You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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June 2014 - Solved! (Reporting Thread for Clue!)
I have 2 scoring questions for Plum Lucky. 1. I think it is police/detective sub-genre within mystery. But maybe better classified as chick-lit. Main character is a bounty hunter, but is off the clock in this novel. Should I take the 5 pts for genre, or no?
2. The author, Janet Evanovich has written some books under the pseudonym Steffie Hall (according to Wikipedia). Does it have to be THIS book to take the points??
Jennifer wrote: "2. The author, Janet Evanovich has written some books under the pseudonym Steffie Hall (according to Wikipedia). Does it have to be THIS book to take the points?? ..."Oh, I was going to ask that too, Jennifer. We probably should be asking in the regular thread though. More people will see it and this thread is for posting your book points when you are done.
Janice can you move this? and the previous one before answering? I'm not sure how...
Janice answered that question already in the main thread. Message #94, the author just has to have a pseudonym, it doesn't have to be the book you're reading! :)
Jennifer wrote: "I have 2 scoring questions for Plum Lucky. 1. I think it is police/detective sub-genre within mystery. But maybe better classified as chick-lit. Main character is a bounty hunter..."
Actually, it's a cozy mystery. http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Janet-Eva...
There are points for pseudonyms in the scoring, but in order for a book to qualify for the challenge, it must be based on the author's name on the cover.
Cherie wrote: "Janice can you move this? and the previous one before answering? I'm not sure how... "I wish we could move individual messages to other threads. We can move threads to different folders, but that's it. I will reference this in the main thread.
Just a word to remind everyone... please use this thread for reporting only. Use the other thread for questions, discussion, kibitzing, bantering, drooling (over everyone else's books), etc.
Sorry for posting my questions in the wrong thread before. I'm new to this group and still finding my way around. So, I'm reporting finishing Plum Lucky with a total of 25 points.
2 pts -- Cozy Mystery
5 pts -- Author writes under pseudonym (Steffie Hall)
5 pts -- title is 2 words long
4 pts -- proper name in the title (Stephanie Plum is the central character)
2 pts -- title is under the author's name on the cover
3 pts -- set in New York (State)
1 pt -- 268pgs
3 pts -- for reading in the bathroom
Jennifer wrote: "Sorry for posting my questions in the wrong thread before. I'm new to this group and still finding my way around. So, I'm reporting finishing Plum Lucky with a total of 25 points..."
I loved this story, but uh, Jennifer, mmmmm, Atlantic City is in New Jersey. Stephanie and her family live in Trenton. NJ - not New York.
Cherie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Sorry for posting my questions in the wrong thread before. I'm new to this group and still finding my way around. So, I'm reporting finishing Plum Lucky with a t..."
Oh dear. How embarrassing!
Make that 22 points.
Wow! You finished already!! I haven't even acquired my book yet.Don't worry about posting in the wrong thread. We don't deduct points. Hehehehe. :)
Easily done, Jennifer. Don't let it worry you. I had no idea where Trenton was when I first started reading the Stephanie Plum books years ago. I have read them all except # 20, which is the one I picked for this challenge. I have read all of the spin-offs too.
I read Death of a Kitchen Diva.Genre: - Must be a mystery
2 points - cozy mystery
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Specify) Lee Hollis is the pseudonym for a brother/sister writing team Rick Copp/Holly Simason
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. They reside in America as do I.
2 points – Is male.
1 point – Is NOT a Goodreads author
Title: - Subtitles count
2 points – Have two or more words starting with the same letter (exclude a, the, but, or, etc.) Death Diva
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
5 points – Has a murder implement on it. (May differ from the game items.)Knife on cover.
Pages:
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages 327 pages
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story. Main character writes a food and wine column for the local paper.
3 points - In honour of Garfield the Cat Day", count 3 points if there is a house cat in the story. Victim had a house cat.
Total points: 32
Woohoo! Highest points I've ever scored!!
Lori Z wrote: "I read Death of a Kitchen Diva...."Count the full 2 points for male author. So, 32 points.
I listened to The Girl with the Long Green HeartGenre: -0 pts
Author: 2 pts
2 points – Is male.
Title: - 3pts
2 points – Have two or more words starting with the same letter (exclude a, the, but, or, etc.)
1 point – Starts with the word "The"
Cover: 5 pts
3 points – Has a person's face on it.
2 points – Title is under the author's name.
Setting: 2 pts
2 points - Set in Canada (part of it)
Pages: 1 pts
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages
Bonus points: 3pts
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
Total : 16 points
Esther wrote: "I listened to The Girl with the Long Green HeartGenre: -0 pts..."
Bummer that you didn't get any points for Genre. I was going to put Noir in, but there's such a cross-over of sub-genres, I tried to get some strong definitive sub-genres represented. :(
Janice wrote: "Esther wrote: "I listened to The Girl with the Long Green HeartGenre: -0 pts..."
Bummer that you didn't get any points for Genre. I was going to put Noir in, but there's such a cro..."
Can't get them all. :) And nobody had cats!!!! I have another in my toppler pile that may score higher.
Pragya wrote: "Lori Z wrote: "I read Death of a Kitchen Diva.."Looks good. Did you like the book, Lori?"
Yes, I did! It was a fun, entertaining read and I plan on reading the rest of the series, eventually.
I read Eye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 1st Case by Shane Peacock. I'm still trying to decide whether I liked it or not. I guess a 13-year-old boy wouldn't have developed the famous Holmes character at so early of an age. I saw a glimpse of it at the end of the book. There are four more books in the series. I suppose throughout the next books we would see him mature and grow into the icon we love.Genre: Historical Mystery - 5 points
Author: is male - 2 points; is NOT a Goodreads author - 1 points
Title: has a proper name - 4 points; has two or more words/same letter - 2 points
Setting: set in England - 1 point
Pages: 200 - 299 pages - 1 point
no bonus points
Total score: 16
Nice score Lori!I read Books Can Be Deceiving (Library Lover's Mystery #1)
Genre: - Must be a mystery
2 points – Cozy Mystery
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Specify) - Also writes under Lucy Lawrence and Josie Belle. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Title: - Subtitles count
2 points – Have two or more words starting with the same letter (exclude a, the, but, or, etc.) - Library Lover's
Pages:
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story. - Yes, a tv reporter came by to report on the murder
3 points - In honour of "Garfield the Cat Day", count 3 points if there is a house cat in the story. - Yes, one of the main characters has two cats.
Total: 19 points
I read Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet
GENRE - Must be a mystery:
Police/Detective - 4 points
AUTHOR:
Born or resides in the country where you reside (born in the UK) - 4 points
Is male - 2 points
Is NOT a Goodreads author - 1 point
TITLE (subtitles count):
Has two or more words starting with the same letter (Study, Scarlet) - 2 points
COVER (based on edition you read):
Has a murder implement on it (bottle of poison with the word 'Death' on it) - 5 points
Has a person's face on it - 3 points
Title is under the author's name - 2 points
SETTING:
Set in England - 1 point
PAGES:
200-299 pages (212pp) - 1 point
BONUS:
If you have words from two different categories in the title/author's name - 5 points
In honour of "National Bathroom Reading month", count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom - 3 points
TOTAL - 33 points
I read Takedown Twenty
for this challenge. I doubt that I will pick up the next one in the series. The author can still write funny lines and I love the characters, but they are never going to go grow up and move on and I am tired of the same old format.Genre: - Must be a mystery
2 points – Cozy Mystery
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Steffie Hall)
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. (USA)
Title: - Subtitles count
5 points – Is two words long.
4 points – Has the proper name of a person or place in it. (Stephanie Plum)
3 points – Is a play on words
2 points – Have two or more words starting with the same letter
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
2 points – Title is under the author's name.
Pages:
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages (309)
29 Total Points
I guess it helps to look at the right thread. I'll blame it on the long drive and being tired.
Cherie wrote: "The author can still write funny lines and I love the characters, but they are never going to go grow up and move on and I am tired of the same old format."I've got to book 8 and already came to that conclusion. Shame, I really enjoyed reading them at first.
The Green Archer by Edgar Wallace 
I read A Project Gutenberg Australia eBook
Genre: - Must be a mystery
1 point – Whodunit
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Richard Wallace. Edgar was his second name.)
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside.
2 points – Is male.
1 point – Is NOT a Goodreads author
Title: - Subtitles count
1 point – Starts with the word "The" ?
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
No cover
Setting:
1 point - Set in England
Pages:
2 pts - 344 pages (based on most popular edition on GR)
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story. Yes, there is! Spike Holland and he is one of the main characters.
Total: 20
Lynn - actually there a few good stories still ahead of you. It is just the last three or four had such lame stories. I guess that should have been the major complaint instead about the characters. It is the format too. It never changes. Am I being too harsh? I don't recall it affecting me on other series.
I finished
.Genre: - Must be a mystery
4 points – Police/Detective
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Specify) the author is Mark Gilroy who writes under M.K. Gilroy
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. (USA)
3 points – Uses an initial.
2 points – Is male.
Title: - Subtitles count
3 points – Is a play on words.
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
5 points – Has a murder implement on it. (May differ from the game items.) Revolver on cover being held by the detective.
2 points – Title is under the author's name.
1 point – Black is a predominant colour (over 50% of the cover).
Pages:
3 pts - 400 - 499 pages (416)
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story. Sister Klarissa is a reporter.
Total: 34
Genre: - Must be a mystery
0 pts
(It's definitely a mystery but I don't think it fits with any of the given genres)
Author:
2 pts – Is male.
Title: - Subtitles count
5 pts – Is two words long.
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
2 pts – Title is under the author's name.
Setting:
0 pts
Pages:
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
Bonus points:
0 pts
Total: 11 points
(That's way more than I was hoping for! Pfffft)
I read Snow White Must Die.Genre Mystery: Police/Detective 4 pts
Author: not a goodreads authro 1 pt
Title: Has Proper name: 4 pts
Cover: has a face 3 pts
Setting: Germany: 4 pts
Pages: 2pts
Bonus: read a little in bathroom 3 pts
total: 21pts
A Red Herring Without Mustard A Flavia deLuce Mystery5 points – Historical Mystery
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. (Canada)
2 points – Is male.
4 points – Has the proper name of a person or place in it.
*5 points – Has a murder implement on it. (crystal ball) Does attempted murder count? If it wasn't for the main character finding her she would have died. *
1 point - Set in England
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”
Total-26 (21 not including the *) Not bad for my first one!
Jessica wrote: "A Red Herring Without Mustard A Flavia deLuce Mystery5 points – Historical Mystery
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. (Canada)
2 points – Is male.
4 points ..."
Was the crystal ball used as a weapon? If so, the 5 points will apply.
My ruling on this book is that it's primary genre is cozy and not historical, even though it is set in the 1950's. I intend on reading this myself, and will claim the 2 points for cozy. Sorry, but -3 pts to total 23.
I'll take the 23 points. I just figured that since it happened quite a bit in the past, that it would be historical.
The League Of The Scarlet PimpernelGenre: - Must be a mystery
5 points – Historical mystery
Author:
1 point – Is NOT a Goodreads author
Title: - Subtitles count
1 point – Starts with the word "The"
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
1 point – Black is a predominant colour (over 50% of the cover). The cover is almost all black but goodreads doesn't show this addition. ( I have a library copy).
Pages:
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
12 points
I have now finished my 2nd book for this challenge A Red Herring Without Mustard. It is only 11 points, whereas the 1st one I read was 22 (see my msgs #9 & 11 in this thread). Obviously, if I get points for only 1 book, I'll choose Plum Lucky.2 points – Cozy Mystery
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside. (Canada)
2 points – Is male.
1 point - Set in England
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
Question: Where will I see my points when I do get them?
Hi Jennifer - there are no requirements to read more than one book for the monthly challenges, but some people do. The score for the highest point book would be the only one "counted". We don't get points for reading the books. The point value is tabulated from highest to lowest for all of the readers who read a book and posted their scores. We get badges (created by the moderator of the challenge). The badges are posted to a Wall of Fame thread that will have your name on it. The badges are usually posted at the beginning of the next month to give readers a chance to post their reads by the last day of the month and the moderator time to total everything up.You already have a Wall of Fame and there is a badge from the May Monthly Read posted (I see your avitar in the thread for The Bone Setters Daughter discussion). I think this is you and here is your link. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jennifer wrote: "I have now finished my 2nd book for this challenge A Red Herring Without Mustard. It is only 11 points, whereas the 1st one I read was 22 (see my msgs #9 & 11 in this thread). Obvi..."You missed some points. Jessica got 23 pts for this book.
Add:
4 points – Has the proper name of a person or place in it.
5 points – Has a murder implement on it. (crystal ball) Does attempted murder count? If it wasn't for the main character finding her she would have died.
That now totals 20 pts. She got extra for reading in the bathroom.
But, if your other book, Plum Lucky gave you more points, we would count that one and not this one.
At the end of the month, I will post all the participants, the books they read, and the points.
Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog by Boris AkuninGenre: - Must be a mystery
5 points – Historical Mystery
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym Real name - Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili
2 points – Is male.
1 point – Is NOT a Goodreads author
Title: - Subtitles count
4 points – Has the proper name of a person or place in it. (I'm not sure about this one, is Sister Pelagia a proper name?)
Cover:
2 points – Title is under the author's name.
Setting:
0 pts
Pages:
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages
Bonus points:
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story.
3 points - In honour of "Garfield the Cat Day", count 3 points if there is a house cat in the story. (Not sure on this one either, the cat itself is dead. It was mentioned in a conversation that one of the characters had brought home a cat but the dogs had killed it)
Total - 29
Dawn, as long as the dead cat is part of the story, we'll count it.
A very miniscule part but definitely a part. Thanks!
I read Murder at Honeychurch Hall: A Mystery
by Hannah Dennison.Points:
2 points - genre is cozy
4 points - author resides in U.S. (though not born here)
5 points - subtitle is 2 words long ("A Mystery")
1 point - set in England
2 points - length is 304 pages.
3 points - I celebrated Bathroom Reading Month
3 points - reporter or columnist in story (makes protagonist's life miserable)
Total: 20 points
Casceil wrote: "I read Murder at Honeychurch Hall: A Mystery by Hannah Dennison."I hate to do this, but deduct the 5 points for title. Usually, I don't allow subtitles at all in the challenges but made an exception this time because it was so difficult to find qualifying books. I was thinking along the lines of the main title, and not separating out the sub-title for the 5 point option. So, that would be a total of 15 points.
It's ok, Janice. I wasn't sure I understood this rule anyway. But if I'm not get the five points for title, can I claim the 4 points for "Has the proper name of a person or place in it. (Specify if not obvious.)" In this case, I believe Honeychurch Hall is the proper name of a place.
[Message edited to add new question.]
Casceil wrote: "It's ok, Janice. I wasn't sure I understood this rule anyway. But if I'm not get the five points for title, can I claim the 4 points for "Has the proper name of a person or place in it. (Specify ..."
Yes, that will work. LOL! Phew - 19 points.
Thank you, Janice. (I don't really stress over points unless I'm close to a win or a glue stick. In this case I am clearly going to be in the vast middle.)
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Plum Wine (other topics)Murder With Peacocks (other topics)
The Woman in White (other topics)
The Green Man (other topics)
The Green Man (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Donna Andrews (other topics)Kingsley Amis (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
Jenn McKinlay (other topics)
Lucy Lawrence (other topics)
More...
Who did it? Was it Professor Plum in the library with a candlestick? Or was it Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with a knife? The possibilities are endless.
This month's challenge is going to be an exploration of the mystery genre, and your task shall be to read a mystery book with one of the characters, locations, or murder implement from the game, Clue, in the title or the author's name.
Only the bolded words listed below will be accepted:
Who did it?
Miss Scarlet, (will accept Scarlett), Professor Plum, Mr Green, Mrs White, Mrs Peacock, Colonel Mustard
Where did it happen?
Kitchen, Ballroom, Conservatory, Billard Room, Library, Study, Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Cellar
What was the murder implement?
Rope, Lead Pipe, Knife, Wrench, Candlestick, Revolver
Bonus points will be given if words from 2 or 3 categories appear in the title or author's name... IF you can find them! There will be no bonus points if two or more words from one category are used (example - The White Peacock)
General Rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Chunkster Challenge.
3. The book must be read between June 1 to June 30 (based on your own time zone).
4. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose, but only the highest scoring book will apply.
5. The book must be 150 pages or more determined by the issue you read. If reading eBook or audiobook page numbers will be determined by the issue that comes up on a Goodreads search.
Scoring: (Count all qualifiers that apply)
Genre: - Must be a mystery
5 points – Historical Mystery
4 points – Police/Detective
3 points – Paranormal Mystery
2 points – Cozy Mystery
1 point – Whodunit
Note: Exception to the rule - you may count only one genre! Because there are so many connotations and crossovers as to the specific type of mystery, pick the one that best suits the book you read. Consider the intent of the author. Did the author intend the book to be historical? Or did he/she intend it to be a whodunit (Agatha Christie). Ask for a ruling if in doubt.
Author:
5 points – Writes under a pseudonym (Specify)
4 points – Born or resides in the country where you reside.
3 points – Uses an initial.
2 points – Is male.
1 point – Is NOT a Goodreads author
Title: - Subtitles count
5 points – Is two words long.
4 points – Has the proper name of a person or place in it. (Specify if not obvious.)
3 points – Is a play on words.
2 points – Have two or more words starting with the same letter (exclude a, the, but, or, etc.)
1 point – Starts with the word "The"
Cover: (based on the edition you read)
5 points – Has a murder implement on it. (May differ from the game items.)
4 points – Has blood on it.
3 points – Has a person's face on it.
2 points – Title is under the author's name.
1 point – Black is a predominant colour (over 50% of the cover).
Setting:
5 points - Set in Scandinavia
4 points - Set in Germany
3 points - Set in New York
2 points - Set in Canada
1 point - Set in England
Pages:
5 pts - 600 - 1000 pages
4 pts - 500 - 599 pages
3 pts - 400 - 499 pages
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages
Bonus points:
5 points – if you have words from two difference categories in the title/author's name.
10 points – if you have words from each of the three categories in the title/author's name.
3 points – In honour of “National Bathroom Reading month”, count 3 points if you read more than one page of the book in the bathroom. This one's for those who like to soak in the tub while reading (not to mention the other).
3 points – In honour of “National Columnists' Day”, count 3 points if there is a reporter or columnist in the story.
3 points - In honour of "Garfield the Cat Day", count 3 points if there is a house cat in the story.