by John Mortimer (done 7/10)
July Mini-Challenge 4/5 doneThere are 5 categories, and you need only read 1 per category. You can choose to read as many or as few categories as you have time for.
1) July is National Ice Cream Month
someone eats ice cream somewhere in the book.
A Shot in the Bark (done 7/28)
2) July 2- I Forgot Day
Vintage Murder (done 7/25)
3) July 11 - Cheer up the Lonely Day
Read a book that you've borrowed from someone else
The Terra-Cotta Dog (borrowed from my dad) (done 7/23)
4) July 13 -Embrace Your Geekness Day
Read a book where someone has a geeky type profession
Unsolicited (book publisher & antiquarian book collector)?? (done 7/20)
5) Picnic holidays
3 Stay out of the Sun Day
4 Independence Day (U.S.)
4 Sidewalk Egg Frying Day
6 National Fried Chicken Day
10 Teddy Bear Picnic Day
12 Pecan Pie Day
21 National Junk Food Day
23 National Hot Dog Day
It looks like the above 7 holidays are telling us we should all have a summer picnic. If you have a picnic and read part of a book there, that counts. Or read a book showing a picnic on the cover, in the title (any words from the above picnic related holidays counts, so "pie" or "hotdog" in the title works), or any book where somewhere in the book there is a picnic.
Leslie wrote: "Read the Season - Summer 2013June 21 - September 20
S = The Secret Vanguard by Michael Innes (done 6/28)
U = Unsolicited by..."
Oops! Don't think that I will finish this :(
Done with my A-to-Z challenge for 2014, but will work to replace the
Read The Season - Fall 2014 Done!F = Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service (done 11/20)
A = Appleby on Ararat by Michael Innes (done 9/28)
L = The Lighthouse by P.D. James (done 11/11)
L = Louise Penny, The Beautiful Mystery (done 10/8)
A = Jussi Adler-Olsen, A Conspiracy of Faith (done 10/25)
U = Under the Aspens by Elizabeth Sherry (done 11/23)
T = Thunderball by Ian Fleming (done 11/1)
U = The Unquiet Bones by Mel Starr (done 12/6)
M = Margaret Maron, Bootlegger's Daughter (done 10/12)
N = Nicholas Blake, There's Trouble Brewing (done 11/2)
Read the Season - Winter - done 3/17/15Dec. 21, 2014 - March 20, 2015
W = "The Weight Of The Evidence" by Michael Innes (done 1/2/15)
I = Ian Fleming's "You Only Live Twice" (done 12/19/14)
N = "Nightmare in Pink" by John D. MacDonald (done 2/15)
T = "Twenty Years After" by Alexandre Dumas, pere (done 3/11) {not a mystery}
E = "Excursion to Tindari" by Andrea Camilleri (done 3/17)
R = "A Red Herring Without Mustard" by Alan Bradley (audiobook) (done 1/15/15)
Mini challenges for January 2015 3/5 done1. January 1 is New Year’s Day — Read the first book in any series. She Shall Have Murder by Delano Ames (done 1/13)
2. January 2 is Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day — Read a book with any kind of flag on the cover.
3. January 5 is National Bird Day and January 20 Penguin Awareness Day — Read a book with a bird in the title or on the cover. A Bobwhite Killing (done 1/24)
4. January 10 is Houseplant Appreciation Day — Read a book with a plant or flowers on the cover.
5. January 12 is Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day — Read a book by a male author. The Weight Of The Evidence by Michael Innes (done 1/2)
2015 A-to-Z Challenge Progress: 26/26 (mysteries: 25)I think that I will try this again this year... As with previous years, mysteries will be in bold. Both titles & author's names are acceptable matches for the letter.
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A = Austerlitz (done 1/30) or Appleby's End (done 2/24)
B = A Bobwhite Killing (done 1/24)
C = Caesar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts (done 2/24) or Corpse Diplomatique (done 4/7)
D = The Deep Blue Good-By (done 1/19)
E = Excursion to Tindari (done 3/17)
F = The Foundation Trilogy (done 2/2) or Friday the Rabbi Slept Late (done 4/22)
G = The Guest Cat (done 4/2) or The Gray and Guilty Sea (done 11/12)
H = How the Light Gets In (done 2/12)
I = Indiscretions of Archie (done 1/28) or If Fried Chicken Could Fly (done 9/20)
J = January Exposure (done 1/9)
K = The King's Hounds (done 6/26)
L = The Luminaries (done 1/16) or The Locked Room (done 7/20)
M = Much Ado About Nothing (done 1/21) or The Masuda Affair (done 3/19)
N = Nightmare in Pink (done 2/15)
O = Open Season (done 4/6)
P = Pebble in the Sky (done 2/28) or The Purity of Vengeance (done 4/28)
Q = The Quick Red Fox (done 4/1)
R = A Red Herring Without Mustard (done 1/15)
S = She Shall Have Murder (done 1/13)
T = The Three Musketeers (done 1/7) or The Three Coffins (done 4/26)
U = Uncle Vanya (done 4/23)
V = The Vicar of Wakefield (done 1/9); The Voice of the Violin (done 2/2)
W = The Weight Of The Evidence (done 1/2)
X = X (done 9/27)
Y = Yellow Crocus (done 2/12) or Yesterday's Body (done 6/11)
Z = The Zero Trap (done 11/18)
Cozy Mysteries
Books mentioned in this topic
And Quiet Flows the Don (other topics)The Selected Poetry of Jaroslav Seifert (other topics)
Cop Killer (other topics)
Tish (other topics)
Tish (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
M. Louisa Locke (other topics)Sally Goldenbaum (other topics)
Georgette Heyer (other topics)
John Bude (other topics)
Barbara A. Shapiro (other topics)
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S
Stirring Up Strife9/13U
Unzipped9/13M
Murder is Binding7/5M
Mama Rides Shotgun7/3E
Eggs in Purgatory7/7R
Reel Murder: A Talk Radio Mystery7/12Finshed Challenge on 9/13!