Historical Mysteries Settings Challenge (2023) - Rules and Questions

[Lauren]

Ruhani wrote: "I read Candance Robb's Kate Clifford series sometime back. It is set in medieval England as is her Own Archer series. For this challenge I wanted to try her Margaret Kerr series and slotted it unde..."

As it is set during the Scottish war of independence, Scotland was technically under English rule. Also, I am not sure that aside from the 20th-century European Union, Scotland would ever actually be classified as Europe. It might, though. It is your challenge, so you can choose how to classify it.

[Ruhani]

Lauren wrote: "Ruhani wrote: "I read Candance Robb's Kate Clifford series sometime back. It is set in medieval England as is her Own Archer series. For this challenge I wanted to try her Margaret Kerr series and ..."

Thank you for the clarification Lauren. You are right, Scotland is under English rule in this book so I will put it under Medieval England.

[Helen]

Much as us Scots would have it otherwise, Medieval England it would have to be 8-).

[Viji]

Need help with fitting the following books to the appropriate setting:
1. A Borgia Daughter Dies

2. Da Vinci Detects

Would they fit the challenge settings? Thanks.

[Lauren]

Viji wrote: "Need help with fitting the following books to the appropriate setting:.."

They would both be medieval Europe.

[Viji]

Lauren wrote: "Viji wrote: "Need help with fitting the following books to the appropriate setting:.."

They would both be medieval Europe."

Thanks a lot, Lauren.

[Viji]

Would Cream Buns and Crime by Robin Stevens be acceptable for this challenge? If so, to which time setting would it fit? Thanks,

[Lauren]

Viji wrote: "Would Cream Buns and Crime by Robin Stevens be acceptable for this challenge? If so, to which time setting would it fit? T..."

This series is set in the 1930s, so it works for the Early 20th Century category.

[Viji]

Lauren wrote: "Viji wrote: "Would Cream Buns and Crime by Robin Stevens be acceptable for this challenge? If so, to which time setting wo..."

Thanks, Lauren.

[Carol]

Cynthia wrote: "sugawara Akitada series by I.J. Parker Other suggestions may be in the book recommendation string or you can check other people's challenges and see what they have read."

For anyone looking for ideas for Pre-19th Century Asia (excluding the British Empire), I second the suggestion of I.J. Parker's Akitada series (ancient Japan), and also recommend Elsa Hart's Jade Dragon Mountain. It takes place in 1708 in China and Tibet.

[Ruhani]

I am currently reading Fiona Buckley's A Rescue For A Queen. This is set in 1571, the protagonist is English and the story is about a plot to put Mary Stuart in the English throne. The story starts in England but shifts quickly to the Netherlands where the rest of the story seems to be set. Can I slot it under 16th - 17th century Europe?

[Lauren]

Ruhani wrote: "I am currently reading Fiona Buckley's A Rescue For A Queen. This is set in 1571, the protagonist is English and the story is about a plot to put Mary Stuart in the E..."

If more than 50% of the books takes place in the Netherlands then it works for Europe.

[sabagrey]

Lauren wrote: "If more than 50% of the books takes place in the Netherlands then it works for Europe."

Eh? What? ... England is part of Europe, whatever the English believe or say. It's the geography, darling.

[Lauren]

sabagrey wrote: "Eh? What? ... England is part of Europe, whatever the English believe or say. It's the geography, darling."

We have separated these regions for the purpose of this challenge. Please read the instructions with the categories.

[Michaela]

sabagrey wrote: "Lauren wrote: "If more than 50% of the books takes place in the Netherlands then it works for Europe."

Eh? What? ... England is part of Europe, whatever the English believe or say. It's the geogra..."

I´d say "Rest of Europe", but the English think otherwise. *rolling eyes*

[Ruhani]

sabagrey wrote: "Lauren wrote: "If more than 50% of the books takes place in the Netherlands then it works for Europe."

Eh? What? ... England is part of Europe, whatever the English believe or say. It's the geogra..."

Thank you Lauren. 79% of this book is set in Netherlands and Spain (I counted :-)) so I will put this under 16th-17th Century Europe.

[Lauren]

To all who have commented on the England/Europe issue -

Specific categories were created for the challenge so that members could:
1. Easily find books in certain settings
2. Broaden their reading horizons.

This is a reading group and not one focused on politics or geography. Please keep your comments related to books and reading, and avoid discussions/arguments about politics/geography.

Many thanks!

[Robin H-R]

Having trouble with "Early Japan". Since "Shogunate Japan is from 1192 - 1867, early Japan would predate that?

[Lauren]

Robin wrote: "Having trouble with "Early Japan". Since "Shogunate Japan is from 1192 - 1867, early Japan would predate that?"

Sorry for the delay in replying.
Goodreads is not sending notifications and for some reason has reset all comments back to the beginning of 2023. Weird.

Anyway, the answer is yes. Early Japan is any date before Shogunate Japan.

[Ruhani]

Just to share with everybody that as at November 3 I completed 25 books from all 21 categories and achieved my goal of History with Honors!!! This also happens to be the first historical mystery challenge I ever tried and completed!

My original goal was Doctor of History and I wanted to read more by authors that I have enjoyed in the past. I'd only tried 1 or 2 of their books and series and wanted to read more of their books so my initial list contained only 3-4 new authors. This more or less went according to plan and I completed Doctor of History by August 26.

Thank you Sandy for encouraging me to go for History with Honors. I almost didn't take your advice because I want to read what I enjoy and didn't want to set an unrealistic target that makes achieving challenges a chore. But then I decided to give it a try - I had 10 more categories to get through in 4 months and this time with the exception of Lindsey Davies (Ancient Rome) all the authors I tried out were new to me. And I LOVED some of these books and definitely want to continue these series. Also achieved my goal with almost 2 months to spare!

Apologies for rambling but just wanted to thank you Lauren for setting up these challenges and to everybody else who helped with book recommendations, clarifications and just encouraged me or kept me company through this challenge. Look forward to the 2024 Historical Mystery Challenge!!

[Michaela]

Impressive! Congratulations Ruhani!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Ruhani wrote: "Just to share with everybody that as at November 3 I completed 25 books from all 21 categories and achieved my goal of History with Honors!!! This also happens to be the first historical mystery ch..."


Ruhani; Congratulations! I looked at your Challenge thread; lots of great reads!

[Sandy]

Ruhani wrote: "Just to share with everybody that as at November 3 I completed 25 books from all 21 categories and achieved my goal of History with Honors!!! This also happens to be the first historical mystery ch..."

Congratulations! I have around three categories left and time is getting short.

[Kerri]

Congratulations! Quite an accomplishment!

[Lauren]

Ruhani wrote: "Just to share with everybody that as at November 3 I completed 25 books from all 21 categories and achieved my goal of History with Honors!!! This also happens to be the first historical mystery ch..."

Well done, Ruhani! 🥳

I am so glad that you enjoyed the challenge and got to read so many new authors that you plan to continue. This is exactly what the group is about. 😀

[Lauren]

Sandy wrote: "Congratulations! I have around three categories left and time is getting short."

You can do it, Sandy!

[John]

Finished this one with two weeks to spare!

Looking forward to more discovery and discussion in 2024!

[Ruhani]

John wrote: "Finished this one with two weeks to spare!

Looking forward to more discovery and discussion in 2024!"

Congratulations!!

[Lauren]

John wrote: "Finished this one with two weeks to spare!

Looking forward to more discovery and discussion in 2024!"

Congratulations! Well done!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Lauren; Thanks so much for moderating this challenge! And congratulations to all the group members! Lots of interesting reads on our posts :)

Happy New Year 2024 to all!

[Lauren]

Thanks Peggy!
Happy New Year to everyone and good luck with the challenge!