Cozy Mysteries discussion

50 State + DC 2010- 2011 challenge 51/51 completed

Alabama ~ Silent Killer by Beverly Barton
Alaska ~ The End of The Road by Sue Henry
Arizona ~ Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
Arkansas ~ Busy Bodies by Joan E. Hess
California ~ Homicide In Hardcover by Kate Carlisle
Colorado ~ Peppermint Twisted by Sammi Carter
Connecticut ~ The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
Delaware ~ Hooked Up: A Stock Car Racing Mystery by Joyce Lavene
District of Columbia ~ The Fourth Perimeter by Tim Green
Florida~ The Turtle Mound Murder (A Daffodils Mystery) by Mary Clay
Georgia ~ Dead Over Heels by Charlaine Harris
Hawaii ~ The Refuge by Sue Henry
Idaho ~ Killer Weekend by Ridley Pearson
Illinois ~ Body Work by Sara Paretsky
Indiana ~ Dirty Rotten Tendrils byKate Collins
Iowa ~ Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard
Kansas ~ Murders on Elderberry Road by Sally Goldenbaum
Kentucky ~ Wormwood by Susan Wittig Albert
Louisiana ~ Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs
Maine ~ Murder Most Maine by Karen MacInerney
Maryland ~ What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman
Massachusetts ~ Death By Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum
Michigan ~ The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl
Minnesota ~ Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy
Mississippi ~ Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Franklin Tom
Missouri ~ Dead and Buried by Jean Hager
Montana ~ The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans
Nebraska ~ Worth Dying For by Lee Child
Nevada ~ Cat in a Jeweled Jumpsuit by Carole Nelson Douglas
New Hampshire ~ Antiques to Die For by Jane K. Cleland
New Jersey ~ Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
New Mexico ~ Keeping Counsel by R.A. Forster
New York ~ Think of a Number by John Verdon
North Carolina ~ A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams
North Dakota ~ Dakota by Martha Grimes
Ohio ~ Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
Oklahoma ~ Ghost in Trouble by Carolyn Hart
Oregon ~ The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
Pennsylvania ~ The Vendetta Defense byLisa Scottoline
Rhode Island ~ The Ghost and Mrs. McClure
South Carolina ~ Southern Fried by Cathy Pickens
South Dakota ~ 61 Hours by Lee Child
Tennessee ~ Delicious and Suspicious byRiley Adams
Texas ~ Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert
Utah ~ Fault Line by Sarah Andrews
Vermont ~ From Away: A Novel by David Carkeet
Virginia ~ The Mournful Teddy by John J. Lamb
Washington ~ Beyond Recognition by Ridley Pearson
West Virginia ~ A Small Case of Murder by Lauren Carr
Wisconsin ~ Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
Wyoming ~The Drowning Man by Margaret Coel

Just finished Indiana and Wisconsin. Both really good cozies!

Good to know the PTA book is a good one, even though I already have my Wisconsin book, Buzz Off by Hannah Reed, which I am currently reading (and enjoying).

Heather L wrote: "Good to know the PTA book is a good one, even though I already have my Wisconsin book, Buzz Off by Hannah Reed, which I am currently reading (and enjoying)."

Glad to hear Buzz Off is good. I want to get to that at some point but I need to read other states first. I would definitely read the next PTA book as I really liked the characters in this one.

Added CT and GA this week

I thought I would add my Winter challenge here too. COMPLETED

Read the season challenge Winter I went through my tbr shelf and found something to match all six.

W ~ Waugh, Hilary Murder on Safari (read/Dec)
I ~ In Silence by Erica Spindler (read/Jan)
N ~ Nemesis by Agatha Christie (read/Jan )
T ~ Tess Gerritson Body Double (read Jan)
E ~ Endless Night by Agatha Christie (read/Jan
R ~ Rowlands, Betty Exhaustive Inquiries (read/Jan)

6/6 read

Just added Alaska to the list and the book was pretty good. Sue Henry is a new to me author.

Last week added NH and MO to 50 state challenge. Also for February's challenge with a pink cover -

Decided to do the 2011 A-Z title challenge also. Will initially try to do all mysteries but if time gets short, I'll fill in with other genres. Looks like a fun one!

26/26 read Completed

A ~ Antiques to Die For by Jane K. Cleland (Feb)
B ~ Body Double by Tess Gerritsen (Jan)
C ~ The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny (Jan)
D ~ Dead and Buried byJean Hager (Jan)
E ~ Exhaustive Enquiries by Betty Rowlands (Jan)
F ~ From Away by David Carkeet (Jan)
G ~ Grave Concerns byRebecca Tope (April)
H ~ Hickory Dickory Dock: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries by Agatha Christie (Feb)
I ~ In Silence by Erica
Spindler (Jan)
J ~ Just One Look by Harlan Coben (April)
K ~ Keeping Counsel by R.A. Forster (March)
L ~ L.A. Justice by Christopher Darden (Feb)
M ~ McNally's Luck by Lawrence Sanders (Jan)
N ~ Nemesis by Agatha Christie (Jan)
O ~ The Orchid Memorandum by Tony Attanasio (June)
P ~ A Pug's Tale by Alison Pace (May)
Q ~ The Quilter's Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini (March)
R ~ The Refuge by Sue Henry (Feb)
S ~ Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee (Jan)
T ~ Town In a Lobster Stew byB.B. Haywood (Feb)
U~ Urn Burial by Kerry Greenwood (March)
V ~ The Vendetta Defense (Paperback) by Lisa Scottoline (Jan)
W ~ Wormwood by Susan Wittig Albert (Feb)
X ~ X Dames by J.J. Henderson (Sept)
Y ~ You Only Die Twice: A Novel by Edna Buchanan (July)
Z ~ Zero Cool by John Lange (March)

Feb challenge: Pink cover and flowers. COMPLETED

March challenge: Completed 03/26/11

craft and Reading across America

Spring Challenge 6/6 read COMPLETED

S ~ Split Second by Alex Kava (April)
P ~ Barbara Parker Suspicion of Guilt by (April)
R ~ Ruth Rendell Going Wrong (April)
I ~ In Harm's Way by Ridley Pearson (Mar)
N ~ No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson (Mar)
G ~ Grave Concerns by Rebecca Tope ( April)

For the June mini challenge I decided to read: 4/4 completed

Flip a coin day -
National Splurge Day -
Paul Bunyan Day(blue cover) -
Name Your Poison Day:

Summer Challenge: Completed 6/6

S ~ Shut Your Eyes Tight by John Verdon
U ~ Unplugged by Lois Greiman
M ~ Murder, My Deer by Jaqueline Girdner
M ~ Missing Persons by Stephen White
E ~ Edna Buchanan Nobody Lives Forever
R ~ Roses Are Red by James Patterson

Just need that elusive U and summer challenge will be done! Probably better start scouting around for 2 more U's to tuck away for the autumn challenge.

Just need the X for the A-Z title challenge, the U for the summer challenge and 8 more states and I'll be done hopefully in time to start the Autumn challenge or at the rate I'm going with the states in time for the winter challenge!

Summer challenge done! Yay!

I haven't read it yet but Lyn Hamilton's first book in her archeology mystery series starts with X... The Xibalba Murders

Not sure if that helps or not?

Thanks, Valorie!

August mini-challenge: 4/5 complete

National Smile Week - Aug 1st-7th
Read a book that makes you smile, giggle, or laugh out loud!

Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel by G.M. Malliet


International Beer Day - August 5th
Read a book with a beverage in the title or a story line that revolves around wine or spirits!

Mustard Day - August 6th
Read a book with yellow on the cover.

Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine


Sister's Day - August 7th
Read a book that involves sisters, cousins, or girlfriends working together or having fun!

A Catered Affair by Sue Margolis


Just Because Day - August 27th
Read any book you want, just because

Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer

Autumn Challenge 6/6 Complete

A ~ The Attorney by Steve Martini

U ~ The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer

T ~ Twice Burned by Kit Craig

U ~ Untouchable by Scott O'Connor

M ~ The Man Who Cast Two Shadows by Carol O'Connell

N ~ No Lesser Plea by Robert K. Tanenbaum

Just one more for the 50 states. Hallelujah! I thought I'd never finish. Utah is the last. Any suggestions?

Kaye wrote: "Just one more for the 50 states. Hallelujah! I thought I'd never finish. Utah is the last. Any suggestions?"

Try Natalie M. Roberts Jenny T. Partridge books. They're quick reads and have some laugh out loud moments. If you want some reading that's a bit heavier, you could look for Robert Irvine's Moroni Traveler books or John Gates Brigham Bybee books. They're hard to find, but excellent reads.

Thanks, Melodie! I'll have to request a Robert's book thru interlibrary loan.

November Challenge 5/6 complete


Nov 1 - All Saint's Day
Read a book where someone has died.

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Nov 2 - All Soul's Day
Read a book where someone has died.

The Divine Circle of Ladies Tipping the Scales by Dolores Riccio

Nov 5 - Guy Fawkes Day
Read a book set in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).

A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer

Nov 5 - Book Lover's Day
Read the last book you bought.

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer TBR

Nov 17 - Homemade Bread Day
Read a Culinary Mystery.

Chili Con Corpses by J.B. Stanley

Nov 11 - Veteran's Day
Read a book with a veteran in it, or anyone actively serving in the military

Kaye wrote: "Winter 2011/12 Challenge 6/6 Completed



W ~ When the Wind Blows by James Patterson (Dec)

I ~ If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton (Jan)

N ~ Never Buried by Edie Claire (Jan)

T ~ To Speak for the Dead by Paul Levine (Jan)

E ~ Haunted Ground by Erin Hart (March)

R ~ Bad Boy by Peter Robinson (March)

Cozy Theme Challenge: Duration: Starts Feb 16th - July 31st

10/10 complete

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie (England)

#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940.

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie

#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc.

The Cart Before The Corpse by Carolyn McSparren

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries.

The Body in the Big Apple by Katherine Hall Page (catering)

#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc.

Murder Buys a T-shirt by Christy Fifield (ghost)

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live.

Death Of An Obnoxious Tourist by Maria Hudgins (Italy)

#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery.

St. Patrick's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc.

Hot Button by Kylie Logan (button collecting)

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur slueth.

Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay (librarian)

#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older.

Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot

#5 Death of a Hot Chick by Norma Huss

Spring Challenge 2012 6/6


S ~ Snow White and Rose Red by Ed McBain (April)

P ~ The Body in the Big Apple by Katherine Hall Page (April)

R ~ Relative Danger by June Shaw (June)

I ~ I, Spy? by Kate Johnson (May)

N ~ Sweet Tea and Secrets by Nancy Naigle (April)

G ~ Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini by Sue Ann Jaffarian (April)

Summer Challenge 2012 6/6 completed


S ~ Silenced by the Yams by Karen Cantwell (June)

U ~ Unraveling Ada by Barbara Sullivan (July)

M ~ Murder in Mykonos by Jeffrey Siger (July)

M ~ Material Witness by Vannetta Chapman (August)

E ~ The Dark Place by Aaron J. Elkins (August)

R ~ Ready, Scrap, Shoot by Joanna Campbell Slan (August)

Autumn Challenge - 2012 6/6 completed

A ~ Artistic License by Julie Hyzy Oct

U ~ Uneasy Spirits by M. Louisa Locke Nov

T ~ Trouble in Mudbug by Jana Deleon Oct

U ~ An Uncluttered Palette by Jean Sheldon Dec

M ~ Murder At The Rocks by Jill Paterson Oct

N ~Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman Nov

Winter Challenge 2012/13 6/6 completed

W ~ When Empires Fall by Katie Jennings Dec

I ~ If Errands Could Kill by Jim Bronyaur Mar

N ~ Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger Jan

T ~ Take the Monkeys and Run by Karen Cantwell Dec

E ~ Effigies by Mary Anna Evans Mar

R ~ Room with a Clue by Kate Kingsbury Dec

Spring Challenge 2013 6/6 completed

S ~ Suspicions: a novel of suspense by Christine Kersey May

P ~ Perfect Crime by Jack Erickson June

R ~ Red Knife by William Kent Krueger Mar

I ~ Indispensable Party by Melissa F. Miller May

N ~ Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen May

G ~ (The) Great Chocolate Scam by Sally Berneathy Mar

Summer Challenge 2013 6/6 completed


S ~ Summer and Smoke and Murder by Nevada Barr June

U ~ Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin July

M ~ May Day by Jess Lourey July

M ~ Moonlighting In Vermont by Kate George August

E ~ Elusive by Sara Rosett July

R ~ Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke August

Autumn Challenge 2013 6/6 completed


A ~ Alaska Virgin Air by Izzy Ballard October

U ~ An Unquiet Grave by P.J. Parrish October

T ~ Thicker Than Blood by C.J. Darlington September

U ~ Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods October

M ~ Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker November

N ~ Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles
December

Winter Challenge 2013/14 6/6 completed


W ~ Wild Goose Chase by Terri Thayer December

I ~ If You Can't Stand the Heat by Robin Allen January

N ~ Needle in a Haystack by Ernesto Mallo January

T ~ Ten Lords A-Leaping: A Mystery by C.C. Benison
January

E ~ Entangled by Barbara Ellen Brink February

R ~ Rekindling Motives by Elaine Orr January

Spring Challenge 2014 6/6 completed

S ~ She Came From Away May

P ~ Pretense for Murder by Karen L. Abrahamson March

R~ Rules of Lying by Stephie Smith March

I ~ In the Blood by Steve RobinsonJune

N ~ The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom June

G ~ Granny Heist by Juliet Dillon Clark May

Summer Challenge 2014 6/6 completed


S ~ Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts July

U ~ Unintended ConsequencesMarti Green July

M ~ Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction byAmy Metz Aug

M ~ Mad Money by Linda L. Richards Aug

E ~ The Embroidered Corpse by Brian Kavanagh July

R ~ Remix by Lexi Revellian Aug

Autumn Challenge 2014 6/6 completed

A ~ Aunt Bessie Believes by Diana Xarissa Sept

U ~ Unfamiliar Country by T S Sharp October

T ~ To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie October

U ~ Under the Hidden Sun byMark Kennard October

M ~ Madness in Christmas River: A Christmas Cozy Mystery by Meg Muldoon October

NNever Turn Back by Lorna Lee November

Winter Challenge 2014/15 6/6 completed


W ~ Wrapped in Death and Chocolate by C. S. Patra January

I ~ In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George December

N ~ No Way to Die by M.D. Grayson December

b> T ~ Two Bits Four Bits by Mark Cotton December

E ~ Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel December

R ~ RIPTIDE byPaul LevineFebruary

Spring Challenge 2015 6/6 completed


S ~ Sins of a Nation by Don McGraw March

P ~ Partners In Crime by Gallagher Gray March

R~ Romeo's Tell by William Neubauer April

I ~ In Their Blood by Sharon Potts April

N ~ Night of the Storm by Lindsay Townsend April

G ~Grey Areas by Brad Carl May

Summer Challenge 2015 6/6 completed


S ~ Scoop by Kit Frazier July

U ~ Undue Influence by Steve Martini July

M ~ Mistletoe and Murder by Lawrence Rotch July

M ~ Murder on Thames by Matthew Costello July

E ~ Exit Stage Left by Adam Croft August

R ~ Revolutionary Tax by Neal Sillars September

I like this. It's different and not overly demanding. Rock on, Kaye! :O)

LuAnn wrote: "I like this. It's different and not overly demanding. Rock on, Kaye! :O)"

Helps me clean out old titles on e readers too. :-)

Autumn Challenge 2015 6/6 completed


A~ After the Storm by Linda Castillo November

U An Unforgivable Secret by J.E.B. Spredemann October

T~ There Must Be Murder by Margaret C. Sullivan October

U~ An Unlawful Order by Carver Greene November

M~ Murder On The Ol' Bunions by S. Dionne Moore October

N~ The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny November

Winter Challenge 2015/16 6/6 Completed

W~ Watches of the Night Sally Wright January

I~In This Hospitable Land by Lynmar Brock Jr. January

N~ Naked Justice by William Bernhardt December

T~ Tempest in the Tea Room by Libi Astaire January

E~East Coast Toast by Walker Newton February

R ~Roselli's Gold by Michael Parker February

Kaye wrote: Spring Challenge 2016 6/6 Completed


S ~ Strawberry Cream Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 1 by Susan Gillard March

P ~ Photo Finished by Laura Childs March

R ~ Robbery, Murder and Cups of Tea: A Novella by Phil Church May

I ~ Irish Creme Killer by Summer Prescott March

N~ No Greater Sacrifice by John C. Stipa May

G~ Ghost Wanted by Carolyn Hart April

Summer Challenge 2016 6/6 completed

S ~ The Serpents Trail by Sue Henry September

U ~ The Unburied Dead by Douglas Lindsay August

M ~ Murder al Dente by Jennifer L. Hart July

M ~ Murder in the Air by Marilyn Levinson July

E ~ Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin August

R ~ The Retribution by Val McDermid August

Autumn Challenge 2016 6/6 Completed

A ~ Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon by Nancy Atherton September

U ~ Unbound by Julie Kaewert November

T ~ Taxed to death by ~Debra Purdy Kong November

U ~ Unprintable by Julie Kaewert November

M ~ Mirror Ball Man by Joel Brown December

N ~ New Math is Murder by Jo-Ann Lamon Reccoppa December

Winter Challenge 2016/17 5/6 Completed

W ~ Worse than Dead by Stephen Puleston January

I ~ Imago by Celina Grace January

N~ The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow

T~ Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich December

E~Eula May and the Flim Flam Nun by Amy Mull Fremgen January

R ~ Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham December