First post of the day, my End of Year review will be following shortly (I promise I have actually written it!), but for now as part of Bev’s Just the Facts Ma’am reading challenge, I need to do a final wrap up post to show all of the titles I read for the challenge.
To find out more about the challenge click here.
This year I completed all of the categories for the Gold and Silver card, which I was quite pleased about. Thankfully there were too many hair pulling moments, trying to find books to fit each category.
So whilst I appreciate this is not the most scintillating of post topics, it might be of interest for those considering taking the challenge next year (still lots of time left to sign up for it), or for those looking for a new read around a particular topic (e.g. locked room, academic mystery etc.). Each book is attached to its own review so you can see what I made of them. At the end of each group I’ve picked out some of my favourites as well.
Gold
Who
An Academic: Beginning with a Bash (1937) by Alice Tilton
Crime Solving Duo: Narrow Gauge to Murder (1952) by Carolyn Thomas
An Amateur Detective: Cut Throat (1932) by Christopher Bush
In the Medical Field: Bones in the Barrow (1953) by Josephine Bell
A Journalist/Writer: Smile and Murder (1954) by Francis Symonds
An Artist/Photographer: Third Party Risk (1953) by Nicolas Bentley
Retired from or in the Armed Services: The Polferry Riddle (1931) by Philip Macdonald
Matriarch/Patriarch of Family: The Deadly Dowager (1934) by Edwin Greenwood
Favourites from this group: Beginning with a Bash and The Deadly Dowager.
Where
At a Country House: Murder at Fenwold (1930) by Christopher Bush
On a Mode of Transportation: Black Express (1945) by Constance and Gwenyth Little
On an Island: The Case of the 7 Sneezes (1942) by Anthony Boucher
At a School: Murder in the Basement (1932) by Anthony Berkeley
Set in a small Village: A Murder is Announced (1950) by Agatha Christie
In a hospital/nursing home: The Deadly Climate (1955) by Ursula Curtiss
Features a courtroom scene: The Bellamy Trial (1927) by Francis Noyes
In a Locked Room: The Case of the Gilded Fly (1944) by Edmund Crispin
Favourites from this group: Pretty much all of these were winners, except the Noyes book which was pretty dire.
What
Pseudonymous Author: The Beacon Hill Murders (1930) by Roger Scarlett
Number in the Title: The Case of the Four Friends (1956) by J. C. Masterman
Colour in the Title: The Black Rustle (1943) by Constance and Gwenyth Little
An Animal in the Title: Bats in the Belfry (1937) by E. C. R. Lorac
Means of Murder in the Title: A Dram of a Poison (1956) by Charlotte Armstrong
Reference to a Man or Woman in the Title: Dead Men Don’t Ski (1959) by Patricia Moyes
Book Published Under More Than One Title: The Pavilion/ The Deadly Pavilion (1946) by Hilda Lawrence
Title that Contains Two Words Beginning with Same Letter: The Back Bay Murders (1930) by Roger Scarlett
Favourites from this Group: Another strong bunch, especially enjoying the books by Masterman, the Littles, Armstrong and Moyes.
How
Death By Drowning: A Shilling for Candles (1936) by Josephine Tey
Crime Involved Fire/Arson: Fire in the Thatch (1946) by E. C. R. Lorac
Death By Poison: Deadly Nightshade (1940) by Elizabeth Daly
Death By Strangulation: The Problem of the Wire Cage (1939) by John Dickson Carr
Death by Knife/Dagger etc.: The Millionaire Mystery (1901) by Fergus Humes
Death By Shooting: Ben on the Job (1952) by J. Jefferson Farjeon
At Least Two Deaths With Different Means: Neck and Neck (1951) by Leo Bruce
Death By Blunt Instrument: Death Knocks Three Times (1949) by Anthony Gilbert
Favourites from this Group: Neck and Neck and Death Knocks Three Times.
When
During A Recognised Holiday: The Right Murder (1941) by Craig Rice
A Historical Crime: Ordeal by Innocence (1958) by Agatha Christie
Time/Date/Etc. in Title: Night of the Jabberwock (1950) by Frederic Brown
Timing of Crime is Crucial: The Case of the April Fools (1933) by Christopher Bush
During a Weather Event: Murder on the Tropic (1936) by Todd Downing
During a Trip/Vacation/Cruise etc.: The Puzzle of The Happy Hooligan (1941) by Stuart Palmer
During a Performance of any sort: The Problem of the Green Capsule (1939) by John Dickson Carr
During a special event: Birthday, Village Fete etc.: The May Week Murders (1937) by Douglas G Browne
Favourites from this Group: The Right Murder, Ordeal by Innocence, Night of the Jabberwock and The Puzzle of the Happy Hooligan.
Why
It won an award of any sort: Beat Not the Bones (1952) by Charlotte Jay
It made a “best of” list: Death Watch (1935) by John Dickson Carr
Has been read/reviewed by a fellow challenger at any time: The Nine Dark Hours (1941) by Lenore Glen Offord (Philly Reader was the fellow challenger)
Has been on your TBR list: For Old Crime’s Sake (1959) by Delano Ames
Out of Your Comfort Zone: Blood and Judgement (1959) by Michael Gilbert
An Author You’ve Never Tried: The Westminster Mystery (1930) by Elaine Hamilton
It’s by an author you’ve read and loved before: The Left Leg (1940) by Alice Tilton
Book Made into TV/Film/Play: Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper (1943) by Donald Henderson
Favourites from this Group: Books by Offord, Ames, Tilton and Henderson
SILVER CARD
Who
An Academic: Paul Temple and the Kelby Affair (1970) by Francis Durbridge
Crime Solving Duo: From Information Received (1962) by E. and M. A. Radford
An Amateur Detective: Alias For Death (1950) by Barbara Leonard Reynolds
In the Medical Field: A Talent for Murder (1942) by Anna Mary Wells
A Journalist/Writer: The Case of the Monday Murders (1936) by Christopher Bush
An Artist/Photographer: Murder Isn’t Easy (1936) by Richard Hull
Retired from or in the Armed Services: Murder M D (1943) by Miles Burton
Matriarch/Patriarch of Family: Vanish in an Instant by Margaret Millar
Favourites from this Group: My absolute favourites were Murder Isn’t Easy and A Talent for Murder.
Where
At a Country House: Weekend at Thrackley (1934) by Alan Melville
On a Mode of Transportation: Murder of my Aunt (1934) by Richard Hull
On an Island: This is the House (1945) by Shelley Smith
At a School: Cat Among the Pigeons (1959) by Agatha Christie
Set in a small Village: Death of a Favourite Girl (1980) by Michael Gilbert
In a hospital/nursing home: Man Missing (1953) by M. G. Eberhart
Features a courtroom scene: Tread Softly (1937) by Brian Flynn
In a Locked Room: Till Death Do Us Part by John Dickson Carr
Favourite from this Group: No hesitation it has to be Till Death Do Us Part.
What
Pseudonymous Author: The Adventures of Dagobert (1889-1910) Trostler by Balduin Groller
Number in the Title: Lady in a Million (1943) by Susannah Shane
Colour in the Title: The Black Shroud (1941) by Constance and Gwenyth Little
An Animal in the Title: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) by Arthur Conan Doyle
Means of Murder in the Title: Poison in Jest (1932) by John Dickson Carr
Reference to a Man or Woman in the Title: The Man in the Cellar (1907) by Palle Rosenkrantz
Book Published Under More Than One Title: London Particular (1952) by Christianna Brand
Title that Contains Two Words Beginning with Same Letter: French Farce (1937) by Edwin Greenwood
Favourites from this Group: The Black Shroud (unsurprisingly) and London Particular.
How
Death By Drowning: The Sunken Sailor (1961) by Patricia Moyes
Crime Involved Fire/Arson: Burnt Offering (1955) by Francis and Richard Lockridge
Death By Poison: The Case of the Crumpled Knave (1939) by Anthony Boucher
Death By Strangulation: Murder Underground (1934) by Mavis Doriel Hay
Death by Knife/Dagger etc.: Sailor Take Warning (1944) by Kelley Roos
Death By Shooting: Death is No Sportsman (1938) by Cyril Hare
At Least Two Deaths With Different Means: Plain Murder (1930) by C. S. Forester
Death By Blunt Instrument: A Question of Time (1971) by Helen McCloy
Favourites from this Group: The Sunken Sailor, The Case of the Crumpled Knave and Plain Murder.
When
During A Recognised Holiday: Murder Rents a Room (1943) by Sarah Elizabeth Mason
A Historical Crime: A Stranger in my Grave (1960) by Margaret Millar
Time/Date/Etc. in Title: ‘Murder on the 7.16’ – in Blood on the Tracks (2018; 1956) ed. by Martin Edwards
Timing of Crime is Crucial: ‘Calling James Braithwaite’ – in Bodies from the Library (2018; 1940), ed. by Tony Medawar
During a Weather Event: Devil’s Caress (1952) by June Wright
During a Trip/Vacation/Cruise etc.: He Found Himself Murdered (1947) by Delano Ames
During a Performance of any sort: The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939) by Leonard Gribble
During a special event: Birthday, Village Fete etc.: The Division Bell Mystery (1932) by Ellen Wilkinson
Favourites from this Group: Devil’s Caress and The Arsenal Stadium Mystery
Why
It won an award of any sort: The Colour of Murder (1957) by Julian Symons
It made a “best of” list: The Whispering Wall (1969) by Patricia Carlon (Found in Sue Feder’s Favourite 50 in The Essential Mystery Lists: For Readers, Collectors and Librarians ed. Roger Sobin)
Has been read/reviewed by a fellow challenger at any time: Murder Gone Mad (1931) by Philip Macdonald (Read by fellow challenger JJ)
Has been on your TBR list: The Asking Price (1966) by Henry Cecil
Out of Your Comfort Zone: The Missing Bronte (1983) by Robert Barnard
An Author You’ve Never Tried: Now I Lay Me Down to Die (1955) by Elizabeth Tebbetts-Taylor
It’s by an author you’ve read and loved before: The Ledger is Kept (1953) by Raymond Postgate
Book Made into TV/Film/Play: Incident at the Corner (1957) by Charlotte Armstrong (Produced by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960)
Favourites from this Group: The Colour of Murder, The Whispering Wall, Incident at the Corner and The Asking Price
Well done, Kate! I’m just shy of filling my gold card and nowhere near completing the silver. Lots of great titles on you list. Can’t wait to see what you read next year.
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Thanks! I have already begun deciding which books to use to complete next year’s challenges.
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