Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2022 - Scatter Mysteries
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Scatter Mysteries (2022) - Rules & Questions
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Mod
* You can choose your book from any of the lists or shelves next to the category.
** Please make sure that your choice of book meets the criteria for a historical mystery as per the rules of the challenge.
1. Historical Mysteries - List #1 / List #2 / Shelf #1
2. Historical Mysteries 2014 - List #1
3. Regency and Victorian Mysteries - List #1 / List #2 / Shelf #1 / Shelf #2
4. Historical Ghost Fiction - List #1
5. Historical Mysteries 2015 - List #1
6. Sleuths in Silks (Female Detectives) - List #1 / List #2 / List #3
7. Historical Mysteries 2016 - List #1
8. Historical Mysteries in Ancient Times (Greece & Rome) - List #1 / List #2 / Shelf #1
9. YA Historical Mysteries - List #1
10. Historical Mysteries 2017 - List #1
11. Dual Time Mysteries - List #1
12. Mysteries with Literary Authors - List #1
13. Sherlock Holmes - List #1 / List #2 / List #3 / Shelf #1
14. Historical Mysteries 2018 - List #1
15. Historical Cozy Mysteries - List #1 / Shelf #1
16. Historical Mysteries 2019 - List #1
17. Best Historical Crime Fiction - List #1 / List #2 / Shelf #1
18. Historical Mysteries 2020 - List #1
19. Medieval Mysteries - List #1 / Shelf #1
20. Great War Veterans as Detectives - List #1
21. Historical Mystery 2021 - List #1
22. Historical Mystery 2022 - List #1
23. Mysteries first published before 1970 - List #1
Mod
I'm trying to understand how the levels work specifically? If, as of the end of the year, a member has read three books total, one each from three categories, does that count as "completing" Level One? Or is it nine books needed (3 x 3)?
Mod
If you choose level 1, you can read:
a) 3-5 books per month in at least 3 categories. In this case, you could, for example, read a total of 3 books x 12 months for a total of 36 books across any 3 categories you choose.
b) 3-5 books for the entire year in at least 3 categories.
For this option, you could also accumulate levels so begin with reading 3-5 books for level one, and then move on to reading 5-10 books in level 2 and so on. Here you would read anywhere between 3-50 books for the year.
c) 3-5 books per category. So, you would read, for example, 3 books x 3 categories for a total of 9 books for the year.
Again, you could accumulate levels.
d) 3-5 books per category per month. So, you would read, for example, 3 books x 3 categories for a total of 9 books a month.
You can also increase or decrease your level at any point in the challenge.
So if I read 3 books in 20 categories, what level would that be?
pickerwheel (dot) com has a neat letter generator. You can also use any random number generator between 1 and 26.If you generate the same letter in different months, do you pick another or use it again?
The random letter aspect makes it difficult to plan.. could you generate all 12 letters in one go and then it’s easier to work out what and when to read?
Emma wrote: "The random letter aspect makes it difficult to plan.. could you generate all 12 letters in one go and then it’s easier to work out what and when to read?"That's my main issue - tough to start reading new series, only to have those already read books qualifying later.
Mod
If you can find 3 books that are found on each of the 20 lists, go for it!
It would be level #1 - 3-5 books in at least 3 categories.
Mod
It is your choice.
If you want 12 random letters then pick again.
If you don't mind repeating a letter, then use it again.
Mod
Yes, you can plan ahead if you want or wait for the letter to be a surprise each month.
Lauren wrote: "Emma wrote: "The random letter aspect makes it difficult to plan.. could you generate all 12 letters in one go and then it’s easier to work out what and when to read?"Yes, you can plan ahead if y..."
That would be far more helpful - thanks for pointing out that option!
Lauren wrote: "Robin wrote: "So if I read 3 books in 20 categories, what level would that be?"If you can find 3 books that are found on each of the 20 lists, go for it!
It would be level #1 - 3-5 books in at l..."
Forgive me for being a bit "scatter-brained"...
So if I read 10 books in in 10 categories, that's Level 3?
What I might do is NOT nominate a level or the number of books to read in a category until I see how January works out! Then I’ll have a better idea.
Mod
Yes, that's level 3.
Mod
That's perfectly fine.
The challenge this year is designed to be as flexible as possible.
I select a new letter each month. However, vsn I read a book in February that meets requirement for the letter chosen for January? I guess this would be similar to back dating.
What happens if we get the same letter again or get an X or Z? Can we roll again?
Mod
Yes, you can back date your books, i.e., read a book in February that meets the requirement for January.
Mod
If you get the same letter again, you can either choose to use it or roll again.
Yes, it will be difficult to find a book for X or Z (if its even possible), so you can roll again.
Lauren wrote: "Wanda wrote: "I select a new letter each month. However, vsn I read a book in February that meets requirement for the letter chosen for January? I guess this would be similar to back dating."Yes,..."
Thank you; that is quite generous.
Mod
Trying to be as flexible as possible as the 2021 challenge was quite limiting for some.
Hi Lauren, if a series has 2 words in it eg. Lady Sherlock- can the ‘L’ or the ‘S’ be used?
Mod
It is the first letter in the first word that counts, so here it would be L not S
What about adding "Historical Mysteries 2021" to the list?
Mod
Added
I'm making the assumption that when a book begins with a number, you use the letter of the spelling....13 = Thirteen = T. Correct?
Mod
Correct?"
If the book begins with a number, you use the first word after the number unless the number is spelled out in letters.
13 Little Blue Envelopes - the first letter is L.
Now that we are further into 2022, could we have a category for this year? Please.
Mod
Added
Lauren wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Now that we are further into 2022, could we have a category for this year? Please."Added"
Thank you
Lauren wrote: "Emma wrote: "Hi Lauren, if a series has 2 words in it eg. Lady Sherlock- can the ‘L’ or the ‘S’ be used?"It is the first letter in the first word that counts, so here it would be L not S"
So if I'm reading a Sherlock Holmes book, it would be the "S" not the "H"? Seems like it should be the character's last name.
Mod
It is the first letter in the first word that counts, so here it would be L..."
The rule has nothing to do with first or last names. It is the first letter of the first word in the title of the book or the title of the series. So if the title of the series is "Sherlock Holmes", the first letter is "S".
Concerning novels published pre-1970. Only the most popular titles and authors are on the above lists, are we supposed to use our own judgement when reading a less popular choice from the past or is it better to forgo these options? I'm happy to start a few lists for Golden Age detective books, or classic crime novels
Mod
Iasa, you are more than welcome (and even encouraged) to add books to the list if they meet the criteria. Of course, you can also start your own list and let me know so I can add it to the categories.
I just started a list for Mysteries Published Before 1970 because I keep finding books I want to read for the challenge that are written in the past from our perspective and set during the author’s lifetime (borrowing words from Lauren) but don't seem to fit in the categories already above. One such book is the one I am reading now- Behold a Fair Woman. I hope others add to the list. Link to the list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/175342.Mysteries_Published_Before_1970
RachelG. wrote: "I just started a list for Mysteries Published Before 1970 because I keep finding books I want to read for the challenge that are written in the past from our perspective and set during the author’s..."Could be a very long list as all the golden age authors fit that category: Christie, Sayers, Marsh, Tey and many more. Sherlock Holmes qualifies as well.
Sandy wrote: Could be a very long list ."I couldn't find a list or shelf that seemed appropriate for authors who wrote mysteries not only in the golden age but later on as well. It seemed as if only books written by contemporary authors but set in historical times fell in the definition to be on some of the lists I did see.
Mod
Thats fine, Rachel.
I will add it to the categories.
Thanks to the moderators for this great 2022 challenge.! Looking forward to 2023 Settings Challenge :)
I am on my last book, have (finally) completed all the categories and am looking forward to 2023. Thank you Lauren.
Mod
After reading the last few posts, I think I'm really confused about what level I'm at.I've read 90 books so far. I thought I had to read 10 books in each of 10 categories to make Doctorate (100 books total). But I see "Honors" for only reading 20 books total. Did I totally misunderstand? If so, I'll reshuffle my books around.
Mod
I've read 90 books so far. I thought I had to read 10 books in each of 10 categories to make Doctorate (100 b..."
Hi Robin,
Are you confusing this challenge (2022) with next year's challenge (2023)?
For the 2022 challenge, level #4: History with Honors is 15-20 books in at least 15 categories. In other words, you could read a total of 15 books in 15 categories or a total of 20 books in 15 categories not 15-20 books in each of the 15 categories.
Historical Mystery Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Behold a Fair Woman (other topics)13 Little Blue Envelopes (other topics)
Duration: January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
This year's challenge is based on the game "Scattegories" in which players name objects within a set of categories, given an initial letter, within a time limit.
The objective in the historical mysteries version of the game is to choose a random letter each month and read X number of books from X number of categories depending on the level that you select.
*Choose the random letter using a random letter generator. Unfortunately, Goodreads no longer allows external links, so I am unable to link to a random generator here.
The random letter must be the first letter of one of the following:
1. Author first or last name
2. Books title (excluding A, An, The)
3. Series name
*If you would like to make things more challenging, you could have the random letter meet all of the criteria.
*** See below for an example***
GENERAL RULES:
1) Participants may join at any time during the challenge.
2) Definition of historical mystery for this challenge: Any book whose central plot involves a crime of any type (murder, robbery, etc.) and takes place at any point that is at least 50 years in the past. This includes works set in a time period that is historical from the author’s perspective (for example, The Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters) as well as books written in the past from our perspective and set during the author’s lifetime (for example, Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie).
*** Please note: A thriller focusing on espionage does not work for the challenge. A historical mystery must contain a crime that is investigated.
3) Re-reads and audiobooks are acceptable
4) All books begun on January 1st count toward the challenge
5) Create a personal thread in the challenge folder to keep track of your shelves and books. Please make a new post for every shelf that contains:
A. Level
B. The random letter for the month
C. The Category chosen
D. The book to be read.
E. Once you have finished the book, create a new post with all the details above AND the date read. You can also add a few comments about the book if you want (this is not compulsory).
Example:
Level: #1 - Master of History
Random Letter: D
Category: Historical Cozy Mystery
Book: Damsel in Distress by Carola Dunn (Daisy Dalrymple)
LEVELS & CATEGORIES:
Each participant should choose a level and complete the number of categories for that level. The books chosen must be from the lists or shelves next to the category name. Feel free to add books to the lists or shelves.
LEVELS:
Level #1: Bachelor of History - 3 to 5 books from at least 3 categories
Level #2: Master of History - 5 to 10 books in at least 5 categories
Level #3: Doctor of History - 10 to 15 books in at least 10 categories
Level #4: History with Honors - 15-20 books in at least 15 categories
* Please see message #6 for further explanation of the level options.