Cozy Mysteries discussion

Marisa wrote: "ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ wrote: "And it gets frustrating to read an entire book and still not be able to figure out what state it took place in!! (Not all books will tell you.) "

Yeesss. Th..."

Me too! Just finished reading it and wanted to add it to my USA list.

This should be a lot of fun. I'm going to start in July and try for mysteries only (but I may change my mind further down the road).

Read Around the USA Challenge
starting 7/1/10
Mysteries Only

1 Alabama
2 Alaska
3 Arizona - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
4 Arkansas - Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
5 California
6 Colorado - Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter
7 Connecticut
8 Delaware
9 Florida - Fat Chance by Rhonda Pollero
10 Georgia
11 Hawaii
12 Idaho
13 Illinois
14 Indiana
15 Iowa - The Trouble With Witches by Shirley Damsgaard
16 Kansas
17 Kentucky
18 Louisiana
19 Maine
20 Maryland
21 Massachusetts
22 Michigan
23 Minnesota - Cream Puff Murder by Joanna Fluke
24 Mississippi
25 Missouri
26 Montana
27 Nebraska
28 Nevada
29 New Hampshire - Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett
30 New Jersey
31 New Mexico
32 New York
33 North Carolina - A Killer Workout by Kathryn Lilley
34 North Dakota
35 Ohio
36 Oklahoma
37 Oregon
38 Pennsylvania
39 Rhode Island
40 South Carolina
41 South Dakota
42 Tennessee
43 Texas
44 Utah
45 Vermont
46 Virginia
47 Washington
48 West Virginia
49 Wisconsin
50 Wyoming
51 District of Columbia - Designer Knockoff by Ellen Byerrun

(titles are likely to change)

i>Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "This should be a lot of fun. I'm going to start in July and try for mysteries only (but I may change my mind further down the road).

Read Around the USA Challenge
starting 7/1/10
Mysteries Only

..."

Read Around The USA Challenge - 30/51
Began 6/1/10

Alabama
Alaska - Murder, She Wrote: Panning For Murder, Donald Bain
Arizona - Buttercream Bump Off, Jenn McKinlay
Arkansas
California - Corked by Cabernet, Michele Scott
Colorado
Connecticut - Books Can Be Deceiving, Jenn, McKinlay
Delaware
District of Columbia - Murder, She Wrote: A Vote for Murder, Donald Bain
Florida
Georgia - Peach Pies and Alibis, Ellery Adams
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana - Mum's the Word, Kate Collins
Iowa
Kansas - Gluten for Punishment, Nancy J. Parra
Kentucky
Louisiana - Motif for Murder, Laura Childs
Maine - Murder With Puffins, Donna Andrews
Maryland
Massachusetts - Rotten to the Core, Sheila Connolly
Michigan - A Superior Death, Nevada Barr
Minnesota - Eggs in Purgatory, Laura Childs
Mississippi - Antiques Flee Market, Barbara Allan
Missouri - An Uplifting Murder, Elaine Viets
Montana
Nebraska - Worth Dying For, Lee Child
Nevada - Pretty in Ink, Karen Olson
New Hampshire - Bookmarked For Death, Lorna Barrett
New Jersey - How I Spent My Summer Vacation, Gillian Roberts
New Mexico
New York - Live Wire, Harlan Coben
North Carolina - Glazed Murder, Jessica Beck
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon - The Quick and the Thread, Amanda Lee
Pennsylvania - Going Through the Notions, Cate Price
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Death by Darjeeling, Laura Childs
South Dakota - 61 Hours, Lee Childs
Tennessee - Nashville Noir, Donald Bain
Texas - Track of the Cat, Nevada Barr
Utah
Vermont
Virginia - Invitation to Murder, Elizabeth Bright
Washington - Lye in Wait, Cricket McRae
West Virginia
Wisconsin - Buzz Off, Hannah Reed
Wyoming

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries

Here's what I hope is a helpful hint for those of you who are working on this challenge. If you need ideas for mysteries set in a certain state, check out the topic "Mystery Authors from your state" under the "Cozy Authors" heading of this group. Many of those authors, like myself, write mysteries set in the state in which they live (Colorado for me). And, many of the posts under that topic are about mysteries set in certain states, whether the author comes from that state or not.

Don't forget our mystery, "Murder... They Wrote," for Hawaii!

ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ wrote: "It can be alot of fun until you're looking for the last few states to complete your list! lol If you've run out of ideas by that point, then you come peek at others lists and see what they found fo..."

With my "tidyness", I'm making an Excel sheet with all the states I left and the choices all of you do ;)

I will be in this one and I will post as i go

I am joing in on this one and will post after I get five read. So far, I have had fun searching out the books. I have a good stack going right now.

Miki wrote: "I am joing in on this one and will post after I get five read. So far, I have had fun searching out the books. I have a good stack going right now."

Some states are hard to find, like North Dakota! I found a series that ended up with only 2 books. The first actually took place in MN, but the 2nd actually does take place in ND so I ordered it on PBS.

If you're having trouble finding certain states, be sure to check out other folks posted lists to see what they found for that state.

What fun!! I think I will join in!

What a great idea and a fun way to find new authors/books! I'm in!

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinley
Arkansas
California - Wild Goose Chase by Terri Thayer
Colorado- Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter
Connecticut - A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair
Delaware
District of Columbia - State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
Florida
Georgia - Tressed to Kill by Lila Dare
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana - Sham Rock by Ralph McInerny
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana - Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Maine - Fatal Fixer-Upper by Julie Bentley
Maryland - Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania - Stamped Out by Terri Thayer
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas - I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson
Utah
Vermont
Virginia - The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
Washington - Scent to Her Grave by India Ink
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Great idea! I'm going to include the books that I've read since the beginning of 2010.


Alabama - The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree by Susan Wittig Albert
Alaska - Panning for Murder by Donald Bain/Jessica Fletcher
Arizona - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
Arkansas
California - A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott
Colorado - Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter
Connecticut - Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
Delaware
District of Columbia - Flowerbed of State by Dorothy St. James
Florida - Dead Air by Mary Kennedy
Georgia - Tressed to Kill by Lila Dare
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois - Murder of a Wedding Belle by Denise Swanson
Indiana - Sleeping with Anemone by Kate Collins
Iowa
Kansas - Gluten for Punishment by Nancy J. Parra
Kentucky
Louisiana - A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
Maine
Maryland - Cookie Dough or Die by Virgina Lowell
Massachusetts - Truly, Madly by Heather Webber
Michigan - Doom with a View by Victoria Laurie
Minnesota - Blackwork by Monica Ferris
Mississippi
Missouri - Murder with All the Trimmings by Elaine Viets
Montana - Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz
Nebraska
Nevada - Diva Las Vegas by Eileen Davidson (also took place in California)
New Hampshire
New Jersey - Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York - I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark
North Carolina - Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington
North Dakota
Ohio - A Hoe Lot of Trouble by Heather Webber
Oklahoma
Oregon - The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
Pennsylvania - Hearse & Buggy by Laura Bradford
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton
South Dakota
Tennessee - Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams
Texas - A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie
Utah
Vermont - A Fatal Slip by Melissa Glazer
Virginia - The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin - Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
Wyoming

I'm going to give this a try. I'll fill in the books as I read them.
Start Date July 1, 2010

Alabama - Thistle & Twigg by Mary Saums
Alaska - White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones
Arizona - The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
Arkansas - Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
California - Appearances of Death by Dell Shannon
Colorado - Dead in the Scrub by B.J. Oliphant
Connecticut - Putt To Death by Roberta Isleib
Delaware - Hooked Up by Joyce Lavene
District of Columbia - Murder at Union Station by Margaret Truman
Florida - Death Dines Out by Claudia Bishop
Georgia - A Bloodhound to Die For by Virginia Lanier
Hawaii - Right From The Gecko by Baxter
Idaho - The Double-Jack Murders by Patrick McManus
Illinois - Loose Ends by Terri Reid
Indiana - On This Rockne by Ralph McInerny
Iowa - The Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard
Kansas - There Goes Santa Claus by Nancy Mehl
Kentucky - Sins of a Shaker Summer by Deborah Woodworth
Louisiana - No Quater by Robert Asprin
Maine - Repair To Her Grave by Sarah Graves
Maryland -Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes
Massachusetts - A Vineyard Killing by Philip R Craig
Michigan - The Chocolate Bear Burglary by Joanna Carl
Minnesota - Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Mississippi - Bone Appetite by Carolyn Haines
Missouri - Sew Deadly by Jean Hager
Montana - Coyote Wind by Peter Bowen
Nebraska - The Potbellied Pig Caper by Georgette Livingston
Nevada - An Eye For Gold by Sarah Andrews
New Hampshire - Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
New Jersey - Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
New Mexico - Heartshot by Steven F. Havill
New York - Roast Mortem by Cleo Coyle
North Carolina - Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder by Chris Cavender
North Dakota - After the Rain by Chuck Logan
Ohio - The Chick And The Dead by Casey Daniels
Oklahoma - The Fire Carrier by Jean Hager
Oregon - Lead-Pipe Cinch by Christy Evans
Pennsylvania - Fundraising The Dead by Sheila Connolly
Rhode Island - The Secret Ingredient Murders by Nancy Pickard
South Carolina - Six Strokes Under by Roberta Isleib
South Dakota - Mourning Shift by Kathleen Taylor
Tennessee - A Brisket, A Casket by Delia Rosen
Texas - Fax Me A Bagel by Sharon Kahn
Utah - Fault Line by Sarah Andrews
Vermont - A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer
Virginia -
Washington - Demon Hunts by C.E. Murphy
West Virginia - Dismal Mountain by John Billheimer
Wisconsin - Dead Frenzy by Victoria Houston
Wyoming - The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel

I started this challenge on July 1, 2010. I have several books for the list on my TBR stack.

Alabama – Murder Boogies with Elvis by Ann George
Alaska – A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
Arizona
Arkansas
California – U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Colorado – Dropped Dead Stitch by Maggie Sefton
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida – Murder Under the Palms by Stefanie Matteson
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa - Antique Road Kill by Barbara Allen
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana – Tragic Magic by Laura Childs
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota – book Blackwork by Monica Ferris
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York – Murphy’s Law by Rhys Bowen
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota -
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I am starting from June 1st
33/51 DONE

Alabama-Murder on a Girls' Night Out ByAnne George 10-4-10
Alaska-FrostbittenBy Kelley Armstrong8-22-10 (non-Mystery)
Arizona-Through a Glass, Deadly By Sarah Atwell 2-13-11
Arkansas-Shakespeare's Champion By Charlaine Harris 6/13/10
California -Murder UncorkedByMichele Scott 9-1-10
Colorado-Killer InsightBy Victoria Laurie 8-25-10
Connecticut-Pushing Up Daisies By Rosemary Harris11-3-10
Delaware-
District of Columbia-State of the Onion By Julie Hyzy 10-15-10
Florida- Dead AirBy Mary Kennedy11-12-10
Georgia-What Looks Like Crazy By Charlotte Hughes 2-2-11
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana- A Witch in TimeBy Madelyn Alt 10-21-10
Iowa-Antiques RoadkillbyBarbara Allan 8-16-10
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana-Motif for MurderByLaura Childs6/29/10
Maine-Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywood 7/8/10
Maryland-
Massachusetts-Fed UpBy Jessica Park6/1/10
Michigan-Better Read Than Dead By Victoria Laurie8-20-10
Minnesota-Eggs in Purgatory By Laura Childs 7/2/10
Mississippi-
Missouri-Blooming Murder ByJean Hager2-20-11
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada-Diva Las Vegas By Eileen Davidson 2-26-11
New Hampshire-Bookplate Special By Lorna Barrett 7/16/10
New Jersey-Night of the Living DeedBy E.J. Copperman9-9-10
New Mexico
New York-Organize Your CorpsesBy Mary Jane Maffini9-12-10
North Carolina-A Killer Plot ByEllery Adams8-27-10
North Dakota
Ohio- A Hoe Lot of Trouble byHeather Webber3-29-11
Oklahoma -Bookmarked for Murder By Marion Moore Hill 3-29-11
Oregon- The Quick and the Thread By Amanda Lee 2-25-11
Pennsylvania- Fundraising the Dead By Sheila Connolly3-31-11
Rhode Island The Ghost and Mrs. McClure By Alice Kimberly2-21-11
South Carolina Sew Deadly By Elizabeth Lynn Casey2-19-11
South Dakota-Funeral FoodBy Kathleen Taylor 2-28-11
Tennessee Delicious and SuspiciousBy Riley Adams 10-11-10
Texas Dead GiveawayBy Leann Sweeney9-7-10
Utah
Vermont
Virginia The Diva Paints the Townby Krista Davis 6/16/10
Washington- Died to Match By Deborah Donnelly 3-15-11
West Virginia
WisconsinBuzz OffBy Hannah Reed9-28-10
WyomingThe Eagle Catcherby Margaret Coel 3-11-11

I started this as of 6/1. I haven't read nearly as much as I wanted to! I will have to update this at the end of the summer!

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California- A Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois- Breakneck by Erica Spinler
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana- Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan- Doom with a View by Victoria Laurie
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey- Fearless Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York:
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Utah
Texas- A Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

This sounds like fun. Since I just joined I'll start from 8/1/10

The idea is to read one book set in each of the 50 US states plus the District of Columbia. This is not where the author is from, but where the book is set. There is no official timeline for this challenge. Just fill in as you read. At least half of your books must be mysteries, to keep with the theme of the group (although they need not necessarily be cozy).

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries.

16/51 read

Alabama - The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree - Susan Wittig Albert
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California - A Cook in Time - Joanne Pence
Colorado - Sticks and Scones - Dianne Mott Davidson
Connecticut - I'll Be Seeing You - Mary Higgins Clark
Delaware
District of Columbia - State of the Onion - Julie Hyzy
Florida
Georgia - Smash Cut - Sandra Brown
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine - Murder with Puffins - Donna Andrews
Maryland - Sea Swept - Nora Roberts
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota - Carrot Cake Murder - Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York - Indulgence in Death - JD Robb
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania - Key of Knowledge - Nora Roberts
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Murder at Hobcaw Barony - Elliott Roosevelt
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas - Mistletoe Man - Susan Wittig Albert
Utah
Vermont - The Double Bind - Chris Bohjalian
Virginia - The Merlot Murders - Ellen Crosby
Washington - Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor - Lisa Kleypas
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Welcome Sue!

Welcome, Sue! Good luck with the challenge.

9/51 completed.

Read Around the USA Challenge
starting 7/1/10 - Mysteries Only

1 Alabama
2 Alaska
3 Arizona - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay - 7/6/10
4 Arkansas - Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris - 9/18/10
5 California
6 Colorado - Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter - 7/31/10
7 Connecticut - Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair - 9/20/10
8 Delaware
9 Florida - Fat Chance by Rhonda Pollero
10 Georgia
11 Hawaii
12 Idaho
13 Illinois
14 Indiana
15 Iowa - Witch Hunt by Shirley Damsgaard
16 Kansas
17 Kentucky
18 Louisiana - Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon - 8/11/10
19 Maine
20 Maryland
21 Massachusetts - Deeply, Desperately by Heather Webber - 8/3/10
22 Michigan
23 Minnesota - May Day by Jess Lourey - 8/14/10
24 Mississippi
25 Missouri
26 Montana
27 Nebraska
28 Nevada
29 New Hampshire - Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett
30 New Jersey - Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman - 9/15/10
31 New Mexico
32 New York
33 North Carolina - A Killer Workout by Kathryn Lilley
34 North Dakota
35 Ohio
36 Oklahoma
37 Oregon
38 Pennsylvania
39 Rhode Island
40 South Carolina - A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket by Fran Rizer - 7/30/10
41 South Dakota
42 Tennessee - Delicious and Suspicious by Fran Rizer
43 Texas
44 Utah
45 Vermont
46 Virginia
47 Washington
48 West Virginia
49 Wisconsin
50 Wyoming
51 District of Columbia - Designer Knockoff by Ellen Byerrun

(titles are likely to change)

This will take awhile!! I'm looking forward to it!


Alabama The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California Deeper than the Dead
Colorado Blue Is For Nightmares and The Bride Collector
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia: Angel's Advocate
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York Appetite for Murder and On What Grounds
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon Cat's Paw, Incorporated
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont Casting Spells
Virginia You've Got Murder
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

BONUS Challange: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois -- The Cat Who Robbed a Bank - Lillian Jackson Braun
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I have finished I really enjoyed it. The book related to an experience that I had In Tacoma Wash. at their glass museum. They had all that was described in the book. The book was set in Arizona

I just finished For the Mississippi state. Anytime these books come out I love to read them. I really like the series.

10/51 Done

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona: Through A Glass Deadly by Sarah Atwell 8/2 ***
Arkansas
California: Brush With Death by Hailey Lind 8/16 ****
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa: The Trouble With Witches by Shirley Damsgaard 8/7 ****
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine: Murder on The Rocks by Karen MacInerney 7/2 ***
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota: Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke 7/11 ****
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich 7/23 *****
New Mexico
New York: Extracurricular Activities by Maggie Barbieri 8/10 *****
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina: Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey 8/19 ****
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas: Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris 8/5 ****
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington: The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts 8/12 ***
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Here is my updated list. I have a bunch on hold and will read them as they come in. I am having so much fun searching for new authors. I have found a few whose series I will persue when I get the states all done. I have starred them.
Alabama – Murder Boogies with Elvis by Ann George
Alaska – A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow *
Arizona
Arkansas
California – U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Colorado – Dropped Dead Stitch by Maggie Sefton
Connecticut District of Columbia – Bad Moon Rising by Barbara Johnson (not a cozy, graphic sex)
Florida – Murder Under the Palms by Stefanie Matteson *
Georgia – Death and the Family Tree by Linda Berry
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa - Antique Road Kill by Barbara Allen
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana – Tragic Magic by Laura Childs
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota – Blackwork by Monica Ferris *
Mississippi – Elvis and the Grateful Dead by Peggy Webb
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York – Murphy’s Law by Rhys Bowen *
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio – Clouds Without Rain by P.L. Gaus
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania – Eat, Drink and Be Wary by Tamar Myers
Rhode Island
SouthCarolina South Dakota -
Tennessee
Texas – Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert
Utah
Vermont
Virginia – Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby *
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin – Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo
Wyoming

I'm going to go with all mysteries and start as of June 1st, 2010.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona ~ Sprinkle with Murder/Jenn McKinlay
Arkansas
California ~ Homicide in Hard Cover/Kate Collins
Colorado ~ Peppermint Twisted/Sammi Carter
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia ~ The Fourth Perimeter/Tim Green
Florida~ The Turtle Mound Murder/Mary Clay
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois ~ Body Work/Sara Paretsky
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine ~ Murder Most Maine/Karen MacInerney
Maryland
Massachusetts ~ Murder by Cashmere/Sally Goldenbaum
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey ~ Finger Lickin' Fifteen/Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina ~Killer Plot/Ellery Adams
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon ~ The Quick and the Thread/Amanda Lee
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina ~ Southern Fried/Cathy Pickens
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I searched Amazon for mysteries in ND and no luck - what came up was a few books but they were set in SD.
I then searched my libray's worldcat research and same results for ND. NADA! Any one having any luck on this state?

Only thing I found (from stopyourekillingme.com) is
Joel Rosenberg
• Ernest “Sparky” Hemingway: a 50-something copy-editor in Hardwoods, North Dakota

Kaye wrote: "I searched Amazon for mysteries in ND and no luck - what came up was a few books but they were set in SD.
I then searched my libray's worldcat research and same results for ND. NADA! Any one havin..."

The Joel Rosenberg series doesn't really sound like my kind of book. So, the only other mystery I found is Bitch Factor. A Texas bounty hunter tracks the criminal to North Dakota and gets stuck in a blizzard there. Starts to think her "bounty" is innocent and investigates. Close enough for me.

Caroline wrote: "Only thing I found (from stopyourekillingme.com) is
Joel Rosenberg
• Ernest “Sparky” Hemingway: a 50-something copy-editor in Hardwoods, North Dakota"

This is the series I got a book for from PBS. The book is .

Thanks!! Bitch Factor it is! It's going on my list.

Miki wrote: "Here is my updated list. I have a bunch on hold and will read them as they come in. I am having so much fun searching for new authors. I have found a few whose series I will persue when I get the..."


Amazing job!

Heather L wrote: "Shay wrote: " So, the only other mystery I found is Bitch Factor. A Texas bounty hunter tracks the criminal to North Dakota and gets stuck in a blizzard there."

According to the book blurb poste..."

You're right, it is SD. You have to find another book guys!

I guess I'll have to take Bitch Factor off the list. *Sigh* Thanks for the other suggestion, Kari!

Kaye wrote: "I guess I'll have to take Bitch Factor off the list. *Sigh* Thanks for the other suggestion, Kari!"

Yup, you're right. It came up on one of my searches as North Carolina. I double checked Amazon and B & N and it's South Carolina. I'm disappointed because none of the other ND books is really my kind of book.

Ok, found one. Dakota by Martha Grimes. Andi Oliver is back! Martha Grimes fans have waited nearly nine years for the return of the amnesiac heroine of Biting Moon, and this bristling stand-alone sequel won't disappoint them. In the interim, Andi's continued to drift, moving through the West, from one waitress job to the next. When she finally reached North Dakota, she signs up at Klavan's, a pig-farming factory that seems to specialize in skirting the law. While Andi is attempting to cope with dastardly livestock practices, her past is catching up with her. Two people are on her trail: One is a homicidal psychopath; the other, a person demanding secrets that Andi no longer has. At least Grimes is an author I've heard of and I liked her Richard Jury series. Dakota was released in 2008, she's a semi-popular author so it should be available in most libraries. (I checked and it's available in mine.)

I love how everyone is helping others find books for various states that are proving difficult. However, it makes finding everyone's challenge lists more difficult as the thread is filling up. So I've created a new official thread where everyone can discuss states they need help finding books for, or list where various books take place. That will free up this thread so the actual challenge lists are easier to find. Hope this helps.

Yes Heather, but it's easier to see the challenge lists if we move the challenge discussion to another thread.

I have added a few more to my list of finished books.
Alabama – Murder Boogies with Elvis by Ann George
Alaska – A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
Arizona – Pane of Glass by Sarah Atwell
Arkansas – Busy Bodies by Joan Hess
California – U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Colorado – Dropped Dead Stitch by Maggie Sefton
Connecticut – Please Omit Funeral by Hildegarde Dolson
Deleware District of Columbia – Bad Moon Rising by Barbara Johnson
Florida – Murder Under the Palms by Stefanie Matteson
Georgia – Death and the Family Tree by Linda Berry
Hawaii
Idaho –Killer Weekend by Ridley Pearson
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa - Antique Road Kill by Barbara Allen
Kansas – A Murder of Taste by Sally Goldenbaum
Kentucky – A Simple Shaker Murder by Deborah Woodworth
Louisiana – Tragic Magic by Laura Childs
Maine – Fatal Fixer Upper by Jennie Bentley
Maryland
Massachusetts – Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum
Michigan
Minnesota – Blackwork by Monica Ferris
Mississippi – Elvis and the Grateful Dead by Peggy Webb
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York – Murphy’s Law by Rhys Bowen
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio – Clouds Without Rain by P.L. Gaus
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania – Eat, Drink and Be Wary by Tamar Myers
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs South Dakota -
Tennessee
Texas – Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert
Utah
Vermont
Virginia – Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin – Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo
Wyoming

Miki wrote: "I have added a few more to my list of finished books.
Alabama – Murder Boogies with Elvis by Ann George
Alaska – A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
Arizona – Pane of Glass by Sarah Atwell
A..."
You're missing the infamous SD - I wanted to see if you had that state yet - it's been tricky finding one there that I want to read. You're doing great, btw, you should be finished in no time. Good for you!

I just skimmed through the lists and have seen three books mentioned for South Dakota, only one of which looks like a cozy:

1. 61 Hours by Lee Child
2. Bitch Factor by Joel Rosenburg (doesn't come up here)
3. Funeral Food by Kathleen Taylor (cozy)

I think I might dip into my box of Harl. Intrigues (rom suspense) and see what I can come up with there for SD.

No mysteries have popped up yet for Delaware, either. Unless we can use the last name of a character (Jack Delaware) by Jonathan Kellerman. ;-)

Oh, just remembered another that would fit SD, more romantic suspense than mystery, but I think it would fit: Black Hills by Nora Roberts

Heather L wrote: "No mysteries have popped up yet for Delaware, either. Unless we can use the last name of a character (Jack Delaware) by Jonathan Kellerman. ;-)"

Yes. "Hooked Up", by Joyce and Jim Lavene ;)

Heather L wrote: "I just skimmed through the lists and have seen three books mentioned for South Dakota, only one of which looks like a cozy:

1. 61 Hours by Lee Child
2. Bitch Facto..."

was my SD book. If you like Child's Reacher series, you'd probably like this one. It's the only one in the series I ever finished. There are several books in Kathleen Taylor's series which is part of. They all take place in the same SD town. I read them all some years ago.

26/51 completed.


Read Around the USA Challenge
starting 7/1/10
Mysteries Only

1 Alabama - Open Season by Linda Howard - 4/17/11
2 Alaska
3 Arizona - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay - 7/6/10
4 Arkansas - Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris - 9/18/10
5 California - Unzipped by Lois Greiman - 9/11/10
6 Colorado - Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter - 7/31/10
7 Connecticut - Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair - 9/20/10
8 Delaware
9 Florida - Fat Chance by Rhonda Pollero
10 Georgia - High Anxiety by Charlotte Hughes - 9/8/10
11 Hawaii
12 Idaho
13 Illinois
14 Indiana
15 Iowa - Witch Hunt by Shirley Damsgaard - 10/20/10
16 Kansas
17 Kentucky
18 Louisiana - Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon - 8/11/10
19 Maine Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley - 12/22/10
20 Maryland Paper-Thin Alibi by Mary Ellen Hughes - 7/29/11[
21 Massachusetts - [book:Deeply, Desperately|7779492] by Heather Webber - 8/3/10
22 Michigan - book:The Chocolate Snowman Murders|2941536] by JoAnna Carl - 7/21/11
23 Minnesota - May Day by Jess Lourey - 8/14/10
24 Mississippi - Dixie Divas by Virginia Brown - 6/23/11
25 Missouri
26 Montana
27 Nebraska
28 Nevada
29 New Hampshire - Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett - 3/30/11
30 New Jersey - Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman - 9/15/10
31 New Mexico - Deadly Gamble by Connie Shelton - 7/26/11
32 New York - Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 2/15/11
33 North Carolina - The Telltale Turtle by Jim and Joyce Lavene - 8/27/10
34 North Dakota - Funeral Food
35 Ohio
36 Oklahoma
37 Oregon
38 Pennsylvania
39 Rhode Island
40 South Carolina - A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket by Fran Rizer - 7/30/10
41 South Dakota
42 Tennessee - Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams - 12/31/10
43 Texas - Scoop to Kill by Wendy Lyn Watson - 10/4/10
44 Utah
45 Vermont
46 Virginia - The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis - 11/6/10
47 Washington
48 West Virginia - You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews - 3/11/11
49 Wisconsin - Tall, Dark & Dead by Tate Hallaway - 9/5/10
50 Wyoming
51 District of Columbia - Designer Knockoff by Ellen Byerrun

(titles are likely to change)

Heather L wrote: "Marisa: Ugh! Thanks for the suggestion, but I really can't stand auto racing, books or TV. I'll keep it in mind as a last resort, though."

Well, I'll tell you when I read it ;)

12/51 Done
Alabama
Alaska: Murder On The Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry
Arizona: Through A Glass Deadly by Sarah Atwell 8/2 ***
Arkansas
California: Brush With Death by Hailey Lind 8/16 *****
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana: A Charmed Death by Madelyn Alt 10/6
Iowa: The Trouble With Witches by Shirley Damsgaard 8/7 ****
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine: Murder on The Rocks by Karen MacInerney 7/2 ***
Maryland
Massachusetts: One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly 10/3 ****
Michigan
Minnesota: Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke 7/11 ****
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich 7/23 *****
New Mexico
New York: Extracurricular Activities by Maggie Barbieri 8/10 *****
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania: Never Buried by Edie Claire
Rhode Island
South Carolina: Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey 8/19 ****
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas: Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris 8/5 ****
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington: The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts 8/12 ***
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

36/51

Alabama: Murder on a Girls' Night Out
Alaska: Murder on the Iditarod Trail
Arizona: Through a Glass, Deadly
California: Shoulder Bags & Shootings
Colorado: Dying to Sell
Conneticut: Murder at the PTA Luncheon
District of Columbia: Murder at the FBI
Florida: How to Kill a Guy in 10 Days
Georgia: Who Left That Body in the Rain?
Idaho: Death Takes a Honeymoon
Illinois: Murder of a Smart Cookie
Indiana: Mum's the Word
Kansas: A Family for Thanksgiving
Kentucky: Sweetbriar
Louisianna: Killer on a Hot Tin Roof
Maine: Birthday Party Murder
Maryland: String of Lies
Massachusetts: What's a Ghoul to Do?
Michigan: The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up
Minnesota: Hidden Prey
Mississippi: Bring Your Own Poison
Missouri: A Veiled Antiquity
Montana: A McKaslin Homecoming
Nevada: The Death of Frank Sinatra
New Jersey: Sizzling Sixteen
New York: Naked Heat
North Carolina: Dying to be Thin
Ohio: Let There Be Suspects
Oregon: Dating Without Novocaine
Pennsylvania: Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds
Rhode Island: The Ghost & Mrs. McClure
South Carolina: Poison Ivory
Texas: Pushing Up Bluebonnets
Virginia: Trace
Washington: A Blush With Death
West Virginia: Second Chance at Love