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Mysteries Challenge Discussion
I just finished One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton, and it was really, really enjoyable. I'm pretty sure this is one I picked up when it was free or very cheap for the kindle. I try to only pick ones that have decent ratings, but occasionally there is a reason a Golden Age author is out of print! Luckily, Dalton isn't one of them. She's good. She wrote the Hugh Collier series from 1928 to 1951, plus many other stand alones. If you need something in this date range she is definitely worth considering.
Good to hear, Valerie. That's one I have - must have picked it up at the same time!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Good to hear, Valerie. That's one I have - must have picked it up at the same time!"Yes, it probably was in the 'deals' thread. I liked it enough to buy the second one in the series for $2.99! (big spender, I know..... ha, ha).
I just finished/posted Laura by Vera Caspary. Noir, so if you're not a fan, maybe this isn't for you. That said, I rarely give 5-stars to this genre. Simenon and his non-Maigret novels have achieved it for me, as does this title. I hope it won't be too long before I read another by her.
I've been working to prepare for this project and I made a TBR shelf:https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
This shelf is based on a few personal features like where I am in a series and finding the first book in series I haven't read. I also stayed away from most cozy mysteries and spy thrillers, but there are a few on the list. I hope it is helpful. I just added Elizabeth's recommendation to the list and have added others that have come up. Some years have just one choice and other years have many, especially the recent years. I'm going to try to read the early books in chronological order, but mix in the modern choices. Thanks for this great idea for a project, Elizabeth!
Great idea for the shelf, Karen.
Wow! That's organized - I just put a few notes down on my excel spreadsheet. There are some interesting books on your list, Karen.
I’m confused, is there a separate sub-challenge or group project about mysteries?
Rebekah wrote: "I’m confused, is there a separate sub-challenge or group project about mysteries?"No Rebekah, it's a 'for fun' challenge for those of us that are mystery fans and/or challenge fans.
Rebekah wrote: "I’m confused, is there a separate sub-challenge or group project about mysteries?"Last month I was thinking out loud in the socializing thread, and with encouragement, found others would join me. It is a personal challenge. See this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I’m a mystery fan! As long as there is no deadline, I’d like to participate! By the way you all are missing the link www.stopyourekillingme.com
That’s my go-to site to find authors, series, certain years, based in certain countries or cities and dates! They even have sections on occupations.
They have them all or try to and if they are missing something, just let them know and they’ll add it on
I think most of us will use originally published date, but this is your challenge. Other than one for every year, the rules are pretty much your own.
While I'm over here, I'd like to recommend Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti. All are set in Venice. The mysteries are good and I think you'd like Brunetti. He is a good cop and a family man who loves his wife and children. Besides, he's funny. I don't think they need be read in order.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "While I'm over here, I'd like to recommend Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti. All are set in Venice. The mysteries are good and I think you'd like Brunetti. He is a good cop and a family man who lo..."Yes..... she's on 'the list'. I feel like I should preface 'the list' with 'the ever expanding'! ha, ha.....
Woohoo - I'm up to 10 with Trent's Last Case!
Well done, Valerie! 10 down, only 100-something to go! (And that 100-something is the good part, no?)
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Well done, Valerie! 10 down, only 100-something to go! (And that 100-something is the good part, no?)"Oh my goodness.... I have been trying very hard to stay on the straight and narrow with the books I've chosen for this season's challenge. I'm sure they are good, but it would be much more fun to just sit and read my go to genre of mystery...... So, yes - good and bad! :)
Valerie wrote: "Woohoo - I'm up to 10 with Trent's Last Case! "I'm glad you enjoyed Trent's Last Case, Valerie! I picked it hoping it would fit into the mystery challenge for a few people :)
I'm planning to read Laura for the group read, chosen by Elizabeth possibly with the same thing in mind?
Rosemary wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Woohoo - I'm up to 10 with Trent's Last Case! "I'm glad you enjoyed Trent's Last Case, Valerie! I picked it hoping it would fit into the mystery challenge for a few people :)
I'm..."
I did enjoy it! Thanks for picking it for a group read - two birds with one stone, although I would have read it even without the mystery challenge!
Valerie wrote: "I just finished One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton, and it was really, really enjoyable. I'm pretty sure this is one I picked up when it was free or very..."
I agree with this comment about Moray Dalton. I read The Strange Case of Harriet Hall, and although I don't actually rave about it, I will quite happily read more by this author - and not just because she will fill in blanks for this challenge!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I just finished One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton, and it was really, really enjoyable. I'm pretty sure this is one I picked up when it ..."
Oh good. I'm glad you liked her. I always feel like it can be dicey to recommend books/authors!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "While I'm over here, I'd like to recommend Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti. All are set in Venice. The mysteries are good and I think you'd like Brunetti. He is a good cop and a family man who lo..."I just finished book #4 of that series. Truly a fun read!
This morning (yes, still morning here), I was pointed to a crime reads article about mystery writers who deserve to be better known and who published between the wars.https://crimereads.com/ten-golden-age...
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "This morning (yes, still morning here), I was pointed to a crime reads article about mystery writers who deserve to be better known and who published between the wars.https://crimereads.com/ten-g..."
Interesting list.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "This morning (yes, still morning here), I was pointed to a crime reads article about mystery writers who deserve to be better known and who published between the wars.https://crimereads.com/ten-g..."
I hadn't heard of eight of these authors, so more exploring to do! I was happy to see Marie Belloc Lowndes' The Lodger on the list. It is so good. Maybe some more gems will show up from this list, thanks for posting it! It's amazing how many really good forgotten authors are out there.
I spent some time this morning looking through my shelves, seeing what years I already have books for. I was surprised at how many I can fill in. Also surprised that I have almost none for the 1970s. I think Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series will work for that decade, but they'll have to wait.
I don't own any mysteries from the 1970s, but have a list of possibilities which also includes Ruth Rendell. I also might like to try one of Colin Dexter's books about a deaf character to see how he handles that situation. I would like some of my mysteries to include interesting locations, some history, or unusual characters.
This gave me pause! I couldn't really come up with the name of many 1970s mystery authors - other than Christie who was nice enough to cover many decades.I found this list:
https://crimereads.com/the-binge-read...
also, this list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Thanks for these, Valerie. I have the first in Block's Rhodenbarr series on my list. I have not read any Tony Hillerman but he has been recommended by a local reader. I think I did not realize those started so early. I see Dick Francis on the Goodreads list. He deserves serious consideration. I was looking only at books I own, and I'm glad to see others that I'd definitely pick up whether or not my library has copies.Connie, Hillerman may fit your interesting locations, depending on whether you think the Southwest fits that description.
Thanks for the suggestions, Elizabeth and Valerie. I've heard good things about An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P.D. James which was published in the 70s too. I've got ideas for every year, but I know my plans will go out the window when another book strikes my fancy!
In case anyone is looking for books.....I just saw on Amazon.ca that there were a few E.C.R. Lorac titles for 0.99, which is my kind of price! I picked up one, since I am unsure about her style, it is from 1942. I think the others were from the '40s as well.
I hope you enjoy her, Valerie. I have read 3 of them and though I gave them just 3 stars, I look forward to the few others I picked up on the cheap.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I hope you enjoy her, Valerie. I have read 3 of them and though I gave them just 3 stars, I look forward to the few others I picked up on the cheap."The few that have longer reviews note that her scene setting and description is great and the mystery weaker. I'm ok with that, as long as I know ahead of time!
She really cranked them out, but many of them don't seem to be (very) accessible.
It's been just over a year since we started this personal challenge. How is everyone doing?
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "It's been just over a year since we started this personal challenge. How is everyone doing?"I've been trying to read one, and sometimes two, mysteries each month. It's been a good change from the classics and historical fiction I'm reading for other groups.
I have read 41... 18 from the first half of the time and 23 from the second half. But I have read nothing from before 1923, and I don't even have any books lined up for that period. I will be looking at lists for the early years!
I've read 45 so far. I still have a hole in the 1970s. I'm going to have to look at those links I posted above for some ideas!
35 in second part...but only 9 in the first. Still that makes it 44 books read. Right in there with most of you.
Don (The Book Guy) wrote: "I am only taking credit for 19. I relistened to several Cat Who's by Braun and decided not to count them. I slowed down a lot the first half of the year, but hope to pick the pace back up. I have f..."Yes! That is exactly the way I am handling them.
I found this series on kindle, Anthony Bathurst which seem to span 1927-1958? Can't find much about author etc but the new edition covers are pretty ;)
Tien wrote: "I found this series on kindle, Anthony Bathurst which seem to span 1927-1958? Can't find much about author etc but the new edition covers are pretty ;)"Was he the fellow you asked about for 10.3 that he was a lecturer? I found this:
but instead he served as a Special Constable on the Home Front. Flynn worked for the local government while teaching “Accountancy, Languages, Maths and Elocution to men, women, boys and girls” in the evenings,
which would have him fit that 10.3 for you. (and cross-posted)
Also, thanks of course, for posting about him. I think I've seen some of the books on the various Kindle deals emails I subscribe to, but had failed to investigate.
Ooo yes he was! I needed a 'purple' in title for another challenge and let's just say, there weren't that many appealing books out there! but his 16th book looks interesting (yes, I'm reading out of order) and it's quite engaging so far (I'm only 30% in).
Thought I'd post here in case anyone is looking for older mysteries :)
From Parade Magazine-Want to Crack the Case? These Are The 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time
https://parade.com/1285756/michael-gi...
Ed wrote: "From Parade Magazine-Want to Crack the Case? These Are The 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time
https://parade.com/1285756/michael-gi......"
Well, that was a fun list! I could spend all of my time reading mysteries, just based on (most of) their suggestions!
Valerie wrote: "Ed wrote: "From Parade Magazine-Want to Crack the Case? These Are The 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time
https://parade.com/1285756/michael-gi......"
Yes...I added quite a few series to my TBR list.
In the completed tasks thread Mary wrote: "I would recommend them for anyone looking for early 1900s mysteries for the Mystery Challenge."This was about a Caleb Sweetwater installment from Anna Katharine Green. I, too would recommend her for both the Sweetwater and Mr. Grice mysteries. Very early and better than one might expect given the time period.
I had a bit of time to (finally!) update my challenge list, and I see that I am at 61! Halfway, at least for now.
You're really zipping through the mysteries, Valerie!
Wow~Valerie...I need to get my skates on as you are nearly up to me at 65 read.
Reading with Style
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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And, as the threads for filling in the years won't send a notification, please let us know when you've reached a milestone. Even if you've just logged 10 titles - or when you've gotten what looks to be a harder year.
High fives will be available.