Cozy Mysteries discussion

Leslie wrote: "Debbie - I think people are just setting their own timeframes for this challenge now. I started in Aug. 2012 and am just halfway through!"

Thanks for the reply. I am really enjoying the different challenges. They are keeping me trying new authors

Read Around the USA Challenge
BONUS Challenge: Read a book set in every state using ONLY mysteries.
3/51 Completed.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico , Chili con Carnage by Kylie Logan (10.14.2013)
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney(10.09.2013)
South Dakota
Tennessee Finger Lickin' Dead by Riley Adams(10.11.2013)
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Kathi wrote: "My mom at the ripe old age of 93 has finally had time to sit and read this past year. She has been reading the "Love Finds You" series. There is a book written for every state. She sent me "Love ..."

I love this series, I've read a bunch of them and have more planned for some of the harder states. So sad that the publisher, Summerside Press, went out of business and now the series is done. They didn't get around to every single state, for example, they never got an Illinois book published.

i think i will try this challenge but am just new to this group so who knows when i will finish... wish i could remember those ive already read..lol

Nancy wrote: "i think i will try this challenge but am just new to this group so who knows when i will finish... wish i could remember those ive already read..lol"

Nancy I just found this challenge early this month and started it. I went back through my Sept. books and started there. I'm really enjoying different challenges, they sort of get you to try new stuff. My post is #251

Hi Debbie .. i too have started it as well and i think after going back through what i have read already, i have 16 states done. I just posted below as well. I will really try to keep to the mysteries only.. not all will be cozy however

Alabama- Murder Runs in the Family- Anne George
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California -The Black Echo-Michael Connelly
Colorado -Catering to Nobody-Diane Mott Davidson
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - The Perfect Woman- James Andrus
Georgia The Killing Floor- Lee Child
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa -You Can't Stop Me- Max Allan Collins and Matthew Clemens
Kansas
Kentucky-Murder In The Winter- Steve Demaree
Louisiana
Maine - Mistletoe Murder- Leslie Meier
Maryland -It's Murder My Son- Lauren Carr
Massachusetts -Prime Time-Hank Phillippi Ryan
Michigan
Minnesota -Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder-Joanne Fluke
Mississippi
Missouri-Huckleberry Finished-Livia Washburn
Montana -Dark Paradise-Tami Hoag
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire -Murder is Binding- Lorna Barrett
New Jersey -One For The Money-Janet Evanovich
New Mexico
New York -The Good Friday Murder-Lee Harris
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio -Blessed is the Busybody-Emilie Richards
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania -How to Murder a Millionaire-Nancy Martin
Rhode Island -The Ghost and Mrs. McClure-Alice Kimberly
South Carolina -The Cat, The Quilt and The Corpse- Leann Sweeney
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas- Thyme of Death- Susan Wittig Albert
Utah
Vermont-Two Rivers- T Greenwood
Virginia-Wish You Were Here- Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
Washington-Just Desserts- Mary Daheim
West Virginia -Rose Hill- Pamela Grandstaff
Wisconsin
Wyoming

24/51

If anyone wants to add OHIO, I invite you to try my new mystery, Small Town Trouble by Jean Erhardt.

This is such a cute idea! Hoping to do it this summer when I have more time. I also might try a read-around- the-world challenge. It would give me an excuse to read the Vish Puri mysteries, which are set in India.

Mindy wrote: "This is such a cute idea! Hoping to do it this summer when I have more time. I also might try a read-around- the-world challenge. It would give me an excuse to read the Vish Puri mysteries, which a..."

Hope you join us Mindy as it really is fun

I started this challenge a few years back and have been trying to finish it this year. So far I've managed to cross off five states, with eight remaining. Of those eight, I have books lined up for five, a mix of mystery and rom-suspense. Only problem is, it's not looking like I'm going to get to all of them this year as hoped. Here's what I have left:

Alabama: On the Run by Iris Johansen
Delaware:
Hawaii: Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart
Nebraska: A Perfect Evil by Alex Kava
North Dakota:
Oklahoma: Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart
Tennessee: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams
Utah:

As you can see, three states have proven difficult. I have a few titles to search out for each, but have had no luck finding them. I know a lot of people read a racing book for Delaware, but I cannot stand auto racing, I sure as heck do not want to read about it. You'd think with an air force base there, you could at least find a few rom-suspense books, but no...

Looks like I'll be carrying this one over to the new year. :-\

This challenge sounds fun.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii Mr.Monk Goes to Hawaii, Lee Goldberg, 5/5
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
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma What the Cat Saw, Carolyn Hart, 4/5
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Heather L wrote: "I started this challenge a few years back and have been trying to finish it this year. So far I've managed to cross off five states, with eight remaining. Of those eight, I have books lined up for ..."

Well, this posted helped me. I had no idea for Nebraska and after seeing your Alex Kava, I looked it up and think I will probably read one of those. Thanks! :)

Oklahoma: Fans of light cozies might enjoy Jean Hager's Iris House B&B mysteries. She also has a couple of Cherokee mysteries worth reading.

Arkansas: Joan Hess has a new Claire Malloy mystery due out in next month.

My own mystery, Deadly Ties, is set in northwest Arkansas in the Eureka Springs area. Deadly Ties is a "cozy with an edge" and features an amateur sleuth who runs a boarding kennel and dog training business.

~Susan

Heather L wrote: "I started this challenge a few years back and have been trying to finish it this year. So far I've managed to cross off five states, with eight remaining. Of those eight, I have books lined up for ..."

Heather, what are the titles you're still searching for? I have a friend who runs a bookstore specializing in hard-to-find and out-of-print titles, and she is amazing at finding stuff.

~Susan

Here I offer some options:

Delaware: Hooked Up
North Dakota: January Exposure
Utah: Tutu Deadly

For me, I have pending:
Idaho:
Kentucky:
Montana: Death al Dente
Nebrasa: Bury the Lead
North Dakota: January Exposure

So I have to find something I like for Idaho and Kentucky (Cozy).

Marisa ~ For Idaho I read Blue Heaven by CJ Box, which I really enjoyed. Not really cozy, but it was good!

For Kentucky I read a rom-suspense, Mysterious Stranger (The McKenna Legacy, #5) by Patricia Rosemoor.

One of the books I've been looking for is one you read for Utah, Tutu Deadly. I didn't even think to check Frugal Muse, a local used book store, when I was near there last weekend. Silly me! Have also been trying to find Dakota by Martha Grimes. Again, should have stopped at Frugal Muse. Ah, well... they'll be having a sale coming up in a couple weeks, and we'll definitely be at that shopping center.

Susan wrote: "Heather, what are the titles you're still searching for? I have a friend who runs a bookstore specializing in hard-to-find and out-of-print titles, and she is amazing at finding stuff."

Thanks, Susan -- I actually have three used book stores plus a B&N near me, I just haven't had a chance to get to a couple of them recently. We have a new mystery bookstore that sells both new and used, but I haven't been able to check it out yet. Actually, I'm almost afraid to go there, because I know I won't leave empty handed. :-|

Heather L wrote: "Susan wrote: "Heather, what are the titles you're still searching for? I have a friend who runs a bookstore specializing in hard-to-find and out-of-print titles, and she is amazing at finding stuff..."

Heather, you sound like me. Yesterday I delivered a copy of my book to a local customer, and found the address was a used bookstore that was operated by volunteers of her local library! It was the perfect sort of place: lots of tiny alcoves and unexpected places where books were stacked to the ceiling. I had to tear myself away--who knew what treasures were waiting there to be discovered?

By the way, if you're a fan of the digital editions, I did find both books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

~Susan

Heather L wrote: "I started this challenge a few years back and have been trying to finish it this year. So far I've managed to cross off five states, with eight remaining. Of those eight, I have books lined up for ..."

I'm down to my final 8 states too but only have plans for two of them. I'm in the middle of Hooked Up for Delaware (love the author of the month push that helps out in another challenge as well) right now. I'm not a racing fan by any means but it seems to be kind of like any town/community that a story is set in. One of these years I will really make an effort to finish!

Marisa wrote: "Here I offer some options:

Delaware: Hooked Up
North Dakota: January Exposure
Utah: Tutu Deadly

For me, I have pending:
Idaho:
Kentucky:
Montana: [boo..."

For Idaho I read [book:You May Now Kill the Bride|747384] by Deborah Donnelly. I wasn't expecting it to take place in Idaho so it was a pleasant surprise that got a state crossed off my list. I might have to check into your Montana book, it sounds like it would be good and I know my Montana book isn't a cozy.

Thank you, Heather. Blue Heaven is in my list for Idaho, but I'm not very sure I'm in the mood (I have to check). I'm definitely going to check your Kentucky book, it looks nice.
Thank you very much, Linda. I think I'm going to check that book, I read the first one in the series and it wasn't bad.

Anyway, there're only 5 left. I don't think I'm going to finish them this year, but I'm nearer now.

I have decided to make this one of my challenges for 2014-15, although I am starting it today. So my time frame will be November 18, 2013 - December 31, 2015. I will post my books as I read them.

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

Alabama -
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California - Killing Cupid 2/1/14 ***
Colorado
Connecticut - A Question of Murder1/18/14***
Delaware
District of Columbia - A Vote for Murder
Florida - Skinny Dip2/7/15***
Georgia - A Slaying In Savannah3/1/15***
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois - The Fine Art of Murder 2/26/14***
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine - The Maine Mutiny4/26/15***
Maryland
Massachusetts - Death By Cashmere 12/10/13 **
Michigan
Minnesota -
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada - You Bet Your Life12/20/13 ***
New Hampshire
New Jersey - One for the Money 1/11/14**
New Mexico
New York - Manhattans & Murder 1/19/14**
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania - Killer WASPs: A Killer Wasps Mystery
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington -
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Linda wrote: "For Idaho I read You May Now Kill the Bride by Deborah Donnelly. I wasn't expecting it to take place in Idaho so it was a pleasant surprise that got a state crossed off my list."

I think the Idaho book is the previous one, but, after reading this, I think I'm not going there :( Between family and boyfriend I'm a bit tired.

Susan wrote: "Heather, you sound like me. Yesterday I delivered a copy of my book to a local customer, and found the address was a used bookstore that was operated by volunteers of her local library! It was the perfect sort of place: lots of tiny alcoves and unexpected places where books were stacked to the ceiling. I had to tear myself away--who knew what treasures were waiting there to be discovered?"

Yup, that's me. I walk in for one book, and walk out with eight. Or at least that's what happened on my most recent visit to HPB a couple weeks ago. Granted, three of them were off the clearance rack, but still -- I went in looking for one particular title, LOL. (And yes, I did find the book I wanted.)

At least I now have a portable wishlist that helps prevent (or at least reduce,) the purchase of duplicate books. If it's not on the list, I cannot buy it until I have verified that I really don't have that particular book. Of course, the list only works when you remember to delete those you have purchased. :-\

Marisa wrote: "Thank you, Heather. Blue Heaven is in my list for Idaho, but I'm not very sure I'm in the mood (I have to check). I'm definitely going to check your Kentucky book, it looks nice.
Thank you very muc..."

You're welcome, glad you liked some of my suggestions. I really liked Blue Heaven, but yeah--not a book to read if you're feeling a bit down. I had to find something with a bit of humor in it to read after. Still, since reading it I've had my eye out for more of Box's books and currently have two more in Mount TBR: Open Season (set in Wyoming) and Three Weeks To Say Goodbye (set primarily in Colorado).

Heather L wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Thank you, Heather. Blue Heaven is in my list for Idaho, but I'm not very sure I'm in the mood (I have to check). I'm definitely going to check your Kentucky book, it looks nice.
Tha..."

It's nice to find another C.J. Box fan! I love them all! :) Of course, I'm from Wyoming, so I'm biased.

Love this idea! Armchair travel at it's best. I may start this challenge since I see several others may be doing this as well.
Just curious, what about Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philipines? Should those be added to the list and if so, does anyone know of any books that take place in those locales?

Allison wrote: "Love this idea! Armchair travel at it's best. I may start this challenge since I see several others may be doing this as well.
Just curious, what about Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philipines? Should..."

Puerto Rico and Guam, I could understand. Philipines, not at all, it's an independent country.

If you're doing territories then could add Virgin Islands as well.

Allison wrote: "Love this idea! Armchair travel at it's best. I may start this challenge since I see several others may be doing this as well.
Just curious, what about Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philipines? Should..."

The original challenge did not include US territories, but feel free to add them to your own personal challenge if you wish. As Marisa pointed out, though, The Philippines aren't a US territory. There is a list of other territories here. I have also seen an "Around the World in 80 Books" challenge, to read books set in various countries of the globe.

Heather L wrote: "As Marisa pointed out, though, The Philippines aren't a US territory. There is a list of other territories here. I have also seen an "Around the World" challenge, to read books set in various countries of the globe. "

It's been funny because just on Saturday we talked about this with a friend of mine who flied to Philipines on Monday (her mother was born there). And yes, there was an "Around the World", it was a book at every continent.

Like the idea - and it will probably take me forever but there seem to be a ton of suggestions. Here goes!

My Post is 259 and i now have 19 states done... i was able to go back in my list of books and find a lot of the states i had already read... so i am now working on Nevada which will give me 20/51 as they do include the District of Columbia.. this is a great idea and fun.. probably we should do one with all the countries in the world.. which would really be something lol.. for now im working on the USA.

I'm just using the books i read this year. they are all solving a mystery although some are not cozy since they have either a CSI or fantasy element.

AZ-Skeleton Canyon - Jance
CA Going Organic Can Kill YouMc
as well as the A/B/C by Grafton
Connecticut- Pushing up Daisies - Harris
DC Split Second Coulter
GA- Magic Strikes -Andrews
IL Death Masks - Butcher
Mass The Silent Girl- Gerritsen
Michigan- The Cat Who Said Cheese Braun
Minnisota Dark of the Moon - Sandford
NY Conspiracy in Death Robb
as well as 4 Richard Castle Novels
NJ Notorious Nineteen Evonavitch
TX Cats Claw China Bayles series Susan Albert Wittig
VA Harvest Of Murder Ripley
WA-Silver Borne Briggs

Fun idea. I'm in.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas - Candy Coated Secrets by Cynthia Hickey
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine - Brush with Death by Karen MacInerney
Maryland - The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota - December Dread by Jess Lourey
Mississippi - Double Whammy by Gretchen Archer
Missouri - Picture Perfect Corpse by Joanna Campbell Slan
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire - COLD CALL( by Joanne Clarey
New Jersey - Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston
New Mexico - Sweet Hearts by Connie Shelton
New York
North Carolina - Shell Game by Sarah Shaber
North Dakota
Ohio - Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee - A Killer in the Rye by Delia Rosen
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington - Miss Zukas Shelves the Evidence by Jo Dereske
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I finished the States challenge for this year (last post on page 5), and I'll probably end up doing it again next year :)

Congrats, Naomi! You're very brave

Congrats Naomi!

Thanks, it was a lot of fun. It introduced me to a lot of series and authors that I hadn't heard of before.

Congrats, Naomi -- way to go!

Naomi wrote: "I finished the States challenge for this year (last post on page 5), and I'll probably end up doing it again next year :)"

Congrats!

Congrats Naomi, that is impressive!

Ok... I'm starting this now. I decided I'm not going to use any books I have already read, which is going to make this one take me a while. I'm excited though!

My goal is to finish by 12/7/2014 - One year from when I started.
Progress: 9/51

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California: W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton (Finished 12/20/2013)
Colorado: Doctor Lovebeads by Gary Reilly (Finished 12/7/13)
Connecticut: With This Puzzle, I Thee Kill by Parnell Hall (Finished 12/28/2013)
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine: Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier (Finished 1/6/2014)
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan: Death is a Cabaret by Deborah Morgan (Finished 12/29/2013)
Minnesota
Mississippi: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Finished 2/4/2014)
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey: Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale by Elisa Freilich (Finished 12/10/2013)
New Mexico
New York: The Many Lives of Samuel Beauchamp by Michael Siemsen (Finished 12/13/2013)
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington: Capacity for Murder: A Professor Bradshaw Mystery by Bernadette Pajer (Finished 2/4/2014)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Naomi wrote: "I finished the States challenge for this year (last post on page 5), and I'll probably end up doing it again next year :)"

Woohoo! I just started. I have no idea how long it will take, but I'm giving it a go! I have a feeling I won't be doing it again once its done though, haha.

I think I'll do this challenge, it sounds like fun. I'm glad there is no timeline!
I'm going to start as of Dec. 1, 2013. I'm really hoping I can finish it in the next year or so.
So far, 12/51 as of 2/15/2014

I'm going to continue this on my Marj's Reading Challenge under the Members Reading/Challenge List, to keep everything together!

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California--The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart Kaminsky (finished 01/06/2014)
Colorado--Loose Screw by Rae Davis (finished 12/05/2013)
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois--You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminsky (finished 12/01/2013)
Indiana
Iowa--Bats and Bones by Karen Musser Nortman (finished 1/22/2014
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana--Missing in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon (finished 1/20/2014)
Maine--Murder by Degrees by James Noble (finished 12/02/2013)
Maryland
Massachusetts--Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod (finished 1/09/2014)
Michigan--All Fudged Upby Nancy CoCo (finished 2/13/2014)
Minnesota--The Unprintable Big Clock Chronicle by Jill Winters (finished 12/06/2013)
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York--The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine (finished 12/11/2013)
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina--In the Heat of the Night by John Ball (finished 2/15/2014)
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia--The Azalea Assaultby Alyse Carlson (finished 1/19/2014)
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Marj wrote: "I think I'll do this challenge, it sounds like fun. I'm glad there is no timeline!
I'm going to start as of Dec. 1, 2013. I'm really hoping I can finish it in the next year or so.
So far, 4/51..."

I love the Stuart Kaminsky books. He is the best I've read for historical Hollywood. He completed each mystery and book but the last chapter always ended with the last paragraph introducing the Hollywood celebrity he would interact with in the next book. I miss him a lot, as well as Elizabeth Peters.

Vicky--I love the Stuart Kaminsky books,too. In the last month or so I've read several. I started from the first, and hope to go right through the last one.
Elizabeth Peters is another favorite of mine. It's sad to think there will be no more new books to look forward to from them.

Heather L wrote: "...Here's what I have left:

Alabama: On the Run by Iris Johansen
Delaware:
Hawaii: Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart
Nebraska: A Perfect Evil by Alex Kava
North Dakota:
Oklahoma: Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart
Tennessee: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams
Utah:

As you can see, three states have proven difficult. I have a few titles to search out for each, but have had no luck finding them. I know a lot of people read a racing book for Delaware, but I cannot stand auto racing, I sure as heck do not want to read about it. You'd think with an air force base there, you could at least find a few rom-suspense books, but no... .."

I got Corpus Delectable from the Amazon Prime lending library just because it is set in Delaware I'll let you know if it is any good!