May 2014 - Mini-Challenge

[ஐ Briansgirl (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

Sorry ladies. I've been rather busy the last few days. Heather has graciously offered to create this month's mini-challenge for you. :)

[Donna]

We appreciate all you do for this group. Hope you get to relax on Sunday. Have a Happy Mother's Day! And thanks to Heather for making up the challenge.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Relax, enjoy your day! And thanks to Heather too.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Hi everyone!


Sorry not to get this up a bit sooner, but here are this month's mini challenges. Remember — books for these challenges DO NOT have to all be mysteries, but can be from any genre. You can only use a title once for the below challenges, but can apply them to other challenges (eg: Spring challenge, Read the USA challenge, etc). Have fun and do as many as you are able! ☺


The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover. Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk.

Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).

National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?

May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.

May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category). BONUS: Visit a museum this month!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

For those who need help with the bicycle challenge, the following may be of help:


* A Fatal Stain by Elise Hyatt has a red tricycle on the cover
* Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay has a bicycle on the cover
* I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm remembering wrong, but I believe Theodosia in Laura Childs' Tea Shop series rides a bicycle.
* Laurie Shepherd and husband Bill sometimes ride bicycles in the Aunt Dimity series.

[Christine]

National wildflower week- Dead Between the Lines by Denise Swanson(has flowers in right corner)

Mother's day- Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier completed

National police week-

National bike month- Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay completed

International muesuem day-

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Well, Spain is one of those countries where Mother's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in May ;) And about museums... I've already done it: I don't know how many of you knows a Greek painter: "El Greco". He lived mainly in Toledo (Spain), and this year there're some big exhibitions there. I was on May, 1st and I thought it was wonderful.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

(1 / 5)

1.- National Wildflower Week, Iris Day and Water a Flower Day:.

2.- Mother’s Day:

3,. National Police Week and National Police Officers Memorial Day: A Tiger's Tale by Laura Morrigan (05/08/2014 - ****) (H's boyfriend is a policeman).

4.- National Bike Month, National Bike Week and National Bike to Work Day:

5.- International Museum Day

BONUS: Visit a museum this month! (Museo de Santa Cruz, in Toledo, Spain)

[Debbie]

1.- National Wildflower Week Trouble in the Tarot 5/1/14

2.- Mother’s Day: Killer Blonde 5/7/14

3,. National Police Week and National Police Officers Memorial Day: One for the Money 5/3/14

4.- National Bike Month, National Bike Week and National Bike to Work Day:Belonging 5/27/17

5.- International Museum Day

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Well, Spain is one of those countries where Mother's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in May ;) And about museums... I've already done it: I don't know how many of you knows a Greek painter: "..."

Sounds like it was a great opportunity! I don't know if I'll get to the museum bonus, but I've actually already been on two nature walks (the other bonus for this month), and hope to do a third guided walk this weekend.

[ஐ Briansgirl (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

Thanks Donna and Marisa. One of my 3 sons had a birthday party this weekend, and two days ago my youngest was playing with matches and started a fire in the basement. Thankfully, only a box of cereal went up into flames so we and the house are all fine. Just scared the crap outta me and he will now take a junior fire safety program the fire department has next week.

Thanks to Heather for helping me out this month with the challenge.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Briansgirl, glad you're safe and yes, I think he needs/deserves the program. Heather, it was, I liked the exhibition a lot, and I think I'm not going to do the nature walk, not my taste ;)

[Mary (Biblophile)]

5/5

I'm in.


The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover.

Inn Keeping with Murder....5/6/14

Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).

Stolen Remains...5/3/14

National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?

Iced to Death...5/2/14

May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.

A Bicycle Built For Murder...5/12/14

May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category).

Rock Bottom...5/9/14

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Briansgirl, glad you're safe and yes, I think he needs/deserves the program. Heather, it was, I liked the exhibition a lot, and I think I'm not going to do the nature walk, not my taste ;)"

I confess, I have an advantage on the nature thing, living a little over a mile from the Arboretum. I like walking the trails there rather than the bike path when I can, and they have free guided walks every Sunday. There's a great sense of accomplishment being able to identify some of the flowers and other plants I see on a daily basis.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Heather L wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Briansgirl, glad you're safe and yes, I think he needs/deserves the program. Heather, it was, I liked the exhibition a lot, and I think I'm not going to do the nature walk, not my ta..."

Well, then I must confess I have an advantage on the museum thing, as living in Madrid there're a lot of museums... and my friends and me like going to museums in the weekends a lot ;)

[Naomi]

I'm in! 5/5 DONE


National Wildflower Week - Scandal in Skibbereen by Sheila Connolly

Mother’s Day - Winter Chill by Joanne Fluke

National Police Week - The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

National Bike Month - A Bicycle Built For Murder by Kate Kingsbury

International Museum Day - Death of a Squire by Maureen Ash

[Linda]

These challenges are very educational! I knew our police officers at work get Police Memorial Day as a holiday, just didn't know it was a national thing. Not sure I'll get to either bonus in May but will probably do both the first weekend in June. Anyway here is the current plan for May, still not sure what I'll read for my flower book, I'll have to look at some covers this weekend and see if I can come up with something more creative than a flower shop mystery, although that is my back up plan.

National Wildflower Week -

Mother’s Day - Delicious and Suspicious 5/3/14

National Police Week - The Fashion Hound Murders

National Bike Month - The English Breakfast Murder

International Museum Day — Murder and the First Lady

[Nell]

Linda wrote: "These challenges are very educational! I knew our police officers at work get Police Memorial Day as a holiday, just didn't know it was a national thing. Not sure I'll get to either bonus in May ..."

The Flower Shop mystery series by Kate Collins is very good. The newest one came out a month or two ago. I'd use that one if I hadn't already read it.

[Linda]

Nell wrote: "Linda wrote: "These challenges are very educational! I knew our police officers at work get Police Memorial Day as a holiday, just didn't know it was a national thing. Not sure I'll get to either..."


I do enjoy the flower shop mysteries and I think I have about 4 on my shelf to read but I just read Snipped in the Bud in April so was thinking something different might be good. I'm having the same issue with the bike challenge since a manor house mystery by Kate Kingsbury would fit that challenge well but I just read one of those in April. I'm just a month off this time!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Briansgirl, glad you're safe and yes, I think he needs/deserves the program. Heather, it was, I liked the exhibition a lot, and I think I'm not going to do the natu..."

We have museums and art galleries in Madison - though certainly not the caliber of Madrid - I just don't get up town much. ☺

[Becky]

Marisa wrote: "Well, Spain is one of those countries where Mother's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in May ;) And about museums... I've already done it: I don't know how many of you knows a Greek painter: "..."

That sounds awesome

[Becky]

The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover.
Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk. Completed 05/11

Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character). Frog Music by Emma Donoghue completed 05/05


National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right? NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson Completed 05/08


May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover. Body Double by Tess Gerristen completed by 05/15


May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category). BONUS: Visit a museum this month!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

(2 / 5)

1.- National Wildflower Week, Iris Day and Water a Flower Day:.

2.- Mother’s Day: Fatal Descent by Beth Groundwater (05/10/2014 - ★★★★) (The victim's mother is in the trip)

3,. National Police Week and National Police Officers Memorial Day: A Tiger's Tale by Laura Morrigan (05/08/2014 - ★★★★) (H's boyfriend is a policeman).

4.- National Bike Month, National Bike Week and National Bike to Work Day:

5.- International Museum Day

BONUS: Visit a museum this month! (Museo de Santa Cruz, in Toledo, Spain)

[Nell]

I am a 15-20 minute drive from a major university that renovated and reopened it's art gallery a few months ago. I've been meaning to go so I will use the bonus this month as a nudge to tour the museum.

[Becky]

BTW - for those that are looking for good "bike" books:Goldby Chris Cleave is good & also in The Fire Dancethe character rides a bike.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

A Bicycle Built for Murder could be ok, too.

[Mary (Biblophile)]

Marisa wrote: "A Bicycle Built for Murder could be ok, too."

This is an older cozy series. I remembered that was the last one I never finished reading. The bicycle is a hard one to find. Glad I remembered this one.

Finished with the challenge.

[BJ Rose]

Cozy Mysteries

May Mini-Challenge

2/5

1. Nat'l Wildflower Week - MC runs a flower shop: Slay It with Flowers by Kate Collins

2. Mother's Day: Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr

√ 3. Nat'l Police Week: Inspector Hewitt appears in The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley - 5.05

√ 4. Nat'l Bike Month: Jake rides a bike in If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton - 5.16

5. Internat'l Museum Day: ?

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats Naomi! Congrats Biblophile!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

(Done)

1.- National Wildflower Week, Iris Day and Water a Flower Day: A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon (05/15/2014 - ★★★★) .

2.- Mother’s Day: Fatal Descent by Beth Groundwater (05/10/2014 - ★★★★) (The victim's mother is in the trip)

3,. National Police Week and National Police Officers Memorial Day: A Tiger's Tale by Laura Morrigan (05/08/2014 - ★★★★) (h's boyfriend is a policeman).

4.- National Bike Month, National Bike Week and National Bike to Work Day: A Dollhouse to Die For by Cate Price (05/18/2014 - ★★★★) (h rides a bike sometimes to save money).

5.- International Museum Day: Rock Bottom by Jerusha Jones (05/12/2014 - ★★★)

BONUS: Visit a museum this month! (Museo de Santa Cruz, in Toledo, Spain)

[Linda]

Congrats to everyone finishing up the challenge! I finished last night.

National Wildflower Week - The English Breakfast Murder 5/18/14

Mother’s Day - Delicious and Suspicious 5/3/14

National Police Week - The Fashion Hound Murders 5/15/14

National Bike Month - Berried Alive 5/20/14

International Museum Day — Murder and the First Lady 5/12/14

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Congrats Linda! ☺

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

I'm calling this one a done deal, as of last night. ☺


National Wildflower Week - Prairie Plants of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum: Including Horsetails, Ferns, Rushes, Sedges, Grasses, Shrubs, Vines, Weeds, and Wildflowers

Mother’s Day - One Hundred Years of Solitude

National Police Week - If Fried Chicken Could Fly

National Bike Month - Blood Brothers

International Museum Day - Grace Interrupted

Bonus: Have been to the Arboretum three times so far this month (hence the rereading of their above-mentioned book -- that was money well-spent!).

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Linda! Congrats, Heather!

[BJ Rose]

Well, I only got 3 again - maybe June will be better…

Cozy Mysteries

May Mini-Challenge

3/5

1. Nat'l Wildflower Week - MC runs a flower shop: Slay It with Flowers by Kate Collins

√ 2. Mother's Day: Paige has a 3-yr-old son Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr - 5.23

√ 3. Nat'l Police Week: Inspector Hewitt appears in The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley - 5.05

√ 4. Nat'l Bike Month: Jake rides a bike in If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton - 5.16

5. Internat'l Museum Day: ?

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Good job, BJ - three out of five isn't bad. ☺

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, BJ, good percentage ;)

[Becky]

well I read 3 & took a walk LOL Looking forward to June's. I love the challenges!