Mark's 2014 Sleuth Extraordinaire Challenge

[Mark]

I haven't been participating in the group much even though I've done this challenge for a couple years.

Since I think I'm already to 20 for this year, and I haven't officially done a wrap up post for the challenge, I think I need to sign up for this new level this year.

What books will I read? I have no clue, but I'll update as I go along.

[Yvonne]

Welcome, Mark! Whatever books you choose, I'm sure they will be good ones. Have fun!

[Mark]

I'm all official and everything. My intro challenge post for this went live today: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co.... I joined some others as well. I'm going to have a busy reading 2014.

And, if you're interested, here's the link for my wrap up in 2013 with links to my reviews of the books I read for the challenge last year: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

So I should probably set up a post for the books I'm reading. Here we go.

1. You Cannoli Die Once by Shelley Costa http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

2. Murder With Ganache: A Key West Food Critic Mystery by Lucy Burdette http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

3. Mr. Monk Gets on Board by Hy Conrad http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

4. Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames Here's my review.

[Mark]

5. Cloche and Dagger by Jenn McKinlay Here's my review.

6. NYPD Puzzle: A Puzzle Lady Mystery by Parnell Hall Here's my review.

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

Hello, fellow mystery buff! :) I've considered trying Ms. McKinlay, own several Avery Aames. Like much of the *huge* collection I'm blessed to have built (see recent post & photo at 'RIEDEL Fascination'), I haven't dug into them yet. Several books are in our bedroom. As I retire, I frequently glance at their colourful spines and exlaim: "Oooo, I want to read THAT one and THAT one..." All in good time. Carolyn.

[Mark]

I'm the same way. I've been meaning to get back to Avery for years, and I've needed to start on Jenn for almost as long. Finally doing so this year, but now I've got ground to make up.

[Mark]

7. Killing Cupid by Laura Levine Here's my review.

[Mark]

8. Moriarty Returns a Letter by Michael Robertson Here's my review.

[Mark]

9. Mayhem at the Orient Express by Kylie Logan Here's my review.

[Mark]

10. Murder Past Due by Miranda James Here's my review.

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

Hello Mark! I love Dean James myself. If he were assured of male mainstream mystery fans, he needn't have disguised himself as a woman writer. I was going to suggest him and David Handler to you. I addressed you in the comment pages of my blog about someone else.

I'd love for guests to engage in conversation among any of the pages and watch for remarks; or "RIEDEL Clues". The first is dropping soon and I'm giving an outside alert ~ this first time. :) I'll surely check out your Kylie Logan & 'Miranda James reviews.

[Mark]

11. City of Darkness and Light by Rhys Bowen Here's my review.

12. Dummy of a Ghost (Novella) by Sue Ann Jaffarian Here my review.

13. An Appetite for Murder by Lucy Burdette Here's my review.

[Mark]

14. Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. 4 out of 5 stars. Here's my review.

[Mark]

15. Inherit the Word by Daryl Wood Gerber Fun setting and characters with a very twisty plot. 5 out of 5. Here's my review.

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

Good day! Next time you're at our review page, I don't believe you saw the comment I left for you a while ago. I leave info on those pages too of upcoming activity. :) Entry 13, Feb 16. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/mykindo...

[Mark]

16. Clammed Up by Barbara Ross The first quarter was slow, but after that it really picked up. 4 out of 5. Here's my review.

[Mark]

17. Ghost of a Gamble by Sue Ann Jaffarian Another great read from one of my favorite authors. 5 out of 5. Here's my review.

[Mark]

18. Murder on Bamboo Lane by Naomi Hirahara The characters really drew me into this debut, which was deeper than a normal cozy. 5 out of 5. Here's my review.

[Mark]

19. Gluten for Punishment by Nancy J. Parra Sadly, the book wasn't that great. Here's my review.

[Mark]

Looks like I'm a few books behind in this thread, so let's get it updated.

20. The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes A fun debut. I'll definitely be back for more. Here's my review.

21. Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney Another great entry in a favorite series. Here's my review.

22. Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinlay The second in Jenn's newest series is fun and charming, and her fans will love it. Here's my full review.

[Mark]

23. Boiled Over by Barbara Ross Strong plotting and great characters kept me turning the pages. Here's my full review.

24. 'Til Dirt Do Us Part by Edith Maxwell Fun second book in the series. Now I need to read the first. Here's my full review.

[Mark]

25. A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan-Wilsey: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

26. Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

27. Mr. Monk is Open for Business by Hy Conrad: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

28. Dead Man's Switch by Tammy Kaehler: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

29. Bran New Death by Victoria Hamilton: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

30. Basil Instinct by Shelley Costa: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

31. Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

32. Death on Eat Street by J. J. Cook: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

33. A Tale of Two Biddies by Kylie Logan: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

34. Drizzled with Death by Jessie Crockett: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

I got behind, but here's a catch up post:

35. The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

36. A Question of Death by Kerry Greenwood: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

37. To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

38. Death of a Crabby Cook by Penny Pike: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

39. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

40. Kneading to Die by Liz Mugavero: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

41. Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

42. Death Valley by Sandy Dengler: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

43. Topped Chef by Lucy Burdette: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

44. Maple Mayhem by Jessie Crockett: http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.co...

[Mark]

What happens when you don't post for several months? You get so far behind, it's almost impossible to catch up. Let's just say I broke 60 cozies for the year and leave it at that, although I did review them all on my blog.

And I know everyone is getting ready for 2015. I'll definitely be back with level four again next year. This is one of my favorite challenges out there because cozies are so much fun.

[Mark]

Welcome aboard, Dagny. If you enjoy cozies, you'll love this challenge. Lots of good new titles are brought to your attention as a result.