Cozy Mysteries discussion

The idea is to read one book set in each of the 50 US states plus the District of Columbia. This is not where the author is from, but where the book is set. There is no official timeline for this challenge. Just fill in as you read. At least half of your books must be mysteries, to keep with the theme of the group (although they need not necessarily be cozy).

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

This link is for the Stop Your Killing Me website. It's their location locater for mystery books, searchable by state. So if you're stumped, try looking here.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

This is a fabulous idea. Count me in.

I'll try but I'm going to die looking for books ;)

Sounds fun, I'm in!

You can alsn try www.cozy-mystery.com

Yes, I know, but anyway... Well, we'll read and write down the state :D

Okay here goes. I'm going to try to limit my books to mysteries.
Alabama--Murder on a Girls' Night Out-Anne George
Alaska--Degrees of Separation-Sue Henry
Arizona--The Blessing Way-Tony Hillerman
Arkansas
California--The Spellmans Strike Again-Lisa Lutz
Colorado--Crunch Time-Diane Mott Davidson
Connecticut--Deadmistress-Carole B. Shmurak
Delaware
District of Columbia--Murder in the National Cathedral-Margaret Truman
Florida--Getting Old is Murder-Rita Lakin
Georgia--The Julius House-Charlaine Harris
Hawaii--Death in Paradise-Carolyn Hart
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana--The Book of Kills-Ralph McInerny
Iowa--Antiques Roadkill--Barbara Allen
Kansas--The Scent of Rain and Lightning-Nancy Pickard
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine--The Body in the Sleigh-Katherine Hall Page
Maryland--What the Dead Know-Laura Lippman
Massachusetts--Rotten to the Core-Sheila Connolly
Michigan
Minnesota--Apple Turnover Murder-Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri--Invisible-Lorena McCourtney
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire--Bookmarked for Death-Lorna Barrett
New Jersey--Finger Lickin' Fifteen-Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York--The Theban Mysteries-Amanda Cross
North Carolina--Hard Row-Margaret Maron
North Dakota--Peace Like a River-Leif Enger
Ohio--Sworn to Silence-Linda Castillo
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina--Laughed 'Til He Died-Carolyn Hart
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah--The Lonely Polygamist--Brady Udall
Vermont--Secrets of Eden-Chris Bohjalian
Virginia--Stealing With Style-Emyl Jenkins
Washington--The Alpine Advocate-Mary Daheim
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

States Completed
Starte Date: June 1, 2010
not a mystery - will replace if possible

Massachusetts - Heart of the Matter ~ Emily Giffin
Minnesota - Apple Turnover Murder ~ Joanne Fluke
New York - Sail ~ James Patterson
North Carolina - Nobody's Baby But Mine ~ Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Pennsylvania - Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds ~ Nancy Martin
Virginia - Dead Pan ~ Gayle Trent
Wisconsin - American Wife ~ Curtis Sittenfeld

States To Read
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
D.C.
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming

This should be fun.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut Underdog by Laurien Berenson
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey - Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Shades of Earl Grey Laura Childs
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Started 6/23/2010
Alabama The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree
Alaska
Arizona Potshot
Arkansas
California Scandal on Rincon Hill
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia Armed and Glamorous
Florida Legally Dead: A Novel
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho Killer Summer
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine A House to Die For
Maryland
Massachusetts Prime Time
Michigan
Minnesota Silencing Sam
Mississippi Bone Appetit
Missouri Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey Sizzling Sixteen
New Mexico
New York A Good Knife's Work
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Farm Fresh Murder
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
37 to go

In a private group that I'm doing this with, we started last month but counted back to anything we'd read in 2010. It's up to you. You might want to go ahead and list your start date, whatever you're using, so that when you do finally finish it, you'll know how long it took you to complete.

Start: 06/01/2010
19/51 Read


Alabama
Alaska
Arizona Sprinkle with Murder byJenn McKinlay 6/12/10
Arkansas
California Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott 9/3/10
Colorado Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson 9/21/10
Connecticut Underdog by Laurien Berenson 12/11/10
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia Tressed to Kill by Lila Dare 1/5/11
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard 10/11/10
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerney 8/3/10
Maryland
Massachusetts Rotten to the Core by Sheila Connolly 7/11/10
Michigan
Minnesota Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke 7/26/10
Mississippi
Missouri Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan 10/16/10
Montana
Nebraska Dying to Decorate by Cynthia S. Salzmann 6/09/10
Nevada
New Hampshire Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett 7/24/10
New Jersey Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman 11/4/10
New Mexico
New York Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend by Victoria Laurie 8/19/10
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon Lead-Pipe Cinch by Christy Evans 1/7/11
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey 6/28/10
South Dakota
Tennessee A Brisket, a Casket by Dellia Rosen 1/1/11
Texas Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert 10/05/10
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Design on a Crime by Ginny Aiken 8/08/10
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Well, let's go:

Start: June, 1, 2010

Score: 47 / 51

Mysteries: 47

Alabama: When Did We Lose Harriet? by Patricia Sprinkle (09/14/11 - ★★★)
Alaska: Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sarah Atwell (09/28 - ★★★★)
Arizona: Pane of Death by Sarah Atwell (08/31 - ★★★)
Arkansas: Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris (08/21/11 - ★★★★)
California: A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (6/2)
Colorado: The Witch of Agnesi by Robert Spiller (6/6)
Connecticut: Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair (07/25 - ★★★★)
Delaware: Hooked Up: A Stock Car Racing Mystery by Joyce Lavene (01/02/2011 - ★★)
District of Columbia: Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy (09/05 - ★★★★)
Florida: Magic, Mensa & Mayhem by Karina L. Fabian (07/27 - ★★★★) Not a cozy but a mystery, only that the PI is a dragon and they can find the reason for some strange facts at the Mensa World Gathering in Orlando. So, no cheat ;)
Georgia: Undone by Karin Slaughter (11/25 - ★★★★)
Hawaii: Shimura Trouble by Sujata Massey (05/21/11 - ★★★★)
Idaho: The Bookwoman's Last Fling
Illinois: A Cadger's Curse by Diane Gilbert Madsen (11/10 - ★★★★)
Indiana: Sleeping With Anemone by Kate Collins (6/19)
Iowa: Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard (10/10 - ★★★★)
Kansas: There Goes Santa ClausNancy Mehl(04/22/2013 - ★★★★)
Kentucky: Sins of a Shaker Summer
Louisiana: Muerto para el mundo by Charlaine Harris (07/14 - ★★★)
Maine: Murder, She Wrote: A Fatal Feast by Donald Bain (11/14 - ★★★)
Maryland: Resort To Murder by Mary Ellen Hughes (11/30/2010 - ★★★)
Massachusetts: Red Delicious Death by Sheila Connolly (09/02 - ★★★★)
Michigan: The Chocolate Snowman Murders by JoAnna Carl (07/21/11 - ★★★★)
Minnesota: Eggs in Purgatory by Laura Childs (07/20 - ★★★★★)
Mississippi: Murder Past Due by Miranda James (08/04 - ★★★★)
Missouri: If Fried Chicken Could FlyPaige Shelton (05/18/2012 - ★★★★)
Montana: A Killing Season
Nebraska: Bury the LeadMary Nealy (11/22/2013 - ★★★★)
Nevada: Driven to Ink by Karen E. Olson - (09/14/10 - ★★★★)
New Hampshire: The Sudoku Murder by Shelley Freydont (09/18 - ★★★★)
New Jersey: Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman (10/15 - ★★★)
New Mexico (Haven): Catch an Honest Thief by Maria E. Schneider (09/03 - ★★★★★)
New York: Heir of the Dog by Judi McCoy (6/3)
North Carolina: The Telltale Turtle by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene (07/29 - ★★★)
North Dakota
Ohio: A Hoe Lot of Trouble by Heather Webber (11/19/2011 - ★★★)
Oklahoma: Gunfight at Grace Gulch by Darlene Franklin (01/20/11 - ★★★★)
Oregon: The Quick and the Thread: An Embroidery Mystery by Amanda Lee (08/06 - ★★★★)
Pennsylvania: Stamped Out by Terri Thayer (10/17 - ★★★)
Rhode Island: Murder by Yew by Suzanne Young (06/21/11 - ★★★)
South Carolina: Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs (07/04)
South Dakota: Funeral Food by Kathleen Taylor (08/15/2011 - ★★★)
Tennessee: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams (09/20 - ★★★★)
Texas: Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr (07 / 09)
Utah: Tutu Deadly by Natalie M. Roberts (09/10/2011 - ★★)
Vermont: A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer (07/27/2011 - ★★★)
Virginia: Dead Pan by Gayle Trent (6/20)
Washington: The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins (6/10)
West Virginia: Moon Signs by Helen Haught Fanick (22/11/2011 - ★★★★★)
Wisconsin: Buzz Off by Hannah Reed (09/16 - ★★★)
Wyoming: Tensleep by Sarah Andrews (09/11/11 - ★★★)

Great challenge!!!


Alabama: The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree 11/15
Alaska
Arizona: Buttercream Bump Off (2/11/11)
Arkansas: Shakespeare's Landlord (2/11/14)
California: A Toast to Murder (7/2/10)
Colorado
Connecticut: Books Can Be Deceiving (7/31/11)
Delaware
District of Columbia: State of the Onion (6/30/10)
Florida: Mama Does Time (6/19/13)
Georgia: Tressed to Kill (10/6/10)
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana: Dirty Rotten Tendrils (12/31/10)
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana: Frill Kill (10/25/10)
Maine: Death of a Kitchen Diva 12/13/12
Maryland: Wreath of Deception (2/25211)
Massachusetts: Truly, Madly (10/18/11)
Michigan: The Chocolate Cupid Killings (2/9/11)
Minnesota; Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (9/27/2010)
Mississippi: Leftover Dead (6/10/10)
Missouri: Invisible (12/9/11)
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada: Pretty in Ink (11/4/2010)
New Hampshire: Bookplate Special (8/26/10)
New Jersey: Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun (6/1/11)
New Mexico: Chili con Carnage (4/12/14)
New York: Roast Mortem (3/31/11)
North Carolina: Glazed Murder (7/6/10)
North Dakota
Ohio: The Long Quiche Good-bye (9/10/10)
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania: Assault and Pepper (1/14/14)
Rhode Island
South Carolina: The Teaberry Strangler (7/8/10)
South Dakota
Tennessee: Delicious and Suspicious (9/1/10)
Texas: Holly Blues (6/15/10)
Utah
Vermont: A Spoonful of Murder (1/10/14)
Virginia: The Chardonnay Charade (6/21/10)
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin: Buzz Off (1/12/11)
Wyoming

No timeline? I'm definitely in, but as I haven't read any mysteries lately, I'll start from today. I'll update as I go. Great idea Briansgirl :)

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

How do I love challenges, let me count the ways! This one will be really fun!


Start Date: 6/01/2010
37/51 Completed
37 Mysteries

Alabama - Thistle and Twigg - 12/29/11****
Alaska (Niniltna, outside Nome) - A Cold Day for Murder - 8/30/10**
Arizona (Scottsdale) - Sprinkle with Murder - 7/16/10****
Arkansas
California (Santa Theresa) - U is for Undertow - 7/11/10***
Colorado - Lye in Wait - 6/25/11***
Connecticut - Sacred Cows - 8/21/11****
Delaware - The Beach Affair
District of Columbia
Florida - The Pardon - 12/31/11***
Georgia (Heartsdale) - Blindsighted - 8/11/10*****
Hawaii - Mai Tai One On - 8/2/11****
Idaho - Killer Weekend
Illinois
Indiana (French Lick) - So Cold the River - 7/30/10***
Iowa - These Things Hidden - 3/22/11****
Kansas (Rose) - The Scent of Rain and Lightning - 8/18/10***
Kentucky - Wormwood - 2/17/11***
Louisiana - Midnight Caller - 1/12/12***
Maine (Cape Willington) - Town in a Blueberry Jam - 6/23/10***
Maryland
Massachusettes (Boston) - Truly, Madly - 6/29/10****
Michigan (Starvation Lake) - Starvation Lake: A Mystery - 7/3/10*****
Minnesota (Battle Lake) - May Day - 8/8/10***
Mississippi
Missouri (St. Louis) - Murder with All the Trimmings - 8/4/10***
Montana Left To Die - 2/6/12***
Nebraska
Nevada (Las Vegas) - The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas - 8/27/10****
New Hampshire - Sudden Death Sudoku - 7/25/11****
New Jersey (New Brunswick) - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Murder - 7/5/10**
New Mexico (Tanoah Springs) - Wild Indigo - 7/24/10**
New York (NYC) - 212: A Novel - 8/1/10****
North Carolina (Timber Ridge) - A Slice of Murder - 6/13/2010***
North Dakota
Ohio - The Long Quiche Goodbye - 1/5/2012***
Oklahoma
Oregon - Sweetheart - 3/6/2011****
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina (Keyes) - Agnes and the Hitman - 6/12/2010****
South Dakota
Tennessee - Carved in Bone - 3/18/11***
Texas (Salt Lick) - Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash - 6/27/10****
Utah - Tutu Deadly - 9/4/11****
Vermont - Mad Season - currently reading
Virginia - The Diva Runs Out of Thyme -8/6/11****
Washington (Seattle) - Veiled Threats - 8/21/10****
West Virginia
Wisconsin - Uncommon Grounds - 9/8/11***
Wyoming

This sounds great and looks like a lot of fun. I'll be shopping for books now ..........

This does sound like fun. I used to read so much more than I do now since I found this group. Now I spend my reading time on here and figuring out my challenges...lol On top of that I found thru here the PBS and so my TBR pile just keeps growing.

My start date for this challenge will be June 1.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California Shoulder Bags and Shootings
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida Mama Rides Shotgun
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois Whiskey Sour
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana Death Tidies Up
Maine Trick or Treat Murder
Maryland
Massachusetts Truly, Madly
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi Crossed Bones
Missouri Half-Price Homicide
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire Murder is Binding
New Jersey Sizzling Sixteen
New Mexico
New York Closet Confidential
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Death Threads
South Dakota
Tennessee Delicious and Suspicious
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Lye in Wait
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I have a question. If a series is set in one state but moves to another state for part of a book can we count the second? My example is Half-Price Homicide. The series is set in Florida but in this book they travel to Missouri. Part of Helen's past is settled and a murder occurs in this state so it's not just a "vacation". What do you guys think?

Leslie wrote: "I have a question. If a series is set in one state but moves to another state for part of a book can we count the second? My example is Half-Price Homicide. The series is set in Fl..."

I would think you could count it either way. I counted this book as Florida, but debated counting it as Missouri. I counted CLUB DEAD as Mississippi because nearly the whole story takes place there, but I could've counted it as Louisiana. I did the same thing with SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLEU. This series is usually set in Washington, but none of this story takes place there. The whole story is set in Colorado and is set there from like chapter 2 on.

What a great idea! Ill try this one.. If there is no time limit on it. Off to find out where my books are set in.. ;)

Leslie wrote: "I have a question. If a series is set in one state but moves to another state for part of a book can we count the second? My example is Half-Price Homicide. The series is set in Fl..."

Go ahead and count it, but you can only count it for one state, whichever one you choose.

This looks like fun. I will give it a try. This is my list so far.
Duration 7-01-2010 To 7-01-2011

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado Ill Wind by Nevada Barr
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana Sleeping With Anemone by Kate Collins
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana Rumble on the Bayou by Jana de Leon
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri Dying in Style by Elaine Viets
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries. I included books I've read or listened to (I'm a huge audio book fan)in the last month and a half. So I will start mine as of May 1st 2010. Is this challenge only including actual books or do unabridged Audiobooks count. I travel a lot and would rather listen to a book then music.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California – Flight (Irene Kelly series) Jan Burke
Colorado –
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida –
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana – Fever Dream – Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts – Cool Blur Tomb – (Aristotle “Soc” Socarides mystery) – Paul Kemprecos
Michigan – A Superior Death (Anne Pigeon Series) – Nevada Barr
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska –
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey – One For The Money – Janet Evanovich
New Jersey – Deal Breaker – Myron Bolitar series – Harlan Coben
New Mexico –
New York – Too Close For Home – Linwood Barclay
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania – The Plantation –Chris Kuzneski
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota – 61 Hours – Lee Child (Currently reading)
Tennessee
Texas – Track of the Cat (Anne Pigeon Series) – Nevada Barr
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington – The Dark Place –Aaron Elkins (Currently reading)
West Virginia
Wisconsin – The Bodies Left Behind – Jeffery Deaver
Wyoming

Audio books do count, yes.

What a wonderful reading adventure this will be!

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries. I'll start in July (2010).

27/51 READ; Updated 6.17.13

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona Red Hot Murder by Joanne Pence (9.30.12)
Arkansas: A Conventional Corpse by Joan E. Hess(6.20.11)
California
Colorado
Connecticut: Jingle Bell Bark by Laurien Berenson(7.5.10)
Delaware: The Beach Affair by Barbara Johnson(8.14.10)
District of Columbia
Florida : McNally's Secret by Lawrence Sanders (6.17.13)
Georgia: Last Scene Alive by Charlaine Harris(7.28.10)
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois: War and Peas by Jill Churchill(7.4.10)
Indiana: No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt(10.31.10)
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana: Tragic Magic by Laura Childs(10.20.10)
Maine: A Nose for Murder by Lee Charles Kelley(11.11.10)
Maryland
Massachusetts: Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker(9.20.10)
Michigan: The Chocolate Snowman Murders by JoAnna Carl(12.6.10)
Minnesota: Me, Myself, and Why? by MaryJanice Davidson(5.11.11)
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada: Cat in a Flamingo Fedora by Carole Nelson Douglas(10.21.11)
New Hampshire
New Jersey: Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich(7.10.10)
New Mexico
New York: On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle(10.12.10)
North Carolina: An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris(2.13.11)
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma: Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart(4.09.11)
Oregon: Candy Apple Red by Nancy Bush(8.28.10)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina: Deadly Notions by Elizabeth Lynn Casey(5.5.11)
South Dakota
Tennessee: Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris(8.30.10)
Texas: The Unkindest Cut: A Bridge Club Mystery by Honor Hartman(7.24.10)
Utah
Vermont: Double Black by Wendy Clinch(9.2.11)
Virginia Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews(9.21.10)
Washington May the Best Man Die by Deborah Donnelly(9.10.11)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming: Tensleep: An Em Hansen Mystery by Sarah Andrews (3.1.12)

*Bonus: Washington D.C.= Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy (8.1.12)

Okay, since I came up with this idea I guess I should participate. I don't like to go backward--so I will start with the book that I am starting today (June 26, 2010).

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas--Simple Secrets by Nancy Mehl
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey--The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon--If I stay by Gayle Forman (non-mystery)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas--Parting Gifts--Lorraine Heath
Utah
Vermont
Virginia--My Name Is Memory--Ann Brashares
Washington--Seattle--Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Started June 1st
14/51 completed 12 of the 14 are mysteries

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona - Sprinkle With Murder (6/27)
Arkansas
California - Private (perhaps more of a thriller, but there was still mystery to it.)
Colorado - Skein of the Crime (8/6) by Maggie Sefton
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - Half Price Homicide by Elaine Viets
Georgia – Mint Juleps, Mayhem and Murder by Sara Rosett
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts - The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (7/11)
Michigan
Minnesota - The Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York - Toast Mortem by Claudia Bishop (7/17)
North Carolina – A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams
North Dakota
Ohio - The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames (7/19)
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania - Heartless by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liar's series - perhaps more of a thriller, but there is a mystery, though certainly not a cozy.) 7/8
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee - Nashville Noir by Donald Bain
Texas – Going Bovine – Libba Bray
Utah
Vermont
Virginia - The Way of the Guilty (advanced reader's copy) by Jennifer Stanley (7/4)
Washington - The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Forgot to say that Bree Tanner and Going Bovine are not mysteries.

Beverly wrote: "Started June 1st
6/50 completed 4 of the 6 are mysteries

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - Half Price Homicide by E..."

Beverly wrote: "Forgot to say that Bree Tanner and Going Bovine are not mysteries.

Beverly wrote: "Started June 1st
6/50 completed 4 of the 6 are mysteries

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colora..."

How did you like BREE TANNER? For what it was, I thought it was an okay read.

I liked it. It was nice to hear more about some of the lesser characters. I thought it gave a nice insight into the challenges of being a vampire without a good coven leader.

ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ wrote: "Audio books do count, yes." I have a quick yet maybe silly question. What do you consider a mystery? I mean some are very easy to distinguish but others not so easy. For example would you consider Alex Kava Maggie Odell series about an FBI agent a mystery or John Connolly Charlie Parker series (which would be a Maine series. What about Jan Burke's Irene Kelly Series. I know these would meet the original challenge but I saw there was a bonus challenge to make all you state books mysteries. So I'm wondering the difference between a mystery and say a thriller? Thanks

I'm going to let each person decide, what their defintion is of a mystery or a thriller. Some consider the Sookie Stackhouse books mysteries as well as the Dresden Files (which is also UF). Personally, thrillers to me are alot spookier but still have the criminal aspect to be solved.

Let's go to wikipedia for their defintions:

Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television that mainly creates the feelings of suspense, tension and excitement. The main subgenres of thrillers are: mystery, crime and psychological thrillers.

A genuine, standalone thriller is a film that provide thrills and keeps the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax.

Mystery film is a sub-genre of the more general category of crime film. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of a crime by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction.

Mystery novels have proven to be a good medium for translation into film. The sleuth often forms a strong leading character, and the plots can include elements of drama, suspense, character development, uncertainty and surprise twists. The locales of the mystery tale are often of a mundane variety, requiring little in the way of expensive special effects. Successful mystery writers can produce a series of books based on the same sleuth character, providing rich material for sequels.

I'm not familiar with the books/series you mentioned so you'll have to decide for yourself. I think the sub-genre of thrillers listed above are good. If it can be described as a pyschological thriller than it wouldn't be a mystery and vice versa. See which of the three definitions you think would fit your book best. There are alot of crime books I wouldn't call mysteries. Examples: Murder She Wrote solves murders and are mysteries. History of Jack-the-Ripper would be crime and Silence of the Lambs would be a pyschological thriller.

UF is quite difficult. For example, if you read Jane Yellowrock series, she's a vampire hunter shifter (another name but I don't remind), but the books are focus mainly on resolving crimes or burglaries, or finding something that has disappeared. It's not cozy because it's a bit gore, but it has mystery. So, do you count it as a mystery series? Because, in that way, I think I have a wiiiiide range to choose ;) (By the way, one of the things I like at UF is the mystery the books have ;) )

Marisa wrote: "UF is quite difficult. For example, if you read Jane Yellowrock series, she's a vampire hunter shifter (another name but I don't remind), but the books are focus mainly on resolving crimes or burgl..."

I think a lot of UF can also be classified as mystery. The Sookie Stackhouse books for sure. When they were first released that's where they were always shelved. Charlaine Harris was known as a mystery writer, ergo put her new books there even though I know some people would argue that. Now you find the series in fantasy usually, but I still think of them as mysteries. Harry Dresden is a wizard, but he's a PI, too. Rob Thurman, who I don't like but that's another story, writes the Cal Leandros series which I would definitely call mysteries with supernatural characters. Victoria Laurie has 2 paranormal series that are definitely mysteries. You can look at this all kinds of ways, and it ends up being up to the individual. And Fred, I always think of Connolly's Charlie Parker books as mysteries!

Melodie wrote: "Marisa wrote: "UF is quite difficult. For example, if you read Jane Yellowrock series, she's a vampire hunter shifter (another name but I don't remind), but the books are focus mainly on resolving ..."
Thanks Melodie so do I its just confusing. I have gone to many mystery book sites and some of the people they have listed as mystery writers I wouldn't have, like Clive Cussler. To me Cussler is more espionage then mystery.

Yes, for me Cussler is espionage or adventures, buy not mystery.

I don't think all UF books are mysteries but some definetly can be. Like The Dresden Files, Harry Dresden is a P.I. Granted, what he investigates is paranormal, but he still has a mystery to solve. Again, not having read all the books and series everyone is discussing, you'll have to make the determination yourself. And remember, you don't have to do the entire challenge with mysteries unless you want to. The only requirement was half had to be mysteries to keep with our group name/theme. Finding cozies in all 50 states plus D.C could be very difficult as I don't know if there are cozies for every state although I'm sure you could do a good many with just cozies. Figuring there would be regular mysteries for every state, I opened it up.

There is no cut and dried answer as many books can fit more than one genre. You'll each have to decide on your own.

No, my problem is that I'm very behind in my UF readings, and I've just thought about including some of them in mystery ;)

Marisa wrote: "No, my problem is that I'm very behind in my UF readings, and I've just thought about including some of them in mystery ;)" Here's another really stupid question what is UF? Is that fantasy or something?Also I now understand how to distinguish if books are mysteries. I also understand that there are subsets of mysteries, crime, suspense etc. Was the original challenge for mystery or cozy mysteries. What is the definition of a cozy mystery? Also the bonus challenge was all states with mysteries. Was that regular mysteries or cozy mysteries? Please excuse my ignorance I just want to be accurate with which ever way I choose. Thanks for your patience.

UF is Urban Fantasy. It's a fantasy type book that takes place in an urban setting. An example is the Dresden Files where Harry Dresden is a P.I. in Chicago. But he happens to be a wizard.

The original challenge was to complete all 50 states (and D.C.) with at least half of your books being mysteries, since we are a cozy mystery group. I don't know if there are enough cozies to cover all the states, so said regular mysteries could be used as well.

The bonus challenge was to see if you could complete all 50 states (and D.C.) reading only mysteries.

Cozy mysteries are the warm fuzzy kind of mysteries. Think Murder, She Wrote instead of CSI. Some things may be more cozy for one person that they are for another. I would say cozies may have murders, but they aren't bloody and gorey like crime novels. The emphasis is on finding clues and solving the mystery. Alot of cozy mysteries are themed. Scrapbooking mysteries, culinary mysteries, needlecraft mysteries, etc.

ohh I see! So most of my books I listed wouldn't fit under cozy books.

Fred wrote: "...Also I now understand how to distinguish if books are mysteries. I also understand that there are subsets of mysteries, crime, suspense etc. Was the original challenge for mystery or cozy mysteries. What is the definition of a cozy mystery? Also the bonus challenge was all states with mysteries. Was that regular mysteries or cozy mysteries? Please excuse my ignorance I just want to be accurate with which ever way I choose. Thanks for your patience..."

Fred: You're making this too hard on yourself. These challenges are supposed to be fun. No one is going to judge what we read, there are no prizes, just have a good time reading and hunting for a book that takes place in a state that you haven't filled yet. If you don't fill them all, oh well. If you do, fantastic. In the meantime you have probably read books you wouldn't have and authors you've never tried before and that is what the challenge is all about.

Yes, it's suppose to be fun. And they don't all have to be cozy mysteries. Any mystery will do. And only half have to be mysteries. The other 25 can be ANYTHING!!

ok Thanks, I appreciate it.

This looks like a blast, I will give it a try.
I have Colorado with Drop Dead Stitch. Have to hit the used bookstore!

It can be alot of fun until you're looking for the last few states to complete your list! lol If you've run out of ideas by that point, then you come peek at others lists and see what they found for that state. And it gets frustrating to read an entire book and still not be able to figure out what state it took place in!! (Not all books will tell you.)

NOTE: By the way... fictional city names still count. As long as the author says what "state" the fictional town is in, then you can count it for that state. (However, if they added another fictional state, you're outta luck. lol)

On a side note: On my list (for another group that I started earlier this year) I'm listing the cities (fictional or real, or area of state if it's rural) on my list after each state, before the book title.

Example:

Illinois - Chicago - Storm Front by Jim Butcher MM/DD/YY

You don't have to do that part, but I find it interesting when I go back and look at the list later.

0/51 DONE

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas - Shakespeare's Counselor by Charlaine Harris
California - A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott
Colorado - Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter
Connecticut - The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - Just Murdered by Elaine Viets
Georgia - Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois - Murder of a Botoxed Blone by Denise Swanson
Indiana - A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt
Iowa - Antiques Maul by Barbara Allan
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana - Tragic Magic by Laura Childs
Maine - Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley
Maryland
Massachusetts - Cook the Books by Jessica Park
Michigan - Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker
Minnesota - Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri - Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire - Bookplate Special by L.L. Bartlett
New Jersey - Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Cooperman
New Mexico
New York - In Dublin's Fair City by Rhys Bowen
North Carolina - Death of a Rug Lord by Tamar Myers
North Dakota
Ohio - A Tail of Two Murders by Melissa Cleary
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ wrote: "And it gets frustrating to read an entire book and still not be able to figure out what state it took place in!! (Not all books will tell you.) "

Yeesss. Think about Grace Under Pressure. If somebody knows, please, can you tell me?