Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2021 Go the Distance Challenge
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Barbara's Go the Distance Challenge
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Book # 1 (prompt 26, alliteration in the title)Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin.
Started January 1, finished January 2
An entertaining mystery with some funny bits, somewhat a la Bertie Wooster. Shows the changes in British society after WWI. I will read more in this series when I'm in the mood for a somewhat lighthearted mystery.
Book # 2 (prompt 25, solitary female on cover)Murder at the Opera by D.M. Quincy
Started January 4
This is the third in a series I have never read before.
Book # 2 (prompt 25, solitary female on cover)Started 1/4
Finished 1/10
This was a good mystery with some interesting characters and a romance. Since it's the third in the series, there were lots of hints about past stories, making me want to go read the first two now.
Book # 3 (prompt 32, first in a series I haven't read before)
Started 1/10
Finished 1/11
I love novellas, and this one was fun. I guessed who the culprit was just before it was revealed. :) I liked the heroine a lot and will go on to read more of the series.
Barbara wrote: "Book # 2 (prompt 25, solitary female on cover)Started 1/4
Finished 1/10
This was a good mystery with some interesting characters and a romance. Since it's the third in the series, there were lots ..."
I love this series. I am waiting for the next installment.
Book 4 (prompt 16, a book with a real historical figure)
Started 1/19
Finished 1/20
This is the second in the series starring Fiona Figg. I loved this as much as the first one -- it's a great combo of serious and funny. The real historical figure is Mata Hari!
Book 5 (prompt 11, a book with an intriguing first line)
Started 1/25
Finished 1/26
Actually, it's maybe the first two or three lines that are intriguing. Anyway, this is an excellent mystery that takes place in France just after WW2. There are some very sad bits, but I couldn't put it down and bought the sequel right away.
Book 6 (prompt 14, book by an author who also writes in a different genre -- in this case, contemporary romance)
Started 1/31
Finished 2/2
Night Train to Paris is the sequel to A Dangerous Goodbye. It's another intriguing mystery in the aftermath of WW2. I guessed the murderer correctly because the author left some good clues (as she did in the previous book, but in that one I didn't want the person I suspected to be the murderer, while in this one I did). I hope there will be more in this series!
Book 7 (Prompt # 8 Book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games. This story takes place partly in Olympia, the original site of the Games.) See Delphi and Die by Lindsey Davis
Started 2/3
I have this book in paperback, so it will take me a while to read it. I don't know why, but I usually take my time with paper books, and even longer with some of Lindsey Davis' books, because I learn so much along the way and look up more info.
Finished about 2/28. Obviously I am way behind with my posts!
Book 8 (Prompt 15, book with a rural setting on the cover) Death Around the Bend by T.E. Kinsey
Started 2/7
Finished 2/9
This is a fun series. The two main characters -- a lady and her maid -- make a lovely detection duo. I have now read books 1 and 3 in the series and hope for a sale price for book 2.
Book 9 (Prompt 35, mode of transport on the cover): Treacherous is the Night by Anna Lee Huber
Started 2/14
Finished 2/16
Book 2 in the Verity Kent series, this is a fabulous read. It's fast-moving and suspenseful, and takes place just after WW1. Verity and her husband Sydney are trying to remake their marriage after years apart during the war, and they also end up having to foil a murderous plot. I haven't read Book 1 but I intend to do so!
Prompt # 12 book related to a deadly sin -- in this case lust, and maybe also envyThe Candlelit Coffin
The Candlelit Coffin by Elizabeth Bailey
I could have sworn I had already posted about this, but I can't find it anywhere. It's 4th in the Lady Fan series.
Started and finished in March
All the Lady Fan mysteries are very good reads.
Prompt # 52 - water on the coverCornish Coast MurderThe Cornish Coast Murder
Started 3/27
Finished 3/29
This is one of the many classic crime novels that are being reissued. The sleuth is a vicar. An entertaining story.
Barbara wrote: "Prompt # 52 - water on the coverCornish Coast MurderThe Cornish Coast Murder
Started 3/27
Finished 3/29
This is one of the many classic crime novels that are being reissued. The..."
I have not yet read this author but fell in love with cover art. I hope the story is as pleasing! Thanks for the introduction!
Prompt # 24 - religious setting. I think this is appropriate, as much of the mystery is related to the shrine of Sulis Minerva in Bath. Started and finished in April
Memento Mori by Ruth Downie
Ruso and Tilla are wonderful characters. I hope there will be more books in this series.
Prompt # 6, locked room mysteryStarted May 9
Finished May 10
Very entertaining. It's often over the top, which made me wonder whether I would get the next one, but when I finished, I went right away and bought book 2. :) Thank you to whoever recommended this author here.
Prompt # 29, title includes a character's nameThe Sculthorpe Murder
Finished in May.
This is one of the Detective Lavender mysteries. It was a good story, dark in parts, and was inspired by real historical events.
Prompt # 21, cozy historical mysteryThe Miss Fotheringays and the Faun by Florrie Boleyn
Finished in June
A charming mystery. The sleuths are two elderly maiden ladies; they do their investigating with the help of their maid and other characters in their little English village.
Prompt # 22 Lady Anne and the Howl in the DarkFinished in June
An entertaining mystery with a feisty, persistent, almost fearless heroine and an overbearing hero who has met his match. I will read more in the series to see how their relationship develops, as well as for the mystery aspect.
Prompt 20: Book with a plant in the title or on the cover. In this case there's a tree on the cover. The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning
Read in July
This was a complex mystery with a seemingly impossible murder, just like the first in the Anty Boisjoly series. The main character is great fun, and I look forward to the next in the series.
Prompt 9: Book with an animal on the cover or in the title. Read in August
Another entertaining mystery in the Heathcliff Lennox series. Lennox is an adorable main character. I expect to read the whole series.
Prompt 28: Book by an author with a pseudonym. Florrie Boleyn is the pen name of Jane Page.The Miss Fortheringays and the Magic Circle.[bookcover:The Miss Fotheringays and the Magic Circle|30049359
This is book two in the series. The main characters -- two aging spinsters in the late Victorian era -- are just lovely. I'll read more of these when I want something fun and not too fraught.
Prompt 10, book chosen at random from my TBR pile.
This is book two in the Hippolyta Napier series. It was a good mystery -plenty of suspects with ample motivation, but the solution made the most sense. I have tried two of the author's series and hope to try a third soon.
Prompt 18 Book set in the '20s of any century. This one takes place in 1921.Read in August
This is the third in the Heathcliff Lennox series and is just as good as the first two.
I didn't get anywhere near finishing the challenge, but just wanted to say I'm so grateful for this group! You have helped me find great historical authors and wonderful reads. Thank you!!
I managed to finish, but with an incredible amount of determination, and luck that so many of my TBR items qualified. You did well!
Mod
So glad to hear that you are enjoying the group and finding authors and books that you enjoy!
Barbara wrote: "I didn't get anywhere near finishing the challenge, but just wanted to say I'm so grateful for this group! You have helped me find great historical authors and wonderful reads. Thank you!!"Hi Barbara, I have not yet finished a challenge but, like you, enjoy the discovery of new authors and delightful stories. And, I include you in those introductions to the Heathcliff Lennox series! Glad to have you as part of the group!
Barbara wrote: "I didn't get anywhere near finishing the challenge, but just wanted to say I'm so grateful for this group! You have helped me find great historical authors and wonderful reads. Thank you!!"I love your post Barbara. I haven't finished the challenge, but the uggested reads and comments from other members of the group have introduced me to a number of new others and some wonderful stories. I am lookng forward to exploring more books in 2022.
Historical Mystery Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Curse of Braeburn Castle (other topics)Death of a False Physician (other topics)
The Black Cat Murders (other topics)
The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning (other topics)
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark (other topics)
More...
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, wind, 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