I’ll start with one of my favorites: Crocodile on a Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters, (c) 1975. The Amelia Peabody mysteries. They’re a hoot.
And just to give you the idea that they don’t have to be totally period: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith. Precious Rambotswe is the detective. It’s also a very good HBO series.
I’ve read all the Peabody’s and enjoyed Precious #1. Haven’t seen any more of those. Also, the AJ Orde/Sheri S. Tepper dog walker mysteries were kind of fun, also her other pseudonym. BJ Oliphaunt, I think.
I’m hangin’ with a librarian right now, I’ll ask her what she thinks when she’s off her phone call and dinner has been Inhaled…
I must admit the Spenser novels were a good way to get high on testosterone without getting any on you. I was mere blocks away from Mr. Parker’s residence when he passed away back in January.
Amelia and Co. are indeed a hoot! Also very good are Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon mysteries. Anna is a National Parks ranger, Barr’s former occupation, and the stories are enriched by that background. Firestorm and Blind Descent are my favorites of those I’ve read–one set in the wilderness among teams fighting a wildfire, the other in a not-fully-explored cave.
Oh yes, Sheri Tepper’s alter egos (all out of print). And I really love Amelia Peabody.
I’ve just finished all of Cara Black’s mysteries starring Aimée Leduc (a PI). These are all set in the various arrondisements of Paris, starting with Murder in the Marais which is the old Jewish Quarter and flashes back to the Nazi occupation. These are best read in sequence, the latest being Murder in the Palais Royal with Murder in Passy due next year.
Another author is Susan Hill and her Simon Serrailler series set in a Cathedral Town in England. She is quite anti e-books (I asked).
Mysteries really come a close second to SF. Then there’s P.D. James, Martha Grimes, I think I’ve read just about everything in the classic mysteries. Can’t forget Ngaio Marsh, of course, nor Arthur Upfield with Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte. These were all written from the 1930’s through 1950’s and reflect the attitudes of the times.
I like Nevada Barr too. But, of contemporary writers, I especially like Sara Paretsky’s intensity; “Tunnel Vision” uses the Chicago locale especially effectively. Lisa Cody’s “Bucket Nut,” “Monkey Wrench” and “Musclebound” are amazingly different, with an unusual milieu and a unique narrator. On the lighter side, there’s Susan Wolfe’s award-winning “The Last Billable Hour.” (I hoped to see more of these characters, but that’s all she wrote.) On the much lighter side, I have a weakness for screwball humor with lawyers as characters. Among the classics, there’s Craig Rice’s John J. Malone series (also in Chicago), with Jake and Helene Justus adding to the mayhem. John Mortimer’s Rumpole is great, especially the short stories, but I also like Sara Caudwell’s very clever series about the adventures of a group of junior barristers.
from my wife….
Colin Cotterill’s “Dr. Siri” books (set in Laos)
Lindsey Davis “Falco” series, set in ~AD70 (CJ — if you have read, how authentic to you find them?)
Jason Goodwin, Janissary books, set in Istanbul in late 1800s
Leonie Swann, “Three Bags Full” … about a flock of sheep whose Shepard is murdered, who set out to solve the mystery…
…and (mine)
Liz Williams’ Detective Inspector Chen books.
I’ve never read one of the Falco books, so I can’t swear to it. A gloss looked ok in research (we know so much about the Romans), but I can’t swear to the rest.
Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan books set in Baltimore helped me learn my way around this city. Jane Haddam’s Gregor Demarkian series set in Philadelphia. Dorothy Sayer’s Lord Peter Wimsey (spelling?)mysteries.
I haven’t read many of the authors identified in these comments so now I have new ones to explore. I don’t like graphic violence in fiction, there’s enough real violence in my newspaper.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s prototypical hero, and then there’s Mickey Spillane’s prototypical anti-here. Both work differently, but come up with the solution in the end. The major difference is that none of Spillane’s criminals survive. Kind of the model for Bill Watterson’s “Tracer Bullet” as epitomized by the imagination of Calvin.
I’m a great Sherlock Holmes fan. Loved the recent movie.
Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher series, set in Melbourne, Australia,at the end of the 20s. Fabulous fashion with an elegant (and deadly) heroine, who has absolutely no interest in marrying and settling down to a life of domesticity. “Cocaine blues” is the first of the series, but not my favourite, the writing improves as the series continues; and we’re up to 17, so plenty of enjoyable reading.
The Corinna Chapman series, by the same author. Set in modern Melbourne. The heroine is a baker by trade and a plus size women who is totally comfortable with her curves.
The Mamur Zapt series by Michael Pearce, beginning with “The Mamur Zapt and the return of the carpet” Set in Cairo during the early years of last (20th) century, during the occupation by the British. The Mamur Zapt is the British head of the secret police, and the books are chock full of (accurate) period detail, political machinations, wry humour and a clear-eyed look at the characteristic failings of all cultures and classes. These are much more puzzle solving, than violence, so appeal to those of us who prefer to leave the gore, rather than take it.
A cross-over between mystery and fantasy: Jim Butcher’s Dresden files, featuring Harry Dresden, a wizard and private eye. Set in modern Chicago, these are fantasy noir, with the series getting darker (and better) as it continues; though it is becoming more fantasy and less mystery.
David Roberts’ Lord Edward Corinth series, beginning with “Sweet poison”. Inspired by Lord Peter Wimsey, but in no way a pastiche. Features his partner in crime, Verity Browne, a dedicated communist and journalist; with an antipathy to the upper classes. Set in the 30s in England, and features political commentary as well as crime and investigation. The series is beginning to become more political and less crime as it continues.
The Flavia de Luce series, by Alan Bradley, beginning with “The sweetness at the bottom of the pie”. Set in 1950s Britain, but the old-fashioned village setting harks back to Edwardian times. Heroine Flavia is 10-years old, and has a passion for chemistry, and a dysfunctional upper-class family. When not feuding with her older sisters, she investigates local murders. Only 2 in the series so far, but highly recommended.
Classic mysteries, include Margery Allingham, one of the “4 queens of crime” in the mid 20th century. Her hero Albert Campion, is another of the upper class investigators, but his side-kick Magersfontein Lugg, a retired burglar, is inspired. My favourite is “Police at the funeral” or “More work for the undertaker”, though “Tiger in the smoke” is often cited as her best work.
I guess, what I look for in a mystery is an accurate setting, as well as a good plot. Period mysteries with anachronisms in behaviour or language, drive me up the wall. I can’t immerse myself in make believe, with those sort of inconsistencies continually niggling at my attention.
My mother read a lot of British mystery novels, so I’ve met Dorothy Simpson’s (http://www.fictiondb.com/author/dorothy-simpson~23495.htm) and Douglas Clark’s work (http://www.fictiondb.com/author/douglas-clark~series~a-masters-and-green-mystery~1142.htm), as well as the big names like Sayers and Allingham and Tey and Marsh.
Dorothy Dunnett wrote several mysteries, also, featuring an artist named Johnson Johnson with a yacht named Dolly. (Apparently there’s a backstory to him, but you never get more than references and hints at it.)
Elizabeth George, the Inspector Lynley series. While I enjoy the PBS Mystery versions, I like the books more. The length of a book gives her time to round out even minor characters.
Dorothy Sayers, of course and P.D.James, Adam Daiglesh series. (BTW James also wrote Children of Men which is unlike anything else she has written.)
Tony Hillerman all of the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee stories.
Oh and Dick Francis because he gets the feel of the horses right. As a former jockey he not only knows his stuff but can communicate it.
Many of the above, and the present-day screwball mysteries by Donna Andrews. Joanne Fluke & desserts, Laurien Berenson & poodles, Linda O. Johnston & pets are sure buys. I’m enjoying Felix Francis as I did Dick Francis. SF crossover Retrieval Artist books by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. As soon as i submit this comment, I’ll remember dozens more.
Lord Peter Wimsey, by Dorothy L. Sayers is my all-time favorite mystery series. I would save my Lord Peter books in case of a house fire! Every few years, I re-read them all and never tire of them. That’s rare for me!
I like Mary Daheim’s Alpine series, and wish for a new one!
I have seldom enjoyed a character more than I enjoy Miss Helma Zukas, the main character in Jo Dereske’s series about a librarian. Both the Alpine series and the Miss Zukas books are set in the Northwest.
For mysteries, I go to the library and look for the longest series I can find. I read the tease, and if it looks interesting I put all 8 or 10 or 15 in my library bag at once. I read very quickly and love being able to keep going all at once if the books are any good.
I’ve just logged on to the library and put some of these on hold. Have to be careful not to put too many on hold at once.
Reginald Hill’s Dalziel and Pascoe series: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/H_Authors/Hill_Reginald.html#Dalziel (Yorkshire police)
P. D. James’s Adam Dalgleish series: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/J_Authors/James_P-D.html#Dalgleish (moody Scotland Yard inspector–and poet)
Stuart Kaminsky’s Toby Peters series: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/K_Authors/Kaminsky_Stuart.html#Toby%20Peters (PI in 1940s Hollywood)
Jane Haddam’s Gregor Demarkian series: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/H_Authors/Haddam_Jane.html (Armenian-American ex-FBI behavioralist)
For Tony Hillerman fans there is also Aimée and David Thurlo’s Ella Clah series. I’ve just started this series which is set in the four corners region and the Navajo Nation.
And, let’s not forget J.D. Robb with Eve Dallas and Roarke in future New York.
Oh! And William Marshall’s Yellowthread Street series (http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/M_Authors/Marshall_William.html) (British Hong Kong–Sci Fi is terrific)
CJ, I, too, would love to hear your opinion of Marcus Didius Falco, q.v. in Wikipedia.
Let’s remember SF mysteries. Asimov was told an SF mystery was impossible, so he wrote The Caves of Steel, and two or three sequels and the non-SF Black Widowers stories. Randall Garrett wrote the Lord Darcy series (which I think is being continued by another author); they remind me of Lord Peter Wimsey.
I like Spenser, and the first couple seasons of Spenser for Hire are on TheWB.com — somewhat canonical, though with a good bit of Bullitt in the first season. Rex Stout is great, especially Nero Wolfe, the first being Fer de Lance; one of the most (in)famous, The Doorbell Rang. I generally like PBS’ Masterpiece Mysteries. They’re about to start Sherlock, a current day (?) adaption of Sherlock Holmes. It’s available online, too.
I love Nero Wolfe. And I’m going to have to try the Falco books.
Holmes has to be my tops through mystery in all media. Currently, I’m enjoying Henning Mankell’s Inspector Wallander series (also a good PBS series). Another of my favorite series at the moment is Martha Grimes’ Inspector Richard Jury series. The recurring cast of characters are just priceless. And you can never go too far wrong with a good old English cozy.
Barry Hughart’s Bridge of Birds, Story of the Stone and 8 Skilled Gentlemen might not exactly be “mysteries” but they are mysterious adventures if nothing else. I loved them.