What is your favourite detective series

Oh, I also like Kathy Reichs Temp Brennan novels too, not strictly detective but pretty much!

I like Ian Rankins Rebus novels and John Connolly Charlie Parker novels.

I second that Agatha Raisin is to be avoided. I don't know how they pass as detective novels, they're abysmal figure it out in five seconds old busy body nonsense that makes you want to claw your eyes out to reach that one remaining brain cell- the only requirement for reading them

I love crime fiction, but have to admit to one who is slightly more eccentric.. The brilliant Agatha Raisin as created by M.C. Beaton.. My Mum was interested in finding other novels which have a similar charm and following a series format. Can anyone advise any please?

Father Brown by GK Chesterton. And all PD James and Inspector Wexford. And Val McDermid's many series.

Edith Pargeter writing as Ellis Peters - Cadfael series and George Felse series
Inspector Morse - Colin Dexter

John Connolly's Charlie Parker series
Nicci French
Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler
Sarah Hilary's Marnie Rome

I prefer Barbara Vine to Ruth Rendell.

Minette Walters. Brilliant

Minette Walters wrote some very good stuff in the 90s and early 2000s, but not sure what has become of her as there has been nothing new for several years.

Peter May is my addition to this list, his Enzo series are coming out in PB but at one stage you could only find them as ebooks. And there are three set in the Hebrides which are also good.

I'd second the Quintin Jardine books: he's very readable. Also Sara Paretsky, Michael Connelly, Val McDermaid and Peter Robinson, but not sure that any of those could be described as cosy. Charles Cumming is good if you like politics and espionage, as is David Downing. Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series is superb, but the first three are best, sadly AFAIK all out of print. He also wrote a couple of sci-fi type thrillers, which I liked. Michael Crichton??

Another vote for PD James, Ian Rankin, Ruth Rendell, and Susan Hill. There is also a series I like by American writer Margaret Maron set in North Carolina and featuring a young woman who is a judge as the sleuth. The first one is Bootlegger's Daughter.

I agree with you FatWalda, simon does n't seem to be particualrly likeable, but actually that does not seem to bother me. He is smug, judgemental and seems to be in love with his sister, the dr. There are also lots of deaths in his own family, that kept me interested for a while.
Does anyone know simon booth, set in derbyshire?

Margaret Yorke - similar to Ruth Rendell, most of her books are standalone crime stories featuring psychos and other misfits. There is a series with a detective figure as well.

I really hated Simon Serraillier! I picked up the first three books in a charity shop so read them all to see if they got better, but they seemed to be more about him and his family than police work. I think we are supposed to like Simon, but I found him a selfish obnoxious twat. I found it difficult to believe that he would be promoted to a special detective unit, because he never seemed to to do any detecting at all.

vi Warshawski series by Sara Paretsky

The Bob Skinner series by Quintin Jardine is excellent.

I also like the Merrily Watkins series by Phil Rickman - if you like a dash of paranormal in your detectives.

I've read most of the books mentioned blimey, I'm reading too much, obviously but I've just made another lucky discovery and am at the 'telling everyone I know' stage. Christobel Kent's Sandro Cellini novels: set in Florence, beautifully-written and with great descriptions of the city, nothing bloody or gory, but satisfyingly character-driven. I inhaled the first one and downloaded all the rest immediately.

They're slightly similar in feel to Donna Leon's Brunetti series (also recommended) but actually I think I prefer Christobel Kent atm.

Also, for vintage crime, Gladys Mitchell. Can't remember if anyone's mentioned her upthread.

I love the Falco series by Lyndsey Davis, I love how Falco and the other characters develop throughout the series.

Also, Cadfael, Lord Peter Whimsey, and Agatha Christie for me.

I would add Deborah Crombie and Peter Lovesey to this list.

Mary Stewart is one of my favourite cosy writers. Airs above the ground being my all time comfort read.
I enjoy the Aunt Dimsie books, Katherine Hall Page and Earlene Fowler too.

Sorry No 1 LDA is by Alexander McCall Smith not alistair

I'm a recent convert to detective stories, and especially enjoy Montalbano and Shardlake.

Another favourite is Magnus Jonson created by Michael Ridpath, set mainly in Iceland they have a developing subplot so it helps to read them in order.

Sorry not read it all but my faves are:
Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson
Shardlake series
But my all time ever favourites are the Number One Ladies Detective Agency books by Alistair McCall Smith. Absolutely loved them, really gentle, nothing really happens, but I have laughed out loud at parts. So beautifully written.

Yes to Agatha Christie and also Ruth Rendell
Also Nicci French ( in moderation) and Patricia Highsmith

Thank you so much those that recommended the Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries , I have been glued to the pages of 'A Still Life ' all weekend . My house is a tip, but I'm very happy :) .