Your host:
- Welcome! I am a mystery enthusiast and pleased to serve as your host for this challenge. Here is my personal web page and my Mystillery blog. You can email me at rickmills9@gmail.com - Rick Mills
Description and Goal:
The goal of the challenge is to complete the Mystery Marathon by reading 26 mystery books during the year. Sit back down and take a breath, no actual running is required.As there are (actually) 26.2 miles in a marathon, one book counts as one mile. We don't count that last 0.2 mile. The number of pages counts as the number of steps taken to complete that mile.
Like a real marathon, this is an endurance event, not a sprint. Do not feel pressured to read fast! You can complete the marathon without visiting the Medical Tent if you just average leisurely reading one book every two weeks.
Instructions:
- You are encouraged to select an appropriate runner nickname to reflect your speedy running style. Email your host to select a nickname which will certainly help your marathon time and flaunt your superior running ability.
- Generally, on what page does the last word of the story appear? That's your count. Exception: You may run into an omnibus where several books are bound together. In that case, the number should be the net number of pages - subtract first page number from last page number.
- Audiobook and Kindle users can find the equivalent page count by looking up the Goodreads listing for a print edition of the book, as in the example of this highly-recommended bestseller:
- When you complete a mile (book), submit the number of pages (steps). You can submit multiple books on the form by separating your page counts with commas.
Book author and title need not be submitted.
- If you use a tracking page or Goodreads shelf, you can put the URL in the form to link your entry to it.
- Step up to the starting line. Listen for the gun - and go!
Rules:
- This challenge is open January 1 to December 31 2026.
- Only mystery fiction is allowed.
- Runners are allowed one marathon only, which will complete your challenge. Once you finish your marathom, please head to the refreshment tent for some well-deserved goodies. (And a shower!)
- Books of any length (short stories included) may be used for any mile.
- You can reread books from previous years.
- Print books, audio books, and/or e-books may be used in any combination.
- Bloggers are welcome to any images for your blog.
Status icons:
BLUE: The runner is currently on the course.
YELLOW: The runner is approaching the Finish Line. Ring the cowbells and make some noise!
GREEN: The runner has crossed the Finish Line. A medal and tasty snacks await!
RED: The runner has not completed a mile in the last thirty days, as we assume has wound up in Medical Tent. We hope the runner will return to the course soon!
FAQ:
- Once I complete the marathon can I run it again?
Next year.
Archive:
Goodreads Discussion Group:
- If you are on Goodreads, you may wish to join the Mystillery discussion group, which is a companion to the challenges. There is a separate discussion group for each Mystillery challenge, an Announcement board, and a virtual coffee shop. A shortcut icon
appears at the top right of each challenge home page.
Private Messaging:
To contact another participant:- If they have posted a review, any title submitted to the challenge will be a link. Click on the link to go to their review. You should be able to add your message as a comment to the review. Keep in mind comments are visible to the public.
- If you wish to send a private message, send an email to me (rickmills9@gmail.com) indicating who you wish to message. I will inquire if I may release their email address to you.
Privacy:
- Inclusion: The Mystillery strives to value and respect every participant regardless of age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or spirituality. The Mystillery hopes to foster a sense of belonging and provide an uplifting, welcoming, safe space for all participants.
- Your name: You can choose how you wish your name to appear. If you wish to change how it is displayed, just let me know.
- Your image: You can choose your icon image. Initially, this is set to a publicly available image if available (Google account, Goodreads profile, etc.) If you do not wish your image to appear, an 'avatar', AI-generated image, or other icon may be used. Just email your choice to me. Keep in mind they are tiny (50 px wide).
- Your preferred pronouns will be honored if provided.
- Your general location is encouraged, but is optional.
- Your email address is kept on file by the host, never posted, and not shared with other participants unless you specifically allow.
- Mystillery challenges are a politics-free zone.
Back to the challenge page • Revised Oct 17 2025