Favorite Mystery Writer

[19Sandy]

I am really into mysteries when I get a chance to read one.

My all-time favorite is Anne Perry (pen name), if you have a chance look up her life history on Wikipedia. She writes Victorian series, and when I get one I can't put it down. She has two series that I love but also writes Christmas books with the same characters.

Diana Mott Davidson - food mysteries with a caterer

Nancy Atherton - Aunt Dimity mystery with an interesting fluffy pink bunny

Susan Conant - dog mysteries about Malamutes and also has a cat series with her daughter (haven't read the cat ones)

Laurien Berenson - another dog mystery with show and pet poodles

Joann Fluke - cookie shop owner who is always finding a mystery to solve

Leslie Meir - set in Massachusetts with family, holidays and such

What are your favorite mystery writers?

[iris lilies]

I am really into mysteries when I get a chance to read one.

My all-time favorite is Anne Perry (pen name), if you have a chance look up her life history on Wikipedia. She writes Victorian series, and when I get one I can't put it down. She has two series that I love but also writes Christmas books with the same characters.

..

A few years ago at our local film festival, a documentary played that was about Anne
Perry, and it included a bit about that bad business of her youth. The filmmakers spent quite a lot of time with her at her current home. I honestly do not remember the documentary as being very compelling, though.

I dont read mysteries, but from working in a library for decades, I know her name.

The dramatic film Heavenly Creatures is what got me interested in her early life.

[razz]

Canadian writer, Louise Penny, has been my latest favourite. I know the area that she is situating the series and the dynamics so it has a special interest for me beyond being a good story.

[Zoe Girl]

I don;t think this is actually mystery genre, more action, but I love

James Patterson, my potato chip books because I always finish the bag too fast!
John Kellerman
Janet Evanovich,

[Selah]

Swedish author Henning Mankell. Writes about Kurt Wallander, a Swedish detective in a small town out in the sticks. He's grumpy, has some a rotten lovelife, poor management skills, and iffy health due to neglect and overwork. Fantastic stuff--deals with current events and how they're played out in Swedish society, e.g. racism, immigration, sex trafficking, economic disparity, etc.

I also like the books by Nevada Barr about national park ranger (and unofficial detective) Anna Pigeon. Fascinating insights and travel writing about America's national parks.

Tony Hillerman's stuff about crime solving on America's Navajo reservations is GREAT.

And if anyone can help me, I'm struggling to think of the author of a series of books about a female lawyer based in Albuquerque with a Hispanic boyfriend. She ends up solving crimes, of course. I read them in the early nineties and for the life of me, I can't remember what they were called...but they were great!

[Zoe Girl]

I forgot Tony Hillerman, love his books.

[JaneV2.0]

I like Jonathan Kellerman, but really only because I adore his pal Milo. And Agatha Christie holds up well.
I've enjoyed Patricia Cornwell.
I have a lot of mystery fiction in queue on my Kindle. Best get crackin'.

[19Sandy]

Canadian writer, Louise Penny, has been my latest favourite. I know the area that she is situating the series and the dynamics so it has a special interest for me beyond being a good story.

I just watched a movie based on one of her books.

[19Sandy]

Swedish author Henning Mankell. Writes about Kurt Wallander, a Swedish detective in a small town out in the sticks. He's grumpy, has some a rotten lovelife, poor management skills, and iffy health due to neglect and overwork. Fantastic stuff--deals with current events and how they're played out in Swedish society, e.g. racism, immigration, sex trafficking, economic disparity, etc.

I also like the books by Nevada Barr about national park ranger (and unofficial detective) Anna Pigeon. Fascinating insights and travel writing about America's national parks.

Tony Hillerman's stuff about crime solving on America's Navajo reservations is GREAT.

And if anyone can help me, I'm struggling to think of the author of a series of books about a female lawyer based in Albuquerque with a Hispanic boyfriend. She ends up solving crimes, of course. I read them in the early nineties and for the life of me, I can't remember what they were called...but they were great!


I have the Wallander series on PBS but haven't read the books.

I think I have read some of these female lawyer books but can't remember the name either.

[catherine]

Caroliyn Keene (Nancy Drew)

I am not a big mystery book fan now, but boy, did I love those Nancy Drew books!! In Catholic school, supply was limited because the series offered a "limited vocabulary" according to the nuns, but I think I found a way to read them all.

[19Sandy]

I forgot about kids books. I need to start another thread (it will show how old all of us are - lol).

[Gardenarian]

I like a lot of British authors:
Kate Atkinson (the Jackson Brodie books)
Iain Banks (maybe more suspense than mystery)
Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine (same person)
Reginald Hill
Tana French
Elizabeth George

[early morning]

oh gosh - often whoever I'm reading at the time is my "current" favorite. Right now, I'm reading through Camilla Läckberg, and enjoying every page.

I love - in no apparent order:
Dick Frances
Tony Hillerman (and daughter)
Martha Grimes
Kim Harrison (love that they are set in a nearby city)
Agatha Christie
Anne Perry
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Stieg Larrson
Henning Mankell
Alexander McCall Smith
Charlotte MacLeod
Francis Brody
Jacqueline Winspear
Marion Chesney/MC Beaton

I'm sure there are more, that's just all I can think of at the moment

[frugal-one]

Caroliyn Keene (Nancy Drew)

I am not a big mystery book fan now, but boy, did I love those Nancy Drew books!! In Catholic school, supply was limited because the series offered a "limited vocabulary" according to the nuns, but I think I found a way to read them all.

Read those too, along with the Bobbsey Twins.

[LDAHL]

The incomparable Nero Wolfe novels of Rex Stout, spanning the thirties through the sixties. I envy anyone who hasn't read Fer-de-Lance yet. There have been many attempts to bring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin to the screen, none of which seem to have been entirely satisfactory. That may be a measure of the complex and delightful world Stout created over the decades.

Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. For the tight plots, sparkling dialogue and solid cast of secondary characters. If you're looking for fun rather than high concept metaphor and meaning, I highly recommend it.

The Dave Robicheaux novels of James Lee Burke. I love the brooding yet lyrical sense of menace Burke creates.

Stuart Kaminsky's Abe Lieberman novels hold more appeal to me as I get closer to the protagonist's age (they stay the same as we get older).

[Rogar]

I don't read a lot of mystery books, but I can easily get into a Tony Hillerman about any time. I think he is about the only mystery writer I've really liked, although I do like a mystery film or video series.

[freshstart]

A few years ago at our local film festival, a documentary played that was about Anne Perry, and it included a bit about that bad business of her youth. The filmmakers spent quite a lot of time with her at her current home. I honestly do not remember the documentary as being very compelling, though. I dont read mysteries, but from working in a library for decades, I know her name. The dramatic film Heavenly Creatures is what got me interested in her early life.I liked Heavenly Creatures and that sparked an interest. I'm not a fan of her writing, though. I'll have to hunt down that documentary

[freshstart]

Swedish author Henning Mankell. Writes about Kurt Wallander, a Swedish detective in a small town out in the sticks. He's grumpy, has some a rotten lovelife, poor management skills, and iffy health due to neglect and overwork. Fantastic stuff--deals with current events and how they're played out in Swedish society, e.g. racism, immigration, sex trafficking, economic disparity, etc. I like these books, tooand so many of the other authors listed. Time to hit the library

[19Sandy]

I'm behind on my Alexander McCall Smith. I have been looking for audiobooks on DVD at the library but a lot of stuff is digital downloadable now. I don't have a snazzy device or computer for that. I find his books very calming and relaxing to read.

I still have my Bobbsey Twin books and they do spark joy, so I won't be getting rid of those.

Some of these British author's books aren't at my library either.

[rosarugosa]

I'm not as much of a fan of mystery series as I once was. I found with some of my long-term favorites that it seemed like I was just reading the same book again and again.
I was crazy about the Trixie Belden series when I was a kid in addition to Nancy Drew.
I used to really enjoy the Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton, and both of the Kellermans' series. I loved Robert Parker, especially because his books were set in my local area.
The Hap & Leonard books by Joe Lansdale are really fun. I think anyone who liked Robert Parker would like these; there is a similar dynamic between the main characters.
Currently I think Tana French is one of the best out there.

[sweetana3]

If you can find it, the very first book, Death in Bloodhound Red, written by Virginia Lanier is excellent. She was 65 and wrote it because she did not like the books she was reading. She sent it out blind and the publisher pretty much published it as written. It is very long. She then went on to do 4-5 others at one per year until she died. They got progressively more "standard" due to the input of editors. Met her at a book signing and she was having a wonderful time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Lanier

[freshstart]

Some of these British author's books aren't at my library either.

have you tried interlibrary loan? I've been able to get a ton of books my library doesn't carry

[iris lilies]

If you can find it, the very first book, Death in Bloodhound Red, written by Virginia Lanier is excellent. She was 65 and wrote it because she did not like the books she was reading. She sent it out blind and the publisher pretty much published it as written. It is very long. She then went on to do 4-5 others at one per year until she died. They got progressively more "standard" due to the input of editors. Met her at a book signing and she was having a wonderful time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Lanier
This sounds interesting! It has good reviews from readers sayng it is authentic and interesting.

[beckyliz]

Another vote for Alexander McCall Smith. I especially love The Ladies #1 Detective Agency series.

[katieb12]

I am really into mysteries when I get a chance to read one.

My all-time favorite is Anne Perry (pen name), if you have a chance look up her life history on Wikipedia. She writes Victorian series, and when I get one I can't put it down. She has two series that I love but also writes Christmas books with the same characters.

Diana Mott Davidson - food mysteries with a caterer

Nancy Atherton - Aunt Dimity mystery with an interesting fluffy pink bunny

Susan Conant - dog mysteries about Malamutes and also has a cat series with her daughter (haven't read the cat ones)

Laurien Berenson - another dog mystery with show and pet poodles

Joann Fluke - cookie shop owner who is always finding a mystery to solve

Leslie Meir - set in Massachusetts with family, holidays and such

What are your favorite mystery writers?

Sounds like you like cozy mysteries, as I do. You might like these authors: Cleo Coyle, Laura Childs, Blaize Clement, Philip Craig.

And a great source for mystery series in order - www.stopyourekillingme.com.

Happy reading!