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Original poster

What is your favourite detective series

93 replies

Haahoooo · 19/02/2015 13:47

I have just finished the wonderful Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny... I loved it and am distraught at the thought of having to read something else tonight Hmm

Can you recommend a cosy mystery / detective series to me please?

I also loved Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, Andrea Camilleri, Donna Leon and some of the Scandi detectives eg Karin Fossum and Henning Mankell. Bit nothing too violent / action packed - don't particularly like Jo Nesbo for example.

Thank you so much for any tips!

OP posts:
LifeOfBriony · 23/02/2015 20:17

Another vote for Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series.

I had Graham Hurley recommended to me - his Faraday and Winter series. I have only read the first one so far but am going to carry on with these.

Cocolepew · 23/02/2015 20:12

Sue Grafton
John Sandford 'Prey' books
Robert Crais
Dennis Lehane
Harlan Cobens Myron books

agoodbook · 23/02/2015 20:06

I'll add my favourites
Historical -
Arianna Franklin - Mistress of the Art of Death is number 1 ( 4 in the series, )
Susanna Gregory 2 different series medieval and restoration
Modern -
Peter Robinson Inspector Banks series ( totally wrong on the telly!)
Stephen Booth -
Ann Granger - Markby and Mitchell series

RustyBear · 23/02/2015 19:52

Georgette Heyer's crime novels could certainly be described as cosy.

raspberrywhitechocolate · 23/02/2015 19:49

Sophie Hannah books* that is, as in books by Sophie Hannah rather than about her.

raspberrywhitechocolate · 23/02/2015 19:48

The Sophie Hannah book, can be read individually but best to read them in order so you can follow the detectives' storylines. They're great and very addictive although the most recent was a bit crap

VeronicaCaCa · 23/02/2015 19:44

Yy to Sue Grafton

Also Peter James
Stuart Pawson
Mark Billingham
Robert Crais
Stewart McBride

MrsCakesPrecognition · 23/02/2015 19:37

The Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton. Starts with A is for Alibi and is currently on W is for Wasted. I'm not sure what I'll do once she gets to Z is for...

strawberrypenguin · 23/02/2015 19:33

Stuart Pawson is good too for crime that isn't too brutal. I also like R D Wingfield's Frost books (that the TV show was based on) and I do love Val McDermid but she's quite graphic in places!

Bluejumperandbluejeans · 23/02/2015 19:29

I agree on Sara paretsky, Jackson Brodie, ian rankin
Can I add any of the resnick books by John Harvey they're set in and around Nottingham

Coyoacan · 23/02/2015 04:06

Ellis Peters also has another detective series that I've just finished reading, under her real name, Edith Pargeter.

Ian Rankin
Reginald Hill

Greydog · 23/02/2015 02:07

Ngaio Marsh's Inspector Allen novels are good as well

BsshBosh · 22/02/2015 08:44

If you like a bit of magic and supernatural then Ben Aaronvitch's Rivers of London series is really enjoyable.

Thanks for the Louise Penny recommendation - have just checked her books via Amazon's "Look inside" feature and they look good.

UptoapointLordCopper · 21/02/2015 21:18

MC Beeton also wrote the Hamish Macbeth series. That's quite cosy.

And the Daisy Dalrymple ones which are pretty cosy too.

Lots of ideas on here, but I must finish Wolf Hall first!

FriendlyLadybird · 21/02/2015 14:19

I agree with Lord Peter Wimsey and Jackson Brodie. I also adore Inspector Montalbano.

I enjoy a couple of historical detective series -- Gordianus the Finder and Shardlake.

TinCanSally · 21/02/2015 12:15

I second the Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson - I felt bereft when I'd finished reading them and still haven't quite forgiven KA for not writing more! They are fabulous.

Original poster
Haahoooo · 21/02/2015 12:10

Thank you again so much. A few familiar names in here - I loved the Martin Beck series, Kate Ellis and also the JK Rowling pseudonym ones (hope there will be a next one of these at some point!).

But also lots of new series to try, very happy Smile

OP posts:
Boomf · 20/02/2015 19:01

Kinsey Millhone!

Clawdy · 20/02/2015 16:30

Christie over and above... but then love the Inspector Wexford novels(apart from the last couple), Shetland Quartet, Falco novels,the wonderful Jackson Brodie of course....and quite liking Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson series,too.

Anjelica27 · 20/02/2015 15:14

Robert Galbraith (aka J K Rowling) very readable

Rollermum · 20/02/2015 15:04

Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson. Lovely and unusual.

Greydog · 20/02/2015 14:49

Try Laurie R King's Mary Russel series - I've really enjoyed them - www.laurierking.com/

SunshineAndShadows · 20/02/2015 14:44

Logan Macrae series by Stuart Macbride

flightywoman · 20/02/2015 14:41

Do you want modern or vintage?

My mum has mentioned two things to me recently - Phil Rickman's books and a website called www.themurderroom.com/

if vintage...

Margery Allingham (Albert Campion)
Christianna Brand (she wrote the Nurse Matilda children's books)
Michael Innes
Michael Gilbert
Gwendoline Butler/Jennie Melville
ECR Lorac/Carol Carnac (these are quite hard to find, but rewarding if you like your detective fiction from the 30s to 50s)
Pamela Branch
Elizabeth Ferrars
MG Eberhart

I hated the Simon Serrailier series!

AgathaF · 20/02/2015 14:32

Have you tried the Roy Grace books?