Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

√ 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, 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

Suggestion for item #1 - A Fatal Lie, by the mother-son duo, Charles Todd. Release date February 16, 2021

Item #2 - Death in Focus, by Anne Perry. (Italy, Germany & England)

Completed on 01/01/2021

Item #17 - Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

Item #20 - A body in the Garden, by Katherine Schellman

Item #30 - No Graves As Yet, by Anne Perry (WW1)

Completed 01/04/2021

Item #32 - Murder at the Mena House, by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Completed 01/21/21

Item #38 - The Berkeley Square Affair, by Tracy Grant

The mystery develops around an alternative version of Hamlet being staged. This was a re-read for me.

Completed: 03/19/2021 - 4 stars


Malcom & Suzanne Rannoch settling into their Berkeley Sq home after their adventures during Waterloo. Their playwright friend Simon Tanner is given a manuscript that is supposedly a different version of Hamlet. Adventure begins when someone tries to kill Simon to get the manuscript back.

This book is part of an on-going series, but can be read as a stand alone story.

Item #41 - The Secrets of Winter, by Nicola Upson

Item #14 - Write in different genre - Death Comes to the Rectory, by Catherine Lloyd

Completed 01/30/2021

Item #16 - Inspector of the Dead, by David Morrell
Historical figure - Thomas DeQuincey.

Completed 01/24/2021

Item #19 - Disabled Character (Main character, former spy, shot in the leg, had to leave "the game" because he walks with a limp.

A Man of Some Repute, Elizabeth Edmondson

Item #28 - Author uses pseudonym

Custom House Murder, by Ashley Gardner who also writes as Jennifer Ashley

The Captain Lacey series has a number of elements that I enjoy and very descriptive narratives to put you in the time and place of the story.

Re-read 02/01/2021

Item #29 - Title with Characters name

Auntie Poldi & the Sicilian Lions, by Mario Giordano (A good mystery with a lot of laughs along the way)

Item #27 - Real Place in Title

A Death in Chelsea, by Lynn Britney

Item #26 - Alliteration in the title

The Bellingham Bloodbath, by Gregory Harris

Item #21 - A cozy mystery - Murder is Fashionable, Ann Sutton

Completed 01/19/2021 -

Set in Paris during a fashion show. All the characters seem shallow and self absurbed. The mystery ended with a good twist that seemed to come from no where. I have read other books in this series, but I don't think I am going to read anymore.

Item #20 - A plant on the cover. Death Among the Kisses, R.A. Bentley (Mistetoe)

This is the 10th book in the Inspector Felix series. The books are set in the 1920s and have a set of main character working for Scotland Yard dispatch to solve crimes around London and the suburbs. This story takes place on a farm about an hour outside of London. The story is rich in details and kept me guessing until the end although there were hints throughout that I didn't understand fully until the end. It is a stand alone story, but I have enjoyed the entire series. A really good book that I would recommend.

Completed 02/11/2021

Item #9 - An animal on the cover (dog) - The Witchfinder General Murders, Jack Murray.

This book is a spin-off of the Kit Ashton series starrring his aunt Lady Agatha.

Item #25 - A book with a solitary female figure on the cover
A Gilded Lady, Elizabeth Camden

completed 02/17/21 -

Historical fiction set in 1901. Caroline is secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley and Nathaniel is a Secret Service agent assinged to improve security for President McKinley. There is a lot of historical details with a little romance. This is the 2nd book in the series.

Item #1 - Published in 2021 - A Fatal Lie, Charles Todd.

Completed 02/22/2021 -

This is book #23 in the Ian Rutledge series. It is a stand alone story with some returning characters. The characters are complex and the story is very detailed and pulls you in. It starts slow and takes many paths along the way to the conclusion.

Item #17 - A book by an author of color – Party of Two, Jasmine Guillory

From the cover: "A chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns into a whirlwind affair that gets everyone talking."

Completed 02/03/2021 -

Olivia Monroe meet Max Powell in the bar of her hotel. She isn't look for a romance. Max Powell starts chatting with Olivia Monroe and likes her immediately. The relationship is complicated by the fact that he is a Senator... Both characters are well-written and multi-layered. Highly enjoyable. I would read other stories by this author.

Kimberly wrote: "Item #17 - A book by an author of color – Party of Two, Jasmine Guillory.."

Jasmine Guillory writes women's fiction and this book looks contemporary. Is there a historical element or crime?

This a contemporary story without a crime. It was a change from my usual historicial mysteries. Ms. Gullory writes wonderfully strong women characters and I was drawn to that positive view in fiction.

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

The Deadly mystery of the Missing Diamonds, by T.E. Kinsey

Set in London - 1925

Completed: 03/18/2021

Kimberly wrote: "Item #18 - A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)

The Deadly mystery of the Missing Diamonds, by T.E. Kinsey

Set in London - 1925"

How did you like it? I own the book (a freebie) and am curious.

Kimberly wrote: "This a contemporary story without a crime. It was a change from my usual historicial mysteries. Ms. Gullory writes wonderfully strong women characters and I was drawn to that positive view in fiction."

Glad you enjoyed it.
I don't think it works for the challenge though as it is not a historical mystery.

I thought it only needed to be an author of color, but you are probably right. I will look for something else.

Sandy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Item #18 - A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)

The Deadly mystery of the Missing Diamonds, by T.E. Kinsey

Set in London - 1925"

How did you like it? I own th..."

I like the characters and I like the author. I love the author's Lady Hardcastle series, but this story moved too slow. Since it is the 1st book in the series, a lot of time is used to introduce and establish the characters. The mystery is okay, but not as good as the Lady Hardcastle series.

I will say, I want to try the next one in this series.

Kimberly wrote: "I thought it only needed to be an author of color, but you are probably right. I will look for something else."

No worries. Try the recommendations list

Kimberly wrote: "I thought it only needed to be an author of color, but you are probably right. I will look for something else."

Kimberly; Two historical mystery titles that I enjoyed take place in 1920's India and are written by authors of color. Both are first in their series.
A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Item #47 - Another member's bookshelf (John's Go the Distance)

A Gentleman's Murder, Christpher Huang

Started: 03/22/2021

Item #7 - A book turned into a TV series or movie.

A Man Lay Dead, Ngiao Marsh (The 1st book in the Inspector Roderick Allen series that was created for PBS), originally written in 1934.

Completed: March 22, 2021

Great mystery developed around a "Murder Mystery Game". The characters are interesting and I was totally surprised by the ending. There are several subplots to keep you reading and wondering how they will try out as well. Looking forward to picking up the next book.

Item #52 - A book with water on the cover - The Dark Heart of Florence, Tasha Alexander

Completd: 04/03/2021

3 stars - The flipping of 2 time periods doesn't really work for me. Additonally, I figured out the murder and the motive before the end. Not her best installment.

Item #23 - A debut novel - A body in the Garden, Katharine Schellman

Completed: 01/23/21

New series with the main character Lily Adler. Looking forward to the next book due this summer.

I'd read a sequel to resolve the mixed feelings I had about this one!

#42 - A book with a question in the title -

What the Devil knows! - C.S. Harris
completed 04/10/2021

WOW Book 16 - Another GREAT story in this series. As always this is a stand alone story with continuing characters. There are a lot of bodies along the way, but don't let that stop you. It all comes together at the end with a satisfying conclusions.

I'm on my library's wait list. Love the series.

Item #47 - Another member's bookshelf (John's Go the Distance)

A Gentleman's Murder, Christpher Huang

Stated: 03/22/21 / Completed: 04/14/2021.

Eric Peterkin is a book editor who decides to investigate the death of a new member to his club. He is the son of a white father and Chinese mother, Peterkin experiences prejudice despite his deceased father's station and military rank and his own service in World War I. The members of the club are all suspects and even the police inspector has secrets. His good friend Avery was annoying to me, especially with his pushing of tarot card readings on EVERYONE he met. There are several strong woman characters that I did enjoy especially Eric’s sister who I hope we see again. However, none of the characters were fully developed which was frustrating. Maybe that will be better in the next book. There were times when I wanted to scream at Eric, but he is the amateur sleuth. The murder mystery itself is complex with the victim from the past driving the crimes in the present, but I just never fully connected with the characters which may be why it took me so long to finish.

There are some heavy themes around returning from WW1 - shell-shocked soldiers (PTSD,) victims of mustard gas, and sufferers of opium addiction.

The Author’s Notes and Historical Notes are the end provide a lot of interesting facts. I will try the next book in the series.

3 Stars

Item #3 - Book with a lamp on the cover - Death with a Double Edge, Anne Perry Book #4 in the Daniel Pitt series

Completed: April 24, 2021

The story starts out slowly, with Daniel being summoned by the police to identify a murdered man who had Daniel's card in his pocket. Fearing it is his best friend and co-worker Toby Kitteridge, he discovers the deceased is actually Jonah Drake, a senior barrister in their firm. Daniel and Toby start looking into Drake's past cases. A lead points them to a wealthy shipbuilder whose business is important to the British government. There is also the shipbuilder’s son, whom Jonah successfully defended against a murder charge. As the investigation goes on, there's another murder, then another, and several other twists including the kidnapping before the conclusion.

Daniel’s father gets involved as well as other characters who have made appearances in previous books. We get a large amount of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt in this book. I loved seeing them and how Daniel’s interaction with them has matured.

Where I had problems is Daniel is a smart man, but he seems overwhelmed and unsure how he should investigate once he realized it wasn’t Toby. Daniel seems indecisive. Maybe that was because he was worried about Marcus fford Croft or because of how this murder could affect the firm. He and Toby go over Jonah case files multiple times, but never seems to really act on anything they find. Since most of the story is based in the shady part of the East End, why he didn’t interact with Roman and his mother more since that is his part of London. I also missed Miriam and her interaction with Daniel.

I love this series, but this is my least favorite. I solved the mystery early in the story which usually doesn’t happen with Anne Perry novels. I gave this book 4 stars and I will be looking forward to the next installment.

Kimberly wrote: "Item #47 - Another member's bookshelf (John's Go the Distance)

A Gentleman's Murder, Christpher Huang

Stated: 03/22/21 / Completed: 04/14/2021.

Eric Peterkin is a book editor who decides to inve..."

I wasn't wild about these characters either, and as for Avery... I didn't exactly get how he and Eric became such close friends? The sequel apparently gets us away from the club, so perhaps easier characters as readers?

Item #41 - A book connected to a specific season - The Secrets of Winter, Nicola Upson

Completed: 05/15/2021 - 4 stars

Item #45 - A book by one of your favorite authors - The Westminster Intrigue, Tracy Grant (Book #23 in the series)

Completed - 05/29/2021 / 4.5 stars

This is the latest book in the Rannoch series. As usual there are a number of backstories as well as the main mystery which is the death of a blackmailer. There is also the reveal of the true identity of Alexander Radford. NO spoilers, you will need to read the book to find out the answer!

Now to the main story. A courtesan has written a memoir that reveals secretive information about a number of her high power lovers. The manuscript is stolen and being offered to the League by the theft for a big payout. The League wants this information to control the vote on King George & Queen Charlotte’s messy divorce. The theft is killed and the book goes missing. Inspector Roth is called to the tavern to investigate the murder. Enter Malcolm and the gang helping Roth to solve the murder racing to recover the manuscript. The book takes place over several really packed days and nights including a ball at Harry & Cordy’s where we glimpses of a number of secondary characters like Simon and David as well as Juliette and Paul. There are also introduced to a number of new characters. Julien and Kitty deal with the appearance of one of Julien’s previous lovers who is a suspect since he was a victim for the blackmailer. The true identity of Alexander Radford and what it means for the League and a number of the main characters is left open as the teaser for the next installment.

Overall, it is a good entry into the series and can be read as a standalone book.

Item #13 - A book with a female detective, The Dagger Dance, Elizabeth Bailey.

Completed: May 31, 2021 - 5 stars

Lady Fan (Tillie) and husband, Lord Francis Fanshawe are called by Hemp Roy, their Barbados mojo to solve a murder. Hemp’s 1st love, Doro, is accused of murder and he is desperate to clear her name and reputation. The divide between classes is very deep and clear racism against the black characters. The storyline of slavery and ownership is woven throughout the murder as well as Hemp and Doro's story. Doro was discovered standing over the body of her owner, Marcus Scalloway, with a bloody knife that she admits is hers. However, it seems that everyone who knew Scalloway disliked him enough to kill him, so there is no shortage of suspects. As always Tillie gets to the solution and solves the murder. She also works with Hemp to free Doro from slavery.

The characters are wonderful and the mystery is intriguing. While this is Book 7 in the series, it can be read as standalone.

Item #6 - Locked room mystery, The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, PJ Fitzsimmons.

Completed: July 10, 2021 - 4 stars

This is another new author for me. The writing style reminds me of Wooster & Jeeves except Anty is smart...

While having a drink at his club, Mr. Anthony Boisjoly (that's "Boo-juhlay") receives a message from an old school friend Evelyn "Fiddles" Fairfax Canterfell announcing the death of his uncle Sebastian Canterfell. Anty dashes off to the country to help solve the mystery of how Sebastian was killed from inside a locked room.

The way the murder was committed was original and very strange but interesting. I didn't guess murderer or the method until the reveal. There were a few other plot twists and secondary stories before you get to the end including a communist butler and a drunk cook.

This was a fun and clever locked room mystery. I enjoyed this novel quite a lot and am looking forward to the next book.

Item #11 - Book with an intriguing first line - Rebecca, Daphne DuMauier.

5 stars - completed re-read 09/04/21

This was a many times over re-read for me. I LOVE this book and think it is her best story. How many people do you know can write a book where the heroine has NO NAME!!!

Item #17 - Book by an author of color, A Rising Man, Abir Mukherjee

4 - Stars, completed 08/19/21

No sure how I feel about the main character, but it was an interesting story with the backdrop of Imperial India. I am going to try the next book in the series.

ITem #17 - Book with a rural/countryside setting on the cover, Where Every Man, Book #4 - James Gavin Series, Charlie Garratt

5 stars - completed 08/10/21

I have enjoyed all the books in this series. This book finds James in France salving the murder of a librian. You don't need to read the other books to enjoy this installment, but they do give you a lot of background information on the complex main character.

Kimberly wrote: "Item #6 - Locked room mystery, The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, PJ Fitzsimmons.

This is another new author for me. The writing style reminds me of Wooster & Jeeves except Anty is smart...

Yes, that's exactly what the author was trying to do- update Wodehouse a bit to make Bertie into a slightly smarter sleuth who appeals more to a modern audience. Anty is a lot of fun and I'm really eager to read the third mystery.

Item #31 - A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or in the title (rope, revolver, candlestick, lead pipe, dagger or knife, wrench) – Death in High Places, Benedict Brown

Completed - 09/17/21

4 Stars - In the latest adventure, 75 years old, Lord Edgington goes up in a hot air balloon and convinces his grandson to accompany him. Not mentioning their are going to parachute down! While Lord Edginton and Christorpher make it safely to the ground Simon doesn't. There are some funny and unexpected twist before the conclusion.