Mysteries

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2003
Mysteries
7
Tue, 09-06-2005 - 1:55pm
It has been years since I have read mysteries. The last I read was a Nancy Drew novel when I was a much younger kid!! :-) I was also quite a fan of Sherlock Holmes. I think I would like to get myself into starting on mysteries again. Sounds delicious!!! But I am quite lost when I look at the store bookshelves these days and havent had the courage to pick up any. Any recommendations?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2001
In reply to: lftlgirl
Tue, 09-06-2005 - 2:37pm

Hmmm, so many different authors/styles/genres...where to start. I have to say that I enjoy series most of all. Some of the more enjoyable amateur woman "mystery solvers" are: Benni Harper books by Earlene Fowler, China Bayles by Susan Albert Wittig (who also writes historical mysteries with her husband under the name of Robin Paige), the Kate Jasper books by Jacqueline Girdner, Wollie Shelley by Harley Jane Kozak, the Blackbird Sisters by Nancy Martin, the Claire Malloy books by Joan Hess (also writes the "Maggody" comedy-mystery series). And of course, there are the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich - more comdedy than mystery but just hysterically funny.

For detectives, there are any of the Robert B. Paker series, but especially the Spenser ones. You might remember the "Spenser for Hire" TV series with Robert Urich? That was based on his books. Then there's V.I. Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, the Kinsey Milhone "Alphabet" books by Sue Grafton, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear, the Monkee Wrench Gang by P.J. Tracy, Kate Shugak by Dana Stabenow, Anna Pigeon, actually a National Parks ranger, not a detective, by Nevada Barr.

Then there are the law enforcement/forensics series: Thomas Lynley/Barbara Havers by Elizabeth George, April Woo by Leslie Glass, Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs, Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs by Jeffrey Deaver - the "Bone Collector" with Denzel Washington & Angelina Jolie was based on one of these. The Seattle series by Lowen Clausen is also really good - the lead character varies between 3-4 police officers. There's also Patricia Cornwall's Kay Scarpetta books...but I would only recommend the early ones.

As you can tell, I'm a mystery buff! I've probably given you waaaay more choices than you were looking for . If you have any specific type in mind, let me know & I'll narrow it down further.

Liz

Liz

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2003
In reply to: lftlgirl
Tue, 09-06-2005 - 2:51pm
Hi Liz! Thanks! I love all the information that you have given me, and I will keep it handy. I have not read a single one of the ones you have listed, and I now I can look at certain authors and series and get started! Thanks you again! and more responses/recommendations are very much welcome.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: lftlgirl
Tue, 09-06-2005 - 7:47pm

Hi Lftl Girl :)


Liz did a great job breaking down the sub-genres within mysteries.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: lftlgirl
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 7:49am

It shouldn't but it never fails to amaze me how we all start to think a like on this board. I was immediately going to suggest http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/ but Teri beat me to it. It's like a mystery lovers bible- I love it!

I would also like to agree with the suggestions of Earlene Fowler's benni Harper series- it has been my summer project and I have three more books to go and then I'll have to find a new series. Leslie Glass' April Woo series is another one of my favs.

I would also recommend: Jane Burke's Irene Kelly series, Iris Johansen's books featuring Eve Duncan, Kay Hooper has some great trilogies and stand alones, Catherine Coulter has an F.B.I. series, Nora Roberts has some wonderful stand alone but I would highly recommend her Key trilogy.

I think we could all go on and on. Hope this doesn't overwhelm you and please let us know which new author or book you discovered- who knows it might be one we havn't met yet:)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-1997
In reply to: lftlgirl
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 4:53pm
I like the "Bailey Weggins" mysteries by Kate White. They are fun, light mysteries and are all a loosely connected series.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2001
In reply to: lftlgirl
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 5:13pm

You can also sign up for newsletters from some of the bookstores. I get "Ransom Notes" from Barnes & Nobles. Here's a link to the current expanded online version. I got several ideas to add to my TBR list from it.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/newsletters/newsletters_cds2.asp?r=1&pid=804

Liz

Liz

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: lftlgirl
Thu, 09-08-2005 - 7:01am
Thanks for the link Liz- I can't wait to start adding even more books to my TBR list

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