Something Bertie Wooster would read

[whatausername]

He seems to read light-hearted mysteries, probably what we'd call "cosy mysteries" today. Any recommendations? Can't say I've read any really apart from Agatha Christie. These days, I normally stick to non-fiction or pre-20th century fiction, with the odd random 20th c. novel thrown in. That might sound pretentious but I enjoy reading books from different centuries as they reflect something of the time. It's quite fun! Anyway, I fancy mixing it up a bit, so any suggestions? Doesn't need to be an award-winning author :-P

Josephine Tey’s detective stories are brilliant. Dorothy L Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey detective stories are too. Much better written than Agatha Christie but still good page turners.

Sherlock Holmes? I have a feeling Bertie mentions Sherlock Holmes at some point. Jeeves, of course, preferred Shakespeare. In one of the books, Bertie overhears Jeeves describe him as "an exceedingly amiable young gentleman, but by no means intelligent. Mentally, he is negligible." 😄

Ethel M Dell. Romance and some hinted at naughty bits and not mentally taxing at all. BW is definitely someone who'd like romantic fiction with a bit of sauce.

Mapp and Lucia
Cold Comfort Farm

I actually meant Elinor Glyn, but both fit the bill for light frothy reading BW would probably like. According to wiki Wodehouse's character Rosie M Banks is based on Dell and her writing.

Clara Benson

Or the Phryne Fisher books

Rebecca Tope - one series set in the Cotswolds, one in the Lake District, both modern day
Janie Bolitho - set in Cornwall, modern day albeit 1980s/1990s
Elizabeth Daly - Henry Gamadge series, 1920s to 1940s America
Patricia Wentworth - Miss Silver series, 1920s to 1940s England
Jacqueline Winspear - Maisie Dobbs series, 1930s to 1940s

Personally speaking I think the only thing Bertie Wooster read were invitations , letters from aunts and labels on gin bottles .

Take a look at the British Library Crime Classics series. They've reprinted C20th mystery stories from a selection of authors.

Mixed bag, and of course of their time in language and attitude, but I've really enjoyed the contemporary scene setting in many of them.

That should have said early C20th

😂 he does give that impression! But there are mentions of books such as The Mystery of the Pink Crayfish and some others I've forgotten.

What a wonderful list of suggestions, thank you everyone.

Georgette Heyer?

Dorothy L Sayers!

Yes - definitely georgette heyer. I think all who love wodehouse would love heyer. So clever, funny, varied. Every time I read one I am reminded how good they are. Definitely ticks similar boxes. She wrote lots of historical romances - typically pretty sharp funny and well written- some romance/mystery, and some more just mystery. Try eg the toll gate - that’s a romance/ mystery one.

I enjoyed the Riveria Express Series, Miss Didmont Mysteries, by TP Fielding. Set in the 1940/50's but written in the last few years. Mysteries but definitely frothy.

Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie L King. Uprotaonist is an unconventional fiercely intelligent young woman who pals up with an elderly Sherlock Holmes and...you can probably guess the rest! Lots of cunning, great disguises, period detail, plot twists, dastardly Villains and so on.

@whatausername also quite fun is Sister Beneath The Sheets by Gillian Linscott. Suffragette detective investigating the death of a courtesan who has left her money to The Cause. What will happen with the will? And was it really suicide?

I remember a fair bit of lurking around in the gardens of stately homes listening at windows, hiding on ledges, meetings in hotels, trying to stop a friend who is acting foolishly, and talk about clothes. Which to my mind are all rather Bertie.