Vintage Mystery 2011 Reading Challenge

One final reading challenge for 2011, and I promise that's it!! I'm either going to succeed at all these beyond my wildest expectations or fall flat on my face - either way it's sure to be an interesting year. :)

I ADORE vintage mysteries (Christie, Heyer, Sayers, etc.), so this challenge is perfectly suited to my tastes. It's hosted by My Reader's Block. Here are the challenge details:

Introducing: The 2011 Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge.

A challenge for all you mystery lovers out there who already love mysteries from the years prior to 1960 and also anyone who's ever thought, "I should give Agatha Christie (Dorothy L Sayers...Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...etc) a try."

Here are the rules:

*All books must have been written before 1960 and be from the mystery category.

*Some suggested authors include: Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L Sayers, Earl Derr Biggers, Georgette Heyer, Edmund Crispin, Cyril Hare, Ellery Queen, Elizabeth Daly, Cyril Hare, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ngaio Marsh, S. S. Van Dine, Philip MacDonald, Rex Stout, Phoebe Atwood Taylor, Josephine Bell, Josephine Tey, Frances & Richard Lockridge, Michael Innes and Stuart Palmer. (Please remember that some of these authors published after 1960 as well--so keep an eye on the original copyright date.)
 
*You are welcome to count these books towards any other challenges as well.

*Challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Sign up any time between now and November 30, 2011.

*I would love to see reviews of your challenge books, but it is not necessary to participate. If you do not have a blog, post to the comments what your challenge level will be and then post again when you have completed your challenge (include a list of books read).

*No matter what level you choose, please try at least two different vintage authors.

*The best part? A prize for everyone who completes their challenge. Once you declare your challenge level...you are locked in for that number of books. But you may change your list of books at any time. Let me know when you have met your challenge goal and I will send you a list of prizes (books) to choose from. Of course, the earlier you finish, the longer the list of books will be.

Challenge Levels:

• In a Murderous Mood: 4-6 Books
• Get a Clue: 7-9 Books
• Hot on the Trail: 10-12 Books
• Capture the Criminal: 13-15 Books
• Take 'Em to Trial: 16+ Books  

OR

The Golden Age Girls: Read 5-7 books from female authors from the vintage years
Cherchez Le Homme: Read 5-7 books from male authors from the vintage years

***

Sounds like fun, no? I'm committing to this challenge at the "Get a Clue" level, with the goal of reading nine books. Here's my list:

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries

• Fer-de-Lance
• Some Buried Caesar
• Over My Dead Body

Dorothy L. Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries

• Clouds of Witness
• The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
• Unnatural Death

Agatha Christie

• The Mirror Crack'd
• The Secret of Chimneys
• The Thirteen Problems

Since mysteries of this type are usually pretty fast reads, I'd love to exceed this goal, but we'll just have to see. Any other vintage mystery fans out there - please join in, I'd love the company! :)