Borrowed Book Challenge 2012

I saw this @ Neer's. As most of my reading is from my local library. I am signing up for the Borrowed Book Challenge 2012. I am signing up for the Bookie level to read 5-10 books borrowed from libraries between February 1st 2012 - April 30th 2012.

I am also signing up for the 2012 Support Your Local Library. I am signing up for level 2 to read 24 books from my local library.

Winters Respite Readathon Wrap Up

It was fun participating in the Winter's Respite Readathon. I am happy I was able to finish some books. This is the list from my sign in

The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell -(Started at page 30 finished it) Wexford reminicises about one of his early cases. He knows who the killer is, but has no evidence. Will Wexford be successful? Ruth Rendell at her best, I loved it.

The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix (Started at page 100 of 314 Finished). Considered to be the first mystery novel serialised in 1862 and published as a book in 1865. An insurance investigator is investigating a case where a woman probably has been murdered. The book is composed of letters, testimonies and diary entries. Intriguing story but I haven't really figured out how it was done.

Violets are Blue by James Patterson(Started). This is the sequel to the Roses are Red which ended in a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers so had to read this. Now that we know who the Mastermind is, will Cross find the mastermind?

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain (Finished) Insurance agent Walter Huff knows what he is getting into when Mrs.Phyllis Nirdlinger asks him about Accident insurance. But he is so enamoured by Phyllis that he plans and executes the perfect crime for her. Will the police or insurance office find his role in the case? Great Book!

Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey(didn't Read)
Retribution by Val Mcdermid(didn't Read)

I started and finished one more book that is not in the list.

Ocracoke's Curse: The Mystery at the Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey. Mike Callahan's life turns upside down after his fishing trip to Teach's Hole. Teach's Hole is considered to be haunted by the Pirate Blackbeard who was beheaded in 1718. There are strange happenings in the Teach's Hole. Adventure story that loses its course half way through. I liked the ending!

I completed four books and started another one.

I won a book prize! Thank you Michelle. I am in for the Spring Readathon. I will be as usual reading Crime/Mystery.

Friday Memes

Friday Book Beginnings is a weekly Meme hosted at A Few More Pages..

This is from Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland.


Friday 56 hosted @ Freda's Voice is a weekly Meme where we share an interesting snippet from page 56 of any book. This is also from Double Indemnity by James M. Cain.

When I saw her face I knew something was wrong.

Winters Respite Readathon Mini-Game

Karla @ Book Addict-Paranormal Romance Obsession is hosting a mini challenge for Winters Respite Readathon participants.
I usually read Crime/Mysteries and I wan't sure if the titles would form a love sentence. Here is mine
Smoked Water Blue Eyes Venetia, The Girl of his Dreams
Only Venetia is a romance all the other are crime/mystery novels.
I am doing one more as this is fun
He met The Girl of his Dreams in Red Mandarin Dress at The Black Tower

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

I am reading The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell. In this book Inspector Wexford reminicises about one of his early cases as a young detective. A woman was murdered in her home and the killer is still at large. Wexford knows who the killer is but has no evidence. Will he be successful in putting the killer behind bars?


What did you recently finish reading?
I finished Double Idemnity by Cain. I saw the movie but had no clue it was based upon a book. Insurance agent Walter Huff knows what he is getting into when Mrs.Phyllis Nirdlinger asks him about Accident insurance. But he is so enamoured by Phyllis that he plans and executes the perfect crime for her. Will the police or insurance office find his role in the case? Great Book!

I also finished reading The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill published in 1892. It is considered to be the first locked room mystery. Arthur Constant is found dead in his room. Who killed him and how? All the doors and windows are locked so how did any one gain entry and kill him. I liked Zangwill's humour and his characters especially Peter Crowl, 'the plain Man' without any fads.

I also finished The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix serialised in 1862 and published as a book in 1865. It is considered to be the first mystery novel though there is some discussions going on about it. An insurance investigator is investigating a case where a woman probably has been murdered. The book is composed of letters, testimonies, diary entries.

I also finished Fate by Amanda Hocking. It is the second book in the series My Blood Approves. I haven't read the first one and I will not read it. Alice is in love with two vampires. She pines for Peter who seems not to care for her and Jack loves her blindly even considers her worth dying for her. Only reason she has not 'turned' is her younger brother Milo. Now to make matters worse because of an accident Milo has to turn into a Vampire. What will happen to Alice? Now I know why I don't read romances, paranormal or otherwise. This is not for me.


What do you think you'll read next?

Summer Lightning by P G Wodehouse
DeKok and Murder on blood Mountain by Baantjer.
Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Winters Respite Readathon- Mini-Mini-Challenge

To participate in Winters Respite Readathon- Mini-Mini-Challenge
Take your current read and pick one sentence from three of the following pages: page 1, page 77, page 179, page 255, page 360, or one from the 5th page from the end (I picked a diverse number for books of varying lengths).
Take the three sentences and make them into a short paragraph. If it makes sense as is, fine. If not, you can add your own words or sentences to make it romantic, funny, scary...whatever.
Be sure to bold and/or italicize the original text from the book or, if you leave it in the comments, put quotes around the original text.

This is from page 1, page 77 and 255 of The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell.
He never told anyone. It was a big step he had taken from dreaming of the girl in the pink hat to actually hunting for her. He felt vaguely annoyed.

Fate by Amanda Hocking

I knew about Openlibrary.org for sometime. I wanted to borrow an ebook from their lending library. Though I created an account I couldn't actually borrow anything. Finally after a few failed attempts I successfully borrowed a book. I wasn't very particular I just wanted to see if I could download, so borrowed the first returned book in the lending library and it was Fate by Amanda Hocking. I had no clue what the book was about though I had heard Hocking's name somewhere before.

Fate by Amanda Hocking is the second book in the series My Blood Approves. I haven't read the first one and I will probably not read it. Alice is in love with two vampires. She pines for Peter who seems not to care for her and Jack loves her blindly even considers her worth dying for her. Only reason she has not 'turned' is her younger brother Milo. Because of an accident Milo has to turn into a Vampire. Now two other Vampires are hunting for her.
What will happen to Alice?

I haven't read the Twilight series but saw the first two movies. This story reminded me of the Twilight series. Why are all the Vampires in love with Alice? This is not for me.

The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix pseudonym of Charles Warren Adams serialised in 1862 and published as a book in 1865 is considered to be the first mystery novel though there is some discussions going on about it.

Henderson, an insurance investigator is investigating a case of Madame R's death. She has been insured at various insurance agencies for a huge sum. The book is composed of letters, testimonies and diary entries that reveal an incredible story collected by Henderson to build a case against Baron R.

Mrs.Anderton of Notting Hill, London, is of nervous nature. Her twin sister was kidnapped as a child. And illness of one child affected the other too. Mrs.Anderton being the weakling is more affected. The Andertons have experimented with various methods of treatment for her weak constitution. They find mesmerism by Baron R to be most beneficial. Due to fear of scandal Baron R suggests mesmerism by proxy. Baron's assistant Rosalie acts as proxy. This association leads to one of most bizarre crimes.

An interesting tale, sometimes repetitive but intriguing nevertheless. Worth a read. I downloaded it for free from google books.

The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill published in 1892 is considered to be the first locked room mystery.

Mrs.Drabdump of Bow, London, is not able to wake her lodger Arthur Constant. Her shouting and rattling at the door is not answered. Mrs.Drabdump fears the worst and runs across the street to ex- detective Grodman. They break the door. Arthur Constant is found dead in his room. All the doors and windows are locked so how did any one gain entry and kill him. So is it suicide? If it is suicide, where is the weapon? If he was murdered who killed him and how? Edward Wimp of Scotland Yard investigates the case. The rivalry between Wimp and Grodman is interesting.

Speculation in the newspapers and the Coroner's inquest are funny. I liked Zangwill's humour and his characters especially Peter Crowl, 'the plain Man' without any fads and Denzil Cantercot, the dreamer and the poet. There is a conversation on Beautiful and Truth which can be irritating to some but it is funny. The preface where Zangwill describes how he developed the story is interesting.

Spoiler:


There is only one possible logical solution to a locked room mystery. (Of course there are many illogical and fantastic solutions.) I guessed it. Did you?

The book can be downloaded for free from Gutenberg. So what are you waiting for?

Winters Respite Read-a-Thon 2012 Sign-in

I am signing up for the Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon 2012 hosted by the True Book Addict.
I have borrowed tons of books from my local library and borrowed a few from www.openlibrary.org
I have already started with some of the following and hope to finish it
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Violets are Blue by James Patterson
Double Indemnity by Cain
Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Retribution by Val Mcdermid
I don't know how many I can finish.

Books Published in the First Years of My Life Challenge 2012

I am signing up for the toddler level of the Books Published in the First Years of My Life Challenge. I will be reading books published in the years 1978-1980. I will add books as I read them.

Birth Year Reading Challenge

I saw this at Bev's My Readers Block. I saw this challenge last year too but it was already the end of the year. I am signing up for the Birth Year Reading Challenge 2012. I am mostly looking to read Crime/thrillers from my birth year 1978. I would like to read four books. I may read more than that. Here is my tentative list
A stranger is Watching by Mary Higgins Clark
Holcroft Covenant by Robert Ludlum
Waxwork by Peter Lovesey
Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon

Friday Memes

Friday Book Beginnings is a weekly Meme hosted at A Few More Pages.

This is from The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell

He had never told anyone. The strange relationship, if it could be called that, had gone on for years, decades, and he had never breathed a word about it.


Friday 56 hosted @ Freda's Voice is a weekly Meme where we share an interesting snippet from page 56 of any book. This is also from Ruth Rendell's The Monster in the Box

He was a great believer in men and women having a 'type' they adhered to in changing partners.

Theme Thursday

Theme Thursday is a fun weekly Meme hosted at Reading Between the Pages.

This week's theme is come. My snippet is from The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwil.

She knew that the fog had come to stay for the day at least, and that the gas bill for the quarter was going to beat the record in high-jumping.

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should be Reading.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill published in 1892. It is considered to be the first locked room mystery. Arthur Constant is found dead in his room. Who killed him and how? All the doors and windows are locked so how did any one gain entry and kill him. I liked Zangwill's humour.
I am also reading The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell.


What did you recently finish reading?
I finished reading The Vault by Ruth Rendell.



What do you think you'll read next?

Summer Lightning by P G Wodehouse
DeKok and Murder on blood Mountain by Baantjer.
Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Criminal Plots II Challenge

I am signing up for the Criminal Plots II challenge hosted by Jen @ Jensbookthoughts.com

One book should be read that fits into each of the following categories.

1. Novel with a weapon in the title - The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

2. Book published at least 10 years ago - : The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

3. Book written by an author from the state/provinence/etc. where you live. The Retribution by Val McDermid

4. Book written by an author using a pen name -Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird(pseudonym of Kinn Hamilton McIntosh.)

5. Crime novel whose protagonist is the opposite gender of the author- The Vault by Ruth Rendell (Inspector Wexford)

6. A stand-alone novel written by an author who writes at least one series - Death Comes to Pemberley by P D James

A Winters Respite Read-a-Thon 2012

I saw this at Neer's a Hot Cup of Pleasure. I am signing up for the Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon 2012 hosted by the True Book Addict.

The Vault by Ruth Rendell

I absolutely love Ruth Rendell. This is one book I was dying to read. I was lucky to find it my local library. Wexford is retired and enjoying(?) his leisure in London in a 'coachhouse' his famous actress daughter Sheila has given for his use. He spends time between his house in Kingsmarkham and London. He is taking long walks enjoying all that London has to offer and spending time with his grandchildren. But he is not fully happy, how can he be! He misses being a policeman and wants to investigate and when his old friend gives him a chance to work as an adviser, he leaps at it.

In a cellar, in a patio of Orcadia Cottage are found four dead bodies. Three buried at least 12 years before -a young man, an older man and an older woman -and another buried 2 years before- a young woman. Who are these people and how did they end up in 'the vault'?

At the domestic front, there is as usual some trouble with one of Wexford's daughters. This time it is Sylvia. And Sylvia is not a teen but a mother of a teen that doesn't mean her troubles are any smaller.

If you had read The Sight for the Sore Eyes, you already know who the first three in the Vault are. But Wexford doesn't. How does Wexford go about finding who these people are? The real mystery is about who the fourth body that of the young woman is, who was dumped there ten years after the initial crime. Who killed her and used the Vault as her grave?

I read The Sight for Sore Eyes some years ago and the only thing I remember about it is why the manhole in the patio was not closed. I don't remember who these people are. The mystery about the younger woman makes it reading worthwhile. Overall an interesting read.

This counts towards various challenges. For the Merely Mystery Reading Challenge I would rank this as a whodunit. For the European Reading Challenge the action takes place in London. This counts as the crime novel whose protagonist is the opposite gender of the author for the Criminal Plots II challenge.

Challenges: Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012, A-Z Challenge 2012, Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks, Merely Mystery Reading Challenge, British Book Challenge, Bucket List Book Reading Challenge, European Reading Challenge, AZRC, Eclectic Reader Challenge, Criminal Plots II Challenge

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird

I am always on lookout for authors who write like Agatha Christie. When I googled I came upon Catherine Aird. I picked up Amendment of life from my local library. Amendment of Life features Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby.

Daphne Pedlinge spends her time looking out from the Aumerle Court window at the Maze. She finds pleasure in seeing people getting lost in the maze. On a Monday morning she looks into the maze from her window and finds a body. Who is the dead woman? Is it suicide or murder? How did the woman reach the centre of the maze without anybody's knowledge. There are strange hapennings outside the Bishop's and Dean's House. There is a dead rabbit and some strange markings inclining to witchcraft. There is a lost goat. Will Sloan solve all these mysteries?

Once I am happy to meet a Detective who is not obsessed with crosswords(Inspector Morse) or writes poetry (Dalgelish) or enjoys reading The Way of All Flesh (Wexford). But doesn't know what unicursal means. An enjoyable cozy.

This counts towards various challenges.

Friday Memes

Friday Book Beginnings is a weekly Meme hosted at A Few More Pages.

This is from The Vault by Ruth Rendell

'A curious world we live in,' said Franklin Merton, 'where one can afford a house but not a picture of a house. That must tell us some profound truth. But what, I wonder?'

Yes some really profound truth. But what, I too wonder?

Friday 56 hosted @ Freda's Voice is a weekly Meme where we share an interesting snippet from page 56 of our current read. This is also from Ruth Rendell's The Vault

'On holiday, I reckon, and while the cat's away the mice will play. That's all it was, a try-on.'

Theme Thursday

Theme Thursday is a fun weekly Meme hosted at Reading Between the Pages .

This weeks theme is Know.

Here is mine from The Vault by Ruth Rendell

Knowing nothing about natural history and still less about gardening, he was well-informed about art and was familiar with the Alpheton painting.

One more

She saw through that; she knew him too well.

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly Meme about books and reading. Today's questions are .

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?
In the night, before nodding off.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)
No.

3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)
Maggie 2 minute noodles.

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?
Maybe an hour. If the book is gripping maybe more.

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?
Less, and more genre specific. Ten years ago I would read anything now I read only Mysteries, occasionally other books.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?
I don't know. Speed at which I read a book depends upon the book. Some books before I know I have completed 100 pages. And others I would be reading long hours and not crossed 30 pages.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Write the greatest Whodunits in the world.

8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?
Sometimes.

9. What KIND of book?
Mystery, what else?

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?
I borrowed books from my school library and my school didn't issue cards. I give my name and class and borrow a book. Very simple. After finishing school, I got membership in a public library and I got my first library card. I was 17 then.

11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)
I have my Dad's childhood book published 1950's, Treasure Island.

12. Do you read in bed?
All the time.

13. Do you write in your books?
Never

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?
Read books that you can relate to.

15. What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask? (Actually, leave the answer to this one in the comments on this post, huh? So I can find them when I need inspiration!)
I am not a regular here. Just peek in once in a while, so I don't know all the questions covered. But here is mine Are you sometimes tempted to read the last few pages of the book before finishing it?

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should be Reading.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill published in 1892. It is considered to be the first locked room mystery. Arthur Constant is found dead in his room. Who killed him and how? All the doors and windows are locked so how did any one gain entry and kill him. I liked Zangwill's humour.

I am also reading The Vault by Ruth Rendell.


What did you recently finish reading?
I finished reading The Amendment of Life by Cartherine Aird. A woman is found dead in a maze in a stately home. Who is she? Is it suicide? Did somebody murder her? If so, how? I liked Inspector Sloan, not a bit like Inspector Morse. I like Morse too.

I also finished U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton. Michael Sutton as a six year old saw two people burying a bundle. Now 21 years later he feels that the bundle is probably a girl kidnapped in the area. He approaches Kinsey to find out the truth. What will she uncover?

I also finished reading The Sorcereress of Strand by L T Meade and Robert Esutace.


What do you think you'll read next?

Summer Lightning by P G Wodehouse
DeKok and Murder on blood Mountain by Baantjer.
Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Theme Thursday

Theme Thursday is a fun weekly Meme hosted @ Reading Between Pages.


This is from The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

"I have been reading Mme. Blavatsky's latest book, and getting quite interested in occult philosophy. Unfortunately I have to do all my reading in bed, and I don't find the book as soothing a soporific as most new books. For keeping one awake I find Theosophy as bad as toothache..."

One more

"It's set wet, it'll rain right into the new year," she announced. "And they say a bad beginnin' makes a worse endin'."

Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

I am signing up for the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012
The aim is to read 12 books from the following Categories.

GENRES
Literary Fiction-Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostovesky
Crime/Mystery Fiction- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Romantic Fiction- Venetia by Georgette Heyer
Historical Fiction- The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Young Adult-
Fantasy- Fate by Amanda Hocking
Science Fiction
Non Fiction
Horror
Thriller /Suspense
Classic-
Your favourite genre- Crime/Mystery-The Vault by Ruth Rendell

2012 A to Z Reading Challenge

I am signing up for the 2012 A to Z Reading Challenge.
I am going to read A to Z 26 Authors by Last name.
A- Aird, Catherine- Amendment of Life
B
C-Cain, Double Indemnity
D
E
F-Felix, Charles-The Notting Hill Mystery
G- Grafton, Sue -U is for Undertow
H-Hocking, Amanda, Fate
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R-Rendell, Ruth- The Vault
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z- Zangwill, Israel- The Big Bow Mystery

European Reading Challenge 2012

I am signing up for the Five Star (Deluxe Entourage) level that is Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries for the European Reading Challenge
I picked these books for European Reading Challenge
The Vault by Ruth Rendell (London)
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by Baantjer (Belgium/Netherlands)
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo (Oslo)
The Girl of his dreams by Donna Leon (Venice)
The Marais Assasin by Claude Izner (Paris)
The Book Thief by Zusak (Nazi Germany)
The Prague Cemetry by Umbreto Eco (Europe)
All these authors are new to me except Rendell and Eco and all are mysteries except for The Book Thief.

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

I had been dying to read this book ever since I knew it was published. Just got hold of it end of December 2011 and it is my first read for 2012.

Kinsey Millhone, twice-divorced 37 year old, childless Private Investigator is one of my favourite detectives, next only to Poirot and Marple. Michael Sutton approaches Kinsey on advice of police. He thinks twenty one years ago as a six year old he saw two people burying a bundle. He believes the bundle is four year old Marie Clarie who was kidnapped around that time. He is not clear about the whereabouts. He is not very helpful. He wants Kinsey to do all the work but he is willing to pay Kinsey's charges for a day. Will Kinsey find out the truth about Marie Claire? Is Sutton reliable? What will Kinsey unearth in her investigation? Oh yes! The investigation takes place in 1988, so Kinsey had no access to cell phones, computers, Internet and had to run to library for any information.

There are two narratives in the book. One the usual first person Kinsey Millhone narrative and other the third person narrative giving background into the crime, that moves to and fro between 60's and 80's. There is less humour in this Kinsey Millhone story than usual. It reminded me of Ruth Rendell's style especially one of her books. This book is not a whodunit but a whydunit. Grafton once again delivers. Now I am dying to read V is for Vengeance.

For the Merely Mystery Reading Challenge I would categorise this book as Inverted Detective Story. It can also belong to other categories.

Chunkster Challenge

I am signing up for the Chubby Chunkster level of the Chunkster Challenge.

2012 Color Coded Challenge

I am signing up for the 2012 Color Coded Challenge hosted by Bev @ My Reader's Block.

Classics Challenge

I am signing up for the Classics Challenge hosted by Katherine at November's Autumn. Some of the books I am planning to read are

The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Venetia by Georgette Heyer
Love in Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

2012 A-Z Mystery Author Challenge

I'm signing up for the 2012 A-Z Mystery Author Challenge sponsored by Michelle at Red Headed Book Child.

Aird -Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird

Baantjer -DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer

Cain -Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

Daly -The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly 

Eberhart- Escape the Night by Mignon G Eberhart

Felix-The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

Grafton- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

Horowitz-The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

Izner- The Marais Assassin by Claude Izner

James -Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James

Kutak- I am the Cat  by Rosemary Kutak

Lorac- Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac

McDermid- The Retribution by Val McDermid

Nesbo- The Leopard by Jo Nesbo

OPpenhiem The Great Impersonation by E Philiphs Oppenhiem

Paretsky - Killing Orders by Sara Paretsky

Queen- Scarlet Letters by Ellery Queen

Rendell- The Vault by Ruth Rendell

Stabenow- The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

Tey- The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Upson-Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar

Villar- Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar

Wallace- Yellow Snake by Edgar Wallace

Xianglong When Red is Black by Qiu  Xiaolong

Yorke- A Case to answer by Margret Yorke

Zangwill- The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

Reading Challenge Addict 2012

I am signing up for the Reading Challenge Addict 2012. I'm in for Out of This World (16+ Challenges entered and completed).
1.Reading Challenge Addict(0/35)
2.Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge(11/16)
London Theme(3/8)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
The Sorceress of the Strand by L T Meade and Robert Eustace
Cherchez l'Homme(8/8)
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac

3.2012 E-Book Challenge(13/10)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr
Fate by Amanda Hocking
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace

4. Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012(24/12)

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Black Tower by P D James
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Vault by Ruth Rendell
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar
5.A-Z Challenge 2012(16/26)

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Fate by Amanda Hocking
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Vault by Ruth Rendell
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar

6.2012 Read Your Own Books Reading Challenge(0/5)
7.Back To The Classics Challenge 2012(0/9)
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (Classic Mystery)
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde (Play)
Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostovesky(Translated)

8.Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2012(2/6)

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird


9.Off The Shelf 2012(0/5)
10.What's in a Name challenge 5(3/5)

Topographical Feature U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

A book with a creepy crawly in the title:
A book with a type of house in the title: The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Notes From the Under Ground by Fyodor Dostovesky
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title:


11.Death by Gaslight Reading Challenge(3/10)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

12.2012 Read 52 books in 52 Weeks(4/52)
Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Black Tower by P D James
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Fate by Amanda Hocking
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Vault by Ruth Rendell
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar



13.Mixing It Up Challenge 2012(1/4)

Mystery & Suspense- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

14.Merely Mystery Reading Challenge 2012(4/12)

Inverted Detective Story - U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Cozy -Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Whodunit -The Vault by Ruth Rendell
Locked Room Mystery- The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

15.British Book Challenge 2012(9/12)

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Black Tower by P D James
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace
The Vault by Ruth Rendell


16.Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book(0/5)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
17.2012 Bucket List Book Reading Challenge(2/4)

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Vault by Ruth Rendell

18.2012 E-Book Reading Challenge(13/10)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr
Fate by Amanda Hocking
I Could Murder Her by E C R Lorac
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace

19. Free Reads 2012(2/15)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

20. Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012(1/12)
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

21. Antonym Reading Challenge (2/6)
Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
22. New Authors Reading Challenge (16/15)

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Fate by Amanda Hocking
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Ocracokes Curse- The Mystery at Teach's Hole by Mark Duffey
The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr
Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
The Sorceress of the Strand by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar



23. 2012 A-Z Mystery Author Challenge(2/13)

Aird -Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Baantjer -DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Cain -Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Daly -The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
E
Felix-The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Grafton- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Horowitz-The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
I
James -Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
K
Lorac- Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
McDermid- The Retribution by Val McDermid
Nesbo- The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
O
P
Q
Rendell- The Vault by Ruth Rendell
S-
Tey- The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
U-
Villar- Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar
W
X
Y
Zangwill-The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill


24.Classics Challenge(3/7)
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostovesky
25. 2012 Color Coded Challenge(0/9)
The Black Tower by P D James
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar

26.Chunkster Challenge(2/4)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
27.European Reading Challenge(5/5)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Germany)
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer (Netherlands)
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo (Norway)
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Russia)
The Vault by Ruth Rendell (UK)
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar(Spain)

28.A to Z Reading Challenge( Authors)(3/26)

Aird -Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Baantjer -DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Cain -Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Daly -The Book of Crime by Elizabeth Daly
E
Felix-The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
Grafton- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Horowitz-The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
I
James -Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
K
Lorac- Shroud of Darkness by E C R Lorac
McDermid- The Retribution by Val McDermid
Nesbo- The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
O
P
Q
Rendell- The Vault by Ruth Rendell
S-
Tey- The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
U-
Villar- Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar
Wilde- An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
X
Y
Zangwill-The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

29.Eclectic Reader Challenge(2/12)

Crime/Mystery Fiction- U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Favourite Genre(Crime/Mystery Fiction) The Vault by Ruth Rendell

30.Criminal Plots II Challenge(6/6)
Weapon in Title- The Big BOW Mystery by Israel Zangwill
Book Published at least 10 years before- The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix (1865)
Psuedonym - Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Opposite gender Protoganist -The Vault by Ruth Rendell(Reginald Wexford)
Standalone by a series writer: Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James

31. Birth Year Reading Challenge.(0/4)
32. Books Published in the First Years of My Life.(0/3)
33. Borrowed Book Challenge 2012.(10/10)
The Black Tower by P D James
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Retribution by Val McDermid
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar
34. Support your Local Library 2012(5/24)

Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
The Black Tower by P D James
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Death Comes to Pemberely by P. D. James
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain by A.C. Baantjer
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell
The Retribution by Val McDermid
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Vault by Ruth Rendell
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Water-Blue Eyes by Domingo Villar
35. What an Animal
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo

New Authors Reading Challenge

I am going to read 15 Authors new to me for the New Authors Reading Challenge.
Amendment of Life by Catherine Aird
Israel Zangwill, The Big Bow Mystery

Antonym Reading Challenge 2012

I am signing up for the Diploma level that is to read 6- 10 books with antonyms in title of the Antonym Reading Challenge 2012 hosted by Tasha at Book Obsessed.

Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

I am signing up for the Coupon Clipper: 12 Books level of Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012.

Free Reads 2012

I am signing up for the Free Reads 2012 hosted at Bookish Ardor. I am going for the level On The Cheap – 15 books to read. I have lots of free Ebooks on my Kindle. I would like to tackle them.

2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

I am signing up for the 2012 E-Book Reading Challenge hosted by The Eclectic Bookshelf. I am signing up for the level "Fun Size" E-Book Challenge – Read 10 E-Books.

2012 Bucket List Book Reading Challenge

The 2012 "Bucket List" Reading Challenge is the challenge to sign up for if YOU have a list of books that you are dying to read but just haven't gotten to them yet. I am signing up for the Mini Cooper level - 4 "bucket" list books.
1. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
2. The Vault by Ruth Rendell

Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book

Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book
2012 Reading Challenge is
hosted by Gina at Book Dragon's Lair. The books I am going to read from the list are

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Venetia by Georgette Heyer

It looks like everybody has read The Book Thief, I would like to read it and find out what it is all about. I was bowled over by the Lord of the Rings when I read it a few years ago. I would like to read something else by J R R Tolkien to see if can create the same magic for me again. I haven't read anything by Georgette Heyer, I would like to try this. Daughter of Time and North and South sound interesting. Most of all, all these books are available in our local library.

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

I am reading U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton. I have read all her books in the Alphabet series till T is for Tresspass but not in order. I love Kinsey Millhone, 37 year old, twice divorced, Private Investigator from the fictional city of Santa Teresa. Michael Sutton as a six year old saw two people burying a bundle. Now 21 years later he feels that the bundle is probably a girl kidnapped in the area. He approaches Kinsey to find out the truth. What will she uncover?

I am also reading The Sorcereress of Strand by L T Meade and Robert Esutace.

What did you recently finish reading?

Last year I finished The Rose Rent by Ellis Peters.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Vault by Ruth Rendell
The Retribution by Val McDermid
Amendment of life by Catherine Aird