Follow the Clues - Ask the Judge (Questions)

[Nell]

This is the thread for questions about CMC's Follow the Clues challenge.

If you have a question about the challenge rules or if you want to know whether your clue works post your inquiry here. The judge will deliberate and render her verdict. :D

[Nell]

From Sharon:

I love a good challenge, but I need to be sure I understand this. We"re finding something in one book that connects it to another, otherwise unrelated book? That's what I take from the description and example. But I don"t quite get the link between numbers 3 and 4. The clues aren't connecting in my mind. Or is the link the veil and the buttons in the titles? Once I'm sure I understand, I'm in

[Nell]

Nell wrote: "From Sharon:

I love a good challenge, but I need to be sure I understand this. We"re finding something in one book that connects it to another, otherwise unrelated book?

Yes that's right.

..But I Don't quite get the link between numbers 3 and 4...."

Ex:
3. Whispers Beyond the Veil by Jessica Estevao
Clue = set at a hotel, author uses pen name
4. Hot Button by Kylie Logan

The main connection is the setting - both books are set at a hotel. In the Estevao mystery, the MC's aunt owns a hotel where the MC works. The Logan book is set at a hotel during a button convention.

Both authors also write under different names. Jessica Estevao writes other series as Jessie Crockett. Kylie Logan also writes as Casey Daniels and Miranda Bliss.

You only need one link or connection between the books.

[Nell]

Mary wrote: "Nell wrote: "FOLLOW THE CLUES MYSTERY CHALLENGE

Duration: Open-ended
Starting any time after September 1st
...
It sounds like fun, I hope I can get to it."

This is an open challenge. You can begin it any time after Sept 1.

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

I am guessing you can start with any book - but have to give a clue from which you get your next book (or does someone pick your next book based an the clue you give?)

[Barb, Co-Moderator Challenge Expert]

So the basic idea is to read a book, then connect asecond book to the first one in some way? As long as we can explain it, will any connection work -- publication date, author first name, main character's occupation, cookies on the cover, set in the same state, that kind of thing? And then book #3 has to connect in some way to book #2, and so on down the line?

[Nell]

Barb wrote: "So the basic idea is to read a book, then connect asecond book to the first one in some way? As long as we can explain it, will any connection work -- publication date, author first name, main char..."

Yes, each book connects in some way to the next book you post.

--publication date, author first name, main character's occupation, cookies on the cover, set in the same state...

Those are all good examples of clues or connections that work. I won't go as far as saying any connection will work although you can be creative. Any reasonable connection will work. If you're not sure, ask here.

eta -
Two clues that don't work are:
Someone is murdered; or
The MC finds a dead body.

Both happen in almost every cozy. Please use a more specific clue to connect the mysteries.

[Nell]

Hilary wrote: "I am guessing you can start with any book - but have to give a clue from which you get your next book (or does someone pick your next book based an the clue you give?)"

You can start with any book. You pick which books you read.

[Barb, Co-Moderator Challenge Expert]

Nell wrote: "Yes, each book connects in some way to the next book you post... I won't go as far as saying any connection will work although you can be creative. Any reasonable connection will work. If you're not sure, you can ask. ."

Thanks, Nell, that helps. Now I just need to look at my books and see if I want to jump into yet *another challenge :)

[Nell]

Martha wrote:"Nell,
What do you mean by the first rule "All books must be mystery/crime/detective novels on GR book page"
Is there a Good Reads book page? Or are you talking about one of the list pages. thanks"

Every book has a page on Goodreads. It includes a description of the book, reviews, ratings and genres among other info. If you type the name of a book in the search box at the top of any GR page, you can go to the book page.

The page can also be reached by clicking on a link or book cover. For example, the book page for Ghost at Work can be reached by clicking on the book title or the book cover. The genres are on the right hand side of the page.

[Martha]

It's the book's page. Got it. Thanks

[Sharon]

Thanks, Nell. I'm in. But I do have one more question. I'm inclined to go for broke, but just how 'open ended' is the challenge?

[Nell]

Sharon wrote: "Thanks, Nell. I'm in. But I do have one more question. I'm inclined to go for broke, but just how 'open ended' is the challenge?"

Open ended means there is no set time to complete this challenge. You may take anywhere from one or two months to a year (or longer). You may read challenge books consecutively or intersperse them with other reading.

The Sept 1st start date is the only set time. You can begin any time after that date.

The challenge thread will remain open. Once you complete a chain of evidence, you can start another one.

[Sharon]

Super! I'll see you on the reporting thread.

[Patti]

Are we to post each clue after we read the next book? Or do we wait until we read all the books to get to the conclusion?

[Nell]

Patti wrote: "Are we to post each clue after we read the next book? Or do we wait until we read all the books to get to the conclusion?"

You post each clue or connection between the books as you read them. (See the example in message one of the reporting thread.) Not all the clues between books will be the same.

[Meg]

Ok here's a question: If I'm reading something for another challenge and it works with this one, too, can I use it? I try to use different books for almost all challenges but just in case something fits both here and there, is it ok?

[Nell]

Meg wrote: "Ok here's a question: If I'm reading something for another challenge and it works with this one, too, can I use it? I try to use different books for almost all challenges but just in case something..."

Yes, you can use books that may also fit another challenge.

[Meg]

Thanks, Nell!

[Patti]

Finished book one which takes place in France, the 2nd book I'm reading takes place in paris. that book is by an author named Evan Hirst. My 3rd book's MC is named Evan. Am I doing this correctly?

[Nell]

Yes both connections are fine.

List the clue/connection between the books like this:

Book 1
Clue = Set in France
Book 2
Clue = Name: Author named Evan, MC named Evan
Book 3

[Barbara]

2 questions:

1. I often read books on my kindle and at the same time listen to (other) books on my commute. Accordingly, I may finish one book before finishing a needed link (clue). Example: Say I read 4 books in this order: 1, 2 (audio), 3, and 4 (all after September 1). The clues however work 1, 3, 4, 2. Can I use those 4 books, or do I have to skip book 2 because I finished it earlier than books 3 and 4?

2. Alternately, if book 2 can't serve as a link in the above chain, can I start another chain with book 2 and work two chains at once?

[Nell]

1. The books need to be read in order. In your example, you can use books 1, 3, and 4.

2. Yes, you can start another chain and work two chains at once. BUT you cannot use the same book(s) in both chains.

[Barbara]

Nell wrote: "1. The books need to be read in order. In your example, you can use books 1, 3, and 4.

2. Yes you can start another chain and work two chains at once. BUT you cannot use the same book in both chains."

Thanks, Judge! As they say, timing is everything.

[Marisa]

I want to ask about a connection:

The Watcher and First Case.

In both of them there is a cold case (MC's sister in the first one and three teens at a island in the second one) and a current murder (a murder of another girl in the first one and the murder of a teen involved in the cold case in the second one).

Would the connection be right?

[Nell]

Yes, you can use cold case as the connection. (Nearly every mystery we read will have a current murder.)

[Marisa]

Thank you, I'll go with it (and yes, current murder is not a very distinctive clue)

[Helen]

My first book has a female police officer as the MC. Would a second book with a female police officer as the MC work for this challenge?

[Nell]

Helen wrote: "My first book has a female police officer as the MC. Would a second book with a female police officer as the MC work for this challenge?"

Yes that works.

[Helen]

Thank you, Nell.

[Jeannie]

I am working on the challenge. The first book I read is Dead In The Water by Denise Swanson. Clues are the MC is married to a police officer, there is a tornado that ripped through the town and a hint that a ghost is nearby. I thought a ghost theme was appropriate for the season. My second choice was Grave Errors by Carol J Perry. The MC is dating a police officer, there is a looming hurricane coming to the town and most of the theme of the book is on cemeteries and ghosts. The third book which I am reading now is Gostal Living by Kathleen Bridge. In this book a hurricane has hit the town, there is a hint of a ghost in the title of the book and we will see where the book leads us now.

[Nell]

Jeannie

The clues you listed work to connect each book. Please share your progress on the reporting thread.

[Marisa]

Nell, one question. Does series number work? I mean, should it be: Both are the name series number or they are following, I mean, one is number 1 in a series and the next one is number 2 in the same series?

[Nell]

Marisa - The books can be the same number in different series. For example: 4th book in the series can be the clue.

[Marisa]

OK, thanks

[Jess]

Hi Nell,

What if the clue is a spoiler? Like a murder weapon (which was a mystery) or the killer? How much or how should I write it?

[Nell]

Jess wrote: "Hi Nell,

What if the clue is a spoiler? Like a murder weapon (which was a mystery) or the killer? How much or how should I write it?"

If the murder weapons are similar, the clue is weapon. You don't have to tell us what the weapon is.

I'm not sure what you mean by the killer since it would not be the same person. Are the positions similar? One way to do that is say the prime suspect or the killer is the clue without saying who or how.

Use the spoiler brackets if you want to be more specific and you're not sure or think it will reveal too much. That way each reader can decide whether to read the full explanation.

Thanks for thinking of other mystery readers.

[Jess]

Nell wrote: "Jess wrote: "Hi Nell,

What if the clue is a spoiler? Like a murder weapon (which was a mystery) or the killer? How much or how should I write it?"

If the murder weapons are similar, the clue is w..."

Thanks Nell.

Regarding the killer, I was thinking something like, 'the killer is the victim's husband' sort of things, which I didn't want to put it out there. I'll do as you recommended, if I need to use this kind of clues.

[Beth]

So this is sort of a six degrees of separation in books? I love it! Im going to give it a try.