This page records how am I doing with the pre-1960 challenge issued by My Reader’s Block and includes non-Agatha Christie books.
Who
An academic: Death at the President’s Lodging by Michael Innes
A crime-solving duo: Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie
An amateur detective: The Mysterious Mr Quin by Agatha Christie
In the medical field: Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
A journalist/writer: Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers
An artist/photographer: Bats in the Belfry by E. C. R. Lorac
Retired from or in the armed forces: The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
Matriarch/patriarch of the family: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
What
Pseudonymous author: Stop Press by Michael Innes
Number in the title: The Big Four by Agatha Christie
Colour in the title: The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie
An animal in the title: The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie
Means of murder in the title: Maigret’s Revolver by Georges Simenon
Reference to a man or woman in the title: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Book published under more than one title: The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
Title contains two words beginning with the same letter: Parker Pyne Investigates by Agatha Christie
When
During a recognised holiday: Portrait of a Murderer by Anne Meredith
A historical crime: The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
Time/date in the title: The Case of the April Fools by Christopher Bush
Timing of crime is crucial: The Four Just Men by Edgar Wallace
During a weather event: The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
During a trip/vacation: Busman’s Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers
During a performance of any sort: Hamlet, Revenge! by Michael Innes
During a special event e.g. birthday, village fete: Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
Where
At a country house: The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie
On a mode of transportation: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
On an island: The Hangman’s Handyman by Hake Talbot
At a school: Love Lies Bleeding by Edmund Crispin
Set in a small village: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
In a hospital/nursing home: Green for Danger by Christianna Brand
Features a court room scene: Tragedy at Law by Cyril Hare
In a locked room: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
How
Death by drowning: Inspector French and the Box Office Murders by Freeman Wills Crofts
Crime involved fire/arson: The Four Defences by J. J. Connington
Death by poison: Three-Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie
Death by strangulation: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Death by knife/dagger: Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
Death by shooting: The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
At least two deaths with different means: Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers
Death by blunt instrument: Maigret is Afraid by Georges Simenon
Why
It won an award of any sort: Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles
It made a “best of” list: The Beast Must Die by Nicholas Blake
Has been read/reviewed by a fellow challenger: Fire in the Thatch by E. C. R. Lorac
Has been on your To Be Read list: The Listerdale Mystery by Agatha Christie
Out of your comfort zone: Cinderella Goes to the Morgue by Nancy Spain
An author you’ve never tried: Murder in the Maze by J. J. Connington
By an author you’ve read and loved before: The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Book made into TV programme/film/play: Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
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