Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Looking for great murder mysteries!

36 replies

Sunnyday777 · 18/01/2023 21:50

Hi. I’ve just joined and found this group, and was wondering if anyone could recommend some books for me?
I enjoy murder mysteries, think death in paradise, midsummer murders etc. and like similar books.
I’ve read all Anthony Horowitz, Richard osman, Lucy foley, and am looking for something similar . Don’t mind going a bit darker too if it’s good. Bonus points for it being set by the coast! It’s my favourite place to be.
Thanks!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Tintackedsea · 26/01/2023 18:15

Chris Brookmyre is good. His older, more satirical style is written under the name Christopher Brookmyre and his historical murder fiction is under the name Ambrose Parry.

Miss Silver books by Patricia Wentworth
Georgette Heyer has murder books
Mary Stewart also some cracking mysteries

angeltattoo · 26/01/2023 17:52

I have really enjoyed Tim Weaver's David Raker series, he's a missing person finder but lots of mystery and murder in them.

Ratched · 26/01/2023 17:51

LJ Ross - cracking reads ( especially if you are from the North East)

losingit31 · 26/01/2023 17:50

I enjoyed The Sleeper by Emily Barr and a couple of books by David Jackson on Audible.

AgathaX · 26/01/2023 17:47

Alex Scarrow's DCI Boyd series, set on the south coast in Hastings are really good.

GnomeDePlume · 26/01/2023 17:32

Simon Brett has created a few series of books:

The Fethering mysteries set on the south coast
The declutterer mysteries set in a similar area
The Mrs Pargeter mysteries set all over but there is a wickedly good one set in a retirement hotel on the south coast
The Charles Paris mysteries are based around a middle aged actor sleuth

ElegantlyTouched · 26/01/2023 17:12

Yes! I really want to watch them but my TV refuses to play Prime.

bananamilkshakes · 26/01/2023 11:55

Is that the Three Pines that's currently on Prime (I think)? I'm watching it, it's good

KittytheHare · 26/01/2023 10:17

ElegantlyTouched · 22/01/2023 17:11

Louise Penny's Three Pines series is great, starts with Still Life.

I second this recommendation. Currently on book 2 in the series. I'm actually listening to it on Audible and the narrator is fab.

MagpieCastle · 24/01/2023 20:20

Nicola Upson’s Josephine Tey mysteries are great. Well written, great characters and engaging plots.

bananamilkshakes · 24/01/2023 20:16

The Bryant & May series is great, fantastic characters two grumpy old detectives. Loads of detail about london's history weaved in.

LimeCheesecake · 22/01/2023 18:28

Sorry for the Rlly Griffiths, I meant the Ruth Galloway books.

she’s also done a Brighton mysteries set in the 50s.

LimeCheesecake · 22/01/2023 18:26

The Ann Cleeves Shetland series are good (and this is a great time of year to start the first as it’s set in midwinter around when Shetland doesn’t get light properly, and the dark / island location /cold weather is a big part of the story/feel of the book).

the Ely Griffiths books are great and again the coastal location is a big part of the story for the first couple.

I like the Robert Galbraith books, but they are a lot darker/grittier than the others you’ve said you like.

Have you read the old Agatha Christie Marple’s?!

Hip2BSquare · 22/01/2023 18:23

For those who like Classic mysteries try Mike Hollow's The Blitz Detective series. They are very good and are in the style of Freeman Wills Croft. They take place in 1940 during the Blitz. The author knows his history and adds many details about what was happening during that time. Not gory or graphic.

Sucessinthenewyear · 22/01/2023 18:16

HermioneWeasley · 19/01/2023 21:20

Robert Galbraith Strike detective series

I was coming to say this.

ElegantlyTouched · 22/01/2023 17:11

Louise Penny's Three Pines series is great, starts with Still Life.

Rosalindisafuckingnightmare · 21/01/2023 22:30

Peter May has a trilogy set in the Hebrides. The Lewis Man is the first one I think. Very atmospheric.

highlyrecommendit · 21/01/2023 22:24

Try Patricia Gibney. The Lottie parker series. The missing ones is the first book. I can't put them down!

Blackcountryexile · 21/01/2023 22:14

The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware set in Brighton and Cornwall.

staciea31 · 21/01/2023 11:20

Chris carters Robert hunter books are fab read them in order if possible though also about her vote for Peter James his Roy grace books are also great again try to read them in order . Lisa Jewell has some good reads worth looking at too enjoy x

Original poster
Sunnyday777 · 19/01/2023 23:07

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me! I haven’t heard of the majority of these so I’ll be making a note and going on a hunt for some good new reads!

OP posts:
Crumpledstilstkin · 19/01/2023 21:25

Sj Bennett. The queen solves murders with one of her team. It's very charming and a good mystery, just like the Thursday murder club.

Ciderwine · 19/01/2023 21:25

J R Ellis does a good series and also M W Craven I really enjoyed. I also recommend Anne Cleeves and Elizabeth George Inspector Linley. Don't know that it suits the coastal mysteries but there's nothing more disappointing as a badly written book.

snowsilver · 19/01/2023 21:21

Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series set on Norfolk coast.

HermioneWeasley · 19/01/2023 21:20

Robert Galbraith Strike detective series

Swipe left for the next trending thread