2026 Alphabet Soup Challenge

 

The Alphabet Soup Challenge means that by December 31, 2026 our bowls must be filled with one book (title) for each letter of the Alphabet. Each letter = one spoonful. Basic details: you can sign up any time. Each letter should begin the book title--except for those pesky Q, X, and Z letters. The word that begins with the challenge letter may appear anywhere in the title. For full details and to sign up, click above. X & Z keep getting trickier for me--especially since I'm trying to read primarily from my own shelves. So--my declared personal goal is 13 books (half the alphabet). I will try to do all 26, but if I meet 13, I can count the challenge complete on my challenge tracker page.

A: Aristotle, Detective by Margaret Doody 2/3/26)

B: (The) Body in the Dumb River by George Bellairs (4/16/26)

C: Consequences of Sin by Clare Langley-Hawthorne (3/21/26)

D: Don Among the Dead Men by C. E. Vulliamy (1/7/26)

E: Escape While I Can by Melba Marlett (2/19/26)

F: (The) Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Great War by Simon Guerrier (2/7/26)

G: (The) Gaunt Stranger by Edgar Wallace (2/16/26)

H: High Marks for Murder by Recca Kent (1/22/26)

I:

J:

K:
L: (A) Lady's Guide to Mischief & Mayhem by Manda Collins (3/7/26)
M: Masterpieces of Mystery: Amateurs & Professionals by Ellery Queen, ed (1/31/26)
N: (The) No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall SMith (3/2/26)
O: Old Bones by Herman Petersen (1/20/26)
P: (A) Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie (1/25/26)
Q:
R:
S: Shadows Before by Dorothy Bowers (1/18/26)
T: Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh (4/4/26)
U:
V:
W: Who Done It? by Jon Scieszka [compiler & editor] (4/25/26)
X
Y:
Z: