Cheli's Homebound Category Challenge for 2017

Hi everyone, this is my 9th annual category challenge and this year believe it or not, I'm going to do about the same as last year but with a new theme.
This year my theme is the Home - because that is where my heart lies. Basically I'm just a homebody, loving to stay at home and read and work crafts, have my friends and family to visit. My husband Tim and I have lived in our current home more than 30 years and lately we've been working on home improvements - a bit of paint here, a new chair there, re-arranging furniture. All in all I love my home because of the comfort it gives to me and those who venture in. I have used some photos of my own home in my categories.

I'm going to be doing a 2,017 pager - 17 categories and each category needs to have 2,017 pages read. So chunksters will count more than lightweights. Audio books will count equivalent pages for regular books. I want to try again to have at least 75% of the books I read come off my TBR pile - meaning the books had to be in my possession for at least 6 months, either on my Nook, Kindle, MP3 for audio, or physical shelves unless they were ARCs or ER books which need to be read in a timely manner.

In 2017 I'll be continuing the following formal challenges:

The 75 Book Challenge This is where I spend most of my time. I can chat about my grandchildren, themes for the day or just anything I feel like as well as BOOKS.
US Presidents Challenge So far I've finished through Calvin Coolidge and am moving into the Great Depression. Needless to say, this challenge has been extended to 2020 at least.
European Challenge - I still have 2/3 of Europe to explore. Hopefully, a few foreign countries are in my future this year.
50 States challenge- Only six states left on the itinerary, and I'm hoping to finish this challenge in 2017.
Miscellaneous monthly challenges that will help me find new things to stretch my reading include TIOLI Challenges in the 75 book Challenge as well as the CAT challenges - and books for my ladies' book club.

Then there are also several personal challenges that I will be endeavoring to work on in 2017.

Bookshelf Bootie - I'm trying to remind myself that when books come into to my house they need to be read soon. My goal is that 50% of new books in are read in the current year. Hopefully, that will include the books that I actually purchased as well as downloaded to my Nook so that those books that show in my acquisition ticker will be read in timely manner. I want to dwindle down my TBRs by reading old books as well as all the new acquired. This will be tough. Books marked with % are sitting on my shelf and should get priority. I did manage to read 53% of new books acquired in 2016. YEAH!!!
ROOT Challenge is my effort to read 72 books off my own shelves (This includes books on my Nook/Kindle, ER & ARCs I receive for review, and audiobooks that I've downloaded in the past.) I've resolved to reduce the number of ARCs/ERs that I request so that more of the old books have priority. I did poorly in 2016 because I received over 40 books that had to be read and reviewed in the current year.
Series Catchup - In 2017 I plan to try to keep catching up on series that I've already started and made a concise effort to stay current on any new series that I start.

Now that everything has been explained, here are my categories for 2017:

I. Front Porch - all books are welcome! Anything goes! CATEGORY COMPLETED
II. Foyer - your first look inside - first in a series or new beginnings CATEGORY COMPLETED
III. LIVING ROOM - Classic room of the house - CLASSICS CATEGORY COMPLETED
IV. DINING ROOM - site of culinary feasts - CULINARY SERIES CATEGORY COMPLETED
V. KITCHEN - heart of the home - baking series CATEGORY COMPLETED
VI. FAMILY ROOM - everyone's favorite - FAVORITE AUTHORS, SERIES CATEGORY COMPLETED
VII. CONSERVATORY - Flowers galore - LILIES Book group reads and shared reads and ROOTs CATEGORY COMPLETED
VIII. MUSIC ROOM - Listen closely! - audiobooks
IX. CRAFT ROOM - Crafts abound - Crafts/Needlework CATEGORY COMPLETED
X. MASTER BEDROOM - Romance CATEGORY COMPLETED
XI. BATHROOM - Books set near water CATEGORY COMPLETED
XII. LIBRARY - Books, Books, and more books! - BOOK RELATED SERIES CATEGORY COMPLETED
XIII. GUEST ROOM - B&B series, home improvements and my friends at LT visiting CATEGORY COMPLETED
XIV. KID'S ROOM - Young Adult series CATEGORY COMPLETED
XV. ATTIC - History - The Great Depression and New Deal
XVI. OFFICE - Legal/police mysteries, insurance, reporters and government.
CATEGORY COMPLETED
XVII. LAUNDRY ROOM - preparations and returning from trips - Foreign Settings CATEGORY COMPLETED

So here we go!

I. Front Porch - Anything goes!
When I come to a home I've never been to before, the front porch is where anything can happen. I could find a beautiful plant, a whimisical flag, a welcoming sign,a comfortable rocking chair. We never know, so on the Front porch, ANYTHING GOES!

1. Time Out 242 pages
2. Whodunnit - Murder in Mystery Manor 230 pgs.
3. A treacherous Trader 238 pgs.
4. Bittersweet 385 pgs.
5. Antique House Murders 276 pgs.
6. Killer Keepsake 403 pgs.
7. Wednesday Daughters 63 pgs. ABANDONED
8. The Graves of the Guilty 228 pgs.

total pages = 2,065 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Hope Street Church Mystery

✔The Graves of the Guilty
✔The Root of All Evil

Antiques & Collectibles Mystery

✔A Treacherous Trader
✔Killer Keepsake

Beaufort and Company Mystery

Avenging Angels
Angel's Verdict
Angel Condemned

Robert Langdon

Inferno

Museum Mysteries

Razing the Dead
Privy to the Dead
Dead End Street

II. FOYER - The first look inside a home - First in a series
When I walk into a home, the foyer is the room that first welcomes me telling me whether the home is formal or laid back, a hint of what's to come.
This category is for the first in a series or a new author. It will give me a hint of what to expect in the future.

1. Murder on Cue 192 pgs.
2. Crepes of Wrath 247 pgs.
3. Bearly Departed 288 pgs.
4. Death in Advertising 212 pgs.
5. A Front Page Affair 249 pgs.
6. Nightmares Can Be Murder 304 pgs.
7. Deadly Dog Days 240 pgs.
8. Death on Tap 320 pgs.
9. A Fatal Collection 264 pgs.

total pgs = 2,316 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Here are candidates that I already own:
Alexander Cipher
A Chili Death %
✔Crepes of Wrath
★Murder on the Côte d'Azure %
★Sex and Salmonella %
Foreclosed%
Napoleon's Pyramids%
★A spoonful of Murder %
✔Murder on Cue
Too Close to Home %
Murphy's Law%
Beauty to Die For%
Going through the Notions%
Golden Door%
Hearse and Buggy%
Larceny and Old Lace%
Mind over Murder%
Tempest in a Teapot%

VII. LIVING ROOM - Classics

In today's homes rarely do we see a "living room" because of the changes in lifestyles however, a classic home would still have a formal living room so in my categories the living room is for CLASSICS.
I usually don't do very well with CLASSICS, I don't know if it's the writing style or the subject matter, but I keep trying. Occasionally, I do find a few that I like.

1. Secret Garden 350 pgs.
2. Gulliver's Travels 367 pgs.
3. Velveteen Rabbit 44 pgs.
4. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 101 pgs.
5. Miraculous Mysteries: Locked Room Mysteries 358 pgs.
6. The Body in the Library 207 pgs
7. The Murder at the Vicarage 304 pgs
8. Around the World in Eighty Days 297 pgs.

TotaL Pages = 2,028 CATEGORY COMPLETED

So these are the books that are slated for this category:
% indicates books already on my shelves and have higher priority.

Treasure Island%
Charlotte's Web
Les Miserables%
✔Secret Garden%
✔★Velveteen Rabbit
✔Around the World in 80 Days
Grapes of Wrath
Moby Dick
★Fellowship of the Rings%
Persuasion
The Pillars of the Earth%
Book Thief%
Aesops Fables
Robinson Crusoe%
✔The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde%
Emma
The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales%
Scarlet Letter
Little Dorrit
The Phantom of the Opera
Middlemarch%
David Copperfield
✔★Gulliver's Travels%
Prince and the Pauper %
Jungle Books

Miss Marple

✔The Murder at the Vicarage
✔★The Body in the Library
The Moving Finger
A Murder Is Announced
They Do It with Mirrors
A Pocket Full of Rye
4.50 from Paddington
The Mirror Crack'd
A Caribbean Mystery
At Bertram's Hotel
Nemesis
Sleeping Murder

Sherlock Holmes

A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Valley of Fear
His Last Bow
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Tommy and Tuppence

Partners in Crime
N or M?
By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Postern of Fate

IV. Dining Room - Culinary fiction
In today's modern home, rarely are there fancy parties or large gatherings that take place in a formal dining room, however, whenever there is a large gathering of friends and family, the food is served/eaten along with some good wine in the dining room. This is a picture of my formal dining room.
Last year I had so many books that could fit into this category, so this year I am breaking them into 2. The dining room will serve up the books that are related to non-DESSERT related books as well as wine drunk.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love food and wine! Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have found an awful lot of books that fall into this category.

1. For Whom the Bread Rolls 248 pgs.
2. Grilling the Subject 304 pgs.
3. Kneaded to Death 352 pgs.
4. Uncorking a Lie 240 pgs.
5. No Mallets Intended 287 pgs.
6. Of Spice and Men 256 pgs.
7. Vineyard Victims 336 pgs

total pages = 2,023 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Here are the candidates for this category:

Memphis Barbeque Mystery

Hickory Smoked Homicide
Rubbed Out

Food Lover's Village series

Crime Rib
Butter Off Dead

Coffeehouse Mysteries

★French Pressed
Espresso Shot
Holiday Grind

Vintage Kitchen Mysteries

✔No Mallets Intended

Supper Club Mystery

Stiffs and Swine
The Battered Body
Black Beans & Vice

Wine Lover's Mysteries

★A Vintage Murder

MAHALIA WATKINS SOUL FOOD MYSTERY Series

Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles
Murder with Macaroni and Cheese

Fredrickson Winery

★Crushed
Savor

V. Kitchen - DESSERT fiction
The kitchen is the heart of the home and no different at my house. When friends and family come to visit, we always end up in the kitchen. This is mine.

Food related books abound so I've broken them down for the two rooms that are definitely food related - the dining room got the main courses and wine, while the kitchen is where all the baking will take place. The DESSERT fiction will be happening in the kitchen.

1. Treble at the Jam Fest 288 pgs.
2. Banana Cream Pie Murder 355 pgs.
3. Assaulted Caramel 352 pgs.
4. Leave it to Cleaver 278 pgs.
5. Egg Drop Dead 443 pgs.
6. Playing With Bonbon Fire 352 pgs.
.

Total Pgs = 2,068 CATEGORY COMPLETED

So these are the books for this category:
% indicates books already on my shelves and have higher priority.

Donut Shop Mystery series

★Sinister Sprinkles
Evil Eclairs
Tragic Toppings

Cupcake Mystery

★Going, Going, Ganache%
Sugar and Iced
Dark Chocolate Demise

Fresh Baked Mysteries

★Murder By The Slice%
The Christmas Cookie Killer
Killer Crab Cakes

Culinary Mystery

Lemon Tart
English Trifle
Devil's Food Cake
Key Lime Pie
Blackberry Crumble
Pumpkin Roll
Banana Split

Domestic Diva

★The Diva Frosts a Cupcake
The Diva Wraps It Up
The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss
The Diva Serves High Tea

Merry Muffin Mystery

★Muffin But Murder

VI. Family Room - Favorites - authors and series
My favoriTe room to sit in is the family room.
On a chilly day I will sit in my comfy chair with a fire blazing while I read a book.A perfect occupation as far as I'm concerned. Therefore, the family room is designated as where I will record the reading of my favorite authors and series.
There are several author whose books I try to read as soon as I can get my hands on the latest release. Sometimes, however, they get pushed back, I'll wait for the audio version, but these books WILL BE READ in 2017.
So this category is for my favorite authors' newest books in their series.

1. Mary Russell's War 299 pgs.
2. Watching the Detectives 210 pgs
3. Christmas Caramel Murder 204 pgs.
4. Stepping to a New Day 500 pgs
5. Great Reckoning 592 pgs.
6. Pekoe Most Poison 320 pgs.

Total Pgs. = 2,125 CATEGORY COMPLETED

These are the books for this category.

✔Great Reckoning
✔Pekoe Most Poison
Egg Drop Dead
✔Mary Russell's War
✔Watching the Detectives
✔Hospitality and Homicide
✔Christmas Caramel Murder
✔Banana Cream Pie Murder Category 5
✔Stepping to a New Day

VII. CONSERVATORY/GARDEN - Flowers, ROOTS, LILIES, BIRDS
Flowers are connected to my reading in several ways : my Ladies Book Group is called the LILIES, here at LT those of us that are trying to clear our bookshelves have a group called ROOTS, and several of my series are flower related. So I thought that I would dedicate one whole category to the Conservatory/Garden
My Book group selections will also be recorded in this category.

1. Forget me Knot 384 pgs. (ROOT)
2. Today will be Different 272 pgs. (LILIES)
3. Triple in Paradise 54 pgs. (LILIES)
4. Sound of Glass 448 pgs (LILIES)
5. Cold as Ice 268 pgs (ROOT)
6. Fate of the Fallen 297 pgs (ROOT)
7. The Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules 389 pgs. (LILIES)

Total Pages = 2,112 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Flower Shop

Sleeping With Anemone
Dirty Rotten Tendrils
Night of the Living Dandelion
To Catch a Leaf
Nightshade on Elm Street
Seed No Evil
Throw in the Trowel

China Bayles Herbal MysterieS

Witches' Bane
Hangman's Root

Pink Carnation

The Garden Intrigue
The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
The Lure of the Moonflower

✔Forget Me Knot

Meg Langslow

We'll Always Have Parrots
Owls Well That Ends Well
No Nest for the Wicket
The Penguin Who Knew Too Much
Cockatiels At Seven
Six Geese A-slaying
Swan for the Money

VIII. MUSIC ROOM - Audiobooks
All the mansions I've ever seen pictures of contained a room that was specifically for Music.
In my book house, I also have a room for beautiful sound, a voice reading to me books that come to life.

1. Lake House and analysis 537 pgs.
2. Small Great Things 480 pgs.
3. Crewel Yule 256 pgs.

Total Pgs.= 1,273

There are many that I want to hear, these are a few that are waiting to be heard.

A is for alibi
Benediction
Bonesetter's Daughter
Bridesmaids Revisited
Bulls Island
By a Spider's Thread
Casual Vacancy
Cloud Atlas
Dressmaker
Firefly Lane
Golden Compass
Goldfinch
Guests on Earth
Handle With Care
Honor Thyself
I Shall Not Want
In Big Trouble
Inferno:
Lady of the Rivers
✔Lake House
Last Place
Life Sentences
Lion in the Valley
Medicus: A Novel
Mr. Mercedes
Mummy Case
On the Run
One Was a Soldier
One Good Turn
Over Sea, Under Stone
Packing for Mars
Pawleys Island: A Lowcountry Tale
Persona Non Grata:
Plainsong
Porch Lights
Quicksand:
Return to Sullivans Island
Sarah's Key
Save the Date
Secret Kept
✔Small Great Things
Stalemate
Started Early, Took my Dog
Sugar Camp Quilt
Summer Rental
The Book Thief
The House I Loved
The Tiger's Wife

IX. CRAFT ROOM - Crafts/Needlework

To me, the Needlework arts are the foundation of home and hearth, so IMO every home needs a Craft Room.
As a person who loves to cross stitch, knit, or crochet I love to read cozy mysteries that have a needlecraft background. However, my love of these cozies seems to be getting out of hand, so I've resolved to read more! Seems like the right solution to me!

1. Shades of Wrath 352 pgs.
2. You Better Knot Die 229 pgs.
3. Death Among the Doilies 320 pgs.
4. Tightening the Threads 304 pgs.
5. No Charm Intended 320 pgs.
6. Deadly Notions 220 pgs.
7. Night of the Living Thread 290 pgs.

total pages = 2,035 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Here are the candidates for the category:
Threadville Mystery

✔★Night of the Living Thread
Seven Threadly Sins

Southern Sewing Circle Mystery

✔★Deadly Notions
Dangerous Alterations
Reap What You Sew

Needlecraft Mysteries

Cutwork
✔Crewel Yule

Crochet Mystery

✔You Better Knot Die
Behind the Seams
If Hooks Could Kill

Knitting

★Knit Fast, Die Young

Embroidery Mystery

Thread on Arrival
Cross Stitch Before Dying
Thread End

Knitting Mystery

A Deadly Yarn
A Killer Stitch
Dyer Consequences

Clay and Crime Mysteries

★The Cracked Pot
A Fatal Slip

Craft Corner

String of Lies
Paper-Thin Alibi

Scrapbooking Mysteries

Craft Corner
String of Lies
Paper-Thin Alibi

Caprice De Luca Mystery

✔Shades of Wrath
Slay Bells Ring

X. MASTER BEDROOM - Romance
I have been fortunate enough to be married to the Love of my life for the past 42 years, but I still need to get a bit of romance in my life so here is the category that will be filled with Love.

I have many more romances sitting on my shelves, but I've selected these as possibles for 2017.

1. The Inheritance 320 pgs.
2. Secret Mistress 527 pgs
3. The Guest Cottage 368 pgs.
4. Breakfast in Bed 320 pgs.
5. Lucianna 272 pgs.
6. And Then She Fell 384pgs.

Total pages = 2,191 CATEGORY COMPLETED

The candidates are :

★A Secret Affair%
✔★The Secret Mistress%
✔Lucianna
Serena
The Wedding Planner
✔And Then She Fell%
The Lady Risks All
Only a Promise
Wedding of the Season
Talk of the Ton
The Greatest Lover in All England
Everlasting
Never Seduce a Scoundrel (The School for Heiresses, Book 1)
Believe (Heartspell)
Candle in the Window
Dancing at Midnight
Only a Promise: A Survivors' Club Novel

XI. BATHROOM/SPA - books set near water

Every home should have a beautiful spa like bathroom where you can soak in a bubble bath and read at the same time.
Lucky for me I have that bathroom and several times a week I will soak in the tub while reading a book. Sheer Heaven!
This is a picture of my Master Bathroom/Spa with a walk-in tub.
This category will have books that are set in areas around water.

1. Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table 190 pgs.
2. Earthly Remains 304 pgs
3. Hospitality and Homicide 188 pgs.
4. Dead in the Water 352 pgs.
5. Killer Party 188 pgs.
6. Witch Miss Seeton 192pgs
7. Death Plays a Part 384 pgs
8. This side of Murder 384 pgs.

Total Pages = 2,102 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Books by the Bay

✔Poisoned Prose
Lethal Letters
Writing All the Wrongs

Tourist Trap Mystery

✔Hospitality and Homicide

Seaside Knitters Mystery

Patterns in the Sand
Moon Spinners
A Holiday Yarn
The Wedding Shawl
A Fatal Fleece
Angora Alibi
Murder in Merino
A Finely Knit Murder
Trimmed With Murder
Murder at Lambswool Farm

Guido Brunetti - VENICE

✔Earthly Remains

Cookbook Nook Mystery

✔Grilling the Subject Category 4

XII. LIBRARY - Book based mysteries

For all Bibliophiles, there is no greater pleasure than to have a home library. This past year I finally got mine and only another bibliophile would understand the pleasure I get being surrounded by my books, sitting in my chair reading to my heart's content. This is a picture of one wall of my home library.

I could have any "book" in this category, but I am reserving it for book related books.

1. Chapter and Hearse 340 pgs.
2. Fatality by Firelight 288 pgs.
3. Book Club Murders 289 pgs.
4. Of Books and Bagpipes 320 pgs.
5. Death Overdue 336 pgs.
6. A Murder for the Books 336 pgs.
7. Poison4ed Prose 304 pgs.
.

Total Pages = 2,213 CATEGORY COMPLETED

These are some of the candidates:
Raven's Nest Bookstore series

Mind over Murder
A Sinister Sense
Trouble Vision
Extra Sensory Deception

A Book Collector Mystery

The Sayers Swindle
The Wolfe Widow

Booktown Mystery

✔Chapter and Hearse
Sentenced to Death
Murder on the Half Shelf

Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries

Read and Buried
Cover Story
Book Fair and Foul

Bibliophile Mystery

Peril in Paperback
A Cookbook Conspiracy
The Book Stops Here
Ripped from the Pages
Books of a Feather

Library Lover's Mystery

On Borrowed Time
A Likely Story

Novel Idea Mysteries

Every Trick in the Book
Books, Cooks, and Crooks
Played by the Book

Aurora Teagarden

Three Bedrooms, One Corpse
The Julius House
Dead Over Heels

XIII. GUEST ROOM - Home Improvements/Repair and B&Bs

1. A High- End Finish 304 pages
2. Murder Wears White 304 pages
3. ROOT of all evil 272 pgs.
4. 30 Second Death 222 pgs.
5. And Death Goes To... 368 pgs.
6. This Old Homicide 267 pgs
7. Slay Bells Ring 352 pgs

total pages = 2,089 CATEGORY COMPLETED

If you have family and friends and a warm heart, you will always have guests. Keeping your home ready for their visits means ongoing repairs and renovations, what better category for Bed & Breakfasts and home repair related books.

I'm also thinking that I will ask some of my friends here at LT to be my "guests" and choose a shelf from one of my TBR shelves for me to read a book. Then truly I would have guests visiting my home.

The TBR shelves are:

_L2 Miscellaneous
_L5 General Fiction
_L9 Mysteries
_L10 Mysteries
_L11 Mysteries
_L16 Series to start
_L17 Mysteries
_L20 Romance
_WP - Nook waiting Patiently
_KA - Tablet ebooks

These series books are candidates for this category:
Gray Whale Inn Mysteries

Murder Most Maine
Berried to the Hilt

Home Repair is Homicide Mysteries

★Triple Witch %
★Wicked Fix %
★Repair to Her Grave%

★Foreclosed%

Fixer Upper Mysteries

✔High End Finish
✔This Old Homicide

Hemlock Falls

A Dash of Death
A Pinch of Poison
Murder Well-Done
Death Dines Out
A Touch of the Grape

XIV. KID'S ROOM - Young Adult BOOKS
I have been finding great young Adult series every since I started with Harry Potter.
Take my advice and don't deny yourself a great read because it's categorized as Young Adult.

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 272 pgs.
2. Invasion of the Tearling 514 pgs.
3. The Emperor's Code 192 pgs.
4. Storm Warning 190 pgs.
5. The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits 352 pgs.
6. the Sword of Summer 497 pgs.

Total pgs = 2,017 CAT4EGORY COMPLETED

Here are the candidates for this category:

Hunger Games

★Catching Fire
MockingJay

Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery

Ghost A la Mode%

39 Clues

✔Emperor's Code
✔Storm Warning
Into the Gauntlet
Vespers Rising
Medusa Plot
The Dead of Night

Princess

Princess and the Snowbird%
Princess and the Horse

Heros of Olympus

The Crown of Ptolemy

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

The ✔Sword of Summer
The Hammer of Thor

Trials of Apollo

The Hidden Oracle

The Magicians: A Novel

Peter and the Sword of Mercy
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon
Peter and the Shadow Thieves

X. ATTIC - HISTORIES - Great Depression, NEW DEAL concentration

In any home, the history of the family is usually stored up in the attic, so this will be my history category.

This year I am continuing my trip through American history. The Great Depression, and the beginnings of the New Deal are on the schedule.
I also hope to finish Presidents Hoover, and start FDR.

1. Herbert Hoover in the White House 576 pgs.
2. Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929 146 pgs.
3. Apollo 8 320 pgs.
4.
5.

Total Pages = 1,042

The candidates for this category are:

✔Six days in October : the stock market crash of 1929 / Karen Blumenthal.
✔Herbert Hoover in the White House
Age of Roosevelt / Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
The man he became : how FDR defied polio to win the presidency / James Tobin
The forgotten man : a new history of the Great Depression / Amity Shlaes.
No Ordinary Time
FDR
The gatekeeper : Missy LeHand, FDR, and the untold story of the partnership that defined a presidency
Man of destiny : FDR and the making of the American century
The woman behind the New Deal : the life of Frances Perkins, FDR's Secretary of Labor and his moral conscience
Happy days are here again : the 1932 Democratic convention, the emergence of FDR--and how America was changed forever
New Deal : the depression years, 1933-40

IX. OFFICE - Legal/business/police mysteries
There's always mysteries that are handle by professionals - whether they be police officers, lawyers, insurance investigators, Private detectives, or even reporters - mysteries need to be solved.

No mystery lover can ignore the paperwork surrounding mysteries so the Office will handle Police, lawyers, insurance, reporters and government.

1. Depraved Indifference 408 pgs.
2. Revenge in a Cold River 533 pgs
3. Murder Between the Lines 320 pgs
4. Deadfall 400 pgs.
5. Malice Prepense: For the Defense 472 pgs.

Total Pages = 2,133 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Here are some of the series and candidates this year:
Cork O'Connor

★Boundary Waters
Purgatory Ridge
Blood Hollow

Barbara Holloway Novels

✔Malice Prepense
Defense for the Devil
No Defense
Desperate Measures

Walt Fleming

★Killer View
Killer Summer
In Harm's Way

Cormoran Strike

★Cuckoo's Calling
★The Silkworm

Jenkins and Burns Mystery

Deadly Readings
Deadly Getaway
Marked By Fate

Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery

Buried Leads
Small Town Spin
Devil in the Deadline
Cover Shot

Deborah Knott

Rituals of the Season
Last Lessons of Summer
Winters Child
Hard Row

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Butch Karp legal thriller series

✔Depraved Indifference
Immoral Certainty

XVII. LAUNDRY ROOM - commerce and travel - Foreign settings

I selected the Laundry Room for my Foreign settings because whenever I travel, the day before I am always busy doing laundry so that I can pack clean clothes and when I return, I have a pile of dirty laundry to be taken care of. So the Laundry Room, for me is travel related.
Most of the books that I read are set in the USA but I am working on the European Challenge (visiting every European nation in a book) so some of the books that I read are set in Europe.

1. Miss Seeton Draws the Line 180 pgs. England
2. The Shadowland Bulgaria 496 pgs
3. Of Books and Bagpipes Scotland 320 pgs
4. The Curious Affair of the Somnambulist & the Psychic Thief England 330 pgs
5. A Paris Spy 320pgs
6. Glass Houses 391 pgs
7. Murder in Mayfair England 310

Total Pgs = 2,203 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Dublin Murder Squad - IRELAND

★Broken Harbour
★The Secret Place %

The Borgia Mistress
William Monk - England

Revenge in a Cold River

Amelia Peabody - EGYPT

★The Mummy Case
Lion in the Valley

Irish Country - IRELAND

An Irish Country Christmas
An Irish Country Girl

Cotton Malone - CHINA, GERMANY

The Emperor's Tomb
The Devil's Gold
The Jefferson Key
The Tudor Plot
The King's Deception
Lincoln Myth

Czech Republic

The Columbus Affair

Bosnia

Third Secret

Germany, Italy, Sweden, Egypt
Vicky Bliss (Historian)

Street of the Five Moons
Silhouette in Scarlet
Laughter of Dead Kings

1. A Satire: Gulliver's Travels
2. Set in a Country You've Never Been:The Shadow Land: A Novel Bulgaria
3. Color in Title: Herbert Hoover in the White House
4. Set in a Place You Want to Visit: Murder on Cue New York City - Broadway
5. One Word Title: Bittersweet
6. Author Uses Initials: Murder in Mayfair D.M. Quincy
7. Appeals to the Senses:
8. Published from 1940's - 1960's; Miss Seeton Draws the Line 1968
9. Made into a Movie: A High-End Finish
10. Short Stories: Triple in Paradise
11. Book About Books:
12. Title Refers to Another Literary Work: Summary of the Lake House
13. Read A Cat: Apollo 8
14. Author Shares Your First and Last Initial:
15. Owned More Than 5 Years: The Secret Mistress 7/2011
16. Science Related:
17. Author Born in the 1930's:
18. Author Abroad: Earthly Remains Italy
19. Author Born/Published in 1917:
20. Debut Work:
21. Book or Title About an Animal: Deadfall
22. Place Name in Title: Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manor
23. Set in a Beach Community or Resort: Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table Ca wine Country
24. Set in a Time Before You Were Born:Secret Garden
25. Next Book in a Series: Shades of Wrath



1. Author Shares Your First and Last Initial:
2. Set in a Time Before You Were Born:Secret Garden
3. Author Born in the 1930's:
4. Debut Work:
5. Book About Books:
6. Author Abroad:Earthly Remains Italy
7. Science Related:
8. Place Name in Title: Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manor
9. Book or Title About an Animal: Deadfall
10. Set in a Beach Community or Resort: Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table CA wine Country
11. Next Book in a Series: Shades of Wrath
12. Owned More Than 5 Years: The Secret Mistress 7/2011
13. Read a CAT Apollo 8
14. Satire: Gulliver's Travels
15. Set in a Place You Want to Visit: Murder on Cue New York City - Broadway
16. Author Born/Published in 1917:
17. One Word Title: Bittersweet
18. Color in Title: Herbert Hoover in the White House
19. Published from 1940's - 1960's: Miss Seeton Draws the Line 1968
20. Author Uses Initials: Murder in Mayfair D.M. Quincy
21. Made into a Movie: A High-End Finish
22. Short Stories: Triple in Paradise
23. Title Refers to Another Literary Work:Summary of the Lake House
24. Set in a Country You've Never Been: The Shadow Land: A Novel Bulgaria
25. Appeals to the Senses:

WELCOME TO MY HOME FOR BOOKS IN 2017!!

I love company so please visit often.

Wonderful categories---very creative!

Cheli, you've come up with such a great challenge theme. I love how you anchored your categories to each room. I think you are going to have another wonderful reading year!

Love it. Good luck and good reading

Very nice set up Cheli, you come up with great themes!

Awesome theme! Very well thought out. Hope you have a great reading year!

Also, I want that boat bed in the kids' room! ;)

Love your theme!

This is a lovely theme, Chèli. Enjoy your home!

I am duly impressed by the amount of thought and organization you put into your challenge this year! I think my favorite room is the study. That neat clean desk and comfy chair make me want to move in and write something. Have a wonderful reading year!

You have a beautiful home. Have fun with your challenge.

Love the theme!

That's a great idea for a setup - it can be hard to get around to the chunksters when you counting books.

Great theme! And two BingoDOG cards! Looks like you are going to have a lot of fun.

I love this theme and love to see a theme personalized. Is there a story behind the dolls in the craft room?

I've been toying with the second bingo card, I finished this years very early so I think I'll go ahead and have the second one for "extra" books I read too.

Good luck with your 2017 reading, it looks like such a fun plan!

Interesting theme!

>33 clue: The craft room is not mine I would think that the dolls are manikins for doll clothes.

You have some gorgeous pictures--what a garden, and what a kids' room!--and I loved reading the descriptions :)

Nice set up with some great choices! Hanging out my star.

Wow! Nice job setting up your thread!

Thanks for askng me to pick a category for your Guest Room Challenge.

I pick _WP - Nook waiting Patiently as your category.

Have fun!! I've got to go through these and add some of them to my TBR.

>40 lindapanzo: Wow, I had a hard time deciding which book on that "shelf" to read but finally chose Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manor - it fit the AlphaKit as well. Thanks for visiting!

Nice! Wishing you an excellent reading year!

OMG - I love your house theme! The category pictures are awesome.... I love looking at home decor books/magazines. Now I can stop by your thread whenever I need to satisfy my home decor itch! ;-)

Great idea for your category challenge this year! And great to see you are making good progress on the American Presidents Challenge; my personal challenge has slowed to a crawl, but I plan to read a few this year.

Can't believe that I'm just now finding your thread. Absolutely love the theme and the pictures, especially the kitchen one since it's yours.

>45 LittleTaiko: yes, my dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and library

Challenge Book #1

Shades of Wrath

Caprice continues to expand her clientele and this installment centers around a home for abused women. Her client is found dead from an apparent fall, but Caprice thinks there's something fishy going on since blackmail had been mentioned just the previous day.

I love this series not just for the wonderful characters and hometown setting, but also for the animal lovers depicted as well as the decorating tips.

Challenge Book #2

Murder on Cue

Jocelyn O’Roarke, a broadway actress, gets suck into an understudy role by an old friend and when the actress that's actually playing the role dies suddenly, she is a prime suspect. But things get dangerous not just in the police eyes but the killer's as well.

What a great start for a series - glad I grabbed this one, had to buy the next one right away!

Challenge Book #3

Forget me Knot

Martha and her friends are in a quilting group and are invited to the home of another quilter who wants to join them. When they arrive they discover the new quilter dead. Asked by the family of the victim to study her works and see is there is a story to be told, the twists and turns that are revealed are well represented in the tangled threads that quilters use.

Loved the story, and the details of the quilters - definitely hunting down the next one!

>49 cyderry: Dangerous occupation quilting is!

>48 cyderry: A mystery series involving a broadway actress? How can I not want to read that? Book bullet it is.

I am terribly behind on my reviews so I've vowed NO READING UNTIL I'M CAUGHT UP!

They may be short and sweet!

Challenge Book #4

Today Will Be Different - 1/24/17

I was disappointed by this book. I truly enjoyed this author's previous effort in Where'd you go Bernadette? and expected another light-hearted and amusing offering but unfortunately, that is not what I read in this book. The main character Eleanor had sworn to herself that she would do things that she had let slide for her personally as well as for her family and with determination she would change that, however, all good intentions aside, we know that just saying so doesn't make it so.

I think if the author had stuck to the "difficulties" of facing a bad day with her usual wit and humor the book would have been better than going down a "dark and lonely path" with a sister who no longer communicated and a husband who had major secrets.

Challenge Book #5


Miss Seeton Draws the Line

Scotland Yard is investigating serial murders of children and again Miss Seeton's extraordinary abilities come into use. There is a child in her village she cannot draw and when the same reactions occur when trying to draw a victim, Scotland Yard descends on her small village believing that the next victim will be this child.

The subject matter was heavy yet the author was able to carry it easily interjecting humorous situations that Miss Seeton always seems to "fal" into while brandishing her trusty umbrella.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Challenge Book #6


Time Out (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery)

Dodie O'dell is the manager of a small town restaurant but she also helps out at the community theater tying both activities together with themed menus for the current production. Things go a bit wrong when the guest director suddenly dies of what appears to be food poisoning after eating one of the new dishes at the spring Food Fair.

Since business is now impacted Dodie has to "help" find the cause to save the restaurant.

Loved the twists and turns related to the theater and the victim.

Challenge Book #7


The Crêpes of Wrath: A Pancake House Mystery

I love breakfast with all its yummy possibilities so this new series seems a perfect fit, and while my mouth was watering frequently through the reading, the story and characters kept me very entertained.

Marley has come to town to help in her cousin Jimmy's Pancake house while he is in the hospital. She thinks it will only be a few weeks but things go wrong when Jimmy is found dead by the shore. Mourning his loss and startled by the knowledge that she is the main heir including the restaurant, Marley sets out to find who shortened Jimmy's life.

The characters were fun and well-rounded and the setting was "delicious". Definitely a series to keep on the hot list!

>56 cyderry: Glad to hear that you liked The Crepes of Wrath. I picked up a copy of that one a few weeks ago.

Challenge Book #8


For Whom the Bread Rolls

I picked up this book from NetGalley and after starting it I realized that I hadn't read the first book in the series - stopped and read that one and dove right back into this great little cozy.

This installment brought back a nasty lady who was repeatedly harassing the Pancake House and since the police were unable to get enough evidence to do anything to stop her, Marley decided to try to bury the hatchet, however what ended up getting buried was the nasty lady after Marley found her dead.

Marley is now a prime suspect so she has to find the real murderer to clear her name.

The characters are continuing to develop as well as the relationships between them. I really enjoyed this.

Challenge Book #9


Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manor

I originally saw a TV show on which this book was based or it could be the other way around. As a reader of all types of mysteries, I enjoyed the fictional manor house where surprise guests are murdered one by one and the remaining visitors must work diligently to solve each murder or become the next target.

This start of a series (?) for TV or readers needed a bit of polishing - descriptions were a bit short more geared to what might be for TV but all in all I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.

Challenge Book #10


Grilling the Subject

Crystal Cove is having a Wild West Extravaganza but before the start, fireworks are flying when Jenna's father and other citizens have a massive disagreement with one of their neighbors and then she turns up dead. Cary has no alibi along with a few others so Jenna starts a quiet search to clear the name of those of which she's fond.

The characters in this series are so much fun and realistic. I love the setting and the background too.

Challenge Book #11


A High-End Finish

I was highly excited to read this book when I heard that the series was being made into a Hallmark Mystery movie and wasn't able to read it before the movie aired. I enjoyed the movie very much, but the book even more so.

There is a great deal of license taken with characters and situations when a book is made into a movie, but here I found a far better story then what was portrayed on screen. The plot twists and character development were so much greater in the written word. Will I watch another movie, probably, will I read the next book, most definitely!

I'm trying not to start too many new mystery series. I need to catch up on a few and keep up with others.

>56 cyderry: What an awesome title, The Crepes of Wrath!

Challenge Book# 12



Murder Wears White

Mallory is still trying to get her new business off the ground but renovations to transform her inheritance into a B&B as well as wedding venue are being held up. A wealthy bride wants to move up her wedding date but things only get more complicated when things start to go wrong - disappearing equipment, accidents on the work-site just to name a few. Then talk of the house being haunted brings a group of paranormal hunters into the mix.

This was such a fun adventure, the characters are well-developed and the mystery is engaging.

Challenge Book# 13



Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel

This was my first graphic novel and it will probably be my last. I was very interested in reading this book because of all the fanfare regarding the movie (I always read the book first) but now I'm not sure I even want to see the movie. The book seemed very light as to plot and content and the characters weren't very well developed IMO.

A definite disappointment.

Challenge Book# 14



The Secret Garden

Finally, a classic I actually enjoyed. I was looking for an easy book that I had on my e-reader while on vacation and this seemed like one that I could easily finish while not taking too much of my attention away from other activities - was I wrong! This story, though slow at the beginning, was totally enchanting and grabbed me until I finished. It's wonderful the way that the author had the children grow and mature as individuals while still keeping their innocence.

I was even lucky enough to see the movie right after I finished the book. The book was better!

Challenge Book# 15



Chapter & Hearse

Booktown always seem to have a great event to start off the newest adventure but Angelica's book signing for her new cookbook doesn't appear to be going well. Tricia watches over her sister's cookbook store while Angelica hits the road to promote her book. After her departure, the history bookstore across the street from Haven't Go A Clue (Tricia's mystery book store) is destroyed by an explosion and the main suspect appears to be Angelica's boyfriend, Bob Kelly, so Tricia is enlisted to try to clear him of suspicion - a tough job since she doesn't really like Bob.

I love the whole concept of Booktown and the majority of the characters but this one fell a little flat for me storywise. Won't stop me from reading the next one.

Challenge Book# 16



You Better Knot Die

Molly is taking on more responsibility at the bookstore when it's decided to add a yarn department and the first promotion will be the book about a crocheting vampire. But while Molly is preparing for the author signing she is also working on crocheted holiday decorations and helping a neighbor who's husband has disappeared.

Molly begins to believe that the missing husband did die as reported but is trying to escape from the FCC because of a Ponzi scheme. Working at the bookstore and searching for clues keep the mystery hopping and fun all the way through!

Challenge Book# 17



Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table

Just finished and I was delighted with the entire story!
It's wonderful when characters that you meet in a series starter continue to be as heartwarming and engaging in subsequent adventures. I was happy that Kelly made the decision to stay at the Redwood Cove and it was wonderful to see the Silver Sentinels come together again and fight justice.

Hope the next adventure is soon!

Challenge Book# 18



Mary Russell's War: And other stories of suspense

Part of me was thrilled with this and part of me was very disappointed. I thought that this was going to be a completely new novel in the Mary Russell series but it turns out to be a collection of short stories that are gap fillers for the time frames of the full novels. I'd read most of these already so very disappointed.

Challenge Book# 19



Kneaded to Death

Ivy Culpepper has returned to her home town because of the hit and run death of her mother. In an effort to sooth her spirit since the driver was never found, she enrolls in a bread making class not knowing the direction that it will lead her. When another class attendee is found dead in her car at the bakery parking lot and Ivy discovers that she was acquainted with her mother, she begins to feel that the two deaths are related and starts delving into what they were both involved in.

This is a start of a new cozy series and the characters were down-to-earth and at times a bit quirky, but I look forward to seeing them again.

Challenge Book# 20



A Treacherous Trader

Molly Appleby, a writer for an Antiques periodical, travels to Vermont to plan her wedding because her fiancé is hoping to get a residency there. While making arrangements she becomes acquainted with a Mother and daughter, Lindsey, who are also planning a wedding. Being told the circumstances of why the mother is in a wheelchair and the subsequent abandonment by Lindsey's father, Molly feels involved when the father is found murdered.

At the same time as Molly works to find out who was the killer, she is also wrapped up in a minor mystery surrounding a vintage wedding dress that she has purchased. How everything gets tied up neatly is absolutely amazing. Well-written and totally fun!

Challenge Book# 21



Bittersweet: A Novel

I really tried to like this book, but the majority of the characters were just not like-able and some were really stupid. The setting just seemed to be the same old run of the mill "family summer retreat" with nothing to make it interesting.

>66 cyderry: The Secret Garden is one of my favorites. There are a few different movie versions, just curious to know which one you saw? My favorite is the Hallmark Hall of Fame version.

ETA... there's a musical too, if you're into those.

>74 VictoriaPL: It was the HHoF one.

Looks like you are pleying catch-up on posting books read. I think I've started a couple of those series -- or they are on my radar.

Challenge Book# 22



The Shadow Land: A Novel

I thought that this book would be really interesting from the description that was posted on NetGalley, however, I had a very hard time getting through the book. I couldn't get attached or emotionally involved with any of the characters - the beginning was just a bit too cryptic for me switching from Alexandra's childhood and her lost brother to the man in the urn.

It wasn't an enjoyable read for me.

Challenge Book# 23



The Lake House

Sadie Sparrow, a police detective, is force to take some time off so she heads to Cornwall to stay with her father. While there she comes across an abandoned house , THE LAKE HOUSE, and through the book the reader is transported back in time to the events that resulted in the disappearance of Theo Edevane. Sadie is determined to solve this cold case and starts hunting for the family members as well as the staff that had lived at the Lake House 70 years ago.

The twists and turns as well as those people who kept information to themselves show a tremendous depth of planning a plotting to make all the facts come to light at the right time and to the right people.

It was a little slow at the beginning but once you got hooked, it was a great ride.

Since I had a hard time at the beginning I also read:

Challenge Book# 24

Challenge Book# 25



Earthly Remains

Commissario Guido Brunetti has a very unusual reaction during an interrogation and realizes that he needs a break from his stressful position at the Questora. He accepts an opportunity to rest at a relative's villa on the laguna and spread the days rowing - not thinking, not feeling.

When the man that he was rowing with turns up dead, Guido realizes that he must have answers to questions that he had failed to ask this man when he was alive.

I love all the books where Guido Brunetti is the central character trying to prevent or correct a social wrong. This was no different in bringing me a magnificent story.

Challenge Book# 26



Bearly Departed

Sasha and her sister are running the Silver Bear Shop and Factory that their founded. When hey are informed by a shady sales director that their father agreed to send manufacturing to China, there is a heated confrontation by the family. So when that same Sales Director is found dead by the stuffing machine, the factory has police troubles as well as trouble keeping up with production.

Some areas of the book have a bit too much detail and description leaving little to the reader's imagination, but overall, this arctophile loved it! Great beginning for a series.

Challenge Book# 27



Death in Advertising

Tobi Tobias has struck out on her in the advertising business but lack of clients has her on the edge of failure. A new client walks in and a week later her ad campaign is the talk of the town, not just because of the sensational slogan but that it might have influenced a murder.

The characters need a bit more development but that could happen after a few more installments in this new series. It was fun and well-written leaving some red herrings and other clues for the reader to solve this new whodunnit.

Looks like you've read a lot of fun cozies lately. It's impressive how much variety there is in the genre.

Challenge Book# 28



Depraved Indifference

I read this series in all the wrong ways - the first book read was number 12 - I went back to #1 and found that I liked the characters as well as the setting and background so I continued. Then I realized that these books were set in the 70's, I thought, this is going to be so dated and hard to get by without computer and cell phones but I was very much surprised.

The story is so well-written that I never thought about how there were no cellphones and the areas where there were "computer printouts" only made me laugh reminding me of the early days of computers. What really startled me was the date and action of the story 9/10/76 about the hijacking of a plane. Was it prophetic, I don't think so, just eerily chilling.

I'm ready for my next trip back to the 70's already. I love a good dose of justice!

Challenge Book# 29



The Invasion of the Tearling

The Mort invasion is coming and Kelsea, Queen of the Tearling is troubled, trying to find a way to protect her people as well as trying to figure how these visions of a woman named Lily Mayhew are related to her and the Tear.

Kelsea continues to grow and mature not only as a woman but as the Queen and is not afraid to make hard decisions.

I loved the way the stories were interwoven so that the reader would finally find out about how the Tear came to be and the details of the Crossing.

Look forward to the final installment!

Challenge Book# 30



Triple in Paradise: Three Short Stories

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I got this group of short stories for my Ladies Book club because we wanted to read something which had a feel for the tropics/Florida Keys and it was part of the description. However, I never got any feeling of the Keys and the writing was so hard to follow, I was glad that it was just a few short stories and that I didn't have to suffer long.

Challenge Book# 31



Watching the Detectives

I love this series, I love these characters and I loved this writer and this book! Ellison Russell seems to always be at the wrong place at the wrong time and her mother is continually tell her to stop finding dead bodies because it is not the thing that decent people do. But how can she avoid it when the body is her own house?

Ellison has decided to redecorate her late husband's sanctuary and has the decorator there but she is called away for a short period of time and when she returns, well Mother was not pleased. The decorator was dead. Mother also forced Ellison to hold a dinner party at her home days later, and well, Mother definitely wasn't pleased this time either.

The book was well-written, entertaining and the mystery keeps you scrambling for clues.

SPOILER

The best part for me was the references to the game of Clue - Mrs. White in the Library with the revolver, Mr. White in the Dining Room with the Candlestick. I laughed so hard!

Challenge Book# 32



Death Among the Doilies

Cora Chevalier has moved from the big city to a small own in NC to start a crafting retreat. She hires several crafters to demonstrate their abilities and teach her guests, but when her friend is suspected of a local murder, Cora has to work to save her dream from the tangle of deceptions.

The writing pleasantly wove the murder and the character exposures together so that the reader not only "met" them but was rooting for them as well.

Good start for a crafty series!

Have you ever read any of the Thorn books by James W. Hall? He hasn't published a new book in a while, but I first fell in love with his Thorn series because it had so much of the Florida Keys and Miami at the heart of it. There are at least a dozen books in the series, and I still love them--just writing this note is making me want to re-read them, in fact! The violence can be a bit more graphic than in some mysteries, but nothing I'd say is wholly out of the ordinary...

Challenge Book# 33



Fatality by Firelight

The second retreat that Cat Latimer hosts at her writer's retreat doesn't go exactly as planned. Winter has arrived in Colorado so the guests are treated to a trip to the mountain however, more edges were caught at the bar than on the slopes and when the bartender is later found murdered, one of the writer is a prime suspect.

Couple this with a missing rare book from the library used by the "retreaters" for research and Cat has her hands full keeping things from getting snowed under.

A good continuation on this new series.

Challenge Book# 34



Tightening the Threads

Angie's friend Sarah finally reveals some of her history and how she came to Maine so when Angie is asked to help her at the birthday party of her new found uncle, Angie can't refuse. No surprises to the reactions of her new cousins when they are told of her existence but things head toward a wreck at the lobsterbake.

I loved finding out more about the regular characters but I was disappointed at the lack of "Needlepoint" that was included in the story. But that no means implies that I will not continue reading these great stories!

Challenge Book# 35



Christmas Caramel Murder

What fun to have Hannah recount to her new husband the story of the Christmas Caramel disaster! We see Hannah still in the midst of her romantic dilemmas and as successful as ever at figuring out who killed the latest victim.

And the recipes! I will never get back to a Size 10 if she keeps give us such scrumptious recipes!

>88 whitewavedarling: I can't handle books with a lot of violence so I think I'll pass. It's not like I don't have anything to read - 192 series and still counting! But thanks for the suggestion.

>86 cyderry: - That sounds like fun! I went to look up the book and author and realized that I had seen her on a panel at a mystery book convention and had the first book in the series marked on my wishlist. I've now place a hold at the library before I forget again that I wanted to try this series.

>93 LittleTaiko: >86 cyderry: I received the first book as a gift just after Christmas but haven't read it yet, glad to have the reminder!

>93 LittleTaiko: >94 clue: This is quick becoming my favorite series now that the White House Chef is gone.
I guess because it's set in the 70's when I was young, it makes me laugh that much harder. Can't wait for the new one in November!

Challenge Book# 37



Small Great Things

I have to admit that I had a really difficult time with this book. It's not that it wasn't compelling, because it was, it wasn't because it was poorly written, it wasn't, my problem was because when I suspend my disbelief and immersed myself into the story - I was terrified. I felt very much like Ruth when the police broke down her door and arrested her.

I had to abandon the remaining pages because my terrors were causing panic attacks.

The writing was excellent, the characters, what I read were amazing, I just couldn't handle the story.

Challenge Book# 38



Banana Cream Pie Murder

Lake Eden doesn't need Hannah Swensen to be home to have a murder victim discovered my someone in the family. Delores, Hannah's mother, hears arguing and a gunshot in the apartment below and so she is the Swensen to find the body of Tori Bascomb - sister of the Mayor and the Director of the Lake Eden Players.

Hannah is summoned from her honeymoon to conduct the private investigation into the murder. Surprises of all types await the newlyweds on their return.

I think my Hannah days may be numbered because of the movies that are being made based on these characters. Hannah is just ruined for me.

The Books describe Hannah as a tall full figured woman with Red hair that has a tendency to frizz but the actress in the movies is short, blonde and tiny. Completely miscast but maybe because she's the producer, she can change the character.

The movies also have her marrying Mike in, I think, it's the 4th movie.

Lisa is hardly even there let alone telling her stories.

Michelle is non-existent and Delores looks younger than Hannah.

Moiche is a calm cat. Hannah lives in a house not a condo and she doesn't have a cookie truck.

All the things that make these books so enjoyable are completely missing in the movies. But somehow I am still compelled to watch them.

I'll try another book but I'm not guaranteeing anything. The recipes are to die for!

Challenge Book# 39



Hospitality and Homicide

The latest murder in South Cove seems to have been stolen from the pages of a visitor author. Jill Gardner the bookstore owner feels compelled to try to discover the murderer at the same time as she is dealing with a few personal issues - namely her boyfriend - the police chief, a wacky neighbor, and an ending romance for two of her employees.

The main mystery is a little light, but there was a secondary mystery surrounding a missing child that was very engrossing. I really enjoyed the story filled with more wacky characters and other previously minor characters that were brought front and center.

>96 cyderry: Oh no! Sorry to hear this. I have a copy of this one on my TBR shelf.

Challenge Book# 40



Herbert Hoover in the White House: The Ordeal of the Presidency

I have been reading biographies of all the presidents and when I saw this one on Hoover I thought that it would be perfect for me, however, I found that it was slow in the beginning and a bit too detailed as to his motivations and actions at trying to be the Republican nominee in 1928 and the future President after Calvin Coolidge. There was sporadic information regarding his qualifications (education, etc.) and I felt that the author didn't really care for the man. I wonder why he wrote this book.

Guess I'll need to find another.

I'm happy to see that you are still plugging away at the presidential biographies. Too bad this one wasn't one of the better ones. I'm still stalled at Lincoln but do plan on finally reading Team of Rivals during the next couple of months. Hopefully that gets me back into the groove with these.

>101 LittleTaiko: I'm going to try to find another bio of Hoover and read a few about the Depression before I am overwhelmed by FDR

Challenge Book# 41



Dead in the Water: A Cherringham Mystery

An interesting start to a revamping of a novella series into full novels.
a web designer and former NY cop team up to investigate murder in a small English village.

If you never read the novellas (my situation) it's a bit hard to understand the background of the characters and their relationship, but eventually it all comes together and the mystery is cleverly woven.

Challenge Book# 42



The Curious Affair of the Somnambulist & the Psychic Thief

The detective partnership of Jesperson and Lane begin their association in this debut novel of a fantasy series set in Victorian London. they have 2 cases to solve - one is to determine where the sleepwalker goes and what he does and a second case to find the disappearing mediums.

the stories are cleverly interwoven with a very satisfactory conclusion.

Challenge Book# 43



Killer Party

Jill Gardner and her boyfriend Greg King are spending the weekend with his friends from high school in preparation of the wedding Greg's best friend Levi. Levi has rented out the entire nearby castle resort but things are not going according to plan especially when Levi is found dead in the pool. Greg would normally be in charge of the investigation, but his closeness to the victim forces him to step back and implore Jill to gather evidence of who killed Levi.

Great next installment including growth of regular characters.

Challenge Book# 44



The Inheritance

Hannah DuPont-Lowell was planning to retire eventually to her family home in New Orleans but when she was abruptly laid off she immediately returned to her plantation-style home.

The Garden District DuPont House with eighteen rooms and two guesthouses would make a wonderful inn which was Hannah's plan for her retirement. She invites her friends/coworkers Tonya, Jasmine, and Nydia to join her in the new adventure since they were unemployed. Hannah returns to New Orleans just in time to attend her high school reunion where she once again connects with College Professor St. John McNair, Hannah’s one-time classmate. Their rekindled friendship moves toward romance.

The characters have room for growth which will fun to see in future installments of this new series.

Challenge Book# 45



Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929

This book gave a detailed account of the week and events leading up to the great crash. It explained the actions of different individuals which resulted in the roller coaster ride that the market took on its way to disaster.

Challenge Book# 46



No Charm Intended

Cora, Jane, and Ruby are worried about the disappearance of Gracie, London's babysitter, but must carry on the current craft retreat while they try to protect their guests.

the mystery had several different levels and the plot twists were fascinating.

LOVED IT!

Challenge Book# 47



The Book Club Murders

Any lover of Cozy mysteries would love this start of a new series!

Charley Carpenter joined the local ladies book club so that she could possibly drum up business for her vintage clothing store. The group only reads mysteries but when murders start emulating the books they've read, the members come under suspicion and Charley feels the need to figure out who behind the deaths.
The background characters are great and I look forward to more stories set with Charley and her friends.

Challenge Book# 48



Crewel Yule

The Nashville Needlework Show is usually scheduled for he winter however, a schedule snafu has it moved up to before the holidays. Betsy and Goddy are in attendance when a presenter takes a header from a 9th floor railing and as usually Betsy gets involved in the investigation since the hotel is snowed in and only she and her police friend are around to sort out the mystery.

The usual fun of a Needlecraft mystery

Challenge Book# 49



A Front Page Affair

Capability Weeks (known as Kitty to her friends) is a female reporter at a NY newspaper in 1915, not a usual position for a woman. There are stereotypical restrictions (no women in the news room) so when her feminine expertise is needed on a murder that occurred at a society function, Kitty thinks she finally has a chance to really get into real reporting. She digs into the murder and may have more than she bargained for.

Set in the early 20th century the historical details and inferences may be a bit much for this character but I'm willing to carry on to the next in the series to see how it pans out.

>109 cyderry: - That one does sound like fun!

Challenge Book# 50



The Antique House Murders

Charley Carpenter, owner of a vintage clothing store, is given a sneak peak at an estate sale where she buys vintage clothing before the final auction. When she goes to the auction house to pick up her purchases, she finds her friend, the auctioneer,dead. Convinced that the murder was related to the upcoming demolition of the estate building, Charley gets involved in the investigation and nearly ends up like her friend.

Several twists and turns kept the mystery hopping so that it was fun to figure out the culprit along with Charley.

Challenge Book# 51



Deadly Notions

Tori Sinclair, local librarian, attends a birthday party for the daughter of one of her sewing circle friends and meets a really obnoxious Pageant mother who thinks that no one can measure up to her little girl. She is rude and cruel to everyone so when she turns up murdered, all the party going parents are a suspects. As Tori tries to figure out who was responsible she's also dealing with he return of her boyfriend's old flame.

Love the characters and the sewing references - mystery was fun.

Challenge Book# 52



Night of the Living Thread

Threadville is preparing not only for Halloween but the wedding of Edna Battersby. The needle enthusiasts make a special skirt for Edna which includes little twinkle lights and glow in the dark thread but things go a bit haywire and a body is found in the lake wearing the skirt.

Now Willow, who used the special thread, must follow the trail as it glows-in-the-dark to find killer before she becomes the next victim…
Fun, fun, fun.

Challenge Book# 53



Uncorking a Lie

Katie Stillwell has finally passed the first Sommelier test. She is surprised and flattered to receive a dinner invitation from on of her frequent customers, Paul Rafferty. Paul is celebrating his auction win of a 1975 Chateau Clair Bleu, which he plans to open at dinner. Explaining to Paul's assistant and the rest of the dinner guests that because of the wine's age a special type of corkscrew should be used so that the cork doesn't contaminate the wine, Paul has Katie open the wine. Katie knows hat the wine is forgery after just one sip. Not wanting to ruin the festivities by telling Paul, Katie tells Cooper, Paul's assistant who starts asking penetrating questions. Cooper goes to look at another wine from the same auction, but doesn't return and Katie goes looking for him and finds him at the bottom of the steps. Cooper is rushed to the hospital, but he does not survive.

When Katie next sees Paul, she tells him about the fake wine. He hires her to find the seller for him. But the killer doesn't like her nosy questions and she becomes a target as well. Who is behind the forgery and how far does it go?

As someone who loves the trips to the California wine country, I absolutely loved this book with all its references to the wonderful wines of the region!

I am so behind on cozy series. I noticed how far behind I was as I was looking at the series I have underway. Now, granted, there are some which I never intend to continue, but I still have a lot waiting in the equivalent of Stasia's "black hole."

Challenge Book# 54



Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon

I was expecting a very technical account of the adventure of man's first trip to the moon, but was pleasantly surprised by the "thrilling" account of the mission that started man's extraterrestrial experiences. The story revolved around the life of Frank Borman, the mission commander - his military career and life as an astronaut.

I very much enjoyed the details of the mission assignments, interactions with other astronauts and how the eventual reality of Apollo 8 came to be.

A thoroughly enjoyable read what reminded me happily of days gone by. My favorite read of 2017, so far!

>118 cyderry: I also have this one on my TBR shelf (an LT ER book) that I plan to read next.
Have you read Lost Moon which became the movie Apollo 13? Also very good!

haven't read Lost Moon but will be looking for it!

>116 cyderry: - I have the first book on my wishlist already. Maybe it'll make my next buying spree...

Challenge Book# 55



A Killer Keepsake

Molly Appleby has finished her article on the Forget Me Not Doll Club for Collector’s Weekly and shortly after meeting with the club members to deliver copies of the magazine, one of the club members is found murdered, and a stolen antique doll—supposedly haunted—is found in the victim’s house. Researching the background of the doll, carries Molly deeper and deeper into the murder investigation.

I loved the details of the history behind the special doll and how she protected her owners. Could dolls have a real life that we can't see, maybe?

Challenge Book# 56



The Sound of Glass

Merritt Heyward learns two years after her husband's death that his grandmother has left the family home to him and so she now owns the family estate in Beaufort, SC. Needing to start over she leaves her past in Maine where when Merritt arrives in Beaufort, she is immediately confronted by the appearance of her young stepmother, Loralee, and her half-brother Owen.

Everyone appears to have secrets - Merritt her past, Loralee her reasons for being there, and even secrets from the past - her deceased husband and his grandmother had secrets too.

The stunning details of the cleverly woven tale and how all the pieces fit together made this a riveting story to read.

Challenge Book# 57



Stepping to a New Day

The own Henry Adams, KS has become a favorite place to visit for me and this story continues that love affair with the inhabitants of this little town.

Genevieve Gibbs has finally started to remake herself after her disastrous marriage to her hog loving ex-husband. Returning from a trip she is met at the airport by the new town driver - TC Barbour. The two hit it off with he mutual love of jazz but TC has a secret and he's not sure that Genevieve will accept his shortcomings. In the meantime her ex has returned to town with his 600 lb. hog and the law on his tail.

The situations that evolve and the characters interactions, always make Henry Adams a place to go to to smile and laugh and sheer.

Looking forward to the next one.

I won this book on Librarything's Early Reviewers but never received it. I had to buy for myself.

Challenge Book# 58



No Mallets Intended

The old Dumpe Manor has been purchased by the Queensville Heritage Society and will be restored and used as a museum and headquarters. While Jaymie is working on returning the kitchen to its glory in the Depression era, she is attacked by an intruder with a vintage mallet. Several days later the local historian is found murdered by another mallet. Jaymie is determined to find the perpetrator and may end up in danger again without thinking.

Fun story, good characters, good writing.

Great to see you are continuing to make progress on your US presidential biographies! I'm still working on this as well, but VERY slowly; seeing your latest review reminds me to get another one read soon! I'll take BBs for Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon and The Sound of Glass.

Challenge Book# 59



Nightmares Can Be Murder: A Dream Club Mystery

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Ali opens a nostalgic candy store in Savannah and her sister Taylor comes to help her keep it in the black. Ali's hobby involves dream interpretation and so she has friends that gather frequently in the book to discuss their dreams. Taylor isn't sure if she can believe all that is said at these meetings, but when one member says she dreamed of a death and then a neighbor is found murdered, the group decides that they need to see if their dreams can be directed to finding the murderer.

The characters were fun and the setting and background great, but I'm not sure I can stick with the premise of a "dream Club". I'll have to seriously thin, before I read another of this series.

Challenge Book# 60



Revenge in a Cold River

This installment of the William Monk series reminds the reader of the origin of the series - Monk had a horrific carriage accident and it robbed him of his memory. He has flashbacks on occasion, but still has no memory of the past. Here he is confronted with people who he knew in California during the Gold Rush, but he knows nothing of them. When they become entangled with a body that is recovered from the river, Monk has to determine how they are connected and who is responsible.

It was great to see that Monk still has to fight for his every day existence without the memories that could be of use in the investigation.

Love this series and the writing - looking for to the next book!

Challenge Book# 61



Deadly Dog Days

Cameron Cripps-Haymon is eating her lunch by the canal when she notices a hand reaching of the water - but it's not moving. After the police arrive it's discovered that the body is the "girlfriend" of her estranged husband so Cameron is immediately a suspect. When she finds out that the woman had 5 dogs and that no one is caring for them, she takes them in. These dogs have varying personalities which keeps Cam on her toes.

At the same time as she is "investigating" trying to clear herself from suspicion, she also has to deal with her mother-in-law who regrets handing the family estate over to her son and Cam. The MIL tries to appropriate the house back piece by piece making for some very funny incidents interwoven throughout.

I( enjoyed this book and will look forward to another in this series.

Challenge Book# 62



The Secret Mistress

Lady Angeline Dudley is on her way to London for her first season. While waiting at an inn for her brother the Duke of Tresham to fetch her, she finds herself in an unpleasant situation and is rescued by an unknown gentleman. It is love at first sight, but will she ever meet him again?

An ordinary romantic story with ordinary characters - no spice. Not what I expected from this author.

Challenge Book# 63



Graves of the Guilty

Cooper Lee feels that life is just getting better and better thanks to her friends and family. But when her sister and brother-in-law are drawn into a murder Cooper calls on her friends at her Bible study group to find the answers and clear up any suspicions that linger. The only way to do that is to find the killer.

I find this series no only uplifting for the positive attitudes of the characters but also fun because of the characters interactions.

Challenge Book# 64



A Great Reckoning


Armand Gamache, former Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec has retired with his wife, Reine-Marie, to the village of Three Pines. However, he is persuaded to take on the control of the Sûreté Academy, the final portion of the force which has not been rid of corruption. He fires many of the old professors but keeps the former second in command. He also brings several old colleagues on board who are to show how corruption can impact a career.

When the former second in command is found dead - shot execution style, the Sûreté arrives to investigate and also calls in a independent observer from the RCMP. At the same time as the murder investigation is underway, Gamache has 4 cadets probing into the origins of a map that was found in the walls of the bistro in Three Pines.

How these two story lines connect and the characters interaction are totally engrossing and had this reader losing sleep to finish this book.

This book definitely lives up to the previous installments and makes me want the next book immediately.

Challenge Book# 65



Murder between the Lines

Kitty Weeks is still working for the New York Sentinel's Ladies Page when she is given and assignment which brings her in contact with the women's suffrage movement. After writing an article about a girl's academy, one of the girls that Kitty spoke with is found dead. Kitty feels a need to understand how it happened because of the similarities to her own life situations.

The situations that are depicted seem so true to life - great story. Looking forward to more character development in the future.

Challenge Book# 66



The Guest Cottage

The GUEST COTTAGE seems to be a story of compromise and acceptance. Sophie and Trevor each rent the cottage from as friend (their friends are cousins) and meet at the cottage expecting to spend a leisurely summer at the beach with their children but when they realize that they are going to be living in the same house, they first have to make a decision whether to stay or not. Deciding that the cottage is large enough (some cottage - 6 bedrooms) they begin to learn about each other and the parenting problems that they each have.

This story was very predictable but enjoyable.

Challenge Book# 67



Gulliver's Travels

I was extremely surprised by the story told in this book mainly because of the presupposition that I had because of a very old movie that I had seen. Yes, there were the little people and the giants but then the story goes on to further travels. The "adventures" show mankind in a very poor way with the satirical exposures of bad governments and prejudices that we would find nonsensical today. However, I wonder if 300 years from now if mankind would feel the same about our prejudices.

Maybe we can still learn from the past.

Challenge Book# 68



Deadfall (An Alexandra Cooper Novel)

Alexandra Cooper is beginning to recover from her own experience as a victim when Paul Batlaglia, her mentor and boss, is shot down and he falls literally into her arms. Unable to officially be involved with the assassination investigation because she is a witness, Alex works behind the scenes to get to the bottom of the reason for his death. Mike and Mercer work with Alex as she digs deeper into the people that the DA was investigating on his own..

This newest of Linda Fairstein's mysteries with Alexandra Cooper as the Assistant DA goes deeply into the world of the illegal trafficking of ivory and Rhino horns and various other "big game" animals that are nearing extinction because of hunters that believe they are above the law. The details of how these animals are hunted and why was horrendous.

I love how detailed the research is into the NY city landmark spotlighted in each book.. The special Landmark spotlight is a trademark of Ms. Fairstein's novels and one I have grown to love.

Challenge Book# 69



Of Books and Bagpipes

Delaney Nichols is still settling in to her new job, new country , and new home so when her boss asks her to pickup a package at a castle, she heads on out.Unfortunately, she finds the man she was to meet dead. Worrying about her employer's possible involvement, she isn't totally truthful when she is questioned by the police. Thinking that if she had been earlier, the young man would be alive, Delaney sets out to find the murderer and solve the secret of the rare manuscript she was to have received.

The characters are charming and still evolving so this was fun to see how an American would adjust t a foreign country. The mystery was entertaining and kept me interested until the end.

>137 cyderry: Overall, the ratings on that 2nd one are a bit stronger than the 1st in the series. I'm curious enough to see if the series has improved that I may check it out of the public library if they own a copy.

Challenge Book# 70



Assaulted Caramel

Bailey is called home from her fancy Chocolatier job in NYC when her grandfather's heart condition seems to be getting worse. Her grandfather's health is touch and go but the discovery of an enemy in his candy kitchen doesn't help matters. Bailey needs to be there to support her grandparents' candy business and clear her grandfather from suspicion.

This cozy was so delicious, great start for a new series - chocolates galore as well as a look into the Amish world and work ethic. Looking forward to a new one hopefully soon.

Challenge Book# 71



The Root of All Evil

Cooper feels that her life is definitely progressing along the right path - she has been given a promotion at work, has a steady boyfriend, a loving family, and friends in her Bible group that support each other in so many ways. So when a teacher she met at a school where her Bible group volunteered is murdered, Cooper resolves to find justice for this sweet gentle person.

The mysteries are fun to try to solve and the characters just seem to get better and better.

Challenge Book# 72



Cold As Ice

Ellison has a meeting at the country cub with the chef but while there, a body is found in the freezer. At the same time as she is being questioned about the victim Ellison is also uncovering problems at the bank which is her daughter's legacy from her father (deceased in The Deep End).

Ellison resolves to figure out who is responsible for both the murder and the bank's troubles.

I absolutely adore this series - the characters, the setting and the humor that is woven in along with the mystery. As for the timing - back in the 70's and the familial relationships - I never know when I'm going to just burst out laughing.

Recommended to anyone who loves cozies, and a good laugh.

Challenge Book# 73



Fate of the Fallen

Cooper is adjusting to her new management responsibilities when Mr. Farmer and Angela leave town on a business trip and leave her in charge. At first all is running smoothly but illness knocks out half the staff, and Cooper must make changes to the priorities for everyone. While dealing with the headaches at the office, Cooper and her Bible Study group take some time to go to a music festival where they accidentally run into Nathan's sister's office staff on a mini-work retreat.
When the Business owner is found dead, things get a bit unsettling because Nathan's sister is the prime suspect. The Bible Group sets to work to find the killer and clear Nathan;s sibling.

This series is so refreshing because of the characters and their outlook on life, friends, and family. The start was a bit slow but it built momentum and the finish was satisfying for the mystery as well as the characters development.

Challenge Book# 74



Death Overdue

Carrie is working at the library as a jack of all trades when the current director offers her the position of head of programs and events. Thrilled with the opportunity despite the fact that her uncle may have influenced the director, Carrie sets out to settle into the job when she discovers that there is a ghost that only she and her young cousin can see.

On the evening of her first program a retired police detective comes to discuss an old cold case that he believes that he has finally solved. Before the discussion proceeds, however, the detective collapses and later dies. When poison is confirmed, Carrie resolves that she will figure out what he had discovered and solve his murder as well as the cold case.

It was an interesting little mystery but I wonder how the library ghost is gong to continue to be involved in future stories.

Challenge Book# 75



Death On Tap

"It wasn't so much the sight of my husband's bare ass that would become permanently etched in my memory, but rather the rhythmic sounds of the German brass band oompah-ing in the background, coupled with the strong but delicious smell of grains steeping in the mash tun."

How could you not be intrigued by this opening line?

Sloan decides that it's time for her to leave the Das Kellar brewery and find a new job away from her husband's family. She accepts a position as brewer with a new small Microbrewery but things don't exactly start out well because on the day after their opening she finds a rival floating dead in the tank.

This cozy was loads of fun to read - the characters often had me laughing out loud and the information about brewing beer was very interesting.

Challenge Book# 76



A Fatal Collection

Callie Reed is having boyfriend troubles so she decides to make a long overdue visit to her aunt Melodie on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Before they can have their visit, Callie discovers Melodie on the floor dead in her Music box shop. Devastated by the turn of events that have her inheriting her aunt's estate, she decides to stay and find out why she died.

Having visited the Eastern shore frequently in my life, I thoroughly enjoyed this series start at this locale. The characters will need more fleshing out but the start was a great deal of fun.

>139 cyderry: - Darn it, I almost bought that when I was in Minneapolis at Once Upon a Crime but talked myself out of it. Maybe I'll pick it up some other time.

Challenge Book# 77



Of Spice and Men

A film crew has come to town and Marley is invited to see behind the scenes by the head makeup artist but her arrival is only in time to pull her hostess from a fire in the special effects trailer.

Since the prime suspect is her boyfriend's ex, Marley is determined to keep her beau from being used as a rescuer.

Loved the interaction of the characters and the plot development.

Challenge Book# 78



Witch Miss Seeton

Miss Seeton is a fun character and the situations that she gets into may seem a bit strange, but never turn your back on the Battlin' Brolly unless you are on the side of good because Miss Seeton always get the bad guys even if that wasn't her intention. In the third installment, Miss Seeton prevents a bogus "religion" from fleecing residents in her adopted village.

NetGalley sent me the collection of the first three stories but since I already reviewed the first two, this is only the third installment review.

Challenge Book# 79



Death Plays a Part

Guinevere Evans needs to find some employment when the theater where she is the costume designer decides it's time to close for renovations so when the theater director helps her get the job to catalog the library at the Cornish castle on Cornisea Island. The local historical society will be presenting a re-enactment of the trial of Branok the Cold. During a rehearsal, the local "Scrooge" is found dead locked in the dungeon and the prime suspect is Guinevere's new employer.

Feeling that since the theater where she works performs mainly mysteries and gives her a good start, Guinevere decides to find the murderer.

The setting was extraordinary, however, the characters were somewhat 2 dimensional and need some fleshing out.

Challenge Book# 80



Pekoe Most Poison

Theodosia and Drayton are attending a "rat tea" when the host collapses and Theo suspects poison immediately. The hostess has been dangling a large donation to the Heritage Society and so Theodosia is convinced to investigate. Was the victim killed because of his investment losses, because he found out that his partner at the spa had some shady dealings, or was something else the reason?

I love this series with the wonderful characters and terrific recipes but this mystery didn't seem to be of the same quality as the past.

Challenge Book# 81



Malice Prepense

Barbara Holloway, defense attorney, is persuaded by her father/partner to defend a man who is accused of murdering a senator with whom his wife was having an affair.

The mystery involves 2 other murders which the prosecution does want connected, a judge who is partial to the prosecution, and witness who has a history that the prosecution wants to exploit.

Tremendous mystery, great writing, excellent characters.

>150 cyderry: Well, the cover art looks great. I like this series too but I've only read 4. I definitely want to concentrate on series reading next year.

Loving your thread, Chèli. It's lovely & what fun to see what you have been reading.
:-)

HOORAY!!!! Doctor says I'm doing great - don't need sling 24/7!! Not only did I tear my rotator cuff, I ALSO TORE MY BICEP TENDON! Doc says I can start passive range of motion PT and can use arm as long as I don't raise it or make sudden motion.

>154 cyderry: Yikes, those injuries sound really painful! But I'm glad the doctor says you are improving and can use your arm!

Challenge Book# 82



The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules

Martha is 79 years old and living in a retirement home but decides that when they start cutting services, she'll just go out and rob a bank so that she has funds for the better things in life. She convinces 4 of her fellow residents to join her in the life of crime that she is starting.

My book club was looking for a book that was light and easy to read and a bit different so we tried the Old Lady. The story was humorous but at times seemed to be pushing a bit too hard to be. It also seemed to me to be more a collection of short stories about the characters than a novel. I doubt that I will revisit the League of Pensioners any time soon.

Challenge Book# 83



The Paris Spy

This is the seventh installment in the tales of Maggie Hope and her adventures working for the British government during WWII. Here we find Maggie in Paris trying to find a missing agent, Erica Calvert, as well as her missing half-sister. She finally receives her travel papers and manages to find her sister, but when she sees fellow agents Sarah and Hugh at the ballet, things start to heat up.

There is a traitor in the midst of the agents in Paris and he has been slowly turning them over to the Gestapo. Maggie must save her friends as well as herself and her sister but is that possible when sshe is discovered and seized.

The story was a bit slow at the beginning but built quickly once the action started. . The ending had a bit of a surprise and makes me want the next installment NOW!

Challenge Book# 84



Glass houses

Armand Gamache has gone from being the Chief Inspector of the Sûreté's Homicide Division to the head of the Sûreté Academy and now finally the Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Quebec. Through this journey Armand has battled the corruption of his superiors but now he has to fight a new battle against the drug lords of the French province he has sworn to protect.

The story that is told in this the 13th installment of the Three Pines saga, shows the difficult decisions that had to be made as well as Armand Gamache's surprise plan to win the war on drugs. The narrative alternates between the discovery and investigation into a murder in Three Pines, Gamache's testimony at the murder trial several months later and the planning sessions to capture drug kingpins.

Penny has woven a tremendously riveting story where the reader is kept in the dark as to the defendant in the murder trial, the drug leaders but the overall results are phenomenal. Where she will take Armand inb the future, I don't know but I'm certain I'll be following along!

Challenge Book# 85



The Vineyard Victims

Lucie Montgomery is horrified when she watches a fellow vineyard owner crash into a stone pillar at the entrance to Montgomery Estate Vineyard, Trying to help the driver out of the car when it starts to catch on fire, reminds her of the accident that she was in at that same location which resulted into a crippling injury to her foot.

When asked by the driver before he dies to make apologies to someone she doesn't know, Lucie is caught in a web of secrecy that goes back 30 years.

The mystery was entertaining and watching Lucie try to come to grips with her own memories while being supported by Quinn her fiancé, was heartwarming.

Great addition to this series.

Challenge Book# 86



A Murder for the Books

Amy Webber leaves her job as a University librarian after a unhappy love affair and moves in with her Aunt and takes over the local library. When she meets her new neighbor who is determined to clear the name of his great aunt of a murder that the town believes she committed even though she was acquitted, Amy joins forces with her neighbor and they research the past. A current murder seems to point to their investigation and the details toward the past.

Interesting concept but not sure how this will develop into a series. Characters need some rounding out.

>160 cyderry: I went and looked at that one. You failed to mention the Blue Ridge setting. I'll have to check that one out even if it isn't perfect.

Challenge Book# 87



Breakfast in Bed (The Innkeepers)

Tonya Martin has finally made the move to New Orleans where she has joined forces with her friend Hannah to turn the DuPont House into a Bed & Breakfast. Tonya will be responsible for the restaurant and supper club so she is working with Hannah's family to learn the flavors of New Orleans. While on this mission of culinary investigation, she becomes involve with Gage Toussaint and romance takes over.

Wonderful way to see how two people with a common love of cooking can come together and share that joy.

Challenge Book# 88



The Velveteen Rabbit

What a lovely little book which tells of how a loved stuffed rabbit becomes "real" just because a child believes. I have several stuffed animals that I too believe are "real". They are my companions on quiet days and enjoy reading with me.

>163 cyderry: Oh gosh, that book makes me cry SO MUCH!

>164 christina_reads: I tried to read this to my granddaughter a few years ago but I could hardly see the pages through my tears!

>158 cyderry: Glad to hear you liked the new Louise Penny too. I love that series!

>163 cyderry: I used to read this to my daughters when they were young. Such fond memories!

Challenge Book# 89



Murder Is No Accident

Maggie loves to sit in the tower room of an old Victorian mansion, a house her mother cleans, but things get messy when she finds the local realtor dead at the bottom of the stairs and she may be the only "witness" because of an argument she heard from the tower room. Fonda Chandler, an elder dementia patient at the local nursing home, is the owner and gave Maggie permission to be there, but no one else knows that so Maggie is afraid to let anyone know what she heard. Another murder gets the local sheriff thinking that the "accidental" fall by the realtor wasn't necessarily an accident.

The characters in this series are continuing to emerge with their own personalities and the mystery was entertaining.

Challenge Book# 90



Asking for Truffle

Penn knows she never entered a contest for chocolate making lessons so when she receives the notice that she has won, she believes that she is being targeted for her family money. She asks her friend Skinny if he would go and found out more information but he turns up murdered in a vat of chocolate! Feeling guilty for her request, she heads out to discover who killed her friend and why.

The characters were so much fun and the mystery entertaining as my efforts to discover the murder before Penn grew. I definitely know that I will be looking for a followup on this first!

Challenge Book# 91



A Deadly Éclair

I am extremely fond of the cozy mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames so when her other series ended, I was thrilled to see a new one on the horizon. Luckily, for me I received a copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I don't know if I can be honest but I loved it!

Mimi Rousseau has been lucky enough to be sponsored by entrepreneur Bryan Baker who has helped her to realize her dream - a bistro in Napa Valley where she can cook to her heart's content. Bryan arranges for his niece to have her wedding at the bistro but after the rehearsal dinner the night before, Mimi is awakened by the bride early on the day of the wedding crying that her uncle is dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. Mimi seems to be a prime suspect since it is revealed that Bryan forgave her debt in his will. Determined to clear her name from any suspicion and keep her dream alive, Mimi works to uncover the real murderer.

The characters that seem to be the main core for the new series were fun and multi-dimensional and I look forward to meeting them again. The obvious background research into the Napa area flooded me with memories of my own visits there. I only wish that Bistro Rousseau really existed so that I could go next time I'm in California Wine Country.

Challenge Book# 92



The Secret, Book & Scone Society

The Secret, Book and Scone Society is a riveting mystery of not just who was responsible for several murders in Miracle Springs NC but also the mystery of the members of the society and what made them who they are now. Nora, a bibliotherapist, is not just scarred physically but also emotionally. Hester, a phenomenal baker, has hidden secrets along with June, the spa attendant at the springs, and Estella the local hair stylist. These 4 ladies join together to find justice for a stranger who had come to their town to right a wrong.

This is an absolutely tremendous mystery weaving the character's personal stories in among the clues to the murders of two partners in a land development company. The mystery was crisp and tense while the characters could visibly be seen to grow and emerge from their frightened withdrawn starts like butterflies from a cocoon strong and determined to find justice for the victims as well as themselves.

Challenge Book# 93



The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Each year I try to read a few CLASSICS just so that I can mark them off my list. I usually don't care for the stories or writing and have a hard time making it through the book, however, this one surprised me. The story was different than what I had imagined.

Dr. Jekyll is the good guy and he has worked on a formula which will separate his baser nature from his kind and good attributes. Unfortunately, he loses control of Mr. Hyde (the bad guy) and must surrender his life to protect others.

Challenge Book# 94



An Echo of Murder

In this latest William Monk mystery, Monk is taken to a warehouse in the Hungarian district where a body has been found gruesomely disfigured and stabbed through the heart. Having difficulty interviewing the residents of the area, Monk enlists the aid of a local who can translate for him. Things get even more complicated as the ritualistic murders continue and the Hungarian population becomes an angry mob.

At the same time as Monk is trying to solve these murders, Scuff and Crow need a Hungarian translator and they come across Herbert Fitzherbet (Fitz) who had been a doctor in the Crimea with Hester Monk. We see how PTSD affected him with blackouts and nightmares, not know what his actions were or weren't. When the Hungarian mob see him covered in blood, they jump to the conclusion that he is the murderer and unless Monk arrests him, the mob would kill him.

Hester and Monk together with Oliver Rathbone must find the real killer before the subsequent trial comes to an end.

It absolutely amazes me how after 23 books with many of the same characters, I still see character growth as well as a tremendous mystery.

When I get some time I'm going to check several of these cozy series out on Overdrive. I need one or two new ones. I'm still lamenting the end of The Black Cat Mystery series and need to fill the slot!

?>173 clue: My favorites in the series are:

Laura Childs Tea Shoppe mysteries
Ellen Crosby's Wine Country Mysteries
Julie Mulhern's Country Club Mysteries (right now I think this is my favorite)

Challenge Book# 95



Leave It to Cleaver

Jaymie and Becca volunteer to clear out an old farm house so that it can be prepared for an estate sale. When they venture to the basement they find an old trunk with the skeleton which turns out to be the remains of an old high school friend of Becca's that disappeared 30 years ago. Two days later another "runaway" is found at the bottom of the lake and she disappeared at the same time.

Jaymie and Becca work to find a connection and determine who the murderer was all that time ago.

A very entertaining cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Challenge Book# 96



30 Second Death

Tobi Tobias' ad agency has gotten a few more clients so when her good friend Carter is having issues with a Diva at the theater, she offers to help him out by casting her in her commercial spot. Everyone on the set has issues with this actress who makes everyone uncomfortable with her complaints and orders which let everyone there know that she has a peanut allergy.

When time comes for her to have her hair colored (it's a salon commercial) she slides right out of the chair dead! It is later found that the color solution had peanut oil added to it making Carter the prime suspect.

Tobi is determined to find out what really happened and clear her friend.

A side theme is the "romance" of her grandfather with the dreaded Ms Rapple from next door - fun and light-hearted counterpoint.

Challenge Book# 97



Miraculous Mysteries: Locked Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes

This was a collection of short stories where the stories were all related by being LOCKED ROOM mysteries. Some were very old all were from before the 21st century. The authors ranged from well-known (Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie) to very obscure.

Some of the stories were absolutely fascinating and the twists and turns rapid fire. Others not so great. It was entertaining in seeing how far the mystery genre has come.

Challenge Book# 98



And Death Goes To…

Tobi Tobias has been nominated for the highest award in advertising in St. Louis and at the award ceremony she is not surprised when someone else is given the trophy but during the presentation when the winner goes up to the top of a fancy set, horror greets everyone when the platform collapses and the winner falls to her death. Tobi's family and friends are relieved she didn't win but they become entangled in the situation when it is discovered that the platform was sabotaged.

Tobi together with her grandfather Stu and her other cohorts dig deep to find the truth so that the innocent victim can have justice.

Still loving this series and the background story of Grandpa Stu and Ms. Rapple.
Hoping the next one is out soon!.

I had a lot of books to read through since June. So many cozy mysteries! I wish I could get get into them. The only series I was dedicated to were "The Cat Who..." mysteries but I left off with them a while back. You have no many fun ones I don't know which I would begin with!

>179 mamzel: If you want my recommendation, start with either the Country Club Murders by Julie Mulhern or the Tea Shoppe Mysteries by Laura Childs.

If you want a really tremendous mystery series not cozy - you need to read Louise Penny's Three Pines series.

>180 cyderry: I have read Penny's series and am anxiously awaiting the latest from the library. I have really enjoyed them.

Way behind on reviews but at least I've figured out what books I need to finish my challenge.

The Body in the Library
The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
This Old Homicide -reading
Around the World in Eighty Days
Triple Witch
Broken Harbour - reading
Playing With Bonbon Fire
The man he became : how FDR defied polio to win the presidency / James Tobin
Christmas Return
The Emperor's Code
Storm Warning
The Sword of Summer
Hidden Oracle

Challenge Book# 99



This Side of Murder

Verity Kent, a war widow, receives an invitation from one of her husband's friends to attend an engagement party held on the island of Umbersea. She also receives a mysterious note suggesting that her husband may have committed treason so she heads off to find out the truth. As the house party moves along, friend after friend of her husband are murdered and Verity seems to be right in the middle.

A new romance may be in the offing as Verity tries to get to the bottom of the threats to her husband's memory, but a strange twist makes the ending a bit strange.

I wasn't really thrill with this story, the characters were too 2 dimensional, and the author went into too much descriptive detail at times. Hopefully, the next book will be better.

Challenge Book# 100



Murder in Mayfair

Set n the early 19th century, adventurer Atlas Catesby, the youngest son of a baron, is thrown into a unusual situation when he is witness to a man auctioning off his wife. Rescuing her proves to be more problematic that expected because she wants to remain with her sons. When the ne'er-do-well husband is found murdered, Atlas is forced to find the real murderer to clear his "property"'s name.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this start to a series. The characters were interesting, some need a bit more fleshing out, but overall, I think the time period is my greatest issue. Maybe the next in the series will clarify my mind as to whether I like or dislike the story.

>183 cyderry: Sorry to hear this one wasn't great, as it sounds right up my alley! Maybe I will still give it a try if my library has it.

Challenge Book# 101



Lucianna: The Silk Merchant's Daughters

Lucianna has seen her two elder sisters wed and their rebellion from their mother's wishes after they became widows. Lucianna behaves as a dutiful daughter and marries an elderly man that her parents have chosen for her. Their marriage is short but both were contented and now that she too is widowed and financially secure, she will not let her mother choose another husband for her. Instead, she works at her husband's book shop until her father asks her to help him at the silk mart. Here she meets a handsome Englishman . Her father persuades her to become the Silk guild's representative in London aand there she aand her Englishman reunite.

I lovea good romance!

Challenge Book# 102



The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression

This book was informative but at times it was very slow and often had far too many details. However, it did give a very accurate feeling of the time and pointed out several changes that were adopted as to the federal government role for the nation.

Challenge Book# 103



And Then She Fell

Henrietta Cynster has pretty much determined that she will be a spinster because she is 29 years old and has yet to meet a man that makes her heart flutter. She instead uses her time to help other young woman avoid a disastrous marriages and so is known in the Ton as the Matchbreaker.. When she informs a young woman that James Glossup is not interested in love but just being married so that he can get his inheritance, Henrietta starts a whirlwind of problems. Bering informed by James Glossup that her information while true was lacking details, Henrietta felt responsible for the related problems and decided to assist Mr. Glossup with his search for a bride.

Even though the story was a bit predictable, it was still enjoyable to see the Cynster clan again,

Challenge Book# 104



Egg Drop Dead

Suzanne has errands to run for the Cackleberry Club and they include picking up some cheese rounds from the Mullen Farm. When she arrives she hears the cows mournfully mooing and realizes that they haven't been milked. She knows that Mike Mullen must be in need of help to have let this happen so she goes searching for him. However, Mike is beyond help and so Suzanne is caught up in yet another murder.

Sam, Suzanne's fiancé, and Sheriff Doogie wish that Suzanne would just concentrate on her business but that's not part of Suzanne's makeup -

I love the characters, some are very down-to-earth and others really wacky, but all in all, I enjoyed the visit to the Cackleberry Club and the aromas I could imagine cioming from the recipes in the back.

>189 cyderry: I just finished that one a few days ago.

I have 12 reviews to catch up on, but only 2 books left to meet my challenge! Hope I can do it!

Good luck, I'll bet you will. I sure have enjoyed your thread this year. I never get tired of looking at the lovely home pictures. But, onward, I'm sure next year will be a good one too.

Hi Cheli, stopping by to wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and for 2018!

Trying to catch up on reviews so they will be short and sweet.

Challenge Book# 105



Poisoned Prose

Next Books by the Bay Mystery for me and it didn't disappoint. Fun regular characters with interesting plot and background data.

Challenge Book# 106



This Old Homicide

The combination of hidden treasure,wonderfully descriptive settings and characters and a mystery that is fun to follow, makes this series one to keep an eye on.

Challenge Book# 107



Emperor's Code

Amy and Dan Cahill are continuing their hunt for the 39 Clues and this story carries them into the world of Chinese history. Love the intrigue and the sibling love!

Challenge Book# 108



A Fall of Marigolds

This was a tale of loss for two women 100 years apart but tied together by a scarf covered in marigolds. The separate stories of each woman were interesting and very touching but having the stories tied together by something as simple as a scarf was inspirational..

Challenge Book# 109



The Body in the Library

Miss Marple is an absolutely fascinating character and Agatha Christie manages to bring small town/village life to full understanding through her personification. This first of Miss Marple's adventures/investigations introduces not only the lady herself, but other residents of St. Mary Mead.

Challenge Book# 110



The Murder at the Vicarage

Miss Marple again uses her amazing abilities to see what others ignore when looking over the unusual activities that occur in St. Mary Mead.

Challenge Book# 111



Playing With Bonbon Fire

Penn is in charge of the music festival and her sister has arranged for a rock star to a appear but nothing seems to go smoothly and when one of the performers is found murdered, the festival's success is in question. Along with trying to find the murderer, Penn is also faced with the questions regarding her parentage.

Love the chocolate background and t he vulnerability of Penn and her wish just to know the truth.

Challenge Book# 112



Storm Warning

Amy and Dan Cahill are continuing their hunt for the 39 Clues and this story carries them into the world of pirates and treasure and permits them to learn information so that they can once again use their nanny, Nellie's aid.

Every child loves adventure and this one is definitely one they would enjoy.

You've been busy reading or at least on catching up on posting what you've read.

Challenge Book# 113



The Man Who Invented Christmas: Includes Charles Dickens's Classic A Christmas Carol: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits

A small little book that my book Club chose for December telling the life of Charles Dickens and how he could never top his first little Christmas season book.
Very informative but at times a bit dry.

Challenge Book# 114



Around the World in 80 Days

I'm not a typical Classics fan but I try to read a few each year. I actually enjoyed this one but was a bit confused because all the covers and film adaptations have Phineas Fogg in a hot air balloon but I never got that during y reading of this story. I enjoyed seeing all the different geographical locations and how Fogg manage to somehow come right even at the end..

Challenge Book# 115



The Sword of Summer

Rick Riordan has a Greek demigod series, (Percy Jackson) a Eqyptian god series (Kane Chronicles) and now we have the Norse God series with Magnus Chase. There is a connection through all the different series but I have always enjoyed mythology so learning about the Norse Gods will be fun.

Challenge Book# 116



Slay Bells Ring

Caprice De Luca is working on helping to sell the home of the town Santa but when he is found murdered everyone is stunned and horrified, this man had no enemies, who would kill him? The details of this man's life that are uncovered and help Caprice to find the murderer is heartwarming. Great Cozy for the holidays.

Challenge Book# 117



A Christmas Return

It's so great to see the minor characters from the Thomas Pitt series get some of the spotlight for themselves. Mariah Ellison is not necessarily one of those characters I would have thought to shine on, but it was so interesting to see a back story for this character. Using this woman who had had an unhappy life fight to protect the memory of a man long dead truly brought the Christmas spirit to the forefront.

Challenge Book# 118



Thread the Halls

Angel has been dating Patrick West so when his Film star mother calls and says that she's coming home for Christmas and needs to have the house decorated and food catered, Angel helps out with her team of needlepointers getting the house ready. On the evening of their arrival, Patrick and she take a walk in the snow and find one of the guests shot to death. Things get even more frighting with snowstorms and near deaths but Angie manages to keep from being plowed under.

So much fun and a great read for the holidays.

Challenge Book# 119



Running out of Time

The Etonville Little Theater is going to performing a special version of Our Town but following the final dress rehearsal, Dodie finds a body on the set of Act 2. Her boyfriend, the police chief, has a broken ankle so he is out of commission so he brings in a PI to handle the investigation but Dodie doesn't trust him. Trying to communicate with a friend who turns out to be the prime suspect,gets Dodie into mountains of trouble. Fun series with great characters.

>209 cyderry: The title perfectly fits this time of year! Have a great start into 2018!

Challenge Book# 120



A Christmas Tartan

Delaney has a strange experience when Edwin presents her with a package that leads her and Hamlet to research a 50 year old disappearance. Fun little novella to end the year.

well, real life got a bit too hectic and I didn't finish the last two books I needed for my challenge.
I managed to read 37000+ pages which is more than the 2,017 x 17 categories but they didn't all fit into the categories correctly.

>204 cyderry: Yes, that was my biggest surprise with Around the World in 80 Days -- no hot air balloon! The book covers are all lies!