Baker's Dozen Challenge - Tasks, Questions and Comments

[Helen]

I've already finished four books, so need to upgrade to Morning Glory Muffin.

[Nell]

Helen wrote: "I've already finished four books, so need to upgrade to Morning Glory Muffin."

OK done.

[Helen]

Thank you, Nell.

[Nell]

The featured reads for December fit several tasks for this challenge:

The Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews is animal themed (Pet-ty Crime) and set in the South (Hot & Bothered). Her mysteries are humorous (Tickled to Death). The MC is a blacksmith (Mind Your Own Business). Several books are set during a holiday (Holiday Homicide).

The first book in the series, Murder With Peacocks, won several mystery awards (And the Winner Is). Other books in this series have won the Lefty Award for Best Humorous mystery. Remember it has to win the award to fit this task (Several of her books have been finalist for mystery awards.) Here's a link to her page on SYKM:
http://stopyourekillingme.com/A_Autho...

The theme read is G.M. Malliet's Max Tudor series. Her books may fit Tickled to Death. (I enjoy her wry humor, others may, too.) Three books in this series may be used for Holiday Homicide: The first book, Wicked Autumn, is on the Autumn holiday list. Pagan Spring is set during Easter season. A Fatal Winter is at Christmas. A Demon Summer can be used for Hot and Bothered. And the MC has a dog, that works for Pet-ty Crimes.

[Marisa]

Just a question, Does Simon Said qualifies as "Award Winner"? I think so but I only want to confirm.

[Nell]

Marisa wrote: "Just a question, Does Simon Said qualifies as "Award Winner"? I think so but I only want to confirm."

Yes, it won the Malice Domestic award for best first mystery.

[Nell]

Comment from Sharon:

I'm almost done with The Anteater of Death for my Pet-ty Crime book, getting me all the way through Morning Glory Muffin. I'd like to try for Smart Cookie. I have a holiday mystery checked out and a southwest mystery I might get through, but I could use some suggestions for Aliases and Alibis. I don't really know which authors are using pen names. Would someone suggest a couple? Thanks!

[Nell]

Nell wrote: "Comment from Sharon:

I'm almost done with The Anteater of Death for my Pet-ty Crime book, getting me all the way through Morning Glory Muffin. I'd like to try for Smart Cookie... but I could use some suggestions for Aliases and Alibis. "

The easiest thing to do is look at others' post and see what authors they read. There are a lot of cozy writers that use pen names. You've already read one of them - Cleo Coyle is the pen name for a husband and wife team.

A few others that come to mind are:

Ellery Adams
Bailey Cates
Lucy Arlington
E.J. Copperman
J.J. Cook
Heather Blake
Kylie Logan
Avery Aames
Rhys Bowen
Chris Cavender
M.C. Beaton

if you're not sure, check the author's page on GR or SYKM
www.stopyourekillingme.com

[Sharon]

Thanks, Nell. I'll check them out.

[Sharon]

I just got to the bottom of the list, Nell, and realized my serial challenge is M.C. Beaton! I read the first two Hammish Macbeth mysteries in October and finished the third yesterday. Looks like I'm more than covered for Alias and Alibis. Thanks!

[Mary]

Nell wrote: "Comment from Sharon:

I'm almost done with The Anteater of Death for my Pet-ty Crime book, getting me all the way through Morning Glory Muffin. I'd like to try for Smart Cookie. I have a holiday my..."

Nora Roberts writes as J. D. Robb - Mysteries
J K Rowlands write as Robert Gilbrath - Mysteries

That is all I can off the top of my head think of for Mysteries.

Mary

[Sharon]

Thanks, Mary! I think I'm all set for the next challenge that involves pen names.

[Gary]

Mary wrote: "Nell wrote: "Comment from Sharon:

I'm almost done with The Anteater of Death for my Pet-ty Crime book, getting me all the way through Morning Glory Muffin. I'd like to try for Smart Cookie. I have..."

Earle Stanley Gardner also wrote as A.A. Fair for his Donald Lam and Bertha Cool series.
Evan Hunter wrote both the Matthew Hope and 87th Precinct series as Ed McBain.

[Helen]

Hi Nell, may l upgrade to Smart Cookie, as I've completed my seventh for Morning Glory Muffin?

[Sharon]

Thanks, Gary. More for my list.

[Marianne]

I have completed the Bakers Dozen challenge, it was fun trying to read a book for each category.

[Nell]

Marianne wrote: "I have completed the Bakers Dozen challenge, it was fun trying to read a book for each category."

Congratulations Marianne

And the Winner Is:
Lord of the Wings won the Lefty Award for humorous mystery. It's the 19th book in the series so it did not win awards for best first mystery. The first book in this series did but it has to be the book you read.

International Intrigue:
This task excludes books from the United Kingdom. The book you read, Murder in an Irish Village, is not set in Northern Ireland (part of UK) so it counts.

[Sharon]

Hi, Nell. If I can count Turbo 23 by Janet Evanovich as romantic suspense, I can get all 13 tasks in. What say you?

[Nell]

Sharon wrote: "Hi, Nell. If I can count Turbo 23 by Janet Evanovich as romantic suspense, I can get all 13 tasks in. What say you?"

Sorry Sharon. It's listed as Mystery and Humor on the GR book page not as Romantic Suspense.

[Beth]

Nell; this was such a fun challenge. Can't wait to see what you cook up next!

[Marsha]

I squeaked in with one more book to finish with a total of 10 books. My final book was by C.S. Harris , a pseudonym for Candice Proctor. Thanks for a very interesting and fun challenge.

Updating Message 18.

[Marsha]

Oops! I was at Message 18 for my reporting thread. I can't seem to find it now. I did finish 10, a couple more than I originally thought I could manage as I still had other genres to read as well.

[Nell]

Round II
TASKS:

AAR[I]P - Read a mystery where the MC is mature (over 50)
AARP is an American organization that advocates for the rights and interests of people 50 and older. MC does not have to be retired.

Magick-al Mystery - Read a mystery with paranormal elements (ghost, witches, psychic, charmed, et al.)

Across the Pond - Read a mystery set in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland) OR if you live in Europe, read a mystery set in the United States or Canada
Great Britain includes only Northern Ireland but any book set in Ireland will qualify.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - Read a book where the MC is a hair stylist, beautician, manicurist or mystery has a health, beauty or wellness theme (e.g., yoga, massage)
For this task, think of services that you might find at a spa.

Murder in a Minor Key - Read a book where the MC is a minor (under 18) or the parent of minor child(ren)

Dead and Buried: Read a gardening or flower shop themed mystery

Law & Dis-Order - Read a book where the MC is in the legal profession (lawyer, judge or paralegal) OR where either MC or her/his spouse/love interest is a police officer

Crafty Killers - Read a book with a craft theme as a hobby or business

Pass the Popcorn Please - Read a mystery from a series that was adapted for television or a mystery that was made into a movie
The book you read does not have to have been televised as long as one or more books in the series has been.

Dead Cold - Read a mystery where characters are snowbound or that is set during winter

Murder, HE Wrote - Read a mystery by a male author or that features a male sleuth

Home Sweet Homicide - Read a mystery with a home renovation, housekeeping or interior design theme; MC is a contractor, housekeeper/organizer or interior decorator

'Til Death Do Us Part - Read a mystery where MC is a wedding or an event planner or MC provides services for a wedding (florist, caterer) OR a wedding is planned and/or happens in the book.
If using MC providing services, there has to be a wedding planned in the book you use.

[Cyndi]

I'm in. Call me A Piece of Cake

[Nell]

Cyndi wrote: "I'm in. Call me A Piece of Cake"

Welcome Cyndi. You can copy the task list and post your progress in the reporting thread.

[Beth]

Nell does this mean we are running another 3 month challenge?!?

[Nell]

Beth wrote: "Nell does this mean we are running another 3 month challenge?!?"

Yes. Round II runs from Feb 1 to April 3o.

[Beth]

I am all in for Pie in the Sky. Excited to start another challenge. Thanks for keeping it going Nell!

[Jeanne]

Nell, in perusing the tasks for Challenge 2, I was looking for books that would satisfy some of the challenges. For "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" I have "Killer Hair" on my to be read list/shelf. According to the write-up, the victim was a hair stylist, but not the MC. Would this count? Thanks.

[Nell]

Jeanne wrote: "Nell, in perusing the tasks for Challenge 2, I was looking for books that would satisfy some of the challenges. For "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" I have "Killer Hair" on my to be read list/shelf. Acc..."

Yes you can use it. The mystery has a salon/ hair stylist theme.

[Jeanne]

Nell wrote: "Jeanne wrote: "Nell, in perusing the tasks for Challenge 2, I was looking for books that would satisfy some of the challenges. For "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" I have "Killer Hair" on my to be read ..."

Thanks, Nell.

[Nell]

The Fixer Upper mystery books fit at least two of the challenge tasks: Pass the Popcorn and Home Sweet Homicide. The MC is a contractor who does home renovations. And Hallmark Mystery channel televised the second book as a made for tv movie.

The second book/series, a Crystal Shop mystery, sounds like it will fit the Magickal Mystery category. The book description talks about psychic energy.

[Nell]

Welcome Karen. If you've read any books that fit the task(s) since the Feb 1 start date, you can use if in this challenge.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

Nell would Garden of Death: A Natural Remedies Mystery by Chrystle Fiedler fit the Health, Beauty, Wellness theme? The MC is an Holistic Healer.

[Nell]

Karen L wrote: "Nell wrote: "Welcome Kate. If you've read any books that fit the task(s) since the Feb 1 start date, you can use if in this challenge."

Nell, Are you talking to me? I read a mystery (non-cozy) [bo..."

Yes, Karen. You can use the Laurie King for Across the Pond unless you live in Europe.

[Nell]

Hilary wrote: "Nell would Garden of Death: A Natural Remedies Mystery by Chrystle Fiedler fit the Health, Beauty, ..."

Yes Hilary. You can use a holistic healer.

[Elizabeth]

I will morning glory muffin as my level!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

Nell wrote: "Hilary wrote: "Nell would Garden of Death: A Natural Remedies Mystery by Chrystle Fiedler fit the H..."

Thank you Nell!

[Nancy]

I'm in at Morning Glory Muffin level - my first challenge an I love the idea of these challenges.

[Linda]

Nell, does quilting work for the crafts theme? Or does it need to be more like scrapbooking? Thanks!

[Nell]

Linda wrote: "Nell, does quilting work for the crafts theme? Or does it need to be more like scrapbooking? Thanks!"

Quilting works. Any needle craft (sewing, knitting, embroidery, crocheting, etc.) as well as woodworking, blacksmithing, glass blowing and others.

[Linda]

Nell wrote: "Linda wrote: "Nell, does quilting work for the crafts theme? Or does it need to be more like scrapbooking? Thanks!"

Quilting works. Any needle craft (sewing, knitting, embroidery, crocheting, etc...."

Thanks! Looks like I have a crafts book then.

[Julesy]

Nell,
Could you please bump me up to the Smart Cookie level? I've completed Morning Glory level and think I can squeeze in a couple more books before the end of the challenge. Thanks.

[Beth]

Nell, will there be another challenge soon after this one is complete. I want able to able to read as much as I had hoped this challenge and really enjoy them as they keep me trying new series. Thanks

[Nell]

Beth wrote: "Nell, will there be another challenge soon after this one is complete. I want able to able to read as much as I had hoped this challenge and really enjoy them as they keep me trying new series. Thanks"

Yes, Jaxnsmom is working on a new challenge that will be posted soon.