2018 Historical Mystery Challenge

This historical mystery challenge is very simple read books in as many categories as you can. If there is a category that you really, read as many books as you like in that category (ies). It is nice to share what we are reading and introduce all of us to new authors and books. This Challenge will start Jan 1, 2018

Go here to add your list 2018 Historical Mystery  LIST

1. Shiny New – Read a historical mystery released for the first time in 2018.
2. Nice to Meet You- Read a historical mystery by a new to you author
3. Military- Read a historical mystery in which one of the main characters is in or was in the military of any country
4. Roaring 20's - hemlines are shorter and booze is illegal read a historical mystery  set in 1920's
5. 1800’s – Read a book set between 1800 and 1899
6. The Arts- read a historical mystery that is focused around the arts, (painting, fashion, sculpting, cooking etc)
7. Missing Person-- Read a historical mystery in which the cover art does not include a person
8. Oldies but Goodies-- Read a historical mystery published before 2000. 
9. Asia and Australia-- Read a historical mystery set in Asia or Australia
10. America- Read a historical mysteries that are set in different eras (Puritans, American revolution, Pioneering, gold rush, Civil war, women's movement, industrial revolition etc
11. Make up your own Category—Make up your own category 

For the Over Achievers

Bonus- Read  as many historical mysteries written by a male author that you can fit into the year. 

Looks like fun Alice!  Thanks for getting it all together.

Jeanne has made us some nice banners but they are not posting for me. I will see if she will post directly

Okay, I've got these so far!

#11 Make Up Your Own Category- I came up with Ladies First for this category-Read a historical mystery where a female is the only or main investigator and my book choice was A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear.  This is the 8th Maisie Dobbs novel and I really enjoyed it very much.  Maisie is recruited by Scotland Yard and the Secret Service to observe activities that are not in the interests of the crown at a small college in Cambridge.  A great deal of the book dealt with the pacifist movement in Europe and England during and after World War I; about which I knew nearly nothing.  As always in each Maisie story, there are a few side issues of interest and this book is no exception.  I highly recommend this story to any Maisie Dobbs fans and give it a solid 4 star rating

Trying out my banner --- think it does not work.  It does not --- help needed.  Do I just put it in my "signature"???? Saved it to my desktop and tried to upload --- did not go anywhere!!!  Hallelujah --- I did it!!!

I am reading the new Victoria Thompson series City of Lies   Set in about 1917, Washington DC. So for it is okay but not like our characters as much as in the Gas Light Series

Currently reading The Unseeing by Anna Mazzola. Based on the true story of Sarah Gale who was convicted and sentenced to hang for her part in the murder and dismemberment of Hannah Brown. Her lover, James Greenacre, threw Sarah and her young son out in the harsh winter night of December 1836 in order to install his new paramour whom he intended to marry.  On the eve of her wedding, Hannah was murdered. During her trial, Sara refuses to defend herself  and has little to say. She is sentenced to hang and sent to Newgate Prison to await her execution.  Enter Edmund Fleetwood, a young lawyer, who is appointed by the crown to make sure the court made the right decision in sentencing her to death. Although he starts out objectively, he gradually falls under her spell and his life is never the same.. Eventually, she tells her story, but is she recounting the truth or manipulating him?  Although a little slow paced for my liking, this is a wonderfully written and well researched Victorian tale that is full of secrets, twists and turns that blend fact and fiction into a tale that brings Victorian mores and justice front and center.

Category #5- 1800s

For this entry I am using Keeping Bad Company, the 5th Liberty Lane mystery by Caro Peacock.  This one is a bit unusual as Liberty has to solve a murder that took place months ago, thousands of miles away from 1840 London, in India.  Liberty is reunited with her brother Tom, who had sailed away to India to work for the East India Company.  Benjamin Disraeli makes an appearance once again in this book took prompt or sometimes provoke Liberty along her courses of inquiry.  I thought it was a good, solid 3 star read.

Category #7- Missing Person:  A mystery where the cover art does not feature a person

For this entry I have read Season of Blood by Jeri Westerson.  This is the latest Crispin Guest mystery and I am glad that the series is back on track (for me personally).  I feel that the two previous books deviated from what we all want...Crispin Guest large and in charge!  I love Jack, Crispin's apprentice and servant but I feel the focus has been on him to the detriment of Crispin's character.  I enjoyed this book very much and gave it a 4 out 5 star rating.

Next week I will post the 2019 Historical mystery challenge

Any request?

I like the 2018 release category.  Thanks so much Alice.  The new (current year) is always the last category I fill because I am working on books on my shelves.  I do get some that were printed the previous year (nearly new such as 2017 if for 2018 challenge).

I like the make up your own category!

I did pretty well with the challenge this year.  I managed to read at least one book for every category except the historical mystery taking place in Asia or Australia.