Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

CATEGORIES and TASKS
25/25 - FINISHED 08/10/2025

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA
1. Clue was originally produced in Leeds, England in 1949. The game idea had been sold earlier than 1949, but due to war shortages, could not be produced and marketed until 1949. Read 1. any book set in the United Kingdom OR 2. any book revolving around World War II.
--1. The Jingler's Luck, John Pilkington
--2. The Angel of Zin, Clifford Irving

2. The murder victim is known as “Dr. Black” in UK game versions and usually referred to as “Mr. Boddy” in US versions. Read a book with 1. a black cover OR a book with 2. a corpse on the cover.
1. - Sugar Pop Moon, John Florio
2. - The Murder on the Links, Agatha Christie

3. The secret envelope is stored in the cellar of the mansion. There are 324 possible solutions to the murder! Read a book which has been “archived in your cellar” for a year or more OR read a book with 324 pages OR read a book with 2, 3, or 4 in the total number of pages. - The School of Night: A Novel, Louis Bayard

4. The 50th Anniversary edition of Clue has a bottle of poison added to the list of possible murder weapons. Read a book in which someone is poisoned OR a book with any beverage or any type of bottle on the cover. - The Arsenic Eater's Wife, Tonya Mitchell

2. THE SUSPECTS
Miss Scarlet - Read a book with a red cover OR a glamorous looking female on the cover OR since Miss Scarlet always makes the first game move, read a book that is first in a series. - Glamorous Notions, Megan Chance

Colonel Mustard – Read a book with a yellow cover OR a protagonist who is a former or current military man. - Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers

Professor Plum – Read a book with a purple cover OR a protagonist who is a teacher / professor. - The Fala Factor, Stuart M. Kaminsky

Mr. Green (originally Reverend Green) – Read a book with a green cover OR a place of worship on the cover/storyline OR a protagonist who is a clerical figure. - He Done Her Wrong, Stuart M. Kaminsky

Mrs. White – Read a book with a white cover OR a protagonist who is a healer of any kind (nurse, doctor, midwife, herbalist, "wise woman", etc.). - Confronting the Invisible, David Field

Mrs. Peacock – Read 1. a book with a blue cover OR has any type of bird on the cover OR 2. a protagonist who is a female servant of any kind (housekeeper, companion, governess, cook, maid, etc.).
1. The Whitechapel Widow, Emily Organ
2. Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman, Tessa Arlen

3. THE WEAPONS
Rope – Read a book with rope on the cover OR a book whose author initials can be found in ROPE (any initial counts). - Gibbet Hill, John Bainbridge

Lead Pipe – Read a book with any type of long, cylindrical object on the cover OR a book whose title or author contain any type of metal (i.e. gold, silver, tin, lead, etc.) - Cast Iron: You can run but you can't hide..., Marilyn Todd

Knife – Read a book with any type of knife on the cover (i.e. dinner knife, sword, dagger) OR a book with any word relating to knives in the title, author or protagonist's name (SHARP, CUT, STAB, SLICE, SLASH, etc). - I Was Jack The Ripper, Michael Bray

Wrench – Read a book with a wrench on the cover or a book whose cover shows anything that might be purchased in a hardware store (i.e. hammer, saw, nails, paint). - Fall River Tragedy: A History of the Bordon Murders, Edwin H. Porter

Candlestick – Read a book with a candle on the cover (bonus for finding a candlestick!) OR a book with any type of flame on the cover. - The Delicate Pursuit Of Blood, Blythe Baker

Revolver – Read a book with any type of gun on the cover OR a book with any of the following words in the title: READY, AIM, FIRE, BANG, BULLET, SHOOT, SHOT, SAFETY, or TRIGGER. - The Kid, Ron Hansen

4. THE ROOMS
Kitchen – Read a book with a kitchen on the cover OR a book with any item typically found in a kitchen on the cover (dish, food). - Cardington Crescent, Anne Perry

Study – Read a book with 1. a study/office on the cover OR 2. a book with any type of school or office supplies on it.
1. The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries, Emily Brightwell
2. Strong Suspicions, Amy Renshaw

Conservatory – Read a book showing any type of large, glass structure on the front OR a book with plants, flowers, or trees on the cover. - A Killer in the Crystal Palace, Deb Marlowe

Hall – Read a book with any of the following items on the cover: castle, body of armor, banner, tapestry, candelabra, chandelier or throne OR read book with any word in the title or author name that has a double letter. - Bitter Passage, Colin Mills

Dining Room – Read a book with a food-laden table or buffet on the cover OR a book with any type of dish, silver ware, or serving piece (i.e. platter, large bowl, pitcher) on the cover. - Death and the Courtesan, Pamela Christie

Billiard Room – Read a book depicting any sport on the cover OR a book showing any kind of round object on the cover. - The Cincinnati Red Stalkings:: A Mickey Rawlings Baseball Mystery, Troy Soos

Lounge – Read a book with any type of chair or sofa on the cover OR a book cover showing any kind of leisure activity (not sports). - Final Curtain, Ed Ifkovic

Library – Read a book showing a library on its cover OR a book that has a book or person reading on the cover. A Cruel Necessity, L.C. Tyler

Ballroom – Read 1. a book with any type of dancer on the cover OR 2. a book with a gathering of people on the cover (3 or more people)
1. - Return to Hair of the Dog: Hair of the Dog Series Book 2, Jean Luntz
2. - Except the Dying, Maureen Jennings

2. THE SUSPECTS, 5. Mrs. White
Confronting the Invisible by David Field

Finished: 01/01/2025
Rating: 3+ stars

Third book in a series. Characters include Reverend Matthew West, his wife Adelaide (soon to be a nurse) and her father Dr. Carlyle.

4. THE ROOMS, 2. Study
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell

Finished: 01/25/2025
Rating: 3+ stars

Finally got around to reading this one. It was delightful. First in the series. Cute and cozy.

4. THE ROOMS, 1. Kitchen
Cardington Crescent by Anne Perry

Finished: 02/13/2025
Rating: 4 stars

#8 in the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt mystery series. I so enjoy Anne Perry's books.

4. THE ROOMS, 6. Billiard Room
The Cincinnati Red Stalkings:: A Mickey Rawlings Baseball Mystery by Troy Soos

Finished: 02/28/2025
Rating: 4 stars

#5 in the Mickey Rawlings Baseball Mystery series. Lots of great baseball trivia.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 4. Mr. Green (originally Reverend Green)
He Done Her Wrong by Stuart M. Kaminsky

Finished: 03/07/2025
Rating: 4 stars

#8 in the Toby Peters series.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 4. The 50th Anniversary edition of Clue has a bottle of poison added to the list of possible murder weapons.
The Arsenic Eater's Wife by Tonya Mitchell

Finished: 03/09/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Inspired by an actual case. Set in late-1880's Liverpool. Very intriguing.

4. THE ROOMS, 4. Hall
Bitter Passage by Colin Mills

Double letters in title and author's name

Finished: 03/15/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Fictionalization of a search for the lost crews of the Erebus and The Terror under the command of Sir John Franklin. Set in the 1840's, the mystery was not solved for until the 2010's.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 1. Clue was originally produced in Leeds, England in 1949
The Jingler's Luck by John Pilkington

Finished: 03/21/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Book #6 in the Thomas the Falconer mystery series, set in Elizabethan England. This is a very good series with charming characters and great plots.

4. THE ROOMS, 9. Ballroom
Return to Hair of the Dog: Hair of the Dog Series Book 2 by Jean Luntz

Finished: 04/10/2025
Rating: 3 stars

From Goodreads:
With its captivating mix of mystery, séances, and atmospheric charm, Return to Hair of the Dog is a compelling read that will transport fans of Sarah Penner and CJ Archer on a heart-pounding journey through the shadowy streets of 1930’s Chicago.

2nd in series. Needs better editing, but not bad otherwise.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 2. The murder victim is known as “Dr. Black” in UK game versions and usually referred to as “Mr. Boddy” in US versions.
Sugar Pop Moon by John Florio

Finished: 04/18/2025
Rating: 4 stars

First in a series. Liked the characters and the plot. Lots going on here. Will follow-up with #2.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 6. Mrs. Peacock
The Whitechapel Widow by Emily Organ

Finished: 04/25/2025
Rating: 4 stars

First in a new series from Emily Organ. This is a spin-off of the Penny Green series. If you're reading the Penny Green books, you might want to finish the series before reading this one...spoiler alert.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 2. Colonel Mustard
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers

Finished: 05/10/2025
Rating: 4 stars

I'd be willing to bet that you could fill half the prompts with Lord Peter Wimsey novels. He is such a delight!

3. THE WEAPONS, 2. Lead Pipe
Cast Iron: You can run but you can't hide... by Marilyn Todd

Finished: 05/14/2025
Rating: 4 stars

From Goodreads:
CAST IRON is the second book in the Julia McAllister Victorian Mystery series: historical romance murder mysteries with a courageous woman sleuth embarking on a traditional British, private investigation in nineteenth-century London.

#2 in a very good series. Like the characters and the plot twists.

4. THE ROOMS, 9. Ballroom (#2)
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings

Finished: 05/16/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Basis for the CBC series. Set in 1895 Toronto. Excellent.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 1. Clue was originally produced in Leeds, England in 1949 #2)
The Angel of Zin by Clifford Irving

Finished: 05/20/2025
Rating: 4 stars

From Goodreads:
...this daring and unusual novel offers an answer to the question all supposedly decent men and women at some time must ask themselves: "If I had been a German then, and realized what was happening, what would I have done?"

Set in a fictitious "death camp" during WWII.

3. THE WEAPONS, 1. Rope
Gibbet Hill by John Bainbridge

Finished: 05/23/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Pre-quel to the William Quest series. Set in 1817 Dartmoor. Excellent!

4. THE ROOMS, 2. Study (2nd time)
Strong Suspicions by Amy Renshaw

Finished: 05/31/2025
Rating: 4 stars

First in a series, set in 1910's Milwaukie Wisconsin. Good, strong characters.

3. THE WEAPONS, 6. Revolver
The Kid by Ron Hansen

Finished: 06/06/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Fictional account of the life of William H. Bonney aka Billy the Kid. Very well researched. Excellent prose.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 6. Mrs. Peacock (2nd time)
Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen

Finished: 06/14/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Author's debut book and first in a series.

From Goodreads:
...an elegant mystery filled with intriguing characters and fascinating descriptions of Edwardian life—a superb treat for those who love British novels.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 2. The murder victim is known as “Dr. Black” in UK game versions and usually referred to as “Mr. Boddy” in US versions. (2nd time)
The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

Finished: 06/27/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Hercule Poirot #2.

From Goodreads:
With his penchant for delving into the psychology of murder, the intuitive Poirot finds his footing in Christie’s second classic whodunit featuring the now iconic private detective.

4. THE ROOMS, 3. Conservatory
A Killer in the Crystal Palace by Deb Marlowe

Finished: 07/08/2025
Rating: 5 stars

First in a series. This book was excellent! I was hooked from the first pages. Loved the characters and the chemistry between them. Great plot. Looking forward to the next installment.

4. THE ROOMS, 8. Library
A Cruel Necessity by L.C. Tyler

Finished: 07/19/2025
Rating: 4 stars

First in a series. Very complex plot with plenty of "red herrings". Well written and good character construction.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 1. Miss Scarlet
Glamorous Notions by Megan Chance

Finished: 07/21/2025
Rating: 5 stars

From Goodreads:
A costume designer’s past casts a long shadow over her well-constructed lies in this intriguing story about stolen identities, friendship, and betrayal

Excellent! Complex plot with complex characters. Set in 1950's Hollywood.

1. GENERAL CLUE TRIVIA, 3. The secret envelope is stored in the cellar of the mansion. There are 324 possible solutions to the murder!
The School of Night: A Novel by Louis Bayard

Finished: 07/23/2025
Rating: 4 stars

From Goodreads:
An ancient mystery, a lost letter, and a timeless love unleash a long-buried web of intrigue that spans four centuries,

I enjoy Louis Bayard's books. So well written and researched.

4. THE ROOMS, 5. Dining Room
Death and the Courtesan by Pamela Christie

Finished: 07/29/2025
Rating: 4 stars

Set in Regency London. Witty and entertaining. Love the characters.

2. THE SUSPECTS, 6. Professor Plum
The Fala Factor by Stuart M. Kaminsky

Finished: 07/31/2025
Rating: 4 stars

From Goodreads:
The year is 1942, and Eleanor Roosevelt is convinced that there is an imposter in the White House masquerading as Fala, FDR’s prized Scottie. Positive that a shady veterinarian has absconded with the genuine pooch, Eleanor turns for help to that much-battered and near penniless private (investigator) Toby Peters.

Book #9 in the Toby Peters series. Great books with stars galore. This one includes Buster Keaton.

3. THE WEAPONS, 3. Knife
I Was Jack The Ripper by Michael Bray

Finished: 08/02/2025
Rating 3 stars (due to so many typos)

Good story. Plausible solution to the Ripper mystery. Would have rated higher but for all the typos: misspellings, punctuation errors, missing words. Needs a thorough proofread and editing. (Kindle edition)

4. THE ROOMS, 7. Lounge
Final Curtain by Ed Ifkovic

Finished: 08/06/2025
Rating: 4 stars

#5 in the Edna Ferber mystery series. First one I've read, but they appear to be "stand alones" so can be read in any order. Good plot.

3. THE WEAPONS, 4. Wrench
Fall River Tragedy: A History of the Bordon Murders by Edwin H. Porter

Finished: 08/09/2025
Rating: 3 stars

Written in 1893, a detailed account of the Bordon murders, the investigation and the trial of Lizzie Bordon. Interesting reading, but did become repetitive. The summations by the attorneys are included verbatim, and are naturally long-winded.

3. THE WEAPONS, 5. Candlestick
The Delicate Pursuit Of Blood by Blythe Baker

Finished: 08/10/2025
Rating: 4 stars

First in the Ladies Society for Murder series. Multiple plot lines and a hanger ending. Interesting characters. Will follow-up with next installment.

FINISHED - 8/10/2025!

Robin; Congrats! The series by Blythe Baker looks interesting.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Robin; Congrats! The series by Blythe Baker looks interesting."

It was very good. Just published this year.

Good work (or good reading)

Sandy wrote: "Good work (or good reading)"

Thanks!

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Robin; Congrats! The series by Blythe Baker looks interesting."

Thanks!