Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense discussion
Reading Challenges 2026
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May 2026 Challenge
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Brenda
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Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
1/9
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
The Mountains Have a Secret by Arthur W. Upfield
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
Deceived by the Light by Damien Boyd
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
The Black Wolf by Louise Penny
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Murder on the Rocks by T.E. Kinsey
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
The Tea Room Inheritance by Hannah Langdon
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
Triple Cross by James Patterson
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
The Dead Yard by Adrian McKinty
Mod
Duration: 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Level: Hard - I caught the thief!!
0/9
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
The Mountains Have a Secret by Arthur W. Upfield2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
The One Man by Andrew Gross3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
Click by Sarah Bailey4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
Return of the Spider by James Patterson Alex Cross5. Read a book from a series.
The Wolf at the Door by Kate Wiley Margot Phalen FBI #26. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Murder on the Rocks by T.E. Kinsey7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
The Body at St Edmund’s by Kate Hardy8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
The Redline by Adrian Hyland9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
An Alias or Two by Virginia King
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
✅2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine Read 04/05/2026 3 stars✅3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey Read 02/05/2026 5 stars4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Private by James Patterson Read 06/05/2026 4 stars
Woohoo 🥳 May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Level - Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
2/6
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
Mixing with Murder by Ann Granger - ★
✔️ 3. Read a book where the title has a Y in it.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James - 05/05 - 4.5★
✔️ 4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James (Adam Dalgleish) - 03/05 - 4★
5. Read a book from a series.
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen (#1 Martini Club series) - ★
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb - ★
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Death of an Avid Reader by Frances Brody - ★
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
🧡😀 something to aim for 😀🧡 Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
1/9
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb 1/5 3.5★
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M - Matchmaker by S.E. Lynes
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A - Kill Me Again by Rachel Abbott
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth. Colder than the Grave by J.D. Kirk
5. Read a book from a series. Hide and Seek by M.J. Arlidge
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
4/9
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M -
My Perfect Daughter by Sarah A. Denzil ✅ 4* (3/5)
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A -
Anni Taylor - The Silent Town a
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it -
The Verdict by Olivia Isaac-Henry ✅ 4* (3/5)
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth -
Out of Range by C.J. Box (Joe Pickett)
5. Read a book from a series -
Shadows Of Hunters Ridge by Sarah Barrie ✅ 4* (7/5)
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title -
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES -
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words) -
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors -
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup ✅ 3* (7/5)
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✅
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I'm in, please Phrynne! I'm going to start at Easy level and see how I go, with three monthly challenges already locked in!May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
Hangman's Gap by Rachel Amphlett
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it
Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth
The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron: Forty Years Searching for the Phillip Island Murderer by Vikki Petraitis (I consider the author a professional sleuth)
5. Read a book from a series
The Death of Lucy Kyte by Nicola Upson (Josephine Tey #5)
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title
Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
Shellybanks by Louise Milligan
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
The Pledge by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths
Mod
Mod
Phrynne wrote: "That's great Sarah. I tried to plan the tasks so people could use books they have already planned for other challenges."You've done very well - all nine books were either in my upcoming Lotsa-Spell challenge for May, my library holds due in the next few weeks, or my NetGalley list!
What fun! I'll give it a shot too Phrynne! May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
0/9 books
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
The Missing Ones by A.R. Torre
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
Quite Ugly One Evening by Chris Brookmyre
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
The Monk: A DS George Cross Mystery by Tim Sullivan
5. Read a book from a series.
Lifeless by Mark Billingham
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan
Mod
Mod
You've done very well - all nine books were either in my up..."
Well done Sarah! I know I included a lot of books off my TBR list:) Always a bonus!
Aussie Lovers May ChallengeRead:
Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
A surprise monthly challenge!..totally unexpected, Phrynne, so will play detective 😊May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Aim for ➡️Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Progress: 2
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
➡️2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
Canticle Creek by Adrian Hyland
📚➡️3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
The Detective by Matthew Reilly....4* 02/05/26
➡️4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny (Armand Gamache)
➡️5. Read a book from a series.
Killarney by Nikki Mottram (#2. Gibson)
➡️6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Murder in the Family by Faith Martin
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
📚➡️8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
Last One Out by Jane Harper....4* 06/05/26
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Mod
May Challenge - To Catch a ThiefMedium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
From Across the Sea by Annie Seaton
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it
An Ill Wind by Margaret Hickey
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth
Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman
5. Read a book from a series
The Witness by Fleur McDonald
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Knife in the Back by Karen Rose
Mod
Count me in, will give it a try!May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
0 / 9
Tasks
1. Title starting with M - Murder by Misrule - Anna Castle
2. Author's name starts with A - Angela Marsons - Stolen Ones
3. Title or the author's name has a Y in it. - Guilty by Definition - Susie Dent
4. Features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth. - A Shooting at Chateau Rock - Martin Walker
5. Read a book from a series. - Vendetta - Sarah Barrie - A.A
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title. - Field of Death - Graham Brack
7. Author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES - Karin Slaughter - Skin Privilege
8. First letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT - Close to Home - Robert Dugoni
9. favourite crime authors - Endgame - Sarah Barrie - A.A
Mod
May Challenge 2026 - To Catch a Thief0/9
1. title starting with M
2. the author's name starts with A
3. the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
4. features one of your favorite detectives or amateur sleuth Death by Water Kerry Greenwood
5. from a series.
6. murder in title Murder by Candlelight Faith Martin
7. both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. by one of your favorite crime authors Connections in Death J.D. Robb
May Challenge 2026 - To Catch a Thief1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich5. Read a book from a series. (Sam Reilly)
Atlantis Stolen by Christopher Cartwright6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
Murder in the Crypt by Irina Shapiro7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
Lee Christine with
Charlotte Pass8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
The Rottweiler by Ruth Rendell
Mod
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen 2/5/26 4*
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus 6/5/26 3*
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Mod
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M : Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A : A Deadly Promise by Rachel Amphlett
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it : Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth : Fatal Error by J.A. Jance
5. Read a book from a series :
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title :
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES :
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT : Redbelly Crossing by Candice Fox
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors :
Just spotted this, and it starts tomorrow! More monthly challenges - love it! Hopefully I can squeeze some of my already planned books into it!
OK maybe 'my favourite amateur sleuth' is a stretch that I might change later - but all books I'd planned to read this month :)
Mod
Finished 3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Masseyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished 2. Read a book where the Author's Name starts with an A
From Across the Sea by Annie Seaton 3*
Finished 2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pinehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished 9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors
Private by James Pattersonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Books mentioned in this topic
Private (other topics)Private (other topics)
Last One Out (other topics)
One of Us Is Next (other topics)
One of Us Is Next (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
James Patterson (other topics)James Patterson (other topics)
Jane Harper (other topics)
Karen M. McManus (other topics)
Fleur McDonald (other topics)
More...
Remember all books must be from our genres of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Rules and guidelines: here
**Completed Challenges: When you have completed your challenge, please post your entire completed challenge as a new message indicating you have finished. A completed challenge must have the following information: (1) Link to book title, (2) Author's name, (3) Date you finished reading your book, (4) Your rating.
**Once you've posted your completed challenge, your name will be ticked off the list.
May Challenge 1/5/26 - 31/5/26
Easy: You found some clues. 3 tasks
Medium: A thorough investigation. 6 tasks
Hard: You caught the thief. All nine tasks
Tasks
1. Read a book with a title starting with M
2. Read a book where the author's name starts with A
3. Read a book where the title or the author's name has a Y in it.
4. Read a book which features one of your favourite detectives or amateur sleuth.
5. Read a book from a series.
6. Read a book with the word death or murder in the title.
7. Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in SHERLOCK HOLMES
8. Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in HERCULE POIROT (minimum two words)
9. Read a book by one of your favourite crime authors