Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

Well here I am starting this at the end of February! I don’t imagine for a minute that I’ll manage more than about half the prompts but it will be fun to try and I am always looking for the next good series.
41/52
✅1. Published in 2021
The Dying Day July 26
✅2. A book set in multiple countries
A Wolf at the Gate 13 June
✅3. A book with a lamp on the cover
City of Secrets 16 March
✅4. A book that has won an award.
A Rising Man 22 June
✅5. A bestselling historical mystery
Death on the Nile 9 April
✅6. A locked room mystery
The Crime at Black Dudley 18 April
✅ 7.A book that has been made into a movie or television show
The Inugami Curse
✅8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
Limelight 31 March
✅9. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
Season of the Raven 20 Jan 2021

✅10. A book randomly selected from your historical mystery TBR
The Gods of Gotham 3 April
✅11. A book with an intriguing or inspiring first line
A Prayer for Owen Meany
✅✅12. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Envy) Eye of the Red Tsar 22 March
A Free Man of Color July 5th
✅13. A book with a female detective
Deadly Election 30 March
✅14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre
Veil of Lies 22 Feb
✅15. A book with a rural/countryside setting on the cover
The Widows 3 June
✅16. A book with a real historical figure.
Arthur & George March 11 2021
✅17. A book by an author of color
Midnight at Malabar House
✅18. A book set in the '20s of any century (except the 21st)
Touchstone 21 Feb 2021
✅19. A book with a disabled character
The Graveyard of the Hesperides 6 April
✅20. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
River of Sins 31 Jan 2021

✅21. A cozy historical mystery.
Death Comes to the VillageMarch 4th
✅22. A book with gothic elements.
The House of Silk
✅23. A debut novel. Claws of the Cat 19 March
✅24. A book set in a religious setting (convent, abbey, vicarage, temple, shrine, etc.)
Memento Mori
✅25. A book with a solitary female figure on the cover
High Treason at the Grand Hotel 13 Jan 2021
✅26. A book with alliteration in the title
The Pallampur Predicament 28 March
✅27. A book with the name of a real place in the title
Death Comes to LondonMarch 9th
✅28. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
A Bitter Truth 13 March
✅29. A book with a title that includes a character's name Madame Koska and the Imperial Brooch
✅30. A book set during wartime
The Rose Code 17 May
✅31. A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or in the title (rope, revolver, candlestick, lead pipe, dagger or knife, wrench)
Enemies at Home: Flavia Albia 2 24 March
✅32. The first book in a series you have not read before
City of Lies23 Feb
✅33. A book recommended in the challenge suggestions thread
A Deadly Fortune
✅34. A book set in a time period you are unfamiliar with
Tomb for an Eagle2 March
✅35. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover (carriage, horse, ship, train, automobile, etc.)
The Golden Tresses of the Dead 18 Jan 2021
✅36. A book written by an author with your initials
The King's Justice
✅37. A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (death, disease, famine, war)
Arrowood
✅38. A book related to William Shakespeare
Sleep of Death July 9th
✅39. A book with an "-ing" word in the title
The Strings of Murder
✅40. A book with a Muslim character.
A Madras Miasma. 27 Feb
✅41. A book connected to a specific season
The Winter Queen 11 April
✅42. A book with a question word in the title (who, what, where, why, when, how) Who Slays the Wicked August 11 th
43. A book that includes a major world event (not a war)
Love and Other Consolation Prizes
✅44. A book with food or drink on the cover
Dead Dead Girls 4 June
✅45. A book by one of your favorite authors
The Ides of April 16 March
✅46. A book with a royal character
Dishonour and Obey 9 April
✅47. A book from another group member's bookshelf.
Devil in a Blue Dress 24 May
✅48. A book set in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cocaine Blues
✅49. A book linked to one of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire)
Flying Too High
✅50. A book with a body part in the title
Roman Blood 24 June
✅51. A book set in Medieval times
An Ancient Evil
✅52. A book with water on the cover
Yesternight

Prompt #9 Season of the Raven
This was an ok medieval mystery- nothing terribly compelling or original though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Prompt #25 High Treason at the Grand Hotel
I had high hopes for this new to me series but it didn’t inspire me.

Prompt #35 The Golden Tresses of the Dead
I absolutely adore this series and I’m now up to date with the series. I hope Bradley intends to continue it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Prompt #20 River of Sins this is the seventh in a series I haven’t tried before (Bradecote and Catchpoll) which I got through Netgalley. It’s generally against my principles to not read a series in order but I gave it a try and really enjoyed the story and the chemistry between the two nominal characters. The previous books in the series are on Kindle Unlimited so I definitely plan to start from the beginning.

Prompt #18. Touchstone. 02/21/21
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was a tad disappointed with this one. Such a lot of detail about the General Strike of 1926 and context about the Socialist movement was really fascinated, but the story seemed bloated and lacked any kind of pacing.

Prompt #14
Completed 02/22/21
Veil of Lies
This is a ‘medieval noir’ so called by the author. This has a locked room mystery although it is not THE mystery of the book. I find medieval historical mysteries quite hit or miss, but this was definitely on the better side!

Prompt #40 a Muslim character
A Madras Miasma
Finished 27 Feb
I enjoyed this- the mystery itself was interesting but not scintillating; however knowing nothing about 1920s India, this was an enjoyable and informative read.

Prompt #32
City of Lies
Finished 23 Feb

Prompt #34 m set in an unfamiliar time period
Tomb for an Eagle
Finished 2 March
I was blown away by this. So evocative of time and place, this was absolutely absorbing and fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Viking historical mystery before.

Emma; So glad you recommend Tomb of an Eagle! Sounds like an intriguing historical mystery & I can also use it for this Challenge :)

It was really good! Can’t recommend it highly enough and I hope you love it too.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #20 River of Sins this is the seventh in a series I haven’t tried before (Bradecote and Catchpoll) which I got through Netgalley. It’s generally against my principles to not ..."

I've read some of these and I'd recommend starting from the beginning if you want the back story. Really liked the dynammic of the two characters and how they react to each other. Thanks for jogging my memory. I'll put these on my list

Emma wrote: "Prompt #34 m set in an unfamiliar time period
Tomb for an Eagle
Finished 2 March
I was blown away by this. So evocative of time and place, this was absolutely absorbing and fascinat..."

This sounds so intriguing! Good Find!

Jacqui wrote: "Emma wrote: "Prompt #20 River of Sins this is the seventh in a series I haven’t tried before (Bradecote and Catchpoll) which I got through Netgalley. It’s generally against my princ..."

I definitely plan to go back to the beginning Jacqui. If the author can keep me interested and warmed by the relationship of the two main characters in the middle of the series, then starting from the beginning should be very rewarding!

Prompt #21
Death Comes to the Village
Completed 03/4/21
Really enjoyed this and I wasn’t expecting to. It’s all in the relationships!

Prompt #27
Death Comes to London
Completed 03/09/21

Prompt #16
Arthur & George
Completed 03/11/21
I found this story fascinating. Apart from his interest in Spiritualism and of course, Sherlock, I didn’t know much about the man, but Julian Barnes really brought him to life.

Prompt #7
The Inugami Curse
Completed 03/12/21
This book was *ok*, but as with its predecessor The Honjin Murders, there was no way to guess whodunnit because the methods were unguessable.
I did find out about Chrysanthemum dolls though- I’m wondering if they were an historical feature or whether they are still a *thing* in Japanese culture.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #7
The Inugami Curse
Completed 03/12/21
This book was *ok*, but as with its predecessor The Honjin Murders, there was no way to guess whodunnit because the m..."

I read both of these recently, unaware they were films?

Apparently the Inugami has been made several times over the years in Japan. It’s probably like different versions of Hercule Poirot or something similar (although the detective is more like Columbo!!) what did you make of them John? Did you like the books?

Emma wrote: "Apparently the Inugami has been made several times over the years in Japan. It’s probably like different versions of Hercule Poirot or something similar (although the detective is more like Columbo..."

I liked the first one better. Agreed that it would be very difficult for readers to arrive at the resolutions themselves, given the intricacies involved.

Yes I preferred the first too.

Prompt #28
A Bitter Truth
Finished 13 March
I found this book very dull, the characters irritating and the story implausible. #don'tgothere

Prompt #45
The Ides of April
Completed : 16 March
This was a re-read. I raised my rating this time round because I enjoyed it much more. I had previously read the Falco series and when the Flavia Albia series came out, I was longing for Falco to still feature. But he didn’t. And poor Flavia Albia didn’t get a fair chance from me because I was mourning the end of Falco. Years on and Flavia Albia is standing up to a fairer scrutiny!

Prompt #3
City of Secrets
Finished 16 March
I found this less charming and more annoying than the first in the series.

Prompt #23
Claws of the Cat
Finished 19 March
Interesting to read a book with a different setting and culture. Enjoyed it.

Prompt #12
Eye of the Red Tsar
Finished 22 March
I really loved this! I’ve always been fascinated by Russia and particularly 20th century Soviet politics- my grandpa was sent to Russia as part of the white army tasked with saving the Tsar and his family. He lost a toe and told us it had been shot off, but actually he lost it to frostbite! Anyway, the story was very good although it stretched credulity in a couple of places, but not enough to spoil my immersion.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #45
The Ides of April
Completed : 16 March
This was a re-read. I raised my rating this time round because I enjoyed it much more. I had previously read the Falco series and w..."

Glad to see thoughts on this - I've not read any of Lindsey Davis' work so it will be something of a discovery with a new to me author and new era.

If you’re in for the long haul I’d recommend starting with Falco.

Yeah, the Falco series "informs" Flavia Albia (as they say). She refers to family members often, who were developed during the earlier series.

I think I'll see what I think with the one that I've got. If I enjoy it (taking into account that it's a follow up series) I'll go back and start at the beginning. Have so many new authors that I've found reading through these discussion topics, it's hard to know what to read next.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #12
Eye of the Red Tsar
Finished 22 March
I really loved this! I’ve always been fascinated by Russia and particularly 20th century Soviet politics- my grandpa was sent to Russ..."

Emma; How fascinating that your Grandfather was part of this history! I've recommended this title to our library.

Prompt #31
Reread of Enemies at Home: Flavia Albia 2
Finished March 24
I gave this 5 stars the first time round and the same the second. It’s strange because I abandoned this series half way through, not liking it as much as Falco, so I was surprised that I had rated to his so highly the first time round. Maybe something put me off in books 3 or 4 to put me off...we shall see as I am planning to continue my reread and then continue the series from where I originally left off.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #31
Reread of Enemies at Home: Flavia Albia 2
Finished March 24
I gave this 5 stars the first time round and the same the second. It’s strange because I abandoned this series..."

I'm rereading the next one Deadly Election, appreciating her frustration at being saddled with the dim slave, Dromo (again).

Prompt #26
The Pallampur Predicament
Completed 28 March
I love all the political shenanigans of India at this time - the crime itself ended up being a bit annoying though. It still gets 4 stars because I learned a lot.

Prompt #13
Deadly Election
Finished 30 March
Continuing my reread of this series and enjoying it thoroughly. Listened to this one on audio.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #13
Deadly Election
Finished 30 March
Continuing my reread of this series and enjoying it thoroughly. Listened to this one on audio."

Reminder that the one-time narrator for the next one, Hesperides, is a recommended skip - read the print!

Oh no! I’ve just used a credit buying it! 😣 I should have checked the reviews. I did notice the narrator was different but didn’t pay close enough attention!

Prompt #8
Limelight
Finished 31 March

Set in London where the Olympics have been hosted.
This was a series I found on Kindle Unlimited and I was (initially) excited to see there were ten in the series. However I found this a very meh middle of the road book and characters. It was *ok* enough to finish, but I doubt I’ll continue with the series.

Emma wrote: "Oh no! I’ve just used a credit buying it! 😣 I should have checked the reviews. I did notice the narrator was different but didn’t pay close enough attention!"

You can return it to Audible and get your credit back.

Thanks for that- I didn’t realise I could do that with audible. They’re processing the return of my credit right now!

Prompt #10
The Gods of Gotham
Finished 3 April.
I’m not sure a book based on such a fascinating subject (New York’s first police force; the Irish famine and accompanying racism, children as prostitutes, political corruption) could be so boring. It was patchy- so I’d be interested for a couple of pages and then find myself literally dozing off! I have another book by this author on my kindle and I am hoping for better. This wasn’t a bad book, but there was no pacing.

Prompt #19
The Graveyard of the Hesperides
Finished 6 April
This was the point after which I stopped with the series, the first time round. I gave it 3 stars, the same as before because I didn’t really like the mystery and the solution was rushed although the book itself dragged in places. I am going to carry on with the series though this time.

Prompt #46
Dishonour and Obey
Finished 9 April
Charles II as royal character
This was the least enjoyable of the Mercurius books so far although still retaining the wit and irreverence which make this series so good. Even though it was a road trip for Mercurius to London, the plot was not as interesting than when the plot is based in Holland.

Prompt #5
Death on the Nile
Finished 9 April
Really enjoyed this- I have never read it before although I’ve seen the film many times. This was a real comfort read.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #5
Death on the Nile
Finished 9 April
Really enjoyed this- I have never read it before although I’ve seen the film many times. This was a real comfort read."

In my library's queue for the audiobook narrated by Kenneth Brannaugh.

I expect that will be a real treat and worth waiting for.

Prompt #41
The Winter Queen
Finished 11 April
This was a 5 star read. The story had everything- it was witty, an interesting location (St. Petersburg) in pre- Revolution Russia. It was clever and sad.

Emma wrote: "Prompt #41
The Winter Queen
Finished 11 April
This was a 5 star read. The story had everything- it was witty, an interesting location (St. Petersburg) in pre- Revolution Russia. It was..."

Loved this when I read it before. I'm going to read a couple of other of his books this year and hoping I can fit at least one against a prompt.