12 months and 72 book reviews later and the Vintage Mystery Challenge bingos, both Golden (pre-1960) and Silver (1960 to 1989) varieties, are complete! The indefatigable Bev of My Reader’s Block gives structure and meaning to the reading habits of us mystery buffs with her Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge, which splits its focus on books published pre- and post- 1960.
I wasn’t always sure I’d manage to complete it next year, but I am rather chuffed to say I cracked it!
As always, I’ve had a great time this year and just time to catch my breath before starting the 2015 challenge!
Some of the authors covered this year included multiple books by such Golden Age favourites as Agatha Christie (3 reviews), Raymond Chandler (2), John Dickson Carr (2), Georges Simenon (2), and Ed McBain (5); but there were also some excursions into SF / horror with Asimov’s The Caves of Steel, L. Ron Hubbard’s Fear, John Farris’ The Fury, and Robert Sheckley’s The Tenth Victim; there were also my first encounters with the likes of Gil Brewer, as well as Helen Nielsen and Joan Hess. In terms of plot the most disappointing was probably Ngaio Marsh’s False Scent while Dolores Hitchens really delivered the goods with Sleep with Slander.
It was also great to re-connect with a number of authors I used to read a lot of in the past but have neglected a bit recently, including the likes of (the late) PD James, Robert B Parker, Graham Greene; and for the record, Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery has lost none of its malevolent potency! Really looking forward to 2015 and the new Gold and Silver Challenges, which Bev has tweaked a bit this year to keep us on our toes – let’s see what happens …
The complete list of links to my 72 reviews can be found by clicking here (if you dare).
Tipping My Fedora 
Well done, Sergio! I am impressed! Thanks for you thoughtful and informative, helpful reviews, too
Thanks for all the support this year Margot – I needed it!
Well done, Sergio! I’ve followed along on your reviews all year, so I know you did them all–I won’t be clicking back through all those linked reviews. 😉
Thanks for all the encouragement Bev – it was great fun, though it did drive me a little nuts at times 🙂
Many congratulations, Sergio! I’m impressed you read 72 books this year and even more that you reviewed every one of them. That takes something. I review fewer books than I read.
Fair enough Prashant – I enjoy Bev’s Challenge partly because it gives me a bit of a nudge to at least think a little about what I have written and set it down – too often I find it just flies out of my brain much too quickly!
Well done, Sergio! Am impressed by your perseverance.
Thanks Jose Ignacio – every year I say ‘never again’ and then I just crumble and say yes – hard to resist Bev’s charms 🙂
Well done! That’s some achievement! 😃
Thanks Karen – I feel absurdly proud of it!
Like Prashant said, I’m mightily impressed that you managed to not only read 72 books this year (can’t imagine myself doing that!) but also post reviews of them. And intelligent, articulate and entertaining reviews to boot! Bravo, pal.
Way too kind Colin! But thank you – but since I’m showing off, I did do 45 film reviews as well, but that’s a separate post 🙂
Didn’t know the exact number but I thought about mentioning it too. Quite startling output really.
Shocking is the right word – absolutely no way I am doing that next year!!
It’s something you should be immensely proud of, though I have no idea how you did it.
Me neither chum …
Nice summary, Sergio. I have to look by and see how I have done. I am sure I can come up with at least one Bingo each … I am guessing I read and reviewed about 15 books for each card.
Thanks TracyK. I do want to read more contemporary books next year so I know I’ll be managing far fewer bingos!
And to comment on your exchange above with Colin, it is the 45 film reviews that I find so amazing, in addition to the 72 books.
That is very kind – and really glad you also participated in Katie’s challenge – looking forward to her end-of-year roundup.
Congrats on not only completing so many books, but also managing to write about them all. I’m in awe!
Thanks Kelly – so, how’s your book coming along?
Congratulations. Your reviews are wonderful. I’m going to attempt this challenge for the first time in 2015. And it will be a challenge!
That’s great Donna – see you on the front lines 🙂