Cozy Mystery Corner discussion
Challenges
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Tournament of Books Challenge
Mod
Joyce - The challenge starts on Sunday, Feb 1st. Delicious counts if you finish reading it on or after that date.
I'm going to start with Off the bench and see if I can get further. I have the added challenge that one of my New Year's resolutions is not to buy any books this year and only read what I have. Between ebooks and print I do have a lot of unread books to choose from. This should be fun.
Mod
Thanks for the recommendation. I have the first one, Murder and Marinara: An Italian Kitchen Mystery, in my TBR.
Put me down for ready for the pros... 13+ books... I think I can manage that easily...
Rookie haven't been reading much but ready to dig in. Culinary cozy mysteries are my focus.One and done -To Fudge or not to fudge by Nancy Coco
Three Point Shot - Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Sweet Sixteen - Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
Final Four - Bah Humbug by Heather Horrocks
there is my list.
I love this kind of thing (book challenges not basketball... ick sorry) I am going to start out as a starter but will probably go pro later ;) I think I should be able to space out the tasks between my cozies, novels, comic and mangas and have no problem hehehe.... can I start reading now? a few books that came into the library today would fit in nicely
sounds like fun put me down for ready for the pros
I'd like to sign up for Starter, too.
Nell wrote: " Tournament of Books ChallengeDuration: February 1 to April 12, 2015
I am going to try ROOKIE.
This challenge is based on the college basketball championship tournament in the USA. It runs from early February, when com..."
I'm in! Put me down for Off the Bench - but I might strive for a higher level as the challenge progresses.Duration: February 1 to April 12, 2015
* Books can only be used once.
* Any genre is OK, but cozies are preferred.
PLAYER LEVEL:
Off the bench: 5 to 8 books/tasks
REVISED 3/18/15: Ready for the Pros (13+)
# Books Completed So Far: 14
TASKS:
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ To Read list (sorted by oldest date added). Kansas Troubles, by Earlene Fowler, 4/5 stars (04/05/15)
The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
One and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series. Fever Dream, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, 4/5 dreams (03/18/15)
March Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat, by Sofie Kelly, 3/5 stars (04/03/15)
Free Throw: Read a book of your choice. Easter Bunny Murder, by Leslie Meier, 4/5 stars (03/07/15)
Fast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced. Dog on It, by Spencer Quinn, 5/5 stars (04/11/15)
Shot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot. Valentine Murder, by Leslie Meier, 4/5 stars (02/15/15)
Good Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer. The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell, 2/5 stars (03/18/15)
Rebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc. Murder of a Small-Town Honey by Denise Swanson, 4/5 stars (03/26/15)
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle. The Expats, by Chris Pavone, 3/5 stars (03/24/15)
Sweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover. Devil's Food Cake Murder, by Joanne Fluke, 45 stars (02/26/15)
Elite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s): The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, by Lilian Jackson Braun, 3/5 stars (02/13/15)
Final Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series. A Lack of Temperance, by Anna Loan-Wilsey, 4/5 stars (03/04/15)
Semi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year). A Fatal Grace, by Louise Penny, 5/5 stars (03/12/15)
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Number One: Read the first book in a series: Murder in Miniature, by Margaret Grace, 4/5 stars (02/13/15)
Mod
Mod
The challenge starts February 1st. If you finish the book on or after that date, it counts.
So many participants! Thanks, Nell. I haven't decided of which books to read for the challenge yet but have been thinking about it.
Mod
Sorry for the slow response. I missed your question. The challenge is for books read so it should be at least 150 pp to qualify for the challenge. I've added that to the original post to clarify.
What fun! I'd like to join at Off the Bench level. Now, off to plan books!
I'll give this a try!Tournament of Books Challenge
Duration: February 1 to April 12, 2015
Ready for the Pros: 13+ books/tasks
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ To Read list (sorted by oldest date added).
The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
One and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series.
March Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational.
Free Throw: Read a book of your choice.
Fast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced.
Shot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot.
Good Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer.
Rebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc.
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Sweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover.
Elite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s).
Final Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series.
Semi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year).
Here are links to mystery awards and to Agatha nominees for best cozy mysteries.
Mystery Awards
Agatha Awards
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Number One: Read the first book in a series.
I've started to choose some books for the challenge:Tournament of Books Challenge
Duration: February 1 to April 12, 2015
Ready for the Pros: 13+ books/tasks
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ To Read list (sorted by oldest date added). A Killer Retreat
-finished 03/02/2015 5 starsThe Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance. Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses
-finished 07/02/2015 5 starsOne and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series.Once Upon a Grind
finished 09/02/2015 4starsMarch Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational.
Murder of a Royal Pain finished 14/02/2015 5 starsFree Throw: Read a book of your choice.
Murder of a Wedding Belle finished 19/02/2015 5 starsFast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced.
The Heist finished 22/02/2015 4 starsShot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot.Murder in Miniature
finished 15/02/2015 2 starsGood Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer. Dead Days of Summer
-finished 11/02/2015 4 starsRebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc.
Tempest in a Teapot finished 19/02/2015 5 starsThree Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death -finished 03/03/2015 5 starsSweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover.
Murder of a Creped Suzette finished 08/03/2015 5starsElite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s).
Murder on the Ballarat Train -finished 08/03/2015 5 starsFinal Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series.
Dying for a Cupcake: A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery finished 21/03/2015 4 starsSemi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year).
Here are links to mystery awards and to Agatha nominees for best cozy mysteries.
Mystery Awards
Agatha Awards
The Butter Did It- finished 25/02/2015 4 starsStand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Killer in the Cloister finished 01/03/2015 3 starsNumber One: Read the first book in a series.
Little Shop of Homicide -finished 26/02/2015 5 stars
Since I've already read 11 books in January. I decided that I'm going to shoot forReady for the Pros
Duration: Feb. 1-Apr. 12Player level: Starter
10 books DONE!
TASKS:
68 Teams: Sticks & Scones - Diane Mott Davidson
The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
One and Done: Murder in Merino - Sally Goldenbaum
March Madness: Gin & Daggers - Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain
Free Throw: Optical Delusions in Deadwood - Ann Charles
Fast Break: The Chase - Janet Evanovich/Lee Goldberg
Shot Clock: How I Spent My Summer Vacation - Gillian Roberts (C.K. gets shot).
Good Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer.
Rebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc.
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Sweet Sixteen: Tough Cookie - Diane Mott Davidson
Elite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s).
Final Four: Morgue Drawer: Do Not Enter - Jetta Profijt
Semi-Finalist: A Royal Pain - Rhys Bowen
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Number One: Her Royal Spyness - Rhys Bowen
Here is my tracking post. Duration: Feb. 1-Apr. 12
Player level: Ready for the Pros 13+ books/tasks
Updated: Mar. 27th
Progress: 14/13+
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ To Read list (sorted by oldest date added).
Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley - Finished Feb. 28th The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday - finished Feb. 4thIn this book the MC had a nightmare that they were dancing the Mexican Hat Dance at her upcoming wedding. ;-)
One and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series.
Murder of a Needled Knitter by Denise Swanson - Finished Mar. 3rdMarch Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational.
Killing Cupid by Laura Levine - Finished Feb. 6th For the MC's first date, he brings her for a picnic lunch at his mother and cat's gravesite. Yikes!
Free Throw: Read a book of your choice.
Love Life by Rob Lowe - Finished Mar. 14thFast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced.
Mandarin Plaid by S.J. Rozan - Finished Mar. 27th Shot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot.
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman - Finished Mar. 6thGood Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer.
Snake in the Glass by Sarah Atwell - Finished Mar. 15thRebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc.
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Cupid's Curse by Kathi Daley - Finished Feb. 15th One of the characters in this book was having a relationship with 2 brothers!
Sweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover.
Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinlay - Finished Mar. 20thElite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s).
Final Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series.
Luck Be a Lady by Gemma Halliday - Finished Feb. 17thSemi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year).
Here are links to mystery awards and to Agatha nominees for best cozy mysteries.
Mystery Awards
Agatha Awards
±á´Ç°ù°ù´Ç°ù²õ³Ùö°ù by Grady Hendrix - Finished Mar. 11th Nominee for GoodReads Best Horror of 2014
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - Finished Feb. 23rdNumber One: Read the first book in a series.
The Musubi Murder by Frankie Bow - Finished Feb. 9thGot this book from one of GoodReads authors!
Can any book we finish in the next few days be counted? Or is it strictly starting on the first?
Mod
The book counts if you finish it on or after the 1st.
Now to start scouting out books:TASKS:
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ To Read list (sorted by oldest date added).
The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi
One and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series.
March Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational.
Free Throw: Read a book of your choice.
Fast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced.
Shot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot.
Good Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer.
Rebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc. Graves in Academe
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Sweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover.
To Have and to Kill
Elite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s). Vile Bodies
Final Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series.
Semi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year).
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Number One: Read the first book in a series.
The Christie Curse
Will update as appropriate.
Mod
do audio books count?"
Yes, you can use audio books as long as a comparable paper copy is at least 150 pp. Do a book search on GR to find the page count of another edition.
Nell wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Can any book we finish in the next few days be counted? Or is it strictly starting on the first?"The book counts if you finish it on or after the 1st."
Thank you for your answer :)
I am in. I am going to start with my shot clock. The book is Murder in miniature by Margaret Grace.
I am going to switch it to my Numer one book instead.
Sounds fun. I'm in for off the bench.
I've begun with a mystery that it's action packed (for me, at least), with a mountain rescue and a killer in the loose: Zero-Degree Murder. I've liked it a lot, different from my usual cozies, and I'll try the second one.
Final Four: Mission to Murder, A Tourist Trap Mystery # 2, by Lynn Calhoun
I'm also starting with final four: Aunt Bessie Decides, 4th in the Isle of Man series.
I am doing the Starter Challenge..Book 1: Free Throw. For my first book, I've done the Free Throw: The Art Forger, which I thought would be more suspenseful or more of a mystery, based on the description... but wasn't quite. Still a fun read, though.
Book 2: Semi-Finalist. I read The Janissary Tree, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2007. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. At times, I got a little lost in the writing style of the author, but the main character and the lush setting of the book made up for that. It was also a fun mystery with a bit of a twist-ending.
Book 3: Final Four. I read Grave Sight, part of the Harper Connelly series which has four books. To be honest, it was a disappointment. A little over halfway through the book I realized that all the main character did was complain and grumble.
Book 4: Rebound. I read Victoria Laurie's Killer Insight, which is the fourth book in her Psychic Eye Series. In the beginning she breaks up with her boyfriend.
Progress Report- I finished (& enjoyed!) Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett for the Number One task
- I've put in a request on NetGalley for Swan Dive by Kendel Lynn so I have something for The Big Dance
- I started on A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady for the Sweet Sixteen task, but I just wasn't getting into it, so I think I'm going to switch to something from Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Bakery Mystery series
- I'm about to start reading Book Fair and Foul by Erika Chase for the Final Four task
I've decided what some of the books I'm going to read for the challenge are and will update my list as I finish.My List:
TASKS: February 1 to April 10
68 Teams: Read one of the first 68 books on your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to Read list (sorted by oldest date added). The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
The Big Dance: Read a book where the characters dance or attend a dance.
One and Done: Read the last or most recent book in a series.
March Madness: Read a book where a character does something crazy or irrational.
Free Throw: Read a book of your choice. Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
Fast Break: Read a thriller or suspense that is action-packed or fast-paced. Frozen Heat by Richard Castle
Shot Clock: Read a book where a character is shot.
Good Defense: Read a book where someone is wrongly accused or the main character is a lawyer. Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn Mckinlay
Rebound: Read a book where the main character is on the rebound from a bad relationship, divorce, job loss, etc.
Three Point Shot: Read a book with a love triangle.
Sweet Sixteen: Read a book where the main character is a baker or that names a dessert in the title or pictured on the cover. Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Elite Eight: Read a book with wealthy character(s).
Final Four: Read a book from a series with four (or fewer) books or read the 4th book in a series. Dying Wishes by Molly MacRae
Semi-Finalist: Read a book that was nominated for a mystery award (any year).
Here are links to mystery awards and to Agatha nominees for best cozy mysteries.
Mystery Awards
Agatha Awards Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber
Stand Alone: Read a stand-alone mystery or suspense that is NOT part of a series.
Number One: Read the first book in a series. Strangeways to Oldham by Andrea Frazer (kindle)
Off the BenchApril 12 - Finished!!
Free throw - The Under Dog and Other Stories, Agatha Christie
March Madness - Wicked Appetite, Janet Evanovich
Elite eight - Flying Too High, Kerry Greenwood
The Big Dance - In a Witch's Wardrobe, Juliet Blackwell
Three point shot - The Ghoul Next Door, Victoria Laurie
I really enjoyed this challenge and read some enjoyable books!!! I look forward to the next reading adventure.
I finished my Final Four book Aunt Bessie Decides. And now I'm starting on Shot Clock: Cat Cross Their Graves by Shirley Rousseau Murphy.
Just finished my 1st book in the Challenge: Books Can be Deceiving,
Good Defense. It was a very fast read.
Progress ReportThe Big Dance- The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince
Fast Break- The Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 1: The Five Nightmares
Shot Clock- Behemoth
Good Defense- Brownies and Broomsticks
Number One- Splintered
For my second read for the tournament,just finished another fun read by Joanne Fluke, Blackberry Pie Murder.
(Sweet Sixteen) Hannah, driving in a severe thunderstorm, swerves to miss a fallen tree and inadvertently hits a man and kills him. In the process of finding out who the man is, she uncovers a seedy story of prostitution and murder. It was a good mystery with some amusing side stories.
Nell wrote: "Participants:Anastasia - Ready for the Pros
Angie - Ready for the Pros
Anita - Off the Bench
Beth - Off the Bench
Betty - Off the Bench
Brooke - Rookie
Carmen - Starter
Cathy - Starter
Cathy S..."
Shirley -- Starter
Nell - can you change me to "Ready for the Pros"thank you.
Mod
thank you."
Sure - go for it :D
Sign me up, coach, "Off the bench"; I'll give it a shot!
Cozy Mystery Corner
Books mentioned in this topic
Country Heaven (other topics)Indulgence in Death (other topics)
A Cookie Before Dying (other topics)
Obsession in Death (other topics)
The Chocolate Garden (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lyndsey Cole (other topics)Christine Wenger (other topics)
Victoria Laurie (other topics)
J.J. Cook (other topics)
J.J. Cook (other topics)
More...
Good Defense = Feline Fatale (Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery #9) by Linda O. Johnston
Sweet Sixteen = A Sheetcake Named Desire (A Piece of Cake Mystery #1) by Jacklyn Brady
Final Four = Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery #4) by Erika Chase
Number One = Death in the English Countryside (Murder on Location #1) by Sara Rosett
One and Done = Gossamer Ghost (A Scrapbooking Mystery #12) by Laura Childs
If any of you are planning on also reading any of these, then maybe we can set up a date for a read-along
I recommend the Italian Kitchen Mystery series by Rosie Genova for people looking for reads that fit the Three Point Shot task