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!

yy to Reginald Hill - especially the one where Dalziel is cast as God in a play.

I really love the Fred Vargas books. Quite odd, and 'out there' but very French, and very amusing.

Peter Robinson's DCI Banks series is my all time favourite.

I have been reading this series of books over the last few months - trying desperately to make them last. I have 2 to go.

I absolutely love them. I have watched a couple of episodes of the TV series which bares little comparison to the books, so don't let this colour you view)

Another one for Peter Robinson's inspector Banks. Love love love the books but not the tv series. Also like Michael Connelly's Bosch.

Loving many of these suggestions myself. I have just waded through two meaty Ken Follet books, not what I would call cosy or crime, and thought I could do with a bit of a treat for a bleak February. So, thank you one and all, I have kept my internet browser open on this thread since the email from MN mentioning it dropped in my inbox! Still googling madly, and creating wish lists on Waterstones to spend my Christmas tokens!

Kerry Wilkinson the Jessica Daniels series. Excellent!

Great, more tips! This will keep me going for a while!

Re what's good about Louise Penny - well written, sympathetic protagonist, very atmospheric setting, great cast of regulars whose characters develop through the series, and lots of gorgeous food being cooked and eaten, which somehow adds to the appeal....

Been stuck at home today with bad stomach, but been surfing merrily and recieved the first three Louise Penny books this morning making life bearable! FYI found some great deals with Lowplex.com (I had never heard of them before but specialise in sets), 10 Andrea Camilleri Inspector Montalbano for £16.95.

With The Book People, for really cosy cosy stuff, Carola Dunn, 12 Daisy Dalrynple mysteries for £5.00 - had to order those! Bit cheesy I know, but at 42p per book couldn't resist! Great selection of Donna Leon available too, more it seems, than Waterstones so had to order a couple of those too......

No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCabe...

Another big fan here of detective novels

Peter Robinson
Ann Cleeves
P D James
Elly Griffiths
and lots of other Scandi/American authors

Does anyone know Dorothy Simpson? Very traditional English det, Inspector Thanet I think. Written in the 70s/80s I think.

Tony Parsons has got a new detective series now, haven't read them yet, anyone else know them?

I read Tony Parsons' The Murder Bag last year and really liked it. Definitely got potential for a good series.

I also like the Susan Hill books. I've given up on Elizabeth George as I started to find some of the plot developments a little far fetched.

Barbara Vine (pen name for Ruth Rendell) is also good. And I like Sue Grafton's A is for series. she's writing one for every letter of the alphabet.

My two absolute favourites have already been mentioned - Michael Connelly (the Bosch and Mickey Haller series are both great) and Mark Billingham.

I've just read the first three in the DI Helen Grace series by M.J. Arlidge. the first wo were ok but loved the third one and I think he's improving the character.

There are some great tips on this thread. DCI Banks sounds like a good one.

Anyone read any of the Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear? Looking on Goodreads they get a bit of a mixed bag of reviews but once again, The Book People have the first three for only £3.00. I think they may be worth a punt, but I have a long wish list and a long reading list......

The British Library are reissuing some classic crime novels from the 1930s with gorgeous covers. I've only read one, Mystery in White, which is a Christmas one, but i loved it. Cosy, but also creepy.

Many moons ago, once I'd read all my mothers Agatha christie novels, I moved on to the Miss Silver books by Patricia Wentworth. They're along a similar line to Miss Marple, and fit comfortably in the cosy crime category. I'm noting down tips from the thread, and have already spent too much. Too easy on a kindle .

I agree with Miss Silver very Miss Marple, cosy enjoyment.

I love the Myron Bolitar series but they are not exactly sophisticated (glad someone else has already mentioned them)

Thank you so much those that recommended the Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries , I have been glued to the pages of 'A Still Life ' all weekend . My house is a tip, but I'm very happy :) .

Yes to Agatha Christie and also Ruth Rendell
Also Nicci French ( in moderation) and Patricia Highsmith

Sorry not read it all but my faves are:
Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson
Shardlake series
But my all time ever favourites are the Number One Ladies Detective Agency books by Alistair McCall Smith. Absolutely loved them, really gentle, nothing really happens, but I have laughed out loud at parts. So beautifully written.

I'm a recent convert to detective stories, and especially enjoy Montalbano and Shardlake.

Another favourite is Magnus Jonson created by Michael Ridpath, set mainly in Iceland they have a developing subplot so it helps to read them in order.

Sorry No 1 LDA is by Alexander McCall Smith not alistair

Mary Stewart is one of my favourite cosy writers. Airs above the ground being my all time comfort read.
I enjoy the Aunt Dimsie books, Katherine Hall Page and Earlene Fowler too.