Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

Go the Distance
Duration: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

Based on the Popsugar 52 Week reading challenge, participants will read historical mystery books that meet the prompt allocated for each of the 52 weeks in the year.

GENERAL RULES:
1) Participants may join at any time during the challenge.
2) Definition of historical mystery for this challenge: Any book whose central plot involves a crime of any type (murder, robbery, etc.) and takes place at any point that is at least 50 years in the past. This includes works set in a time period that is historical from the author’s perspective (for example, The Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters) as well as books written in the past from our perspective and set during the author’s lifetime (for example, Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie).
*** Please note: A thriller focusing on espionage does not work for the challenge. A historical mystery must contain a crime that is investigated.
3) Re-reads and audiobooks are acceptable 
4) All books begun on January 1st count toward the challenge
5) Create a personal thread in the challenge folder to keep track of your prompts and books. Please make a new post for every task that contains:
A. The prompt of the week.
B. The book to be read. 
C. Once you have finished the book, create a new post with all the details above AND the date read. You can also add a few comments about the book if you want (this is not compulsory). 

6) The goal is to read at least one book for each prompt.
7) You can read more than one book per prompt
8) You can complete the prompts in any order
9) Each week has its dedicated prompt, but you can move ahead if you wish to the next week's prompt. Keep in mind that if you do this, you will complete the challenge more quickly

The Prompts

1. Published in 2021
2. A book set in multiple countries
3. A book with a lamp on the cover
4. A book that has won an award
5. A bestselling historical mystery
6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR
11. A book with an intriguing or inspiring first line
12. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Envy)
13. A book with a female detective
14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre
15. A book with a rural/countryside setting on the cover
16. A book with a real historical figure
17. A book by an author of color
18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
19. A book with a disabled character
20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
21. A cozy historical mystery
22. A book with gothic elements
23. A debut novel
24. A book set in a religious setting (convent, abbey, vicarage, temple, shrine, etc.)
25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover
26. A book with alliteration in the title
27. A book with the name of a real place in the title
28. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
29. A book with a title that includes a character's name
30. A book set during wartime
31. A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or in the title (rope, revolver, candlestick, lead pipe, dagger or knife, wrench)
32. The first book in a series you have not read before
33. A book recommended in the challenge suggestions thread
34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.)
36. A book written by an author with your initials
37. A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (death, disease, famine, war)
38. A book related to William Shakespeare
39. A book with an "-ing" word in the title
40. A book with a Muslim character
41. A book connected to a specific season
42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how)
43. A book that includes a major world event (not a war)
44. A book with food or drink on the cover
45. A book by one of your favorite authors
46. A book with a royal character
47. A book from another group member's bookshelf.
48. A book set in the Southern Hemisphere
49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire)
50. A book with a body part in the title
51. A book set in Medieval times
52. A book with water on the cover

Great Prompts!!! Can't wait to get started!

I have a question about #15... does "country setting" mean in a rural area (countryside), or something unique to a nation?

Are the dedicated prompts for week as listed; i.g. Week 1 is a book published in 2021?

Does the book have to be read that week?

Lauren; Thanks for setting up this challenge! Looking forward to seeing what our members will choose for each prompt. Also a great way to get new recommendations.

Can the same book count towards multiple prompts (author of color set in southern hemisphere, etc.)?

Cant wait to get started!

Wanda wrote: "Are the dedicated prompts for week as listed; i.g. Week 1 is a book published in 2021?

If so, might want to move this to the end of the list

Wanda wrote: "Are the dedicated prompts for week as listed; i.g. Week 1 is a book published in 2021?

Does the book have to be read that week?"

Rule #8 says prompts can be completed in any order.

#3 lamp on cover

Can it be a street lamp or does it have to be an indoor type lamp?

John wrote: "I have a question about #15... does "country setting" mean in a rural area (countryside), or something unique to a nation?"

Yes, a rural/countryside setting. I will change it for clarity.

Wanda wrote: "Are the dedicated prompts for week as listed; i.g. Week 1 is a book published in 2021?

Does the book have to be read that week?"

Please see number 8) and 9) in the rules.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Lauren; Thanks for setting up this challenge! Looking forward to seeing what our members will choose for each prompt. Also a great way to get new recommendations."

You are more than welcome Peggy!
Hope everyone enjoys the challenge :)

John wrote: "Can the same book count towards multiple prompts (author of color set in southern hemisphere, etc.)?"

No. Please see rule #6

Denise wrote: "#3 lamp on cover

Can it be a street lamp or does it have to be an indoor type lamp?"

Either will work.

Thank you Lauren. I'm amazed you can think of interesting challenges for each year.

Thanks, Lauren, for another nice challenge.

Glad you are enjoying them Sandy and Viji!

I don't know a more tactful way of dealing with this, so here goes... does "author of color" include Asian origin?

John wrote: "I don't know a more tactful way of dealing with this, so here goes... does "author of color" include Asian origin?"

Yes.

I consider Night Soldiers series to be both a spy thriller (pre-WW II, during WW II) and historical mystery. Do you consider it historical mystery?

Denise wrote: "I consider Night Soldiers series to be both a spy thriller (pre-WW II, during WW II) and historical mystery. Do you consider it historical mystery?"

It sounds more like a spy thriller. The focus is not on the investigation of a crime, but on the politics and resistance of combatants. As such, it does not meet the criterion for a historical mystery for the challenge.

For clarificaton, please note the update to the rules regarding the definition of a historical mystery:

A thriller focusing on espionage does not work for the challenge. A historical mystery must contain a crime that is investigated.

Lauren; How do we determine if a book is a best selling historical mystery for Prompt #5? I wanted to use Dissolution by C.J. Sansom.

Lauren wrote: "For clarificaton, please note the update to the rules regarding the definition of a historical mystery:

A thriller focusing on espionage does not work for the challenge. A historical mystery must ..."

What about an investigation in to a missing person? Or the genealogical mysteries? There may or may not be a "crime"...

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Lauren; How do we determine if a book is a best selling historical mystery for Prompt #5? I wanted to use Dissolution by C.J. Sansom."

I recommend checking one of the sites that focus on bestselling books in different categories like Amazon.

Robin wrote: "What about an investigation in to a missing person? Or the genealogical mysteries? There may or may not be a "crime"...."

The definition of a historical mystery for the challenge is a crime and an investigator.

A missing person will work as more often than not the missing person has met with foul play or is involved in a crime.

A genealogical mystery does not work unless there is a crime involved. Simply searching for one's ancestors or relatives is not a crime.

Lauren wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Lauren; How do we determine if a book is a best selling historical mystery for Prompt #5? I wanted to use Dissolution by C.J. Sansom."

I reco..."

Lauren; Thanks!

This looks fun! Thanks Lauren!

/I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to meet the challenge -- I don't always read quickly, and it would mean reading only historical mysteries, I think -- but I love this group because I learn about so many mysteries I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Should I go ahead and set up my challenge even though I don't expect to meet it? Or should I participate without actually setting up a challenge? Either way is fine with me -- just asking for advice.

I am enrolled in a couple of upcoming challenges at different groups. Doubt I'll complete them, but they'll go a way towards my TBR pile.

Barbara wrote: "/I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to meet the challenge -- I don't always read quickly, and it would mean reading only historical mysteries, I think -- but I love this group because I learn abo..."

I don't think you should ever feel compelled to finish a reading challenge. The journey is the important part. So I would set up the challenge and enjoy the ride.

Barbara wrote: "I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to meet the challenge -- I don't always read quickly, and it would mean reading only historical mysteries, I think -- but I love this group because I learn abo..."

Hi Barbara,
There is absolutely no requirement to complete the challenge if you are unable to. The purpose of the group and the challenge is to have fun and find new books and authors in the historical mysteries genre.

You are more than welcome to set up your challenge whether you finish our not. We will be happy to cheer you on!

Regarding #46 - does the royal character have to be the actual sleuth, or can they be a secondary appearing character?

John wrote: "Regarding #46 - does the royal character have to be the actual sleuth, or can they be a secondary appearing character?"

It can be any character in the book. It does not have to be the protagonist.

49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, wind, fire)

I didn't notice if it was commented on earlier, but I think one of the four elements should be water, no? "Earth, air, fire, water", instead of "earth, air, wind, fire"??

You're right - I didn't catch that air and wind are pretty much the same thing!

Merle wrote: "49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, wind, fire)

I didn't notice if it was commented on earlier, but I think one of the four elements should be water, no? "Earth, air, fire, ..."

Thanks. I will correct it.

I'm still a bit confused - are some of you folks adding books as you start them, rather than when you've finished?

I usually add books to my thread as I start them but they don't count for the challenge until read. Then I add completion date. So I would have a couple of entries for an item: start, completion and sometimes status in between. That way I can generate comments on a book I'm considering (and perhaps change my mind).

P.S. I plan on updating my first comment, with all the categories listed, only with completed books.

I am following rule 5 above where we post the prompt to be read, book title and then make a new post once that book is finished. I am also keeping track of what I have finished or am currently reading in post 1 of my personal thread.

So, you're making two posts for each book rather than updating the first one?

Yes, I am making two posts rather than updating the first because if you just update a post it doesn’t indicate that there is a new update to look for.

Can our Historical Mysteries be nonfiction? Say Ghost Ship: The Mysterious True Story of the Mary Celeste and Her Missing Crew? Disappearance of a crew off a ship. The ship that salvaged the abandoned ship is tried in admiralty court for piracy.

Kathy wrote: "Can our Historical Mysteries be nonfiction? Say Ghost Ship: The Mysterious True Story of the Mary Celeste and Her Missing Crew? Disappearance of a crew off a ship. The ship that salvag..."

I say "Yes". I read a lot of historical true crime books. I find them much more interesting. Crime and investigation is the requirement; what better than real criminals/victims, and real situations. As they say "truth is stranger than fiction".

Yes, a historical true crime book is fine.

Would work for prompt #27. A book with the name of a real place in the title ?

Thanks.

Viji wrote: "Would work for prompt #27. A book with the name of a real place in the title ?

Thanks."

Since Kew Gardens is a real place, sure!