Historical Mysteries Settings Challenge (2016) - Particpant Threads

[Vicki]

Just finished this one:

Ancient Greece: Death Ex Machina by Gary Corby (June 16, 2016)

My original post

[Carol]

I finished my 6th book in 3 categories: The Camel of Destruction by Michael Pearce. I love this series!


My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nick]

Original Post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Finished 9th book across 5 categories, almost enough for Master's level! Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood

[Carol]

Finished my 7th book in 3 categories: The Twelfth Department by William Ryan. It's in the "early 20th century" category.

My original post is at: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Sandy]

I completed #9 towards my bachelor's - The Glass House; the third in the Captain Lacey series. And I've finally read books in five time periods.

While this isn't one of my very favorite series it is interesting enough to want to read the next one. I found I had forgotten a lot of the characters and plot from book 2; not a good sign as I remember my favorite series. To solve that problem I've requested the next from the library.

My original post (#8): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Lauren]

Sandy wrote: "I completed #9 towards my bachelor's - The Glass House; the third in the Captain Lacey series. And I've finally read books in five time periods.

While this isn't one of my very favori..."

I tried the first book in this series but couldn't get into it. It's strange because I love her historical romance books. I need to give it another try.

[Sandy]

Lauren wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I completed #9 towards my bachelor's - The Glass House; the third in the Captain Lacey series. And I've finally read books in five time periods.

While this isn't one of ..."

Captain Lacey's anger management problems can get a bit much. I hope as his life improves so will his temper.

[Veronica]

Lauren wrote: "I tried the first book in this series but couldn't get into it. It's strange because I love her historical romance books. I need to give it another try."

I read the first book and it didn't hook me either. Part of the problem may have been that I read it immediately after binge reading the Sebastian St Cyr books and it didn't fare well in the comparison. Another factor was also the writing style for the Captain Lacey book; it felt much more informal to me. Was it first person POV? Anyway, Harris used a more formal (yet still very accessible) writing style for the St Cyr series which I think befits the time period much better. Just MHO, of course.

[Lauren]

Yes, it would suffer in comparison to Sebastian St. Cyr. The first person narration does not help either.

[Vicki]

Recently finished these:

Georgian England: The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber (June 20, 2016)

Edwardian England: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen (June 25, 2016)

My original post

[Sandy]

Lauren wrote: "Yes, it would suffer in comparison to Sebastian St. Cyr. The first person narration does not help either."

I have got to start the St. Cyr series; so many people enjoy it. But I would also like to have less active series ...

[Lauren]

It's a fabulous series, Sandy. Great characters, stories and the historical detail is brilliant.

[Veronica]

I have a couple to add.

Masters level
Completed: 7/15

Early 20th century: England Expects and Stalking Ivory

My original post

[Vicki]

My latest read:

Victorian England: The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell (June 25, 2016)

My original post

[Veronica]

Masters level
Completed: 8/15

Early 20th century: Borrowing Death

My original post

And I really need to get out of the early 20th century or else I'll never complete this level, lol.

[Dawn]

As a teen, I found Agatha Christie. I was quickly hooked on historical mysteries. I haven't read one in several years since I have gravitated towards medieval mysteries.

I found Poirot's Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries and was excited to read an Agatha Christie book again. While I enjoyed it, I was dismayed at some of the ways that people were portrayed. Definitely not politically correct. While I know it is a sign of the times in which the stories were written, I will struggle to get myself to read another Agatha Christie anytime soon.

Early 20th Century: Poirot's Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries, June 29, 2016

My Original Post https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Susan]

I just completed my 12th book.

Early 20th century: A Pattern of Lies by Charles Todd.

My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Sandy]

Completed my 10th.
Earlty 20th Century: A Duty To The Dead by Charles Todd.

And this completes my Masters! I will continue posting my reads n this thread though I don't think I can make all the time periods required for a Doctorate.

Thanks for a fun challenge.

My original post:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Lauren]

Congratulations on completing the Masters level, Sandy! Well done!

[Meghan]

Finished Cocaine Blues yesterday. I'm a huge fan of the show but the book didn't do much for me. Too much detail on things like clothes and not enough on the mystery itself.

Original Post

[Carol]

Finished my 8th book for this challenge yesterday, The Snake Catcher's Daughter by Michael Pearce, in the "early 20th century" category. It's not as strong as the previous two books I read from this series, but still a great read.

here's the link to my original post -

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Gretchen]

Finally added another category to my challenge!

Finished The Infidel Stain on 6/28

Original post https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Veronica]

Congrats, Sandy!

@Meghan - the Phrynne Fisher book didn't do much for me either. I don't think I even finished it. I liked the tv show much better.

[Carol]

Veronica wrote: "Congrats, Sandy!

@Meghan - the Phrynne Fisher book didn't do much for me either. I don't think I even finished it. I liked the tv show much better."

And here I thought it was just me. I've read Cocaine Blues and a subsequent entrant and they are just too fluffy for my taste. Maybe I will give the TV series another go.

[Meghan]

Carol wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Congrats, Sandy!

@Meghan - the Phrynne Fisher book didn't do much for me either. I don't think I even finished it. I liked the tv show much better."

And here I thought it was jus..."

I found the first episode of the series tough to get through (though it's much better than the book) but from episode 2 on, the series is fantastic. (I would still watch episode 1 though, as it's important to meet all the characters and it's still substantially different from the book.)

[Veronica]

It's a really fun series with delicious clothes and great chemistry between the actors playing Phryne and Jack.

[Sandy]

Continuing my masters,I just finished #4 in the Captain Lacey series, The Sudbury School Murders. I enjoyed this entry very much, probably because Lacey had his temper more under control. The next entries are three short stories.

Original post (#8) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Meghan]

Finished Queen of Hearts yesterday and I believe that puts me at 15 in 5 categories! (Original Post). I'm not going to do doctorate level but will continue updating as I read more.

I didn't expect to have so much in the medieval section as that was something I had shied away from prior to this year, so I'm glad I found something new!

[Lauren]

Well done, Meghan!

[Veronica]

Congrats, Meghan!

[Michelle]

Veronica wrote: "It's a really fun series with delicious clothes and great chemistry between the actors playing Phryne and Jack."

I enjoyed the tv series much more than the books. I, too, thought the chemistry onscreen was better than the books. And the clothes - beautiful!

[Susan]

I just completed by Simone St. James. I like this much better than the other books I have read by this author.

I have now completed 13/15 books. I definitely lean towards books in the early 20th century.

My original post:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Veronica]

Michelle wrote: "Veronica wrote: "It's a really fun series with delicious clothes and great chemistry between the actors playing Phryne and Jack."

I enjoyed the tv series much more than the books. I, too, thought ..."

It's almost worth watching just for Phryne's outfits. :-)

[Veronica]

Susan wrote: " I definitely lean towards books in the early 20th century."

Me too, Susan!

[Benjamin]

Me too too. Loved the first Brother Cadfael book, but havent gone back to read more -- I love "my" era.

[Veronica]

lol!

[Dawn]

I finished two books in the last few weeks. I enjoyed them both.

The last installment in the Joslyn de Lay mysteries tied up all the loose ends. The False Father was very good.

The Winter Siege was also very good. I am sorry Ariana Franklin passed away. She was a real talent.

My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Meghan]

Finished two this past week: A Test of Wills and As Death Draws Near.

Original Post

[Veronica]

Masters level
Completed: 9/15

Medieval England: The Last Templar

My original post

Finally adding a new category!

[Lauren]

Readerboard Update

Aubree - 10/15
Benjamin - 6/10
Candace - 1/3
Carol - 8/10
Dawn - 13/13
Denise -22/22
Gail - 9/9
Gretchen - 14/14
Gretchen II - 18/20
Jadetyger -5/10
Lauren - 10/10
Lindy-Lane - 4/15
Meghan - 15/15
Nick - 9/15
Paisley - 4/15
Rosina 2/10
Sandy - 11/11
Susan - 13/15
Veronica - 10/10 , 9/15
Vicki - 25/25
Viji - 10/20+

[Benjamin]

I just started A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal last night, so I'm back in the historic section of the bookshelf.

[Sandy]

Completed my 12th book: The Alienist but not a new category.

Original post (#8) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Veronica]

Masters level
Completed: 12/15 (4 of 5 categories so far)

Regency England: What Darkness Brings

Early 20th Century: British Bulldog and Operation Goodwood

My original post.

[Dawn]

I read the next in my Elizabeth Peter's series The Last Camel Died at Noon. This is always a fun series and doesn't take itself too seriously.

My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Dawn]

I finished Lost Innocents yesterday. I am sorry to say that this is the last book in this series so far. I enjoyed it very much.

My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Meghan]

Finished both Malice at the Palace and The Alienist. The second was a slow starter but I had a hard time putting it down by the end!

Original Post

[Lauren]

Dawn wrote: "I finished Lost Innocents yesterday. I am sorry to say that this is the last book in this series so far. I enjoyed it very much.

My original post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/s..."

Dawn, your last book doesn't appear in your original post. Can you update it please. Thanks.

[Dawn]

Lauren wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I finished Lost Innocents yesterday. I am sorry to say that this is the last book in this series so far. I enjoyed it very much.

My original post: https://www.goodread..."

Sorry, I fixed my original post.

[Lauren]

Thanks Dawn.

[Gretchen]

Added Shinju. Finished on 8/2. I'm at 9 categories now. I have no idea what I want to do for my 10th and final category. I have so many different series going right now.

Original post:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Edit- I can't read apparently. I only have 8 categories so far and need 10.