Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2021 Go the Distance Challenge
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Sandy's Go the Distance - Finished!
1st read completed 1/6My Lady Judge
A lot of information about the very different, from English, Irish law system. I really liked the informational blurbs that started each chapter. The characters were well drawn and interesting. The setting was picturesque.
I doubt that I will continue the series immediately. I enjoyed the book but was not completely drawn into the story. The time period and the law system is interesting and I added it to a 'maybe later' list.
2nd read The Curse of the PharaohsCategory #28 author who uses a pseudonym
She writes actual Egyptian history under her real name, Barbara Mertz
2nd read The Curse of the PharaohsCategory #28 author who uses a pseudonym
Completed 1/15
This is my second time thru the series, this time on audio, and I'm enjoying the family just as much this time as I did the first time. I don't concentrate on the mystery too much; I'm reading for Amelia's personality.
Sandy wrote: "2nd read The Curse of the PharaohsCategory #28 author who uses a pseudonym
Completed 1/15
This is my second time thru the series, this time on audio, and I'm enjoying the family just as much th..."
Emerson's voice reminds me of King Friday XIII from Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
Sandy wrote: "2nd read The Curse of the PharaohsCategory #28 author who uses a pseudonym
Completed 1/15
This is my second time thru the series, this time on audio, and I'm enjoying the family just as much th..."
Haha great minds think alike, though we used it for different prompts! Nice to have a ‘go to’ series for pure fun.
And a book that meets two challenges. Cadfael will pop up here as well.
3rd read: Alexandria Category: 27. A book with the name of a real place in the title
I thought about the "two countries" category, but from the description it sounds as though they don't spend much time in Rome. And I expect they don't interact with the Roman emperor.
3rd read: AlexandriaCategory: 27. A book with the name of a real place in the title
Finished 1/31. There was a lot of history in this one that I hope to follow up while the book is fresh in my memory (not usually a long time).
4th readcategory: 9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
Book:
This doubly meets the criteria as there is an animal in the title and a picture of a spider on the cover.
4th readcategory: 9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
Book: A Red Herring Without Mustard (Flavia de Luce, #3) by Alan Bradley
Completed 2/17.
Excellent series with a fun lead character and great narration of the audio books. Flavia does not have much love in her life but has a warm relationship with her bicycle, and is never deterred from her investigation..
5th readCategory: 32. The first book in a series you have not read before
Book: Death Comes to the Village
Read 3/7
Note that I changed categories because I immediately read the second book:
6th read
Category: 21. A cozy historical mystery
Book: Death Comes to London
Read 3/7
A fun series and easy reads.
7th readCategory: 7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
The Virgin in the Ice
I particularly remember seeing this one on TV - not the plot, just the vision of the woman in the ice.
7th readCategory: 7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
The Virgin in the Ice
Completed 3/9
Excellent!! Although Jacoby did not narrator the audio book.
8th read
Category: 8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
Book: Nemesis: An Unabridged Marcus Didius Falco Mystery
Set in Rome ... must have hosted some Olympics
Rome hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960!
8th readCategory: 8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
Book: Nemesis: An Unabridged Marcus Didius Falco Mystery
Set in Rome, hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960! (thanks Merle)
Finished 3/18
So sorry to say good bye to Falco, but I can always re-read and I will be reading his daughter's series.
9th readCategory: 45. A book by one of your favorite authors
Book: Callander Square
I love Anne Perry's Monk series so am restarting her Pitt series (I remember the first book well enough to start with the second).
9th readCategory: 45. A book by one of your favorite authors
Book: Callander Square
Completed 3/27
Excellent read. I remembered nothing from my first read and am eager to continue the series.
10th readCategory: 30. A book set during wartime
Book: The Consequences of Fear
Latest in the Maise Dobbs series and counts for our monthly author.
10th readCategory: 30. A book set during wartime
Book: The Consequences of Fear
Finished 4/8.
I enjoyed the book but Maise is not one of my very favorite characters so most of the series is only a three star read for me. I am looking forward to reading Winspear's non-fiction book, This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing as her father delivered messages during the war as the young boy in this book did.
11th readCategory: 36. A book written by an author with your initials
Book: Murder Knocks Twice
Finished 4/18
Thank you Rachel for this suggestion for an author with my initials.
The setting, a Chicago speakeasy during prohibition, was different from most books I read and the book would fit many categories.
12th readCategory: 6. A locked room mystery
Book: The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
Description from GR:
There’s a literary niche for all tastes including those who think that either Agatha Christie wasn’t funny enough or that PG Wodehouse didn’t feature anywhere near as many baffling murders as he could have. The Case of the Canterfell Codicil is a classic, cosy, locked-room mystery written in the style of an homage to PG Wodehouse.
12th readCategory: 6. A locked room mystery
Book: The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
Finished 4/22
This was a really fun read. As the author says it is a cross of Wodehouse and Christie.
13th readCategory: 20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
Book: The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall
I don't know much about this book yet but was thrilled when I noticed a tree in the title.
13th readCategory: 20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
Book: The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall
This was not very good: implausible plot, one dimensional characters, stilted dialogue. Good setting in an old manor with secrets.
14th read34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
Death Comes as the End
A Christie set in ancient Egypt and, maybe, the very first historical mystery.
Sandy wrote: "14th read34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
Death Comes as the End
A Christie set in ancient Egypt and, maybe, the very first historical mystery."
This is my favourite Christie novel. I've lost count of how many times I've read it. Only one of about 4 of her novels that has never been adapted for the screen but I read somewhere that they were supposed to be making this into a TV series either last year or this year.
14th read34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
Death Comes as the End
Completed 5/2
Excellent look at ancient Egyptian life combined with a good mystery and interesting characters. Evidently Christie was persuaded to change the ending, then regretted the change.
Sandy wrote: "12th readCategory: 6. A locked room mystery
Book: The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
Description from GR:
There’s a literary niche for all tastes including those who think that e..."
This sounds great! I'm way behind in the challenge, but maybe this one will help me get going again. :)
15th readCategory: 29. A book with a title that includes a character's name
Betty Church and the Suffolk Vampire
15th readCategory: 29. A book with a title that includes a character's name
Betty Church and the Suffolk Vampire
Completed 5/6
It took me about 100 pages to accept the humor and style but once I did I liked the book a lot and intend to continue with Betty and her hapless police force.
16th readCategory: 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Book: Murder on the SS Rosa
16th readCategory: 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Book: Murder on the SS Rosa
Completed 5/7
Slightly amusing fluff with an emphasis on fashion. I probably shouldn't judge the series by a prequel novella but doubt I'll continue.
17th readCategory:42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how)
Book: What the Devil Knows
So happy to have the latest in the series from the library!
Sandy wrote: "16th readCategory: 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Book: Murder on the SS Rosa"
I've read a lot in this series, and as you say light, fluffy and a very prolific author writing around 6 different series at any given time. I did enjoy them as quick reads when I didn't want to get immersed in something else. Almost throw away reads if there is such a thing.
Jacqui wrote: "Sandy wrote: "16th readCategory: 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Book: Murder on the SS Rosa"
I've read a lot in this series, and as you say light, fluffy and a very p..."
That was exactly my mood when I read this. I didn't want to concentrate and I wanted a short book. It filled the bill admirably. I'll keep the series in mind when for another time. I own the first book in Ginger's daughter's series so will read that some time.
17th readCategory:42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how)
Book: What the Devil Knows
Completed 5/10
Excellent series, excellent book.
18th readCategory: 40. A book with a Muslim character
Book: The Mummy Case
The lead man on the dig, Abdullah, is a Muslim and becomes a major character in Amelia's life.
18th readCategory: 40. A book with a Muslim character
Book: The Mummy Case
Finished 5/16
Such a fun series. I listened to the book narrated by Barbara Rosenblat and I love her portrayal of Amelia, Emerson and Ramses.
18th readCategory: 35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.)
Book: Paragon Walk
Coaches on the cover and the next in the series for me.
18th readCategory: 35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.)
Book: Paragon Walk
Completed 5/20
Good series and so many more.
19th readCategory: 46. A book with a royal character
Book: On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service
If I find this actually takes place in two countries and not just Italy, I may change the category.
19th readCategory: 2. A book set in multiple countries
Book: On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service
Finished: 5/23
I changed my category to multiple countries, as Georgie moves from Ireland to England to Italy to Switzerland and then back to Italy. I expect I can use the royal character category in another of the series.
A fun read as usual.
20th readCategory: 10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR
Book: An Echo of Murder
I am attempting to move forward on some of the series I have 'in process' as I keep adding more. So while this book is not a random choice, the series is.
20th readCategory: 10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR
Book: An Echo of Murder
Finished 5/15
Not Perry's best resolution to the mystery but Scuff got a major role and that was a treat. This book was strong on relationships and Harriet's back story was a secondary plot line. I enjoyed it a lot.
One more book and I'm current in this series as Perry starts new ones. I'm hoping for more Monk as well.
21st readCategory: 38. A book related to William Shakespeare
Book: A Murder of Crows
Shakespeare is a character in the story
21st readCategory: 38. A book related to William Shakespeare
Book: A Murder of Crows
Completed 6/6.
This is really Dodd's book and his continuing adventures in London. We get to meet the inspiration for one of Shakespeare's plots. Good series.
Historical Mystery Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Death at the Fair (other topics)Death at the Fair (other topics)
Dead Man's Ransom (other topics)
Dead Man's Ransom (other topics)
The Head In The Ice: A Bowman Of The Yard Investigation (other topics)
More...
X 1. Published in 2021
Miss Kopp Investigates
X 2. A book set in multiple countries
On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service
X 3. A book with a lamp on the cover
Rutland Place
X 4. A book that has won an award
Midnight at Malabar House
X 5. A bestselling historical mystery
An Instance of the Fingerpost
X 6. A locked room mystery
The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
X 7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
The Virgin in the Ice
X 8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
Nemesis: An Unabridged Marcus Didius Falco Mystery
X 9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
A Red Herring Without Mustard
X 10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR
An Echo of Murder
X 11. A book with an intriguing or inspiring first line
A Free Man of Color
X 12. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Envy)
The Ides of April
X 13. A book with a female detective
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs
X 14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre
Murder at the Fitzwilliam
X 15. A book with a rural/countryside setting on the cover
Mortal Arts
X 16. A book with a real historical figure
Death in Delft
X 17. A book by an author of color
A Beautiful Place to Die
X 18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Murder on the SS Rosa
X 19. A book with a disabled character
The Frangipani Tree Mystery
X 20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall
X 21. A cozy historical mystery
Death Comes to London
X 22. A book with gothic elements
Castle Shade
X 23. A debut novel
The Mamur Zapt and The Return of the Carpet
X 24. A book set in a religious setting (convent, abbey, vicarage, temple, shrine, etc.)
The Devil's Novice
X 25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover
The Last Mrs. Summers
X 26. A book with alliteration in the title
The Sanctuary Sparrow
X 27. A book with the name of a real place in the title
Alexandria
X 28. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
The Curse of the Pharaohs
X 29. A book with a title that includes a character's name
Betty Church and the Suffolk Vampire
X 30. A book set during wartime
The Consequences of Fear
X 31. A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or in the title (rope, revolver, candlestick, lead pipe, dagger or knife, wrench)
Resurrection Row
X 32. The first book in a series you have not read before
Death Comes to the Village
X 33. A book recommended in the challenge suggestions thread
The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning
X 34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
Death Comes as the End
X 35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.)
Paragon Walk
X 36. A book written by an author with your initials
Murder Knocks Twice
X 37. A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (death, disease, famine, war)
A Peculiar Combination
X 38. A book related to William Shakespeare
A Murder of Crows
X 39. A book with an "-ing" word in the title
Speaking from Among the Bones
X 40. A book with a Muslim character
The Mummy Case
X 41. A book connected to a specific season
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
X 42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how)
What the Devil Knows
X 43. A book that includes a major world event (not a war)
Death at the Fair
X 44. A book with food or drink on the cover
Murder at Archly Manor
X 45. A book by one of your favorite authors
Callander Square
X 46. A book with a royal character
Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding
X 47. A book from another group member's bookshelf.
Gently Does It
X 48. A book set in the Southern Hemisphere
Death in Daylesford
X 49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire)
An Air of Treason
X 50. A book with a body part in the title
The Head In The Ice: A Bowman Of The Yard Investigation
X 51. A book set in Medieval times 5th- late15th C
Dead Man's Ransom
X 52. A book with water on the cover
My Lady Judge