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Original poster

Recommendation needed for atmospheric cosy-ish mystery or thriller

31 replies

ellanwood · 28/03/2020 22:34

Hi
I want something easy and fast-paced to read to take my mind off the news. Would love a mystery or thriller without many gory descriptions. Really atmospheric setting would help.
I loved the Jackson Brodie and Cormoran Strike series and really loved The Goldfinch. Also enjoyed Tara French. Something along those lines.

Any ideas who I should try next? Not sleeping well and just want to download something to Kindle and get lost in it. Thanks so much.

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Cacacoisfarraige · 12/04/2020 08:47

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madamehooch · 12/04/2020 08:14

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

roxyrocky · 05/04/2020 16:18

Thanks for the recommendations. I've started reading Broken Ground by Val McDermid and am enjoying it.
I don't know if they've been mentioned but I really like Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe books - and if you like them there are lots to read.

Original poster
ellanwood · 04/04/2020 08:53

@highlandcoo - I've tried to get into five other novels since finishing that one and none of them has hooked me. Might have to accept defeat and download the next Gamache book. Grin

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highlandcoo · 03/04/2020 14:54

ellanwood I'm glad you enjoyed the first one. Loads more to go! Smile

TulipsInAVase · 03/04/2020 14:16

Also maybe Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield - it isn't a straightforward detective-solves-murder-mystery but it is mega atmospheric and while it does meander like a river it is much more tightly plotted than I thought it would be to begin with.

TulipsInAVase · 03/04/2020 14:14

Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway books maybe? Very atmospheric Norfolk setting.

NotNowPlzz · 03/04/2020 14:08

Alison Golden. They are short cozy mystery reads.

Original poster
ellanwood · 03/04/2020 14:04

I love Anthony Horowitz anyway, so will definitely look at all suggestions of books by him.

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HarlanWillYouStopNamingNuts · 03/04/2020 13:10

Sorry, murder mysteries - no Mitford sisters are harmed, so far as I know!

FFSFFSFFS · 03/04/2020 13:10

I second the Hunting Party.

And I am currently gorging very happily on Agatha Chrisite.

HarlanWillYouStopNamingNuts · 03/04/2020 13:08

Seconding Anthony Horowitz. You might also try the Mitford Murders series by Jessica Fellowes. I haven't read them yet so would be interested in opinions, but they look like they would fit the bill - it's a series of murders each featuring a different one of the Mitford sisters.

Original poster
ellanwood · 03/04/2020 12:54

@highlandcoo I just finished the first Inspector Gamache. Thanks for the recommendation. You weren't kidding about the 'delicious croissants and coffee' - I got carb overload just reading it.

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Settlersofcatan · 03/04/2020 05:03

Josephine Tey - especially Brat Farrar and The Franchise Affair

Xylophonics · 30/03/2020 16:07

As well as Magpie Murders, Anthony Horowitz' latest detective novels are good, the Word is Murder. The Sentence is Death .

Zebracat · 29/03/2020 22:53

I love William Shaw. Very well written. First few are set in 1970s London, and then the later ones in present day Kent.

Pinkerpellosa · 29/03/2020 18:11

Val McDeirmid's Karen Pirie books are great

ilikebooksandplants · 29/03/2020 18:10

I've enjoyed Nicci French's books in the past. I also liked The Hunting Party mentioned upthread so a second vote for that.

riotlady · 29/03/2020 15:24

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz is great, it’s a murder mystery within a murder mystery and has lots of nods to Agatha Christie

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 29/03/2020 13:08

If you like something a bit more old fashioned, what about the Lord Peter Wimsey novels, by Dorothy L Sayers.

poppadopolis · 29/03/2020 12:57

David Baldacci - The Christmas Train.

Very different to his usual thrillers (which are also great but not quite what you asked for )

Original poster
ellanwood · 29/03/2020 12:12

Thanks for all the recommendations. Definitely fancy those Inspector Gamache mysteries. That sounds exactly what I'm after. Ridiculous murder, poets and croissants. Thank you! Grin

I've read Ann Cleeves - yes she'd be perfect but I've read so many I fancy a change.

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highlandcoo · 29/03/2020 12:04

Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache mysteries, set in the village of Three Pines in French Canada, are great.

A ridiculous number of murders occur in this picturesque village full of artists and poets, where everyone meets in the bistro for delicious croissants and coffee. Arnald Gamache is a decent reassuring presence throughout.

Highly recommended for these unsettling times.

BestIsWest · 29/03/2020 09:24

Yes, agree with SDTG, Anne Cleeves is brilliant. Vera books are great too.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/03/2020 23:48

How about the Shetland books, by Ann Cleeves? Very atmospheric setting, and great stories. Raven Black is the first one.

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