Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

I have a few lined up so, here goes!

6. A locked-room mystery


The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes solves a mystery that threatens the British Empire and the rapidly deteriorating peace in Europe. I like this series because of the overt as well as the covert references to things that happened in the original series. As an OHF (Original Holmes Fan) I appreciate the presence of Toby Two, as well as "the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime".

Finished 1/2/21

7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show



This story has been made into a few movies and probably a few more TV shows. I don't consider it the best of Holmes but it makes good entertainment.

Finished 1/3/21

16. A book with a real historical figure:
Charles Dickens



Finished today, 1/6/21

2. A book set in multiple countries:


Finished 1/6/21

18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)



Finished 1/9/21

This is a cozy, 1920's series. Not sure I will read any more but it's a decent introduction to the characters.

14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre: Catherine Lloyd also writes contemporary romance as Kate Pearce.

Finished 1/10/21
I liked this first of the series. I also like Kate's work, e.g. Morgan Ranch

19. A book with a disabled character



Finished 1/12/21

I chose Major Kurland because he has not only been crippled by a horrific horse accident invaliding him from His Majesty's Army. He also suffers from PTSD, leaving him unable to ride, approach horses, or many other activities that a "man of the manor" should be able to do. He also has flashbacks and panic attacks, which leave him shaking and disoriented.

23. A debut novel

The first in The Agency series, a teenage covert operative helps to bring down a nest of vipers, the human kind.

Finished 1/20/21.

21. A cozy historical mystery



A very light cozy with a terrible fog, a Christmas mission and a too-large group of suspects.

Finished 1/24/21

12. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Envy)



Gaudy Night is, to a large extent, a novel about Harriet Vane, but, of course, Lord Peter plays a large part. In this novel, the person guilty of the crimes is beset not only by long-simmering anger (Wrath) but an obsessive type of Love (not so much lust but obsessive, devoted love). She also has an unhealthy need for revenge. This is beautifully written, taking the reader into what a women's college might have been like in the 1930's.

Finished 1/25/21

34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
1950's California



Finished 1/29/21

A spinoff series I found quite by accident. I generally prefer the Victorian, Regency, and Edwardian Eras, with the occasional dip into the Georgian. The '50s are not entirely foreign to me but I generally don't read mysteries from that era.

46. A book with a royal character
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Murder on the Serpentine-Anne Perry
(Charlotte and Thomas Pitt #32)
An older, sadder, and more solitary Queen Victoria near the end of her reign appears in this book.
Finished 2/5/21

Prompts completed to date in numerical order:
2 6 7 12
14 16 18 19
21 23 34 46

Merle wrote: "Prompts completed to date in numerical order:
2 6 7 12
14 16 18 19
21 23 34 46"

Good progress! I only have three completed.

Sandy wrote: "Merle wrote: "Prompts completed to date in numerical order:
2 6 7 12
14 16 18 19
21 23 34 46"

Good progress! I only have three completed."

Hi Sandy, there are extenuating circumstances! First, I am a retiree - more time to read. Also, some of my completed books are re-reads, so they take less time to read than the first time - for me anyway! I don't expect to get through all 52 prompts but I am plugging away at the ones I can match to books I have or can easily find through my library! Enjoy your challenge!

26. A book with alliteration in the title


Not bad for a 1920's cozy. The lady is now a private enquiry agent, having served in covert ops during the "Great War" and there is some sly humor here.


Finished 2/15/21

Great suggestion. I have the first book (an alliteration of P's) on kindle.

Sandy wrote: "Great suggestion. I have the first book (an alliteration of P's) on kindle."

It was enjoyable and I didn't quite expect that.

27. A book with the name of a real place in the title



First in the Gaslight series, the reader is introduced to "Knickerbocker" daughter Sarah Brandt, midwife and widow now estranged from her wealthy family. We meet the tough Irish cop, Frank Malloy, who doesn't realize he's met his match. A nasty murder brings them together and Sarah is able to understand the workings of another wealthy family more readily than Frank can from the outside. Good series and with two exceptions, the titles all contain actual New York City place names.
Finished 3/10/21

1. Published in 2021



This is a spin-off of the Lady Hardcastle series, taking place 20 years later. I found it funny (lots of very punny jokes). Kinsey has a way with words; I look forward to book 2.

16 completed

29. A book with a title that includes a character's name



A well-done version of the Ripper murders investigated by Sherlock Holmes; I found it enjoyable, at times a little slow.

Finished 3/30/21

32. The first book in a series you have not read before


This came as a surprise. I enjoyed it quite a bit with one notable exception.

Finished 4/2/21

1 2 6 7 12
14 16 18 19
21 23 26 27
29 32 34 46

Total of 17 completed so far.

25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover



The second in the Maisie Dobbs series, this story gives Maisie a chance to grow emotionally while solving a mystery that goes back to an ugly happening during the Great War.

Total of 18 completed so far.

Finished 4/4/21

43. A book that includes a major world event (not a war)



The Great Depression is the major event here. It actually appears first in the third Maisie Dobbs, Pardonable Lies

and continues. This fourth in the series also deals with economic inequity (as evidenced by a character who can't get good medical care for his child) and also by the rise of Adolf Hitler, who is hailed with praise and relief by some elements in a number of countries.

Finished 4/7/21

Total of 19 challenge books completed so far.

4. A book that has won an award



Shamus Award for Best First P. I. Novel

Introducing Ezekiel Rawlins (Easy), this novel brings to light the life of a Negro (sic) war veteran, home from World War II. Rawlins needs to feed, clothe and house himself and begins accepting assignments like finding a woman, requested by a man who may or may not already know where she is. It's an introduction to a world that many never see.

Finished 5/19/21
Total of 20 challenge books completed.

39. A book with an "-ing" word in the title



The second Dizzy Heights mystery has more of the wordplay, fun, and silliness that the band indulges in regularly. Unfortunately, they are trapped after a flood in a historic manor house and have too much time on their hands. Of course, there's been a death.....

Back to the challenge:
Finished 8/2/2021
Total of 21 challenge books completed.