What is your favourite detective series

[Haahoooo]

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

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!

Kinsey Millhone!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

Ngaio Marsh's Inspector Allen novels are good as well

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

Ian Rankin
Reginald Hill

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

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!

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...

Yy to Sue Grafton

Also Peter James
Stuart Pawson
Mark Billingham
Robert Crais
Stewart McBride

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

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

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

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

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

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.

I second Peter James Roy Grace books. Just reading them in order now. Was going to have a change but finished book 6 and started book 7 last night!

You seem to like the ones I do (and I find Jo Nesbo too disturbing) so I can certainly second the recommendation for the Martin Beck series. And there are about 10 of them so you can settle in for a good read. I also really like James Lee Burke and John Sandford.

Love the Shardlake series, plus Martin Beck, plus Arnaldur Indridason and if you like darker Scandi then try Karin Fossum. Rebus books for gritty/seedy and Patricia Cornwell for gruesome/medical. Big thumbs down for Jo Nesbo (terrible writing, or maybe just translation).

I prefer the darker crime writers. Jo Nesbo, James Oswald, Mo Hayder, Val McDermid, Sharon Bolton, Carin Gerhardsen, and kristina Ohlsson are some of my favourite authors.

When I saw your title, I was coming on to say Louise Penny! Loved those books, so much so that I even bought the last full price on my Kindle, unheard of.

One that hasn't been mentioned is Reginald Hill - Dalziel & Pascoe. He is darkly comic and a brilliant writer.

Oh goodness. Just started my first Louise Penny after these recommendations:
'accompanied by an ancient, and from the smell, perhaps decomposing dog...'

Yes, that'll do nicely, thanks!

Before I check out Louise Penny, can those of you who enjoy her explain exactly why? Thanks!