2012 Cozy Themes Reading Challenge

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Jane!

[Jane Reads]

Thank you! And congratulations to all the other finishers!!

[Teresa]

I just finished. I loved this challenge.

#1 British - English - Aunt Dimity's Death - Nancy Atherton

#2 Historical/Period - Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters

#3 Animals - Murder Past Due - Miranda James

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Killer Crab Cakes - Livia Washburn

#5 Paranormal -Who Do, VooDoo - Rochelle Staab

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Swimming with the Dead - Kathy Brandt

#7 Holidays - Sugar Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke

#8 Hobbies - Knit One Kill Two - Magge Sefton

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Size 14 Is Not Fat Either - Meg Cabot

#10 Senior Slueths - They Do It With Mirrors - Agatha Christie

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Teresa!

[Maria]

Okay, got it done, here is the list. My very first challenge, next time I'll pick something with less foreign authors...not.
#1 British-Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden/M.C. Beaton

#2 Historical-City of the Absent/Robert Walker
#3 Animals-The cat who Could Read Backward/Lillian Jackson Brown
#4 Culinary-Crunch Time/Diane Mott Davidson
#5 Paranormal-High Crimes on the Magical Plane/Kris Neri
#6 Vacations-Naughty in Nice/Rhys Bowen
#7 Holidays-Christmas Vigil/Anne perry
#8 Hobbies-An Ominous Death/Annette Mahon
#9 Professions-Death by the Dozen/Jenn Mc Kinley

#10 Senior Sleeping Murder/Agatha Christie

[Maria]

#1 British Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden
#2 Historical City of the Absent
#3 Animals The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
#4 CulinaryCrunch Time
#5 ParanormalHigh Crimes on the Magical Plane
#6 Vacation Naughty in Nice
#7 HolidaysAnne Perry's Christmas Vigil: Two Victorian Holiday Mysteries
#8 HobbiesAn Ominous Death
#9 ProfessionsDeath by the Dozen
#10 SeniorSleeping Murder

[Maria]

Okay, this is Maria Grazia Swan somehow my profile is gone and now I'm Maria, I guess I'm both. The point is this was my first challenge and I'm proud of myself!
I know, you old pro think I'm silly...

[Maria]

Kari wrote: "Congrats Maria"
Thanks, I realize I now have 2 accounts and 2 profiles, any idea how I can combine them?

[Gary]

Well I've only just come in one this so I'm like three blocks behind the rest of you, but I've just started on Witch of Wyckhadden. I love Agatha Raisin.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Maria! And about combine your profiles: no idea, but perhaps at Goodreads Feedback group can help you.

[Maria]

Marisa wrote: "Congrats, Maria! And about combine your profiles: no idea, but perhaps at Goodreads Feedback group can help you."
Thanks, I'll try that. My pic is also gone..rats!

[Maria]

Gary wrote: "Well I've only just come in one this so I'm like three blocks behind the rest of you, but I've just started on Witch of Wyckhadden. I love Agatha Raisin."
It was okay, the writing is very British, it moves a little slow, entertaining.

[Maria]

Oh, my pic is back....Alright!

[Peggy]

I have one more book to go... Hobbies. I have Keepsake Crimes but just can not get into it for some reason. Any recommendations?

[Lori]

10/10 Done

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - English - English Tea Murder by Leslie Meier

#2 Historical/Period - Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn

#3 Animals - Hounding the Pavement (A Dog Walker Mystery #1) by Judi McCoy

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Blueberry Muffin Mystery by Joanna Fluke

#5 Paranormal - Aunt Dimity's Good Dee by Nancy Atherton

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - If Books Could Kill a bibliphile Mystery by Kate Carlisle.

#7 Holidays - Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier.

#8 Hobbies - Stich me deadly: An embroidery Mystery by Amanda Lee

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations- Murder of a Small Town Honey by Denise Swanson (school psychologist).

#10 Senior Slueths - A Caribbean Mystery - Agatha Christie

This was a great challenged and opened my eyes to whole new bunch of mysteries I now love. I'm on my third Carola Dunn mysteries and love them.

[Nell]

Peggy wrote: "I have one more book to go... Hobbies. I have Keepsake Crimes but just can not get into it for some reason. Any recommendations?"

There are a list of hobby themed mysteries at the site that inspired this challenge: www.cozy-mystery.com/Cozy-Mysteries-b...
You might find a cozy theme for a hobby that you enjoy.
I'm a fan of Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series, the first is Thyme of Death. A more recent cozy is Dire Threads by Janet Bolin.

[Peggy]

Forgot about cozy mystery.com Just checked and I do have some of the books. Buy so many and then forget you have them.

[Kaye]

Peggy wrote: "I have one more book to go... Hobbies. I have Keepsake Crimes but just can not get into it for some reason. Any recommendations?"

or One collects buttons and the other vintage kitchen equipment.

[Joyce]

Nell wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I have one more book to go... Hobbies. I have Keepsake Crimes but just can not get into it for some reason. Any recommendations?"

I really enjoyed the Craft Corner mysteries, starting with

[Peggy]

THanks for the suggestions. Kaye, I have both those books. Nell, I will check on that one. I looked at cozymysteries.com and under hobbies, I found a book that I have and not read. Don't know why they listed this one as a hobby as flowers were her work...but what do I know. I liked the characters name... same as mine except mine is my first and middle name, Peggy Lee... not not Margaret. I loved this book and yes I figured out who did it. The book...Pretty Poison by Joyce and Jim Levene.

[Peggy]

Just to let you all know I am done with this challenge. Finished all my books. THis was fun.
Peg

[Nell]

Peggy wrote: "Just to let you all know I am done with this challenge. Finished all my books. THis was fun.
Peg"

You listed Carbs & Cadavers as your holiday book. What holiday is it? I cannot tell from the description here and I am looking for another book to fit that category. This one is on my Kindle.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Lori!

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

COngratulations to everyone that's finished so far. Well done!

[Peggy]

Halloween... I didn't realize it till I was reading but it was set just before, during and after Halloween.

Nell wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Just to let you all know I am done with this challenge. Finished all my books. THis was fun.
Peg"

You listed Carbs & Cadavers as your holiday book. What holiday is it? I cannot tel..."

[southpaw285]

Southpaw's Cozy Mystery Theme Challenge
Duration: 02/16/12 - 07/31/12

10/10 Completed

Cozy Themes:

✔1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Birds of a Feather/Jacqueline Winspear==03.04.12****

✔2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940.
Her Royal Spyness/Rhys Bowen==02.24.12*** (1932)

✔3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc.
Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet/M.C. Beaton==03.17.12****

✔4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder/Joanne Fluke==03.04.12***

✔5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc.
Ghost a la Mode/Sue Ann Jaffarian==04.24.12***

✔6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live.
The Quiche of Death/M.C. Beaton==02.19.12****

✔7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery.
Visions of Sugar Plums/Janet Evanovich==06.30.12**

✔8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc.
Invitation to Murder/Elizabeth Bright==06.09.12**

✔9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur slueth.
Hard Eight/Janet Evanovich==03.31.12****

✔10. Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older.
The Quiche of Death/M.C. Beaton==02.19.12*****

*********************CHALLENGE COMPLETED 06/30/12**********************

[Kaye]

Naomi wrote: "10/10 - DONE

Sounds great, I'm in!

Duration: Starts Feb 16th - July 31st (started 2/17, finished 3/24)

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - The Big Four by Agatha Christie

#2 Historical/Period - The Ale..."

Congrats, Naomi! This was a really fun challenge. I like your list.

[Nell]

southpaw285 wrote: "
Southpaw's Cozy Mystery Theme Challenge

Duration: 02/16/12 - 07/31/12

10/10 Completed

Cozy Themes:

✔1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wa..."

Did you mean to list a different Agatha Raisin at #10? It's the same as #6.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Duration: Feb 16, 2012 - 07/31/2012

10/10

1. British - English : Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton (05/20/2012 - ★★★★)

2. Historical/Period : La paradoja de Einstein y otros misterios de la ciencia resueltos por Sherlock Holmes by Colin Bruce (05/02/2012 - ★★★)

3. Animals : A New Leash on Death by Susan Conant (03/05/2012 - ★★★★)

4. Culinary/Cooking : If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton (18/05/2012 - ★★★★)

5. Paranormal: Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab (02/22/2012 - ★★★★)

6. Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations: Swimming with the Dead by Kathy Brandt (06/08/2012 - ★★★★)

7. Holidays: A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton (06/20/2012 - ★★★★)

8. Hobbies: Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan (05/24/2012 - ★★)

9. Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations: Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates (05/15/2012 - ★★★★)

10. Senior Sleuths: Moonlight Mayhem by Helen Haught Fanick (05/05/12 - ★★★★)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Karen!

[ChrisGA]

It is July 21 so I checked this out a little late. Just for fun, I went over books I have read since February 16 This is what I came up with:

#1 British - English – Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist-Beaton

#2 Historical/Period –1936- Flight from Berlin--John

#3 Animals - Of Mice And Murder-Conneally

#4 Culinary/Cooking – Carbs & Cadavers--Stanley

#5 Paranormal - House-Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations -Haiti– Vanished-Derksen

#7 Holidays - Catered St. Patrick’s Day-Crawford

#8 Hobbies-scrapbooking- Fiber and Brimstone-Childs

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations -soapmaker- Lye in Wait-McRae

#10 Senior Sleuths - Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear-Sharon Dunn

[Kaye]

Congrats, Karen! This was a really fun challenge.

[Sue]

Finished!

Duration: Starts Feb 16th - July 31st

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - English - The Red House Mystery 2/19

#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940. Bless the Bride 2/23

#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc. Pawing Through the Past 3/4

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries. 2/25

#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc.Ghost a la Mode 5/10

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live. Chasing Mona Lisa - France and Switzerland. 4.15

#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery. Holiday in Death 7/23

#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc. The Yiddish Policemen's Union - chess 5/9

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur sleuth. Crunch Time - 3/13

#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older. 5/18

Happy Sleuthing!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Sue!

[Sue]

Marisa wrote: "Congrats, Sue!"

Thanks Marisa!

[Jackie]

10/10 Completed!

#1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Curse of the Giant Hogweed by Charlotte MacLeod - 4/9

#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940.
Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn - 4/24

#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc.
Cat in a Flamingo Fedora by Carole Nelson Douglas - 7/4

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries.
Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle - 7/8

#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc.
An Uninvited Ghost by E. J. Copperman - 5/12

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - 5/3

#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery.
Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton - 7/28

#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc.
Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger - 6/19

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur slueth. The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert - 5/9

#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older
In Plain Sight by Lorena McCourtney - 6/17


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[Nell]

Cozy Themes:
2/16/12 to 7/31/12
Cozies I read during the challenge period that fit the themes:

#1 British - English -

Evan's Gate by Rhys Bowen
Evan Blessed by Rhys Bowen
A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton

#2 Historical/Period -

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (& British)
Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson

#3 Animals -

Murder Past Due by Miranda James
Tiger's Palette by Jacqueline Fiedler

#4 Culinary/Cooking -

A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson (& holiday)
The Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis (& animals)

#5 Paranormal -

Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend
Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab
Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates (& culinary)

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations -

Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen (& historical)
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana)
The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator by Tarquin Hall (India)(& paranormal)

#7 Holidays -

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof by Jacklyn Brady (Mardi Gras)
Home Fires by Margaret Maron (4th of July)
Baby Doll Games by Margaret Maron (Halloween)

#8 Hobbies -

Dire Threads by Janet Bolin
A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett (& holidays)
The Right Jack by Margaret Maron

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations -

Choke by Kaye George (waitress)
But I Wouldn't Want To Die There by Nancy Pickard (foundation director)
Grace Under Pressure and Grace Interrupted by Julie Hyzy (curator)
Mama Does Time by Deborah Sharp (wildlife gamekeeper)
Killer Market by Margaret Maron (judge)
Death in Blue Folders by Margaret Maron (lawyer)

#10 Senior Slueths -

Trouble in the Town Hall by Jeanne M. Dams (& British)
Biggie and the Poisoned Politician: A Mystery by Nancy Bell

This was fun and it was interesting to compare what I actually read with what I thought I was going to read.

[Vicky]

I forgot to report.

British: Peril at Somner House by Joanna Challis


Historical: Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose


Animals: Tale of Briar Bank by Susan Wittig Albert


Cooking: Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke


Paranormal: Crossed Bones by Carolyn Haines


Vacation: Hula Does It by Maddy Hunter


Holidays: Death and the Easter Bunny by Linda Berry


Hobbies: The Garden Club Mystery by Graham Landrum


Careers: Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs


Seniors: Murder Gets a Life by Anne George


Thanks for a wonderful, all-encompassing challenge.

[Cathy]

Well, it took me till the end (read a lot of other things in between), but I made it! My own personal challenge was that each cozy also had to have a recipe.

#1 British - Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose (could also have counted as historical.)
#2 Historical/Period - Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Witting Albert (slo British)
#3 Animals - Icing Ivy by Evan Marshall
#4 Culinary/Cooking - Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
#5 Paranormal - Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton (also British)
#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Mozzarella Most Murderous by Nancy Fairbanks
#7 Holidays - Gingerbread Bump-off by Livia J. Washburn (also Senior Sleuths)
#8 Hobbies - Neeedled to Death by Maggie Sefton
#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
#10 Senior Sleuths - Biggie and the Poisoned Politician by Nancy Bell

[Jennifer]

I'm in-- Historical was You Might As Well Die read in February, 4 stars
British was Death at Wentwater Court, read in January, 4 stars.
Animals- Murder With Peacocks. March, 4 stars
Paranormal- Larceny and Lace. March, 4 stars
Holiday - Christmas in High Heels March, 4 stars.
Culinary was A Brew to a Kill which I just finished in October, 4 stars
Vacation/exotic : Crocodile on the Sandbank Read in April, 4 stars, will be reading more by this author!
Hobbies was Sins and Needles, first by this author that I've read, 4 stars, read in February.
Professions- Death by Diamonds one of my all-time favorite series. 4 stars. Read in April
Senior sleuth- As The Pig Turns 3 stars, not as good as the rest of the series, I've read the next one since and it was better... Read in April.

So-- DONE! Great fun, I hope we do something like it again next year!

[Jennifer]

Cathy wrote: "Well, it took me till the end (read a lot of other things in between), but I made it! My own personal challenge was that each cozy also had to have a recipe.

#1 British - Sweet Revenge by Andrea ..."

Very cool. Did you get to try any of the recipes along the way? Have you read the Cleo Coyle series? The recipes in hers sound decadent....

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

Congratulations to everyone that has finished so far!
Well done.

[Cathy]

@Jennifer. So far I have only tried one of the recipes (you can read about it on my infrequently updated blog: http://wp.me/p2eDVV-2G), but I did keep of list of the recipes so I can go back later and try some. And no, I've not read the Cleo Coyle series yet. It's on my to-read list, but not high priority as I don't drink coffee.

[Cassie]

Will this be done again?

[Leslie]

I am going to try this one! My current cozy, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, will work for category #1 :)

[Catherine]

I'm in! how I missed this one, I'll never know! lol


Time for a new challenge ladies (and gentlemen). I got the idea from the Cozy-Mystery.com website. The website graciously lists a variety of cozy themes, and has broken down each theme into lists of books by either authors (alphabetically) or by category. So if you can't find a book on your own to fit any of the themes, please check out the website for ideas. Direct link to the themed page: http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Cozy-Myst... We also have several threads here in the group that might help you find books for various themes.

For this challenge you will need to read 10 books, one for each category/theme. You can read more, but you only need to read one each. You can choose your books before you start, change them later as you go along.

Duration: Starts Feb 16th - July 31st

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940.

#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc.

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries.

#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc.

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live.

#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery.

#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc.

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur slueth.

#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older.

Happy Sleuthing!

[Leslie]

COZY THEMES READING CHALLENGE
Start: 24 Sept. 2013     Done: 26 Jan. 2014
10/10 Finished

For this challenge you will need to read 10 books, one for each category/theme. You can read more, but you only need to read one each. You can choose your books before you start, change them later as you go along.

Cozy Themes:

#1 British - English - Books that take place in the United Kingdom countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (done 9/27/13)

#2 Historical/Period - Any book that takes place prior to 1940. The Widow of Jerusalem by Alan Gordon (set 1198-1209) (10/1/13)

#3 Animals - Any book with an animal as a main character, subject of the book, book takes place in a pet shop, stable, etc. - Moonlighting in Vermont by Kate George (main character lives on a farm) (done 9/29/13)

#4 Culinary/Cooking - Food themed mysteries. - Hot Chocolate by Dawn Greenfield Ireland (done 1/26/14)

#5 Paranormal - Anything centered around the occult, witches, vampires, werewolves, Psychics, ghosts, etc. - Opal Fire by Barbara Annino (done 10/22/13)

#6 Vacation Mysteries/Exotic Locations - Any book that takes place outside the United States and/or outside the country in which you live. The Fire Engine that Disappeared by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (set in Sweden) (not cozy) (done 10/3/13)

#7 Holidays - Any holiday themed mystery. Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley (done 11/16/13)

#8 Hobbies - Any mystery that centers around a hobby, craft, sport, etc. -- Perilous Pranks by Joyce and Jim Lavene (done 12/1/13)

#9 Professions/Careers/Jobs/Occupations - Any mystery that centers on or highlights a particular job. Doesn't matter if the job is that of the person murdered, or that of the amateur sleuth. -- Winter Study by Nevada Barr (done 12/31/13)

#10 Senior Slueths - Read a mystery where the sleuth is 50 or older. The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter (Morse is 50 in this) (not cozy) (done 10/16/13)