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Audible recommendations for non-gruesome detective/mystery book or series

58 replies

LemonAndLimeTree · 17/12/2022 21:23

I am looking for Audible recommendations for a detective/mystery book (or series) which does not have horrible violence in it. For example I enjoyed the first Samsom book but found the second too gruesome. Obviously I’m expecting murders but don’t like anything too graphic or gratuitous. I have enjoyed Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie (up to a point) and V I Warshawski. Loved Cadfael. I quite like a book with a fair bit of daily life and character background in it alongside the detective/mystery aspect. Any suggestions?

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tobee · 29/12/2022 01:26

Just seen that Rebecca read by Anna Massey is today's £1.99 daily deal on audible!

OneMomentPlease · 28/12/2022 17:33

Another vote for The Thursday Murder Club books. You might also like S J Bennett’s series that starts with The Windsor Knot. Gentle, humorous, nice development of surrounding characters over the series.

Doliveira · 28/12/2022 16:35

I’ve been listening to Prunella Scales read Cranford! Free on audible.

super good stuff,iyltsot!

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 28/12/2022 07:46

The Daisy Dalrymple books by Carola Dunn are free on audible I think this is because they have the world's worst narration - and American reader pretending to be upper class British and mispronouncing all the place names etc - but if you can get past that, they're quite good stories.

Virginiaplain · 28/12/2022 07:23

I third Anthony Horowitz’ the Word is Murder and I don’t normally like crime stuff.

Whataretheodds · 28/12/2022 07:17

3 eps of new Charles Paris series on Sounds now!

ColouringPencils · 21/12/2022 21:00

Great thread! I listened to one of the Charles Paris stories on BBC Sounds today on recommendation from here. Going to see if there are others. The perfect length to get me to and from work, funny and entertaining.

Helenloveslee4eva · 20/12/2022 12:56

No 1 ladies detective agency

REP22 · 20/12/2022 12:45

I really love Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club books, very clever and well-plotted. I also like G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown series (with Mark Williams on the BBC TV series; various versions available on Audible).

SantaBakula · 20/12/2022 12:25

@1stWorldProblems completely agree with Charles Paris mystery, Bill plays such a good role as a failing actore and ( want to be) lothario.
I have always liked him right from his navy lark days.

@LemonAndLimeTree , I was going to suggest Dick Francis, ( the x jockey) all of his books are based around horses/ racing or wine but you don't need to know anything about them to enjoy the books. However he does describe somethings you may not like , people's arms getting broke, been shot , tied up but not in a lot of detail so you may be ok.
And there are loads to go at

Doliveira · 20/12/2022 12:10

Whataretheodds · 19/12/2022 22:07

Charles Paris is dramatised on R4 starring Bill Nighy - find it on BBC sounds - so easy to listen to!!

What a brilliant share! Thankyou!

DisforDarkChocolate · 20/12/2022 09:10

Ooh, I love Charles Paris too.

Whataretheodds · 19/12/2022 22:07

Charles Paris is dramatised on R4 starring Bill Nighy - find it on BBC sounds - so easy to listen to!!

Original poster
LemonAndLimeTree · 19/12/2022 22:05

Lots more interesting suggestions - thank you. I completely agree that a good narrator is essential. My favourite narrator is Juliet Stephenson so I’ll definitely put The Paying Guests on my list. Also a fan of Richard Armitage and I have enjoyed the Joy Ellis DI Jackman books I’ve listened to. Falco and Sister Fidelma sound right up my street. So many other great suggestions too.

OP posts:
BinkerTell · 19/12/2022 20:52

I've really enjoyed the DI Jackman books by Joy Ellis, narrated by Richard Armitage. Also Val McDermaid's Karen Piries series - not too grisly and great characters.

AinmÁlainn · 19/12/2022 20:16

If you don't mind a bit of supernatural alongside your crime procedural the Rivers of London series is excellent. I didn't think they would be my thing but I really enjoyed all of them and an excellent narrator.

Britinme · 19/12/2022 20:09

Just remembered the Ariana Franklin (a pen name for Diana Norman) books in the Mistress of the Art of Death series - they were brilliant.
1 - Mistress of the Art of Death
2 - The Serpent's Tale
3 - Grave Goods
4 - A Murderous Procession
5 - Death and the Maiden

Abhannmor · 19/12/2022 19:55

If you like Brother Cadfael you will probably enjoy Sister Fidelma.

Either way you will love Charles Paris!

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 19/12/2022 19:33

I love Robert Galbraith but agree they are violent.

Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders are a good shout.

'A Spoonful of Murder' by JM Hall is extremely gentle.

HappySpade · 19/12/2022 18:55

I've always enjoyed the Agatha Raisin mysteries by MC Beaton. More silly and funny murder mysteries. Some murders can be a bit grisly but there's never much detail about the death. Audiobooks are about 5-6 hours.

whirlyhead · 19/12/2022 18:52

Another vote for Louise penny here - such beautifully written books.

and for Ellie griffiths Ruth Galloway books.

i enjoy Susan hill’s Simon serailler books but they can definitely be gruesome/upsetting!

Pennina · 19/12/2022 18:48

Rally Griffiths - Ruth Galloway series. Great run of 14, nothing too grisly

Simon Serraillier - Susan Hill series,

Both great, read in order to keep up with the lead characters' parallel stories.

DisforDarkChocolate · 19/12/2022 18:41

Audible have the Inspector Wexford series in their Unlimited section.

DisforDarkChocolate · 19/12/2022 18:39

The Falco series by Lindsay Davis.

FaintlyMacabre · 19/12/2022 18:39

Sue Grafton Alphabet series. The books are great with a lovely sense of place and character. I don’t know what the Audible narration is like though.