Reviewed By Liz

Comment from Jersey Jack
Time: May 4, 2007, 3:43 am

Sounds like a great idea, a way for me to catch up on my reading. Six books by the end of August, all new authors? Hmmm. Since I’m planning to spend July and August on the local beach, I might have a shot, except I just have to read the new Elmore Leonard, too. I’m in.

Comment from Wendy
Time: May 8, 2007, 3:13 pm

Thanks for letting me know about your challenge - I’ve posted it to my site with links here

Comment from Heidijane
Time: May 9, 2007, 6:52 am

Wow - sounds like a great challenge and an excuse for me to read some more mysteries and catch up on some of my TBR pile. I’ll have a look at what I’ve got and try to come up with an initial list.

Comment from SuziQoregon
Time: May 9, 2007, 11:06 am

How can I resist. I’vle already got 3 new-to-me mystery authors scheduled for June-August for the Medical Mystery Challenge. 3 more and I’m good.

Need to ponder the possibilities before I post my list.

Comment from Mo
Time: May 9, 2007, 3:44 pm

Sounds like fun!! I’m always looking for new authors to read, and I luv a good mystery.

I’ll put together a list…

Comment from Literary Feline
Time: May 9, 2007, 10:37 pm

I’m in too! I don’t think I’m going to list my choices ahead of time because it may change as I go, but I already have a long list of new-to-me authors I am dying to try. Thanks for the excuse to dive right into some of these mysteries I’ve been wanting to read but just haven’t gotten around to yet.

Comment from raidergirl3
Time: May 10, 2007, 9:12 pm

This sounds like fun. I haven’t read many mysteries lately and I think it is time. I’m planning to read some new series for the Southern Reading Challenge

Comment from iliana
Time: May 10, 2007, 10:35 pm

What a wonderful challenge. I love mysteries and even though I’m involved in a couple of other challenges right now I don’t think I can say no. Count me in!

Comment from sagereader2005
Time: May 11, 2007, 6:41 am

Sounds like fun. And a way for me to try some of the books I’ve brought home from conventions, but they weren’t in my usual comfort zone, so have languished in my TBR pile.

Pingback from bookgirl’s nightstand | Blog Archive | Yet Another Challenge
Time: May 11, 2007, 6:33 pm

[…] I know I had said no more but seriously there’s no way I can resist a Summer Mystery Reading Challenge. You know how much I love mysteries. Thanks to Literary Feline for pointing this one out. The challenge is to read six mystery novels by new-to-you authors and it starts June 1 and goes on through August 30. […]

Comment from tanabata
Time: May 12, 2007, 3:06 am

Fantastic challenge idea. There are plenty of new-to-me mystery authors in my stacks that I keep meaning to get to but never do. So count me in.

Pingback from Tempting Persephone…
Time: May 12, 2007, 8:50 am

[…] Saturday, May 12th, 2007 in Just Finished, Challenges I was reading bookgirl’s nightstand this morning and noticed the mention for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge; I’m not sure I’m going to officially take part, but…I do love mysteries and haven’t been reading as many of them lately. This is a good opportunity to get back in to the genre. So I’ve added the graphic over on my sidebar and will update it with the books I read. Six seems a little steep - considering the piles of books I need to get to soon - but it’s worth a shot! […]

Comment from Laura
Time: May 12, 2007, 9:39 am

Sounds fabulous! I read constantly, and love a good mystery. I just wish I’d found out about this earlier yesterday, or maybe the day before, as I *just* started reading a mystery by an author I haven’t read before! Bad timing that. Oh well. LOL

Comment from michelle
Time: May 12, 2007, 10:55 pm

You know, this challenge is perfect since I’ve never read a mystery before and I’ve recently gotten into challenges… But I guess I shouldn’t join too many! Anyway, assuming anyone reads this comment - I am interested in those mysteries dealing with books (I think one is called “Bookmarked to Die”) and I know there’s also a series involving Shakespeare in the title, but I can’t for the life of me think of the author. Suggestions?

Comment from Lesa Holstine
Time: May 14, 2007, 2:48 pm

I’m ready! Nothing I enjoy more than discovering a new mystery author. Thanks for adding some additional fun to it.

Pingback from bookgirl’s nightstand | Blog Archive | Up For Consideration
Time: May 15, 2007, 9:38 pm

[…] I said I wasn’t going to put together a list for the Summer Mystery challenge but I will list some of the books I’m considering. Here are some new-to-me authors who I’ve been meaning to read for the longest time. […]

Comment from Branwen66
Time: May 16, 2007, 12:00 pm

This is a great challenge! I am always on the lookout for new mystery books… The timing couldn’t have been better!

Here is my list:

1) Roman Blood: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Steven Saylor)
2) The Raphael Affair (Iain Pears)
3) The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (Alexander McCall Smith)
4) The Novice’s Tale (Margaret Frazer)
5) The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria (Laura Joh Rowland)
6) Postmortem (Patricia Cornwell)

Comment from CJHill
Time: May 17, 2007, 8:52 am

Sounds like a good way to start what I’m calling My Year of Reading Seriously.

I’ll put a list together soon. I hope.

cjh

Comment from Annie
Time: May 17, 2007, 9:39 am

I plan on joining the challenge but haven’t decided on the authors yet. I have read The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Postmortem that Branwen66 posted as part of her list. Very, very different types of mysteries but both are definitely worth reading. I have put a link on my blog at mysterybuff.blogspot.com This is a new blog for me so not many posts or readers yet. But it is fun.

Comment from Nicki
Time: May 18, 2007, 3:21 am

I’d love to join in! I’ll have to see what the library has to offer but I know I have a couple of new authors in my to be read pile already!

Comment from Diane
Time: May 18, 2007, 3:45 pm

I’m a huge fan of mysteries! What a great idea

Comment from Carol
Time: May 18, 2007, 6:37 pm

I know I’m going to enjoy this. I’m always looking for new mystery authors to read!

Comment from Nancy
Time: May 19, 2007, 8:27 am

I am going to play. There are so many new authors to try.

Pingback from Live. Love. Read.  Summer Mystery Reading Challenge!
Time: May 19, 2007, 8:30 am

[…] […]

Comment from Aileen G. Baron
Time: May 19, 2007, 2:49 pm

See you all on May 29.
Aileen

Comment from SuziQoregon
Time: May 20, 2007, 11:47 am

I’m in Posted my list of books I’m planning to read here

http://blogmybooks.blogspot.com/2007/05/summer-mystery-reading-challenge.html

Comment from Pati
Time: May 20, 2007, 12:53 pm

This sounds like a great challenge. Count me in, please. I have actually been getting some books from authors that are new to me so this will work out great.

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: May 21, 2007, 6:56 am

Sounds like fun, and as others have already said, a good reason to get started on some of the books that have been sitting on the shelf unread. I just got a couple by J.B. Stanley, and I think I’ll start with one of those. I’ll have to look over my shelves to see where to go from there.

Comment from Suzanne
Time: May 21, 2007, 8:17 am

Six books by new authors? This sounds like fun. My library’s summer reading program is all about mysteries, and two authors whose books I’ve not read are coming to visit. I’m reading D B Borton for the first time, and then I’ll read Don Bruns. Great idea!

Comment from Vickie
Time: May 21, 2007, 12:00 pm

Thank you for enticing me into another challenge. Mysteries are my favorite, so this will be great. I am like SuziQ (how I found this challenge) in that I have a list of eight new-to-me authors for the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge and I have four of them purchased and hidden until start of said challenge.
Currently I have ‘The Ghost and the Dead Deb’ Alice Kimberly and ‘Through the Grinder’ Cleo Coyle going as bedside and purse book respectively. I also have an audiobook for my 50 mile RT just about daily commute that I am not sure how to categorize. It is mystery-esque ‘Artemis Fowl:The Arctic Incident’.

Comment from Lisa
Time: May 21, 2007, 4:13 pm

Always like a mystery reading challenge…. AND I picked up lots of new to me authors’ books at Malice.

Comment from Cindy
Time: May 21, 2007, 4:35 pm

I’m in and I will blog about my books. First one is Elaine Viet’s new book, second will be STILL LIFE by Louise Penney and I’ll see where I’m led after that!

Comment from Marina McIntire
Time: May 21, 2007, 5:38 pm

This sounds like a lot of fun. I’m game for it!

Comment from Pamela
Time: May 21, 2007, 7:32 pm

I’m in for this challenge, I love to read mysteries in the Summer time so this is great timing. I will post my choices on my blog in the next couple of days.

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: May 21, 2007, 7:51 pm

This sounds like a lot of fun and I’m interested in what others pick to read.

Pat

Comment from Patricia M. Jones
Time: May 21, 2007, 8:35 pm

This sounds like fun. Maybe I can get my tbr down a tad

Comment from Sue
Time: May 21, 2007, 8:56 pm

I’ve started with a Rob Walker book–Blind Instinct–the only book by this author in my little local library.

Comment from Meredith Anthony
Time: May 22, 2007, 9:20 am

I’m thrilled to have my new thriller, LADYKILLER, included in the challenge. And I’ll be reading my own list of new books, too!

Comment from Suzanne
Time: May 22, 2007, 10:57 am

Yesterday I read Organize Your Corpses by Mary J Maffini. Was okay, not great. You’ve
got to wonder about someone who’d wear red boots with stilletto heels to run around in. I’ve got more DB Borton to read–I like Cat Caliban, and she wears comfortable clothes to detect in. I’m up to number 6.

Comment from Kelly
Time: May 22, 2007, 1:30 pm

Book #1 - New author to me, but his 3rd book- Anthony Eglin - The Water Lily Cross. I enjoyed it, but it really, really strains the boundaries of how much an amateur sleuth can do without being ridiculous. I might read another one by Eglin or not. I’m not terribly excited.

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: May 22, 2007, 3:50 pm

If I have a new book by an author I have never read do I have to wait until June 1 to start the book?

Pat

Pingback from Reviewed By Liz »
Time: May 22, 2007, 7:48 pm

[…]   […]

Comment from judy
Time: May 23, 2007, 11:42 am

How do you sign up?

Comment from Jeannette
Time: May 23, 2007, 12:22 pm

What a fun idea, will be starting with the Clare Langley-Hawthorne’s book Consequences of Sin - an Edwardian Mystery and a first novel by the author.

Comment from Patricia L. Morin
Time: May 23, 2007, 6:21 pm

I already bought my first book to start June 1st.

Comment from Patricia L. Morin
Time: May 23, 2007, 6:24 pm

I’m starting with a historical novel. Read one and didn’t like it. Going to give the genre another try with Winspear’s MAISIE DOBBS.Waiting for June 1st. Great idea!

Comment from Stephanie
Time: May 24, 2007, 12:02 am

Is it too late to join in?? I”d love to read along!

Pingback from The Debutante Ball » Blog Archive » News Flash! May 27, 2007
Time: May 27, 2007, 9:59 am

[…] Debs Who Are Up For a Challenge! Check out the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge at Reviewed By Liz!  The SMRC challenges readers to read six new-to-you crime writers this summer, and yep, there are prizes. A different author is featured every day for inspiration and Deb Jennifer is scheduled for Saturday June 2 — stop by and say hello! […]

Comment from Carol
Time: May 27, 2007, 1:31 pm

Do we list all the books we are going to read here? I’m going to start with Tell No One by Harlan Coben. I;ve had his book in my TBR pile for quite a while.

Comment from Carol H.
Time: May 28, 2007, 9:24 am

Should be great fun! I’m reading a Patricia Highsmith now, but I can’t count that as I’ve already read some of her books. Maybe WINE OF VIOLENCE by Priscilla Royal, who is new to me.

Comment from Joyce D.
Time: May 28, 2007, 5:55 pm

Great idea! I’ve decided to read books by Joanne Fluke. This is a huge change for me. I’ve resisted “cozies” for years in favor of almost every other type of mystery, so this should be an interesting Summer.

Comment from sue
Time: May 28, 2007, 9:00 pm

I found about your reading challenge on DorothyL. I haven’t chosen my authors yet. So, I am looking forward to reading the featured reviews and discussion. Great idea. Thanks.

Comment from Bkwriter
Time: May 28, 2007, 10:07 pm

Oh, count me in. Not that I didn’t already have a TBR pile already for the summer, but this sounds like a good challenge.

Comment from Marlyn
Time: May 28, 2007, 11:26 pm

Looking forward to it!!!

Comment from Suzanne
Time: May 29, 2007, 8:49 am

I finished all of the Cat Caliban series by DB Borton, and I’m sorry there aren’t any more. Borton is coming to my library in July, along with Don Bruns, who is the next new-to-me-author on my list. The women in the main library office all think he’s a “hottie.” I guess that’s teenspeak for what I would call a “hunk?”

Comment from Stacie Penney
Time: May 29, 2007, 8:51 am

This is fab. I’m always looking for new authors.

Comment from Aileen G. Baron
Time: May 29, 2007, 2:00 pm

Hi everyone. I’m the featured author today on the SRMC post, so feel free to come visit and chat.
Aileen

Comment from Debi
Time: May 30, 2007, 1:38 pm

I plan to try this. I’m reading some new-to-me mystery authors for other challenges, so this will fit in nicely.

Comment from Sandy T
Time: May 30, 2007, 8:51 pm

Joyce, if you are looking for some really enjoyable “cozies,” try Mark Schweizer’s “litergical mysteries.” They are a “hoot.” One title is, “The Alto Wore Tweed.”

Comment from Sandy T
Time: May 30, 2007, 9:06 pm

I’ve read “skads” of mysteries this year. The six that come readily to mind are:
Find Me by Carol O’Connell
Priest by Ken Bruen
Persuader by Lee Chilld
The Baritone Wore Chiffon by Mark Schweizer
47 Rules of Highly Effective Bank Robbers by Troy Cook
The Scoutmaster: A Prepared Death by Luisa Buehler

Comment from Eva
Time: May 30, 2007, 9:15 pm

I’m joining! (better late than never) My list is over at http://astripedarmchair.blogspot.com

Comment from Christina
Time: May 31, 2007, 11:34 am

I hope it isn’t too late to sign up for this. I just posted what books I plan on reading in my blog and I have attached the link to it.

Comment from Christina
Time: May 31, 2007, 11:35 am

Here is the link in case it didn’t show up http://mylittlebookmark.blogspot.com/

Comment from Dana
Time: May 31, 2007, 4:35 pm

I’m in
will post this evening!

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: May 31, 2007, 6:52 pm

June 1 is almost here. My first book is The Vampire of Venice Beach by Jennifer Colt. I have a friend that has sent several books by authors I haven’t read before and I intend to use those books and I don’t know in what order.

Pat

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: June 1, 2007, 8:57 am

Started my first book for the challenge: Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn. There are lots of books in this series, so if I enjoy it, I will have lots more of them to read.

Comment from Carol Segina
Time: June 1, 2007, 10:43 am

I think this challenge is a great idea. Readers always have a problem patiently waiting for a favorite author’s next book so the search for new authors is a constant. Dorothy-L and Mystery Lovers Bookstore’s Festival of Mystery in Oakmont ,PA every May have been my two best sources. The festival is small and friendly and a great place to discover new authors. ( I have no store affiliation just affection for a good bookstore). Newly discovered authors that I recommend highly and will add to my favorites list are John J. Lamb/THE MOURNFUL TEDDY. Almost skipped this one as the title sounded almost overly cosy. Great setting in Shenandoah Mountains of VA and interesting ,well drawn protagonists. Also Gwen Freeman’s MURDER…SUICIDE…WHATEVER with a smart funny heroine that I hope will be the beginning of a series. I loved Mary Saum’s THISTLE AND TWIGG

Comment from Carol Segina
Time: June 1, 2007, 10:51 am

I think this challenge is a great idea. Readers always have a problem patiently waiting for a favorite author’s next book so the search for new authors is a constant. Dorothy-L and Mystery Lovers Bookstore’s Festival of Mystery in Oakmont ,PA every May have been my two best sources. ( I have no store affiliation just affection for a good bookstore). Newly discovered authors that I recommend highly and will add to my favorites list are John J. Lamb/THE MOURNFUL TEDDY. Almost skipped this one as the title sounded almost overly cosy. Great setting in Shenandoah Mountains of VA and interesting ,well drawn protagonists. Also Gwen Freeman’s MURDER…SUICIDE…WHATEVER with a smart funny heroine that I hope will be the beginning of a series. I loved Mary Saum’s THISTLE AND TWIGG too,populated with interesting characters and with a great setting in Alabama. Am looking forward to seeing everyone’s list . My first June book is by Karen Rose/COUNT TO TEN . I will let you know how I like it.
Carol in upstare NY

Comment from Annie
Time: June 1, 2007, 1:39 pm

My first book is “Sea-Born Women” by BJ Mountford. It takes place on the Outer Banks. The woman “sleuth” is a Nationa Park Service Volunteer and is spending three months as a caretakers for a remote, ghost town. It looks good so far.

Comment from sprite
Time: June 2, 2007, 5:37 pm

Ooh! I’m definitely in — and will be checking out the Cozy Library you recommend in a later post, as well as your reviewed list, to come up with some selections. I’m a big fan of Fforde, Beaton, and Bowen already.

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: June 3, 2007, 8:23 am

I started Bone Rattler by Eliot Pattison. Begins when a ship leaves England with indentured servants and winds up in America among the Indians.

Pat

Comment from Lindy
Time: June 3, 2007, 10:02 pm

Do I just post a comment and I am in??? I need a new book website, anyone have an easy suggestion, not really good with stuff like that. I liked the one I saw on this…blogspot??

I dont’ plan my reading by much, since I am visually impaired and have to depned on my public library for almost all my books.

I am planning to read Denise Mina’s The Dead Hour next. I am finishing up Steve Berry’s The Templar Legacy tonight. I do have the 50 page rule as well. I have been looking for new authors to read since so many of my favorites, I am on the next new one out.
My librasry has given me a lot of suggestions, esp saving new large prints for me.

Comment from Framed
Time: June 3, 2007, 10:17 pm

And I was going to swear off challenges. This just looks too fun. I’ve posted a list in my sidebar at http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com.

Pingback from Mystery Books + Bookweight « A Guy’s Moleskine Notebook
Time: June 4, 2007, 4:38 pm

[…] Hopped in the car we veered out of the city to Barnes & Noble in Colma. Tony quickly made his way to the cafe, ordered an ice coffee, and camped out in one of the quiet quarters of the store and riveted at the travel books he gathered. After the previous scour at Books Inc., I wasn’t really looking for anything in particular; moreover my funds probably won’t allow another shopping spree! But I admit, it’s extremely difficult not to buy anything at a bookstore. Mindful of the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge that originated in this blog, I picked up 3 mysteries by Agatha Christie: […]

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: June 6, 2007, 5:25 am

I finished Bone Rattler and started a new book. Hurricane Punch by Tim Dorsey. Two very different books. Bone Rattler was set in the colonies and Hurricane Punch in modern times in Florida.

Comment from booklogged
Time: June 6, 2007, 1:50 pm

I finally have my list of books posted for the challenge.

Comment from alesau
Time: June 7, 2007, 5:48 pm

I can’t wait to get started. I am always looking for new authors. Any suggestions?

Comment from Carol H.
Time: June 9, 2007, 7:05 am

I have heard many good comments about Margaret Frazer’s medieval mysteries, so decided to make her my first “new author” and am very glad I did. I read the first in the Sister Frevisse series, THE NOVICE’S TALE, and liked it so much I moved on to read the second in the series, THE SERVANT’S TALE, which has a very surprising, sad ending. Then on to the first in her new series, A PLAY OF ISAAC, which follows a group of players who were introduced in THE SERVANT’S TALE. I contacted the author through her website and immediately received two charming, friendly notes. I’m very glad I tried this new author and have already bought more books in both series.

Comment from Carol
Time: June 12, 2007, 8:36 pm

I finished reading Tell No One by Harlan Coben. I thought it was great! I didn’t get close to guessing the ending! I’m now a big fan and will be buying more of his books!

Comment from Suzanne
Time: June 12, 2007, 8:57 pm

The second new to me writer of the summer is Don Bruns. I am reading his books mostly because he is coming to my library in July.
I found Jamaica Blue to be a good book, worth reading, but grittier than I usually go for. I will be reading his other two books as well.
It’s good to broaden the horizons once in awhile.

Comment from Trish
Time: June 13, 2007, 5:33 am

I’m going to join too!!! I like cozy mysteries and there are several authors I’d love to try! It was rough narrowing it down to 6, so I had to add to “alternates”. I’m going to read:
Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
Death with an Ocean View by Nora Charles
Death by Inferior Design by Leslie Caine
Cooking up Murder by Miranda Bliss
Sofie Metropolis by Tori Carrington
Murder can Spoil your Appetite by Selma Eichler
Pretty Poison by Joyce & Jim Lavene
Deadly Advice by Roberta Isleib

Comment from Suzanne
Time: June 14, 2007, 8:53 am

My third “new to me” writer is Ellen Hart. I read DIAL M FOR MEATLOAF. I like meatloaf. And I like tuna noodle casserole (wouldn’t that be “hot dish” in Minnesota?) Anyway, I was put off by Sophie and Bram’s food snobbery, but the mystery was good and had lots of twists and turns. I will have to try Hart’s other books, the Jane Lawless series.

Pingback from Live. Love. Read.  Saturday Sunshine
Time: June 16, 2007, 8:09 am

[…] I have not been happy with my library selections lately. Which reminds me I have to update my 2007 Booklist and a few books I have read for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge. Two books read for that already. […]

Comment from Pat
Time: June 16, 2007, 5:46 pm

My first new author in June was Mariah Stewart. Shelved in romances, “Dead Even” was more mystery with a little romance. It was a fast, fun read and I really liked the main character who was an FBI agent. There were 2 distinct stories that were cleverly brought together in one showdown.
Part of a “Dead” trilogy of connected stories. I plan to look for the other two books.

Comment from Allianne
Time: June 18, 2007, 9:30 am

Being an avid reader, this challenge is right up my ally. I’m always on the lookout for new authors since I go through books so quickly.
My first discovery is Dolores Stewart Riccio. I’m on the 2nd book in her Circle Of series.
Also discovered Amanda Matetsky and can’t wait to get the rest of her books. Loved Roberta Isleib’s new series, as well as Rita Lakin’s books.

Comment from Lindy
Time: June 18, 2007, 9:24 pm

I think I am going to like this. So far I have read 2 new mystery authors and I sure need to find more, I have read everything by everyone I like.

Comment from Branwen66
Time: June 19, 2007, 11:27 am

Just finished Patricia Cornwell’s “Postmortem”. This is the first book in the Kay Scarpetta series. I can’t say it grabbed me the way, say, Sue Grafton’s “A is for Alibi” did, but it is a solid story with meticulous forensic detail.

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: June 20, 2007, 5:21 am

I am reading The Dark End of Town by Julia Pomeroy. Very good and I love the main character.

Comment from Jenny
Time: June 20, 2007, 2:32 pm

This sounds like so much fun- mysteries are my favorite! My first book will be The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman.

Comment from Pat
Time: June 22, 2007, 11:12 am

As part of my mystery book club at Barnes and Noble, I read Diana O’Hehir’s debut, “Murder Never Forgets” - another new author to me. The story takes place in a retirement home where there have been several “accidents”. Worried about her father who isn’t as with it as he was, Carly takes a job there to keep an eye on him. After a couple of murders, a reacquaintance with an old boyfriend, and the untangling of her Dad’s mutterings, the bad guys are finally unmasked. I never would have guessed who the mastermind was - in typical Agatha Christie style it was the person I least suspected. I liked Carly but got very confused with Dad’s mixing of his adventures as an archeologist and events in his current life. I wonder where this series might go and will look for her next book.

Comment from Janet
Time: June 22, 2007, 2:03 pm

What a super idea! I am at a point where I am reading non stop, and mystery is my favourite genre. My latest find is a Canadian author named mary Jane Maffini. Great for a fun, fast read!

Comment from Janet
Time: June 22, 2007, 2:07 pm

Check out stopyourekillingme.com for more mysteries. This is a great website that I used when I worked at a library. NAYY.

Comment from Carol
Time: June 22, 2007, 7:18 pm

I just picked up Organize Your Corpeses by Mary Jane Maffini. I can’t wait to read it!

Pingback from Live. Love. Read.  Summer Reading Challenge reads
Time: June 23, 2007, 7:40 am

[…] Finally I am posting about the books I have read for the Summer Reading Challenge: […]

Comment from Nancy
Time: June 23, 2007, 7:44 am

Finally I am posting about my books.

The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby. Very Good.
Head Games by Thomas Cavanagh. Not so good.
Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels. Very good and funny.

My thoughts are here: http://liveloveread.com/2007/06/23/summer-reading-challenge-reads/

ANd, I also want to say that the Shadow Catcher by Thomas Lakeman was awesome. But, I read that before the challenge started. It was very good. Excellant debut novel

Comment from Historia
Time: June 24, 2007, 6:29 pm

Well I have read 4 mysteries so far this month - all reviewed on my blog. See the sidebar list on the left. I am currently reading Mystery number 5 and will leave the last mystery for next month. LOL

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: June 24, 2007, 7:51 pm

I’ve just finished Death of an Englishman by Magdalen Nabb. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a loooong time, probably years, but I never started it because I didn’t think I would care for it.

I finally decided to give it a try, and finished it today. I enjoyed it very much. This is a police procedural set in Florence, Italy, featuring Marshal Salvatore Guarnaccia. The Marshal is severely hindered by a case of the flu, just before Christmas, but must work on solving the murder before he can go home to join his family in Sicily. There is only a small amount of character development, but it was enough to make me interested in the people, who are very believable. as well as in the solving of the crime.

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: June 24, 2007, 7:54 pm

Next up for me is Evelyn David’s Murder Off the Books, which I already have.

Comment from Pat Reid
Time: June 25, 2007, 5:26 am

Joe Hill Heart-Shaped Box
Eliot Pattison Bone Rattler
Julia Pomeroy The Dark End of Town
Donis Casey The Old Bastard Had It Coming
Innocence by David Hosp
Hurricane Punch by Tim Dorsey

This is my list and every one was good book. Each a little different type.

Comment from Branwen66
Time: June 25, 2007, 8:18 am

Just finished The Novice’s Tale and LOVED it! I will definitely read more in this series. Great read also for Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma fans.

On to the next book!

Comment from Lynne
Time: June 25, 2007, 1:38 pm

I’ve finished 3 books so far: BRAIN DEAD (http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-read-brain-dead-by-eileen-dreyer-for.html), BEYOND CONCEPTION (http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2007/05/liz-reviewed-by-liz-who-is-hosting.html), and FERTILE GROUND (http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2007/06/fertile-ground.html).
Three down, 3 to do. I hope the next 3 are better than the first 3. But still, I’ve gotten to read 3 new authors.

Comment from Laura
Time: June 26, 2007, 1:30 am

I’ve been having fun alternating mysteries by new (to me) authors, sci fi, and the next Harry Potter book (one per week) so far this summer. I now have two fabulous new mystery authors under my belt: Mignon G. Eberhart and Mary Roberts Rinehart. Woot! Right on track for getting six new authors under my belt by the end of summer.

Comment from Bellezza
Time: June 28, 2007, 2:00 pm

I just discovered your blog from SuziQoregon’s blog, and I would love to join this challenge. Mysteries are just the thing I am craving right now! So, I’ll link to you in a future post.

Comment from Carol
Time: June 28, 2007, 2:43 pm

I just finished my second book. I read Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. It’s different from anything I’ve ever read. It’s about a flock of sheep who work together with their different strengths to solve the murder of their shepherd.

Comment from Lori
Time: June 28, 2007, 9:07 pm

I’m in! I love reading mysteries and am always looking for new authors. I’m starting Pistol Poets by Victor Gischler tonight.

Comment from Michele G
Time: June 29, 2007, 5:30 am

This sounds like lots of fun. I’m in…Thanks Bob for telling me about this site and this challenge. Starting my first book today.

Comment from Historia
Time: June 30, 2007, 2:34 pm

Well I have now read and reviewed 6 mystery books in 1 month!! Check the side bar under challenges for my reviews.

Comment from Carol H.
Time: July 1, 2007, 9:59 am

My second book was NEFERTITI by Nick Drake, set in ancient Egypt. Lots of great description, but I found the plot a bit confusing. Third book was

Comment from Carol H.
Time: July 1, 2007, 10:01 am

My third book was HALF BROKEN THINGS by Morag Joss. Three “half broken” people find growth and happiness in an old mansion - but it is only temporary. Excellent! (Sorry for 2 postings, I guess my finger slipped.)

Comment from Lin Jenkins
Time: July 1, 2007, 2:01 pm

Well, I am spending the summer in rehab from surgery so this seems like a good time to try this. And our house is full of unread mysteries! I’m going to start with Carola Dunn. Mary Reed & Eric Mayer are featured today but that would be cheating; I’ve read all we have by them….

Comment from Branwen66
Time: July 2, 2007, 8:53 pm

I heartily recommend “The Raphael Affair”: Fun mystery and lots of detail about Italy and art. I really enjoyed reading it. Just one caveat: Do not expect the depth and gravitas of, say, “The Instance of the Fingerpost”. This is a much shorter and lighter work. I will plan on reading more in this series.

Comment from Lori
Time: July 3, 2007, 7:17 am

Finished my 1st book, The Pistol Poets by Victor Gischler. It was strange, very strange, but it kept my interest. Today I’m starting Highlights to Heaven by Nancy Cohen.

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Time: July 3, 2007, 7:28 pm

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Comment from Carol Segina
Time: July 4, 2007, 8:03 am

MaryinVA, I would be interested to know what you thought about Evelyn David’s MURDER OFF THE BOOKS. I put it aside after 80 pages. Might go back to it at another time , had expected something faster paced and wittier due to positive feedback on Dorothy-L. Finished Karen Rose’s COUNT TO TEN but thought she detracted from the novel’s suspense by the sexual encounters between the main protagonists. It seemed to me that she couldn’t decide whether to emphasize the mystery or romantic elements of the novel and ended up with something that didn’t quite work, at least for me.

But I have read three new authors that do work for me and which I recommend without qualification. Colin Murray’s AFTER
A DEAD DOG,set in Edinburgh and Glasgow with a smart mouthed hero that I found irresistable. Julia Pomeroy’s tHE DARK END OF TOWN set in upstate New York with an intelligent heroine and a real feel for small town life. David Wolstencroft’s GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS which is a funny fast paced spy novel.

Comment from Carol
Time: July 4, 2007, 7:05 pm

I just finished my third book, Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini. It’s about a professional organizer who found one of her clients dead. She is accused of the murder of this client who was a former teacher of hers and someone that everyone disliked. It had an ending I didn’t expect. It’s a very enjoyable, quick read.

Comment from alisonwonderland
Time: July 4, 2007, 9:00 pm

i’m late joining, but i’ve put the graphic on my blog, and i’ll work on putting together a list! happy reading!

Comment from Debi
Time: July 6, 2007, 2:23 pm

Well, I’m withdrawing from this challenge due to feeling overwhelmed. I have read 2 new-to-me mystery authors so far in June. I can read several books at once, but not similar genres. So rather than feeling pressured to read, I’ve decided to back out of this challenge. Have fun!

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: July 7, 2007, 8:07 pm

To Carol Segina: I’m glad you asked. I’ve been hesitating to write about this since it was featured here, and all the comments I’ve read (DL, Amazon) have raved about it. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for it. What bothered me most was that the PI was pretty un-observant for a former police officer, and he just didn’t notice many things that he should have, including paying attention to signals from the dog. I didn’t feel that the characters were believable. I read more than half, then skimmed through the rest of the book, mostly to see who the guilty party was.

Comment from Victoria Taylor Murray
Time: July 8, 2007, 7:34 pm

Being a new writer myself (so to speak), I think this is a GREAT idea! I have learned from my experience as a new writer and I continue to learn as I go. Lots of mistakes in the beginning but I’m getting better as a writer as I go, smile… One of my favorite NEW writer’s is a wonderful writer, her name is CHRISTY FRENCH, and from book one on, Christy has WOWED me with each new book she writes! Her novels are steamy, sexy, and mysterious. What a joy it has been to read her “BODYGUARD” series as well as the rest of her MUST READ BOOKS! This summer, do yourself a huge favor and check out her books. You’ll be glad you did!

Comment from Branwen66
Time: July 8, 2007, 11:18 pm

Finished my 4th book for the challenge today, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith, and I LOVED it. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

Comment from Suzanne Pontius
Time: July 9, 2007, 5:37 pm

My fourth new to me writer is Lea Wait. I gave away the 4th book in her antique prints series as a summer reading prize at my library. The patron who won it had, of course, to read the first books in the series before she read her prize. I got curious–and now I have to wait until she turns in the next two before I can check them out to myself. Frustrating! Good books and I enjoyed learning about antique prints.

Comment from Lindy
Time: July 9, 2007, 9:29 pm

I havew read the following 6 mysteries. What else do I have to do to complete it????

6/3 Berry, Steve The Templar Legacy
6/7 Hess, Joan Closely Akin to Murder
6/16 Roberts Nora Chesapeake Blues
6/24 HOward, Linda Cry no More
7/4 Fielding, Joy Mad River Road
7/8 Flook, Maria Invisible Eden

Comment from Nancy
Time: July 10, 2007, 10:04 am

I read my fourth challenge book: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. I really enjoyed and it will be reading the rest in the series.

I have to say I am discovering lots of new authors. Taking my time to peruse the mystery shelves at the library is so much fun. Thanks for doing this challenge.

Comment from Pat
Time: July 10, 2007, 4:49 pm

Blaize Clement’s “Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter” is my third new author this summer. This book was in my friend’s free books bag from Malice Domestic and is Blaize’s first in the series. Blaize really knows her cats and dogs and so does Dixie. When a client is murdered, Dixie still feels responsible for the cat in her care and as an ex-cop she knows how to look into the crime itself. I really liked Dixie and the dynamic between her and her gay brother and his significant other. I also liked the way her relationships with both her human and animal clients was portrayed. With a tragic backstory, Dixie is quite flawed and has a long way to go to being whole again. The author did a nice job with the path and reasoning to the killer to make it a satisfying mystery. I’ll read more of these.

Comment from Carol
Time: July 10, 2007, 9:12 pm

I just finished my fourth book, Big Numbers by Jack Getze. It’s about a stockbrocker who can only afford to live in a rusted out camper because he owes thousands of dollars to his exwife in child support. While trying to get enough money so he can see his children again, he makes some bad decisions and ends up with several people trying to kill him. I liked the surprise ending and plan on reading more books by this author.

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Time: July 11, 2007, 6:28 am

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Comment from Lori
Time: July 12, 2007, 2:36 am

My 2nd challenge book was Highlights to Heaven by Nancy Cohen.

Comment from Kelly
Time: July 12, 2007, 2:40 pm

I’m not sure if I’ve done this correctly. I entered my books on the various days rather than here.

Comment from Branwen66
Time: July 13, 2007, 2:44 pm

My 5th book for the challenge was “Roman Blood” by Steven Saylor. This is the first book in Saylor’s Roma Sub Rosa series. It is a murder mystery set in the late Republican Rome. Great characters — some historical, some fictional — a solid plot, and lots of fascinating details about life in Rome in 80 BC.

And now on to the 6th book…

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: July 14, 2007, 8:19 pm

Just finished book #4, And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander. I really enjoyed this book set in Victorian England (well, actually the settings also included France and Greece) about a young widow. Emily’s husband, a big game hunter, died in Africa shortly after their wedding. She admittedly did not love him, and married him only to escape the constant nagging from her mother to find a suitable husband. In going through his things after his death, she learns a great deal about him and begins to love him. This is not a murder mystery; the mystery is in Emily’s discovering the truth about the man she married, especially after she learns about some shady deals he has made.

Comment from Famfatale
Time: July 16, 2007, 12:23 pm

I got a bit carried away. It seems that once started I just couldn’t stop. I read the following books by new-to-me authors since the challenge began. Killer Market by Margaret Maron, Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss (loved the local references in this one), The Mournful Teddy by John J. Lamb, Curiousity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clements, Sex, A Mystery by Fiona Quirina, Hardcase by Bill Pronzini, Antiques Roadkill by Barbara Allen, What’s a Girl Gotta Do by Sparkle Hayter, A Killer Collection by J.B. Stanley, and Let Death Enough Alone by Richard & Frances Lockridge. I enjoyed all of them but the Lockridge book. I found it most annoying. The beginning dialogue in the book was full of incomplete sentences and thoughts. A married couple were discussing their holiday plans - I suppose it was intended to imply that each new exactly what the other meant, but frankly I sure as heck had no idea.

Comment from Famfatale
Time: July 16, 2007, 12:27 pm

Oops, pardon my typing skills. I do know the difference between knew and new - apparently my fingers do not.

Comment from Margaret Lerch
Time: July 16, 2007, 5:48 pm

New author/book I read “Dead Jitterbug” by Victoria Houston takes place in the northern midwest where fishing is an important part of life. A rich lady is found dead in her home and the police chief Llwellyn Ferris must find the killer. The murdered lady is a gossip columnist. It was exciting and I will be reading more of these mysteries featuring Llwellyn Ferris.

Comment from Margaret Lerch
Time: July 16, 2007, 5:51 pm

Brian Wiprud wrote ” Pipsqueak” a very entertaining mystery about a man trying to find a stuff squirrel that remembers from a childhood tv show. He ends up getting in trouble and his brother doesn’t help much. I am looking forward to this series.

Comment from SuziQoregon
Time: July 17, 2007, 9:16 pm

Finished #4 - Final Diagnosis by Gary Birken.

It was just just OK.

Comment from Lesa Holstine
Time: July 18, 2007, 5:45 pm

I just finished my sixth one for the challenge. I’ll keep reading, but at least I finished the Challenge itself. I finished Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear, the fourth in the Maisie Dobbs series, but the first I read. I’ll be reading more because it was terrific.

Thanks for the Challenge!

Comment from Carol
Time: July 19, 2007, 3:22 pm

I’m so glad to hear that you liked Messenger of Truth, Lesa. I’ve been thinking about buying it. It sounds so good.

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: July 20, 2007, 7:14 pm

Just finished A Nice Murder for Mom by James Yaffe. It was okay, and I will probably read at least one more in the series. This is about an ex-NYC cop who has moved to the southwest US. Apparently his mother was an expert at figuring out the culprit in the cases he investigated in NY. Now he is working in the Public Defenders office in Mesa Grande, and invites his mother out for a visit. “Fortunately” for her, there is a murder on the first night of her visit. True to form, she works it all out. There are quite a few twists and turns before the “real” solution comes out.

Comment from Gail H.
Time: July 21, 2007, 9:38 am

Good to see so many people reading mysteries. I’m off to a good start in the challenge–two authors new to me that I’ve read since mid-June are Rita Lakin and Victoria Houston. Our library system does not get their paperbacks consistenly

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Time: July 21, 2007, 3:45 pm

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Comment from dorsalfan
Time: July 23, 2007, 7:46 am

I found out about this challenge through Beth Groundwater on Eons. I am going to look for her book A Real Basket Case to add to my list of new mystery authors to read. My list of new authors to read before end of August is:

Beth Groundwater A Real Basket Case
Joseph Finder Company Man
Laura Lippman What the Dead KnoW
Rebecca Drake Don’t Be Afraid
D H Dublin Body Trace
Gayle Wilson Bogeyman

These have been sitting on my To Read Shelf for a while. I keep buying authors I know and like and reading them first. Time to find someone new to like. Thanks for the challenge.

Comment from dorsalfan
Time: July 24, 2007, 11:22 am

Just finished Bogeyman by Gayle Wilson. I rate it just so-so.

A year after the death of her husband, Blythe Wyndham moves with her four-year-old daughter, Maddie, back to the small town where she grew up. But soon after they move in to their new home, strange things begin to happen. Maddie has disturbingly intense nightmares–so intense that Blythe fears one night she may not be able to awaken her daughter. A psychologist explains that Maddie’s dreams are simply the result of her father’s death, but Blythe knows something else is wrong. Because she’s also heard the ghostly tapping at her daughter’s window….

Convinced the house is haunted, Blythe researches the town’s history and discovers that a little girl had been brutally murdered in the area twenty-five years ago. Could there be some connection between this dead child and Maddie? With the help of Sheriff Cade Jackson, Blythe tries to separate past horrors from present dangers and struggles to distinguish the real from the imagined. But someone is clearly determined to keep a secret–and will kill again to do so.

Comment from Lindy
Time: July 24, 2007, 7:56 pm

I just finished my 9th new to me author. This is sure fun and some of them I will read again. I have read Berry, Hess, Roberts, HOward, Fielding, Flook, Clark, Robb and Johansen. The best was Mary jane Clakr ex-daughter-in-law of Mary Higgins Clark.

Comment from Pat
Time: July 25, 2007, 11:42 am

I just finished “Body Trace” by D.H. Dublin. It is a CSU (crime scene unit ) mystery. Madison Cross returns home to Philadelphia to work under her Uncle David as part of his unit. While she is supposed to be bagging and analyzing crime scene evidence, she becomes involved in her very first case as a detective. She’s sure the two sorority girls at Penn were murdered - it was not an accidental drug overdose. But college officials, the police commisioner, and the mayor want the whole thing cleared up fast and clean. Madison won’t let go and eventually with the help of co-workers in the unit does solve the case. I really liked Madison who seemed to have more common sense that many amateur female detectives. I look forward to more in this series.

Comment from Carol H.
Time: July 25, 2007, 1:10 pm

I just finished DEADMAN’S SWITCH by Barbara Seranella, who is my fourth new-to-me mystery author. The main character, Charlotte Lyon, is a crisis manager who is dealing with a train derailment which has killed two people, including a famous actress. Danger threatens Charlotte as she discovers the derailment was not an accident. Charlotte is an interesting character, with her OCD and very quirky mother. Unfortunately, the author passed away earlier this year, so there will be no more books in this new series, but I plan to try her other books.

Comment from Carol
Time: July 26, 2007, 3:00 pm

I just finished my fifth book, Circle of Assassins by Steven Rigolosi. It’s about five people who answer an ad and each agree to kill someone in exchange for having the person of their choice killed. It started out a little slow but the more I read the more I liked it. The ending was very good. It really surprised me!

Comment from raidergirl3
Time: July 26, 2007, 8:00 pm

I read my 6 new mystery authors and had a great summer doing it. thanks for the challenge. Is there anything else I should do? I’m planning to do a wrap up post later.

Comment from Carol H.
Time: July 27, 2007, 8:54 pm

My fifth new author is Peter Temple, an Australian whose book THE BROKEN SHORE just won the British Duncan Lawrie Gold Dagger Award, which is similar to our Edgar Award. After nearly dying, a city policeman is posted to a quiet seaside town, where he unexpectedly becomes involved in a murder investigation. This leads deeper and deeper into horrible crimes commited years in the past.
The book is darker than those I usually read, with profanity and lots of Aussie slang (for which a glossary is provided), but it is beautifully written and has a marvelous sense of place. I’ll look for Temple’s other books.

Comment from Lori
Time: July 30, 2007, 5:25 pm

Finished my 3rd challenge book: “Watch Them Die” by Kevin O’Brien.

Comment from Nancy
Time: July 30, 2007, 6:59 pm

My 5th book for the challenge was Wild Indigo by Sandi Ault. Lots of interesting information about the Pueblo indians. I found the mystery to be lacking.

Comment from dorsalfan
Time: July 31, 2007, 5:48 pm

I read Company Man by Joseph Finder and enjoyed it very much. I will look for more books by this author.
I also read Don’t Be Afraid by Rebecca Drake and thought it was an enjoyable read. 4 books and and 2 to go.

Comment from Lindy
Time: August 1, 2007, 10:33 am

These are the onces i read in June and July. NO web site, just post in our list.

6/3 Berry, Steve The Templar Legacy
6/7 Hess, Joan Closely Akin to Murder
6/16 Roberts Nora Chesapeake Blues
6/24 HOward, Linda Cry no More
7/4 Fielding, Joy Mad River Road
7/8 Flook, Maria Invisible Eden
7/12 Clark, Mary Jane When Day Breaks
7/18 Robb, Candeace A Trust Betrayed
7/22 Johansen, Iris Body of Lies

Comment from Branwen66
Time: August 1, 2007, 12:45 pm

Finished the 6th book in the challenge, “The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria” by Laura Joh Rowland. I will definitely read more books by Ms Rowland.

This is the end of the challenge for me. I had lots of fun and discovered all sorts of new books and authors and mystery series. Thanks for this challenge!

Comment from Suzanne
Time: August 2, 2007, 8:29 am

My fifth new author is Ariana Franklin. I read Mistress of the Art of Death while I was waiting for Harry Potter. A patron had recommended the book to me, and I was not sure I’d like it. However, I was hooked from page one. Has this woman written other books?

Comment from Liz@Reviewed By Liz
Time: August 2, 2007, 5:17 pm

From what I can see, Ariana Franklin has written two books featuring Adelia Ortese, The Mistress of the Art of Death and The Serpent in the Garden. She has also written City of Shadows under the Franklin pseudonym. She writes historical fiction under her own name, Diana Norman. With the quality of the writing in Mistress, it might be worth checking out the historical fiction. Let me know if anyone has read them, I am interested in comments.

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Time: August 3, 2007, 4:46 pm

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Time: August 6, 2007, 12:17 am

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Comment from Lori
Time: August 6, 2007, 10:47 pm

Finished #4 ‘The Anniversary’ by Amy Gutman. This was a great book!!!!!

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Time: August 7, 2007, 8:19 am

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Comment from dorsalfan
Time: August 7, 2007, 11:02 am

I just finished A Real Basketcase by Beth Groundwater. It was a great read. Lots of surprises and could really happen. Hope not to me.
D H Dublin Body Trace was read just before Beth’s book. I also enjoyed this one. I love mysteries when I CAN’T guess the ending.
Laura Lippman What the Dead Know. Couldn’t get past page 50.
For my 6th new-to-me author. I read Andrew Gross’, The Blue Zone. I really like his style and am looking forward to more by this author.

Comment from Carol
Time: August 7, 2007, 9:30 pm

I just finished my sixth book, Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan. I really liked the humor is this mystery and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Comment from Suzanne
Time: August 9, 2007, 9:00 am

I read Albert Bell’s THE SECRET OF THE LONELY GRAVE, a children’s book. I hope this counts as a new-to-me author! The author sent us an ARC in June (the book just came out in August) as a give-away for summer reading. It looked interesting, but I didn’t want to crease the spine before I awarded it to some lucky child, so I had our children’s librarian order it for me. It was great–2 sixth graders solve a mystery, find skeletons dating back to the Civil War, and add to the knowledge about the underground railroad. Fascinating stuff.

Comment from Bellezza
Time: August 12, 2007, 6:53 pm

I’ve finished my first four mysteries: High Profile by Robert Parker, A Woman In The Dark by Dashiell Hammett, Come to Grief by Dick Francis (all of which are posted on my blog) and Death of A Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong. Now I’m working on Princess Burani by Eriksson, a brand new Swedish author for me, who won an award for this work. What a fun Challenge!

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Time: August 13, 2007, 9:44 pm

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Pingback from So What’s the Challenge Again? « A Guy’s Moleskine Notebook
Time: August 16, 2007, 3:27 pm

[…] 11, 2007 So What’s the Challenge Again? Posted by Matthew under Reading Challenge , Books , Personal  So riveted at the mysteries Iam that I have forgotten the rules of the challenge. I can be such a knucklehead at times! According to Liz, the goal of this challenge is to read six mysteries by authors whose works you haven’t read before between June 1st and August 31st and to have a place to discuss them with other mystery readers. Despite being the queen of crime, I have yet to read from cover to cover any works of Agatha Christie before the challenge. Now I have scored 2. […]

Pingback from Reviewed By Liz » SMRC for 8/17/07 - Featuring Mary Reed and Eric Mayer
Time: August 17, 2007, 9:12 am

[…]   […]

Comment from Pamela
Time: August 18, 2007, 3:44 pm

I completed this challenge. I read the following books:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

I am looking forward to reading more from these authors in the future.

Comment from Diane
Time: August 18, 2007, 5:12 pm

My fifth book for the challenge was Look to the Lady by Margery Allingham.

This is the third in the Albert Campion series, and was first published in 1931. I admit to a fondness for British mysteries set in the 20s and 30s, and this one didn’t disappoing. When it begins, Val Gyrth, heir to the Gyrth family and their traditional vocation of guarding the famous Gyrth Chalice, is homeless and wandering the streets. After a mysterious chain of events, he is plucked out of danger by Albert Campion, who explains that a conspiracy of art collectors and criminals hopes to steal the treasure his family is charged with protecting.

Throw in some cunning and dangerous characters, monsters and gypsies, and you have a very entertaining mystery!

Comment from Kay
Time: August 18, 2007, 7:54 pm

I have completed the challenge. I read these books (well I read more than that, but these were new to me authors):

The Body in the Ivy - Katherine Hall Page
The Merchant’s House - Kate Ellis
Burden of Memory - Vicki Delany
The Ghost & Mrs. McClure - Alice Kimberly
Deadmistress - Carole Shmurak
Shadow Man - Cody McFadyen

Thanks so much for doing this. I have really enjoyed it. So many new authors to try and so many books added to my TBR. I do appreciate it.

Comment from Diane
Time: August 19, 2007, 3:56 pm

My sixth book for the SMRC is Crusader’s Cross by James Lee Burke. Dave Robicheaux is a homicide detective with the New Iberian Sheriff’s Department, and a recovering alcoholic struggling to stay sober. A dying man tells Dave that a prostitute he and his brother befriended in the late ’50s had likely been murdered, and Dave can’t stop himself from finding out what really happened . . .

I enjoyed this book so much that I have already started up another Burke/Robicheaux mystery.

Comment from Diane
Time: August 19, 2007, 4:00 pm

My six books for the SMRC were:
Whose Body?
A Deadly Shade of Gold
The Daughters of Cain
Murder in Belleville
Look to the Lady
Crusader’s Cross

Comment from Lori Falcon
Time: August 20, 2007, 7:25 pm

#5 ‘Deep Pockets’ by Linda Barnes

Comment from SuziQoregon
Time: August 20, 2007, 9:16 pm

I finished the Challenge yesterday - here’s my wrap up post

Thanks for hosting this one. It was fun!

Comment from Carol H.
Time: August 22, 2007, 8:43 am

My sixth new author is Ariana Franklin, author of CITY OF SHADOWS. Sense of place in a book is important to me, and this book excells at giving the reader a feeling of what it must have been like to live in Berlin in the 1920’s and 30’s. Hyper-inflation after World War I led to poverty, desperation, and anger which in turn led to the rise of Hitler. The main characters are Russians who fled the revolution - including the young woman who may - or may not - be Anastasia, the youngest of the czar’s daughters. Very well written, and a real page turner. The one thing that disappointed me was the twist at the end - but others may not agree.

Thanks for doing this, Liz; I enjoyed it. Hope we can do it again next summer.

Comment from Mel
Time: August 23, 2007, 2:29 am

I always read a heap of books over the summer so I’m in!

Comment from Carol
Time: August 24, 2007, 10:35 am

I finished all six of my books.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
Organize Your Corpeses by Mary Jane Maffini
Big Numbers by Jack Getze
Circle of Assassins by Steven Rigolosi
Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Comment from MaryinVA
Time: August 25, 2007, 9:31 am

Summing up:

First of all, Liz, thanks for setting up this challenge. I did take advantage of it to pull out some of the books that had been gathering dust on the shelves. I did read more new authors than the 6 asked for in the challenge. A few of these I commented on earlier, but here are my short comments and ratings.

Carola Dunn, DEATH AT WENTWATER COURT, A+
I really enjoyed this book, and have already read the next two in the series.

Magdalen Nabb, DEATH OF AN ENGLISHMAN, A
I mentioned this above. I’ll probably look for more in this series.

Evelyn David, MURDER OFF THE BOOKS, C-
Sorry, I just couldn’t get into these characters. Their actions weren’t believable for me.

Tasha Alexander, AND ONLY TO DECEIVE, B+
I liked this one; will look for her follow-up book.

James Yaffe, A NICE MURDER FOR MOM, B+
Enjoyable, fun. I have also read the next couple books in this series.

Candace Robb, THE NUN’S TALE, B
A little complicated and I had trouble getting the characters straight, but I did enjoy this and may look for others. This is a historical series, set in 14th-century England. This book is not the first in the series.

Other new authors:
David Carkeet, DOUBLE NEGATIVE, A
Rebecca Pawel, DEATH OF A NATIONALIST, B

Comment from ellie
Time: August 28, 2007, 3:54 pm

My six books for the challenge are
Rembrandt’S Ghost by Paul Christopher
Grievous Sin by Faye Kellerman
Taken by Chris Jordan
The Last Van Gogh by A.J. Zerries
Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie
Kiss Her Goodbye by Robert Gregory Browne

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Time: August 30, 2007, 12:58 am

[…] The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, one of the latest books in Lilian Jackson Braun’s mystery series, was deplorable. It was riddled with grammatical and punctuation errors, almost as if someone had shot the book through with an AK47 of bad English usage. […]

Pingback from Finishing Line - Summer Mystery Reading Challenge « A Guy’s Moleskine Notebook
Time: August 31, 2007, 11:04 am

[…] 31, 2007 Finishing Line - Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Posted by Matthew under Reading Challenge , Reading , Books  Time really flies. The closingof Summer Mystery Reading Challenge and that Labor Weekend is right around the corner mark the end of summer. Thanks to Liz at Reviewed by Liza for hosting this reading event which allows me to explore the genre a bit more. You bet I’ve got many more mysteries in my book pile now. […]

Comment from Lindy
Time: August 31, 2007, 12:55 pm

I think I signed up for this, the first few were so hard to figure out.
I also posted to the lists website

Comment from Lindy
Time: August 31, 2007, 12:57 pm

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Pingback from sprite writes
Time: September 2, 2007, 12:24 am

[…] The Man with a Load of Mischief, by Martha Grimes […]

Comment from Framed
Time: September 2, 2007, 4:25 pm

Thanks for hosting this challenge. It was so much fun. I ended up reading seven books and really liked five. I plan to read more of those five authors in the future.

Pingback from Live. Love. Read.  Tuesday Tunes ~ Angel
Time: September 4, 2007, 6:30 am

[…] I did finish the Summer Mystery Challenge a few weeks ago. Many thanks to Liz for all her hard work. I even won a book: Circle of Assassins. This was the 6th book I read. Family, Books, Tuesday Tunes […]

Pingback from Reviewed By Liz » SMRC for 7/14/07 - Featuring Jack Getze
Time: September 16, 2007, 6:20 pm

[…] If you haven’t signed up for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge yet, click here for directions. You are welcome to read along on your own, of course, but only registered participants are eligible for the prizes. No matter what your mystery preference - cozy, noir, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, thriller, suspense - we have it on revewiedbyliz this Summer. […]

Pingback from Reviewed By Liz » SMRC for 6/16/07 - Featuring Larry Karp
Time: October 27, 2007, 7:08 pm

[…] you haven’t signed up for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge yet, click here for directions. You are welcome to read along on your own, of course, but only registered […]

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Time: January 24, 2008, 4:55 pm

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Comment from SP
Time: March 13, 2008, 4:07 pm

Foreclosure, a novel by Jacqueline D’Acre
Author of Between Extremities, Jaqueline D’Acre, from Thunder Bay, Canada by way of New Orleans, just had her new novel, Foreclosure, published by Stargazer Press. ISBN: 978-1-897424-00-1.

Per its back cover:

“What do murder, horses and Lila’s creole diner have in common?

“Head down to St. Tremaine Parish near New Orleans and find out. Meet Bryn Wiley, a mild equine writer, who discovers a show horse breeder facing financial ruin, foreclosure and far worse! Then the sheriff fingers a champion stallion as a killer…but Bryn believes otherwise! Wherever there are horses there are money, deception and powerful secrets.

“Can Bryn unmask the real murderer before the stallion gets a lethal injection? In the sultry Louisiana heat, she roams New Orleans seeking a slayer—in a desperate race to save the stallion! The story drips with sweat, Spanish moss, a voodoo queen, blooded horses and quirky Deep South characters.”

A horse breeder, columnist, and radio show talk host about horses, Jackie has a whole series of books planned with Bryn Wiley solving mysteries - and all will “swirl within the thrilling world of show horses.”

Congratulations, Jackie!

To order Foreclosure: http://www.stargazerpress.com/foreclosure.html.

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Pingback from Books & Authors » Genre Links for 5/29: Mystery
Time: May 29, 2009, 1:51 pm

[…] there are scores of new, talented authors just waiting to be discovered.  Mystery review site Reviewed by Liz has challenged fans of the genre to spread their wings this summer and read at least 6 books by […]

Comment from Elizabeth
Time: June 23, 2009, 1:48 pm

The first book I read is Henning Mankell’s The White Lioness. I was inspired by Wallender on PBS Mystery!