Mystery book grading forms. Also called, evaluation forms, scoring forms, or rating forms.
I created the grading form (10+ years ago) to make it fun for the mystery book club members to compare overall impressions of a selected mystery book with one another. It is also an aid to comparing one’s own evaluations of 12 different books over the course of a year. Often we use some or all of the ten items on the form as a guide to our discussions.
The form has a series of ten questions, each worth 10 points. Two of the questions is in two parts with 5 points possible for each part, but still 10 points for the whole item. After evaluating each item, the grader has a total score out of 100 possible points.
Download the Grading Form Here
You can download a copy of the form below. There are 3 options:
Version 1 – With the 2025-2026 Mystery Books already listed at the top of this PDF format. Click to View, Download, and/or Print – BENEFITS: Keep your printed version where you read. Add new scores each month using a convenient pencil or a pen. Or request a printed copy from our MBC library leader, Maddy Willwerth.
Version 2 – With the 2025-2026 Mystery Books already listed at the top of this downloadable MicroSoft Word docx file. Click to Download this Word file. BENEFITS: Using your computer, you can then key in your scores and have MS Word add up the column for you. You can modify the form to your liking. You can save the scores on the sheet from month to month on your computer (or phone ?). [NOTE: I have tested this link with 3 browsers successfully (Aug 2024). Be sure to check your download folder. If you prefer, I’ll email the MS Word file to you, if it doesn’t download here. –Dick Goutal]
Version 3 – Blank Grading Form as a PDF. Click to View, Download, and/or Print Only. The Blank Grading Form is for personal use. For example, you can fill in your own book titles for up to 12 books.
How to Use the Grading Form
Be sure to read the few lines of instructions at the bottom of the form! Take note of the following guidelines — which are also printed on the back of the evaluation forms:
So, except for evaluation items #1 and #3, most items have a total value of 10 points. Grade like a school grade; let the following guide you:
If you feel the 10 questions omitted something that is important to you, that you wish to include in your score, you can manually adjust your score by using optional Item #11. I rarely use this box. When I do, it will be in the range of adding or deducting 1 to 4 points. (That is, for example, a 3 or a –2.) Otherwise, put a zero in the box for Item #11 so that it will not impact the total.
When you report your score for the group, so that we can compute an average score for the book, do not give a “fail” lower than a “50.” Anything lower would unfairly impact the overall group average. “50” is the worst score to give. If your total comes out less than 50, please adjust your total to 50.
Your “grade” will count toward the group average only if you have read “essentially” the entire book. Just indicate that you didn’t finish, if that is the case. It happens to all of us from time to time. After the meeting, when everyone’s book score is shared for the benefit of those who could not attend, the following symbols will be used –
For more detailed comments about the form (a slightly earlier version), watch the video below.