Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2023 - Settings Challenge
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Rachel's 2023 Settings Challenge
Book 1: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England 1857
B. Book read: The Stationmaster's Farewell by Edward Marston
C. Date read: 1/1/23
D. Comments: First book of the year. I really enjoy this series! It's my go to when I don't know what to read next.
Book 2: Ancient Egypt (4300 BC- 642 AD)A. Setting: Alexandria 47 BC
B. Book read: Death of an Eye by Dana Stabenow
C. Date read: 1/1/23
D. Comments: This is set during Cleopatra's reign. I plan to continue on with the series. I am glad I had the audiobook so I could learn pronunciations of the characters names.
Book 3: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: U.S. 1942 (WWII)
B. Book read: Front Page Murder by Joyce St. Anthony
C. Date read: 1/3/23
D. Comments: I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. Finally got the opportunity and am glad I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would. Will continue the series.
Book 4: Roman Empire (625 BC-476 AD)A. Setting: Gaul 119 AD
B. Book read: Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie
C. Date read: 1/7/23
D. Comments: I wasn't a fan of book 2 in the series but this one was fantastic! I am glad that I read it and excited to read the next. I am still enjoying Till and Ruso's relationship the most in the story. For me the mystery takes second stage.
Book 5: Roman Empire (625 BC-476 AD)A. Setting: Rome 71 AD
B. Book read: Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis
C. Date read: 1/9/23
D. Comments: Falco is such a lovable rogue. I enjoy how Lindsey Davis is able to write with humor and enough details to make the story come alive. There was a certain part in the book with an ox and a mule that had me laughing out loud.
Sandy wrote: "One of my favorite series."I always think of you, Sandy, when I see this series. You were the one who drew my attention to it. I hope to make some headway in the series this year. I think the settings challenge will prod me to read more.
Book 6: Ancient Greece (700-480 BC)A. Setting: Athens 332 BC
B. Book read: Aristotle Detective: An Aristotle Detective Novel by Margaret Doody
C. Date read: 1/15/23
D. Comments: I really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced with lots of twists and turns. Stephanos, the main character, seeks help from Aristotle, his former teacher in order to bring resolution to a murder. I didn't realize it was originally published in 1978. I found out about it from the historical mysteries set in ancient Greece list.
Book 7: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: New York City 1958
B. Book read: The Socialite's Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden
C. Date read: 1/16/23
D. Comments: The main character is a spoiled brat living in her father's hotel and spending his money without care. I did like the story as she becomes more complicated as the book moves along. Only gave it 3 stars, however.
Book 8: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England 1887
B. Book read: The Malvern Murders by Kerry Tombs
C. Date read: 1/17/23
D. Comments: Enjoyed the audiobook
Book 9: Gilded Age America (1870-1900)A. Setting: Rhode Island 1895
B. Book read: Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell
C. Date read: 1/21/23
D. Comments: I know that lots of people love this series. I thought it was a fine start to a series but hope that the books get better.
Book 10: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: France 1930
B. Book read: Mystery in Provence by Vivian Conroy
C. Date read: 1/21/23
D. Comments: This was a very easy to read book and although I can't stand Atalanta's name I do want to see what she does next.
Book 11: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England
B. Book read: Mrs Hudson and the Spirits' Curse by Martin Davies
C. Date read: 1/22/23
D. Comments: For some reason I have had this book on my Kindle for a long time. I am glad I finally got around to it.
Book 12: Pre 19th Century Asia (excluding the British Empire)A. Setting: China 677 AD
B. Book read: The Willow Pattern by Robert van Gulik
C. Date read: 1/22/23
D. Comments: What I learned from this book is that women in China run around naked chased by men and are treated terribly during Judge Dee's time. The fact it was set during a plague was interesting.
Book 13: Roman Empire (625 BC-476 AD)A. Setting: Britannia 120 AD
B. Book read: Caveat Emptor by Ruth Downie
C. Date read: 1/25/23
D. Comments: Great series!
Book 14: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1939
B. Book read: Bones in the Blackout by Emma Jameson
C. Date read: 1/27/23
D. Comments: It was fine. There were some things I liked about it and others I disliked. Nothing to get really excited about.
Book 15: Medieval England (476-1485)A. Setting: England 1363
B. Book read: The Apothecary Rose by Candace Robb
C. Date read: 1/29/23
D. Comments: I enjoy Owen Archer as a character and there are some despicable villains in this book.
Book 16: Ancient Egypt (4300 BC- 642 AD)A. Setting: Egypt 1328 BC
B. Book read: Slayer of Gods by Lynda S. Robinson
C. Date read: 1/29/23
D. Comments: This is book 6 in the series and the only one my library has. I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of the city. It was interesting to read about how Akhenaten changed Egypts religion to only worship Aten. There is a historical note at the beginning of the story which is helpful.
Book 17: Tudor / Stuart England (1485-1603/1603-1714)A. Setting: England 1560
B. Book read: To Shield the Queen by Fiona Buckley
C. Date read: 1/30/23
D. Comments: I found the religious debate to be the most interesting part as this is what was happening during that time. Ursula was an enjoyable woman and I think it would be nice to see how the series progresses.
Book 18: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: Greece 1930
B. Book read: Last Seen in Santorini by Vivian Conroy
C. Date read: 1/31/23
D. Comments: I really didn't like this book and only gave it 2 stars.
Book 19: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England 1900
B. Book read: Murder at the Debutante Ball by C.J. Archer
C. Date read: 2/1/23
D. Comments: So I really love this series and am excited when a new one comes out. I like the fact that Cleopatra Fox lives in a hotel and is surrounded with interesting characters. Her relationships with others are not typical.
Book 20: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1942
B. Book read: Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders by Tessa Arlen
C. Date read: 2/2/23
D. Comments: The first thing I didn't enjoy about the book is that one person I felt right away was the murderer. It was like a neon light was flashing over their head saying "I did it!" I much prefer when I am wrong about the conclusion of the story. It didn't take away from me wanting to read another in the series, however. The other thing I didn't particularly enjoy was Poppy's alter-ego that chimes in. The book would be fine without this voice.
Book 21: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England
B. Book read: Mrs. Jeffries on the Trail by Emily Brightwell
C. Date read: 2/3/23
D. Comments: Men vs. women this time around in Inspector Witherspoon's household.
Book 22: Ancient Egypt (4300 BC- 642 AD)A. Setting: Egypt
B. Book read: Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective by Amy Butler Greenfield
C. Date read: 2/4/23
D. Comments: This was a cute book. Ra, the Pharaoh's cat, and his friend a scarab beetle help solve the mystery of jewelry and other items that have gone missing after a little girl is accused.
Sounds interesting; I've downloaded the audio version.
Book 23: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England
B. Book read: Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook by Emily Brightwell
C. Date read: 2/4/23
D. Comments: I am beginning to like this series more and more as I read them. The first 5 were fine but these past 2 have been like visiting friends.
Book 24: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England 1894
B. Book read: How to Get Away with Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
C. Date read: 2/4/23
D. Comments: I thought this was a hoot. I couldn't put it down.
Book 25: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: Japan 1926
B. Book read: Usotoki Rhetoric, Vol. 1 by Miyako Ritsu
C. Date read: 2/9/23
D. Comments: Interesting start to a manga series. Urabe Kanoko can tell when people are lying and gets hired by a detective.
RachelG. wrote: "Book 23: Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England 1894
B. Book read: How to Get Away with Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
C. Date read: 2/4/23
D. Comments: I ..."
I love Myrtle! She's unintentionally (for her) hilarious. I appreciate her goal of being a forensics detective, in spite of the job not existing yet and being female. I think I even like Peony and her commentary. I like the footnotes teaching history in Myrtle's own voice too. The whodunits tend to be a little obvious sometimes but that's not the point and I'm an adult and not 12.
Book 26: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1950
B. Book read: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
C. Date read: 2/13/23
D. Comments: I first read this in 2016 and this time did the audio version. Still a 5 star read imo.
RachelG. wrote: "Book 26: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1950
B. Book read: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
C. Date read: 2/13/23
D. Comme..."
LOVE the audio narration!
Book 27: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: New York 1950
B. Book read: Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man by Emily J. Edwards
C. Date read: 2/15/23
D. Comments: It kind of grew on me by the end but not a great read. I gave it 2 stars and most likely won't spend more time with the series. I didn't care for the "gangster" language and really hated how the men treated the women.
Book 28: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1921
B. Book read: A Fashionable Fatality by Alyssa Maxwell
C. Date read: 2/20/23
D. Comments: A happy ending! I do enjoy this series and was glad I had a chance to read it.
Book 29: Early JapanA. Setting: Japan 11th century
B. Book read: The Dragon Scroll by I.J. Parker
C. Date read: 2/20/23
D. Comments: I finally finished this one. It was not my favorite. I never felt like it hooked me. I would be curious to try one more in the series to see if it was a fluke or not. The subject matter with the attitude towards women as sex objects was not my cup of tea but I tend to not read books like that usually and only read this one for the challenge.
Book 30: Gilded Age America (1870-1900)A. Setting: San Fransisco 1879
B. Book read: Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke
C. Date read: 2/25/23
D. Comments: I really enjoyed the start to this series. I would like to read another.
Book 31: Shogunate Japan (1192-1868)A. Setting: Japan 1735
B. Book read: The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
C. Date read: 3/1/23
D. Comments: A middle grade book which was a good read. All about a boy who wants to be a samurai but is born a merchants son. He is tasked by a judge to find out who stole a jewel.
Book 32: Shogunate Japan (1192-1868)A. Setting: Japan 1564
B. Book read: Claws of the Cat by Susan Spann
C. Date read: 3/4/23
D. Comments: I enjoyed the relationship between Hiro and Father Mateo.
Book 33: Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: Atlantic sea 1923
B. Book read: Murder on the SS Rosa by Lee Strauss
C. Date read: 3/5/23
D. Comments: A fun, short mystery.
Book 34: British Empire (any century, countries other than England)A. Setting: Australia 1920s
B. Book read: Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood
C. Date read: 3/6/23
D. Comments: I don't always notice editing errors but there was a huge one in this book which really threw me. I am not a fan of Phryne in the books but do like the surrounding cast.
Book 35: 18th-19th Century Europe (1701-1900)A. Setting: Bavaria 1776
B. Book read: Once Upon a Crime by P.J. Brackston
C. Date read: 3/7/23
D. Comments: I found it funny. The audio version was fantastic.
Book 36: Gilded Age America (1870-1900)A. Setting: San Fransisco, CA 1879
B. Book read: Uneasy Spirits by M. Louisa Locke
C. Date read: 3/9/23
D. Comments: Not as enjoyable as the first.
Book 37: Edwardian England (1901-1914)A. Setting: England 1910
B. Book read: The Tale of Applebeck Orchard by Susan Wittig Albert
C. Date read: 3/17/23
Book 38 : Regency England (1811-1820)A. Setting: England 1816
B. Book read: The Baffling Burglaries of Bath by Leighann Dobbs
C. Date read: 3/25/23
D. Comments: I enjoy this series.
Book 39 : Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: Montana 1914
B. Book read: The Peaceful Valley Crime Wave by Bill Pronzini
C. Date read: 3/27/23
Book 40 : Tudor / Stuart England (1485-1603/1603-1714)A. Setting: England 1603
B. Book read: A Rustle of Silk by Alys Clare
C. Date read: 3/30/23
D. Comments: I already picked up the second in the series. It was a great start.
Book 41 : Early 20th Century (1901-1973)A. Setting: England 1916
B. Book read: The Art of Deception: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Leonard Goldberg
C. Date read: 3/31/23
D. Comments: It was okay.
Book 42 : Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England
B. Book read: Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi by Emily Brightwell
C. Date read: 4/1/23
D. Comments: It's so good that the Inspector has Mrs. Jeffries and all looking out for him.
Book 43 : 18th-19th Century Europe (1701-1900)A. Setting: Bavaria, 1776
B. Book read: Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints by P.J. Brackston
C. Date read: 4/9/23
D. Comments: A fun book. I like Gretel.
Book 44 : Victorian England (1837-1901)A. Setting: England
B. Book read: Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected by Emily Brightwell
C. Date read: 4/6/23
Historical Mystery Lovers
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Books read: 50
Categories completed: 19/21
CATEGORIES:
1. Ancient Egypt (4300 BC- 642 AD)
2. Ancient Greece (700-480 BC)
3. Roman Empire (625 BC-476 AD)
4. Early Japan
5. Shogunate Japan (1192-1868)
6. Medieval England (476-1485)
7. Medieval Europe (476-1450)
8. Tudor / Stuart England (1485-1603/1603-1714)
9. 16th-17th Century Europe (1500-1700)
10. Georgian England (1714-1830)
11. Regency England (1811-1820)
12. Victorian England (1837-1901)
13. Edwardian England (1901-1914)
🔴14. Colonial America (1630-1763)
15. Antebellum America (1815-1861)
🔴16. American Civil War (1861-1865)
17. Gilded Age America (1870-1900)
18. British Empire (any century, countries other than England)
19. Pre 19th Century Asia (excluding the British Empire)
20. 18th-19th Century Europe (1701-1900)
21. Early 20th Century (1901-1973)
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