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Original poster

Adventure or mystery books for lady in her 80s

20 replies

Papergirl1968 · 02/12/2017 21:53

Can anyone recommend a mystery or adventure novel as a present for a family friend in her 80s?
They are not really genres I'm familiar with and have been having a browse on Amazon but there seem to be a lot of psychological thrillers on the bestseller list, whereas she requested mystery or adventure!
Thanks

OP posts:
HooraySunshine · 02/12/2017 23:15

Have you tried G.K. Chesterton, Lesley Cookman, Elizabeth Edmondson, Andrea Frazer, Georgette Heyer, Evelyn James, Harriet Rutland, Patricia Wentworth or Diana Xarissa?

All 'period' books with (mild) murder/mystery/adventure.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/12/2017 23:32

'Madam, Will you Talk' by Mary Wesley
'Footsteps in the Dark' by Georgette Heyer

clairethewitch70 · 02/12/2017 23:34

Daisy Dalrymple books.

The Ladies no1 detective agency.

clairethewitch70 · 02/12/2017 23:35

Agatha Christie.

PD. James

Ruth Rendell

Original poster
Papergirl1968 · 03/12/2017 21:34

Great ideas, thank you very much!

OP posts:
Gruach · 03/12/2017 21:38

Josephine Tey - The Franchise Affair. (Folio Soc. have a lovely edition.)

onemouseplace · 03/12/2017 21:40

There is a new collection of PD James short stories just out - "Sleep no More".

GoodGirlsGuide · 03/12/2017 21:43

Elizabeth Peters writes wonderful books - the Curse of the Pharoahs is one of my favourites. I would absolutely recommend them - my dear Great Aunt read this in her 80’s on my recommendation and told me she loved it.

iklboo · 03/12/2017 21:44

I'm only in my 40s but I really enjoyed the Father Brown stories.

meala · 03/12/2017 21:45

What about Agatha raisin and Hamish mcbeth?

HarrietVane99 · 03/12/2017 21:49

My mum is in her eighties and she likes John le Carre. She's getting the latest for Christmas. In the past she's liked Cadfael, Falco, Elizabeth Peters. I don't think she'd like Lesley Cookman. Not enough substance.

comeagainforbigfudge · 03/12/2017 21:52

I second Elizabeth Peters. Found one randomly browsing in the library, as I'm wont to do, found it a bit hard to get into the style of writing. Then something clicked and I was hooked.

cdtaylornats · 03/12/2017 22:17

Ellis Peters who wrote the Cadfael series also wrote a mystery series about Inspector Felse - first one is Fallen Into the Pit

FairNotFair · 03/12/2017 22:23

My DM is 80 and loves Josephine Tey and Ngaio Marsh.

Gruach · 04/12/2017 00:03

Hah, Ngaio Marsh was just the person I was going to suggest.

(Along with a small protest about in her 80s. I cannot imagine that my reading tastes might ever be defined by my age ...)

Original poster
Papergirl1968 · 04/12/2017 07:44

You’re right, Gruach, lol. She’s not a knitting, baking, gentle granny type figure in any way, shape or form and won’t be offended by a bit of sex or swearing!
Some great suggestions on here, thanks.

OP posts:
lljkk · 04/12/2017 07:56

Dr. Siri Paiboun Series. Not least because they are about geriatrics solving mysteries. Quirky, very funny. With adventure, magical realism and modern history thrown in.

No safe "midsummer murders" feeling about them.

Gruach · 04/12/2017 08:02

Interesting. I'd never come across Collin Cotterill before lljkk Thank you, they look great fun.

bruffin · 04/12/2017 08:04

Alexander mcall smith

palmfronds · 04/12/2017 08:07

Another vote for Elizabeth Peters here!

Also Margery Allingham and the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear.

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