Annual Challenge 2020 - January 1st 2020-December 31st 2020 A-Z with a difference!

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Going well Odette and now we all have a book to read beginning with Q for other challenges. An Aussie author too!

[Odette]

Thanks, Phrynne

[[deleted user]]

9/26 H - Read a book where the title starts with a H

Enjoyable enough. 3.5/5

Harry Starke by Blair Howard

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

http://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/b...

[[deleted user]]

10/26 N - Read a new book (Published in 2020)

Timely, topical, terrific - 4.5/5

The Southland by Johnny Shaw

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/...

[[deleted user]]

11/26 K - Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K

Cracking Canadian crime - 4.5/5

Cradle of the Deep: A Crime Novel by Dietrich Kalteis

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/...

[[deleted user]]

12/26 G - Read a book where you can find the letters GUN in the title (any order)

An ok read. 3/5

Gun in Cheek: An Affectionate Guide to the "Worst" in Mystery Fiction by Bill Pronzini

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/...

[[deleted user]]

13/26 F - Read a book with a four word title (a, an and the DO count)

Small town supernatural werewolf read - consumed in time for Halloween. 4/5

Night, Winter, and Death by Dave Pedneau

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/...

[[deleted user]]

14/26 W - Read a book with a weapon on the cover

Fun escapist nonsense. 3.5/5

Tunnel Rats by Vincent Zandri


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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/11/...

[[deleted user]]

15/26 D - Read a Debut novel

Enjoyable DC murder investigation. 3.5/5

Relentless by Shawn Wilson

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/10/...

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

At your first post I thought you had a long way to go Col, but by the last I think you'll do it no problems :)

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "At your first post I thought you had a long way to go Col, but by the last I think you'll do it no problems :)"

Brenda, thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm 3 short on A-Z titles, but I have my reads sorted for that. I'm just pinning down the last 10 or so to finish this one off in time! I've probably got a couple that qualify that I've only just finished.

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

I hope you can avoid the panic towards the end of the year when you think you won't finish ;) You're doing well, so should be able to!

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "I hope you can avoid the panic towards the end of the year when you think you won't finish ;) You're doing well, so should be able to!"

Every year seems to end in a panic for me, it would be nice to be ahead of the curve for once! Watch this space! :)

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Ha! It would be wouldn't it :) I definitely will!!!

[Bea]

I read a LOT of mysteries during the year...so I have reworked my plan to reflect what I have read. I am still needing N (on my Kindle). Given that there are several weeks available to me for reading, I expect to be able to finish this challenge!

[[deleted user]]

16/26 C - Read a Crime book of your choice

An okay murder mystery, maybe a bit too much personal life of the main character in with the mystery. 3/5

Killer Coin by Elka Ray

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

http://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/11/e...

[[deleted user]]

17/26 A - Read a book set in Australia

Top notch Aussie crime. 5/5

Snake Island by Ben Hobson

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

http://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/11/b...

[Sarah]

Woo-hoo! Finished this challenge with Death in Daylesford! (My first of several annual challenges actually completed, so doing a happy dance) Thanks moderators for another fun challenge. xx

A-Z With a Difference
1/1/20 - 31/12/20
Progress: 26/26

A: Read a book set in Australia: The Lost Man by Jane Harper AA (6/6) 5*
B: Read a book with a blue cover: The Last Detective by Robert Crais (27/3) 4*
C: Read a Crime book of your choice: (I'm interpreting this as true crime) Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law by Helen Garner AA (24/1) 5*
D: Read a Debut Novel: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (15/1) 4*
E: Read a book set in England: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (my edition published 10 January 2010) (31/1) 5*
F: Read a book with a four-word title: A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (11/5) 3.5*
G: Read a book where you can find the letters G-U-N in the title: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks (20/8) 4*
H: Read a book where the title starts with H: Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd (5/2) 4.5*
I: Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in the word "Mystery": Dying Light by Stuart MacBride (27/3) 4*
J: Read a book published in January of any year: Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton (published 9 January 2020) (8/2) 5*
K: Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K: Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter (4/3) 4*
L: Read a book you borrowed from the library: Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie (13/1) 2.5*
M: Read a Mystery of your choice: Undara by Annie Seaton AA (29/4) 4*
N: Read a new book (published in 2020): The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan AA (11/4) 4*
O: Read an old book (published before 1999): Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers (published 1923) (31/1) 4*
P: Read a book with more than 400 pages: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (455 pages) (24/2) 4*
Q: Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Q in it: The Quartet Murders by J.R. Ellis (27/6) 4*
R: Read a book with a red cover: Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey (27/2) 4*
S: Read a book which is part of a series: The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan AA (17/3) 4*
T: Read a Thriller of your own choice: Knife by Jo Nesbø (31/8) 5*
U: Read a book set in the USA: Verity by Colleen Hoover (17/3) 3.5*
V: Read a book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four): Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood (18/11) 5*
W: Read a book with a weapon on the cover: The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz (10/2) 3.5*
X: Read a book which is EXTRA good (lots of five star reviews): Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (22/5) 4.5*
Y: Read a book with a yellow cover: 13-Point Plan for a Perfect Murder by David Owen (8/2) 4*
Z: Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (Jane Rizzoli series) (14/2) 4*

[Odette]

Finished 24/26

Z - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it: (Caleb Zelic #2)
And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic - 3★

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Great job Sarah!!

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Well done Sarah

[Sarah]

Thanks Brenda and Phrynne! I've come across some great books in the course of this challenge - plenty of good series to return to, as well!

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

That's a good thing, isn't it :)

[[deleted user]]

18/26 T - Read a Thriller of your own choice

Anarchists, punk rock, hacking and an FBI investigation. 4.5/5

Radicals by Nik Korpon

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2020/11/...

[Carolyn]

I've completed this challenge!
26/ 26 books (all crime/mystery)

✔ A - A book set in Australia: One Last Child by Anni Taylor 5★
✔ B - A book with a blue cover: Strangers by C.L. Taylor 4★
✔ C - A Crime book of your choice: The Golden Girl by Dana Perry
✔ D - A Debut novel: Lying and Dying by Graham Brack 5★
✔ E - A book set in England: The Apartment by K. L. Slater
✔ F - A book with a four word title: After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill 4★
✔ G - A book with GUN in the title: A Dangerous Language by Sulari Gentill 4.5★
✔ H - Read a book where the title starts with H: Hunter by Jack Heath 4★
✔ I - A book where the author's initials are in MYSTERY: The House Guest by Mark Edwards 3.5★
✔ J - A book published in January: The Other People by C.J. Tudor (2020) 4★
✔ K - A book with author's first or last initial K: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson 4★
✔ L - A book borrowed from the Library: Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson 4★
✔ M - A Mystery of your choice: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware 4★
✔ N - A new book (Published in 2020): The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan 5★
✔ O - An old book (Published before 1999): Firedrake's Eye by Patricia Finney 4★
✔ P - A book with more than 400 pages: She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be by J.D. Barker (774 pages) 5★
✔ Q - A book where the title has a q in it: Mercy (Department Q #1) by Jussi Adler-Olsen 4.5★
✔ R - A book with a red cover: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson 4★
✔ S - A book which is part of a series: Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones 4★
✔ T - A Thriller of your own choice: The Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser 4★
✔ U - A book set in the USA: Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy 4★
✔ V - A book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four): The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey 4★
✔ W - A book with a weapon on the cover: An Ace and A Pair by Blake Banner 4★
✔ X - A book which is EXTRA good (five star reviews): The One by John Marrs 4.5★
✔ Y - A book with a yellow cover: Recursion by Blake Crouch 4.5★
✔ Z - A book where the title has a Z: A Zen for Murder by Leighann Dobbs 3★

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Well done Carolyn:)

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Great job Carolyn!!

[Carolyn]

Thanks Brenda and Phrynne - I had some excellent reads this year!

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

It's been a great reading year for me too Carolyn :)

[Icewineanne]

The Babysitter by Phoebe Morgan
3 ⭐️ Saw the ending coming, but couldn’t stop reading. If junk food was a book, this would be it 🤣 🤣 🤣

Finished my 18th book. Won’t finish but hoping to get another 4 read before the end of the year.

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Doing well Anne - you'll go close :)

[Odette]

Finished with time to spare! Thanks, Phyrnne for a great challenge.

Crime Club Annual Challenge. A-Z with a Difference 2020
Duration: 01/01/2020 – 31/12/2020
Progress: 26/26

A - Read a book set in Australia:
Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey - 5★
B - Read a book with a blue cover:
Silver by Chris Hammer - 4★
C - Read a Crime book of your choice:
Under the Midnight Sky by Anna Romer - 3★
D - Read a Debut novel:
The Nowhere Child by Christian White - 5★
E - Read a book set in England:
Shadow Over the Fens by Joy Ellis - 4★
F - Read a book with a four word title (a,an and the DO count)
Head In The Sand by Damien Boyd - 4★
G - Read a book where you can find the letters GUN in the title (any order):
Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty - 4★
H - Read a book where the title starts with H:
Hell to Pay by Rachel Amphlett - 4★
I - Read a book where both of the author's initials can be found in MYSTERY:
Hide by S.J. Morgan - 4★
J - Read a book published in January of any year:
The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave - 4★
K - Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K:
Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica - 4★
L - Read a book you borrowed from the Library:
Redemption Point by Candice Fox - 4★
M - Read a Mystery of your choice:
One Last Child by Anni Taylor - 4★
N - Read a new book (Published in 2020):
Gathering Dark by Candice Fox - 4★
O - Read an old book (Published before 1999)
The Edge by Dick Francis - 3★ (first published 1988)
P - Read a book with more than 400 pages:
The Death Chamber by Lesley Thomson - 4★ (Paperback edition 448 pages)
Q - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a q in it.
Quota by Jock Serong - 3.5★
R - Read a book with a red cover:
Cry of the Firebird by T.M. Clark - 5★
S - Read a book which is part of a series: (Rowland Sinclair #1)
A Few Right Thinking Men by Sulari Gentill - 4★
T - Read a Thriller of your own choice:
Peace by Garry Disher - 4★
U - Read a book set in the USA:
In Silence by Erica Spindler - 4★
V - Read a book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four) - blue, green, pink, grey, white:
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth - 3.5★
W - Read a book with a weapon on the cover:
Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers - 3.5★
X - Read a book which is EXTRA good (lots of five star reviews):
The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan - 4★
Y - Read a book with a yellow cover:
Recursion by Blake Crouch - 3.5★
Z - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it: (Caleb Zelic #2)
And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic - 3★

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Well done Odette:)

[Odette]

Thanks, Phyrnne. Enjoyed all the books.

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Well done Odette!!

[Kylie H]

Woop, woop!! Challenge finally completed ☺

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Congratulations Kylie:)

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Great job Kylie!!

[Kylie H]

Thank you ☺

[Kerri_M]

Another challenge finished, yay!
Progress: 26/26


✅ A - Aust setting - Peace - Garry Disher 1/1/2020 ★★★★
✅ B - Blue cover - The Long Way Home - Louise Penny 21/6/2020 ★★★★
✅ C - Crime - Gone Missing - Linda Castillo 27/7/2020 ★★★☆
✅ D - Debut - Under the Ice - Rachael Blok 15/4/2020 ★★★
✅ E - Eng setting - As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust - Alan Bradley 4/4/2020 ★★★☆
✅ F - 4 word title - A Decline in Prophets - Sulari Gentill 17/1/2020 ★★★★
✅ G - g u n letters - The Good Turn - Dervla McTiernan 5/6/20 ★★★★
✅ H - H starts title - How the Light Gets In - Louise Penny 9/5/20 ★★★★★
✅ I - Initials of author MYSTERY - When She Was Good - Michael Robotham 24/10/20 ★★★★
✅ J - Jan publication - Leaving Everything Most Loved - Jacqueline Winspear - 1 Jan 2013 28/4/20 ★★★☆
✅ K - K author initials - Death Beside the Seaside - T E Kinsey 9/3/20 ★★★★
✅ L - Library book Blood Moon - Garry Disher 30/3/20 ★★★☆
✅ M - Mystery - Silver - Chris Hammer 28/8/20 ★★★★
✅ N - 2020 pub - Golden in Death by J.D. Robb 17/2/20 ★★★★
✅ O - <1999 pub Fatal Remedies - Donna Leon 12/12/20 ★★★★
✅ P - 400+ pgs - The Good Daughter - Karin Slaughter 1/12/2020 ★★★☆
✅ Q - Q in title - Disgrace #2 Department Q - Jussi Adler-Olsen 22/11/2020 ★★★★
✅ R - Red cover - Case Histories - Kate Atkinson 4/1/2020 ★★★★
✅ S - Series - A Dangerous Place - Jacqueline Winspear 22/5/2020 ★★★★
✅ T - Thriller - Out of the Dark - Gregg Hurwitz 11/2/2020 ★★★★
✅ U - USA setting - Blue Moon - Lee Child 17/5/2020 ★★★★
✅ V - Variety of colours - To the Land of Long Lost Friends - Alexander McCall Smith 7/8/2020 ★★★★
✅ W - Weapon on cover - Still Life with Murder - P.B. Ryan 11/9/2020 ★★★★
✅ X - XTRA good - Mission Critical - Mark Greaney 26/2/2020 ★★★★
✅ Y - Yellow cover - Catching Teller Crow - Ambelin Kwaymullina 11/1/2020 ★★
✅ Z - Z in title - Darkness for Light #3 Caleb Zelic - Emma Viskic 3/8/2020 ★★★★


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O ] P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Great work Kerri!

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Well done Kerri!!

[Zoey]

Finished :)

Crime Club Annual Challenge. A-Z with a Difference 2020

Duration: 01/01/2020 – 31/12/2020

Progress: 26/26


A - Read a book set in Australia
Stage Fright by Marianne Delacourt 3.5★
B - Read a book with a blue cover
Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts 5★
C - Read a Crime book of your choice
Brothers and Bones by James Hankins 2★
D - Read a Debut novel
The Sunday Girl by Pip Drysdale 4★
E - Read a book set in England
Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom 5★
F - Read a book with a four word title (a,an and the DO count)
The One You Love by Paul Pilkington 2★
G - Read a book where you can find the letters GUN in the title (any order)
Two Little Girls In Blue by Mary Higgins Clark 4★
H - Read a book where the title starts with H
Hushabye by Celina Grace 3★
I - Read a book where both of the author's initials can be found in MYSTERY
Gingerbread Man by Maggie Shayne 2.5★
J - Read a book published in January of any year.
Admit One by Lisa Clark O'Neill 4.5★
K - Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K
Dial P For Poison by Zara Keane 4★
L - Read a book you borrowed from the Library
Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier 4.5★
M - Read a Mystery of your choice.
Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb 4.5★
N - Read a new book (Published in 2020)
Gathering Dark by Candice Fox 4★
O - Read an old book (Published before 1999)
Killing Floor by Lee Child 4★
P - Read a book with more than 400 pages
Circumstantial Evidence by Lisa Clark O'Neill 4★
Q - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a q in it.
Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen 5★
R - Read a book with a red cover
Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke 3★
S - Read a book which is part of a series
The Blackhouse by Peter May 5★
T - Read a Thriller of your own choice
The Engagement by Chloe Hooper 3★
U - Read a book set in the USA
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts 4.5★
V - Read a book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four)
A Dyeing Shame by Elizabeth Spann Craig 3★
W - Read a book with a weapon on the cover
Dark Heart by Catherine Lee 3.5★
X - Read a book which is EXTRA good (lots of five star reviews)
Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb 4★
Y - Read a book with a yellow cover
The One Who Got Away by Caroline Overington 4★
Z - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it.
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross 4★

[Brenda, Suspense lover!]

Great job Zoey!!

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

Well done Zoey!

[Marianne]

So, two books short: never got to O or Q, and won't now before 2021:
Crime Club Annual Challenge. A-Z with a Difference 2020

Duration: 01/01/2020 – 31/12/2020
Progress: 24/26


A - Read a book set in Australia The Devil Inside AA 5★s
B - Read a book with a blue cover The Long Shadow 5★s
C - Read a Crime book of your choice Sheerwater 5★s
D - Read a Debut novel The Ruin 5★s
E - Read a book set in England Gentlemen Formerly Dressed AA 5★s
F - Read a book with a four word title (a,an and the DO count) Paving the New Road AA 5★s
G - Read a book where you can find the letters GUN in the title (any order) The Good Turn 5★s
H - Read a book where the title starts with H Hellbent 5★s
I - Read a book where both of the author's initials can be found in MYSTERY The Ice Maid's Tail Mandy Morton 2★s
J - Read a book published in January of any year. Big Lies in a Small Town 5★s
K - Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K Death in Delft by Graham Brack 5★s
L - Read a book you borrowed from the Library Miles Off Course AA 5★s
M - Read a Mystery of your choice. To the Land of Long Lost Friends 5★s
N - Read a new book (Published in 2020) Where the Truth Lies AA 4★s
O - Read an old book (Published before 1999) Lake Frome Monster. originally published 1966 this ed 1984
P - Read a book with more than 400 pages The Nowhere Girl 518p 4.5★s
Q - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a q in it. Disgrace Department Q
R - Read a book with a red cover After She Wrote Him 5★s
S - Read a book which is part of a series Give the Devil His Due AA 5★s
T - Read a Thriller of your own choice The Safe Place AA 5★s
U - Read a book set in the USA The Janes 5★s
V - Read a book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four) The Satapur Moonstone 5★s
W - Read a book with a weapon on the cover The Nowhere Man 4.5★s
X - Read a book which is EXTRA good (lots of five star reviews) Out of the Dark 3915/51% 5★s
Y - Read a book with a yellow cover The Ditch 5★s (this one fits because I believe there is murder and assault in there)
or maybe Breeda Looney Steps Forth 5★s because there is crime (insurance fraud) and mystery...

Z - Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it. Lizard's Tale 4★s

[Phrynne, Mystery lover!]

So nearly there Marianne!!!! Well done :)

[[deleted user]]

19/26 Y - Read a book with a yellow cover

Castle in The Air by Donald E. Westlake

Fun was had. 3.5/5

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2021/01/...

[[deleted user]]

20/26 - R Read a book with a red cover

Hard-boiled December read. 3.5/5

Keeplock: A Novel of Suspense by David Cray aka Stephen Solomita

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

http://col2910.blogspot.com/2021/02/d...

[[deleted user]]

21/26 - Q Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a q in it.

A bit late to the party! 4.5/5

Becoming Quinn by Brett Battles

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

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2021/01/...