Hello guys Any suggestions for detective’s novels for beginners
Hello guys
Any suggestions for detective’s novels for beginners
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Hello guys
Any suggestions for detective’s novels for beginners
Alexander McCall No One Ladies Detective Agency
Try the Sue Grafton alphabet series
Sue Grafton’s alphabet series.
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series; start with Still Life
Maisie @Dobbs
If only I were related!
You never know!
Anything by Agatha Christie.The Lillian Jackson Braun “The Cat Who…” series is fun.
Love Agatha Christie but I don’t know if I would call it a first read for someone new to the genre.
Is it hard ??
I’m just bought her novel evil under the sun
@Yaacoub I don’t think so. One could start with the Miss Marple books and move on. Also there is a fun series by Carolyn Hart…the Death on Demand series.
I’m gonna check it
Thank you ?
I second that. I normally don’t like detective stories, but I really enjoyed these! ?
Louise Penny
I discovered her in Junior High…but I’d already been admonished by the public librarian for only checking mysteries out of the library!
Sue Grafton and Agatha Christie
Hardy boys and Nancy Drew! 😉
Thank you ??
Elvis Cole by Robert Crais. Best to read them in order. A lot of fun
http://www.robertcrais.com/novels_order.htm
Thanks for list info! Just copied it for further reference.
Anything from Jo Nesbø.
Jack Reacher series by Lee Child!
Father Brown
Lillian Jackson Braun’s Cat who… Series
M. C. Beaton – Hamish MacBeth series…
Also Agatha Raisin series by M C Beaton. She is a younger Frankie Miss Marple.
@Cora I meant Crankier
The Immortals
Or Myron Bolitar. Both Elvis Cole and Myron are very humorous and not to dark considering they are detective fiction.
https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/harlan-coben/
Beginners need James Patterson’s Book Shots. They are100-200 pages and a quick and easy read.
Thank you
It’s sounds good for a beginner
@Yaacoub – they are great, just too short for me!
Yeah it is
I’m boycotting Patterson because of the unabashed avarice is has displayed in the last few years. His early novels, the nursery rhyme series are good. But lately he seems to be all about chasing the dollar without conscience. His writing classes appear to be a get rich (richer) scheme preying on people’s hopes.
Book Shots are really a lot of fun – Patterson has developed the series for people who love to read but don’t have a lot of time . He is developing a series of characters in the various books, so make sure that you look for the first in each group you try.
Alex Cross series by James Patterson.
Depends on the age of the beginner. Great books.
I love Alex Cross but had to take a break mid-series because they were getting so gruesome
Travis McGee series by John D McDonald!
I started with Nancy Drew, when I ran out I switched to Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton, and Sara Paretsky. I loved Diane Mott Davidson, Nancy Atherton and Nancy Martin.
I have a bunch of Nancy Drew books and cherish them. She was my first detective and who hooked me on the genre.
Loved my Nancy Drew books!
Alan Bradley’s Flavia Deluce series
Yes I just finished book 2. So good!!
Tana French has some interesting novels with detectives. Just jump on in.
I’ve very much enjoyed her series.
Robert Galbraith! Cormoran Strike!!
Absolutely. Did you see that they are making either a movie or TV series? Cannot remember which.
In England, maybe BBC America will have it too. It’s very dark and gruesome but interesting.
I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
Sue Grafton the Alphabet series. Would make a great beginning.
Harlan Corban – a little dark but an easy read…Jonathan Kellerman ..
Agatha Christie
The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun!
Light, quick, delightful reading that you can take up anywhere in the series, not necessary to go in order.
PD James, Agatha Christie
The Amelia Peabody Series! Bleeping hilarious, very smart, and a good time. “The Crocodile in the Sandbank” is the one to start with.
Elizabeth Peters is the author.
Yes! Good mysteries and good humor, just a dash of romance and intelligent writing!
Miss Fisher is FABULOUS!!! http://phrynefisher.com/
Sherlock Holmes!! Start with the best!!
Mary King’s “Russel and Holmes” spin-off is a lot of fun. “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” is the first in the series.
Start with Agatha and sherlock
Great advice! Agatha covers the gamut of character driven stories and Sherlock introduces inductive reasoning. Starting with some of these opens the door to all the others. But I mean the Conan Doyle Sherlock. Laurie Kings series is great (all her books are) but you need to read the basic Sherlock to explain all the strange behaviors and quirks. And they are fun!
I liked the Brother Cadfael books by Ellis Peters.
By beginner do you mean a new reader? If so, Encyclopedia Brown!
Englich novels
I was reading French
Yac Ob Bou ahh! Then this suggestion might skew a bit young for you. ? I’m a big Tana French fan. She writes a series all about the Dublin murder squad but with a different protagonist in each novel, but all detectives.
I’ll check it
By beginner do you mean a new reader? If so, Encyclopedia Brown!
I LOVED those as a kid in the ’60’s!!! Then, Nancy Drew!
Elliot Roosevelt wrote a wonderful series of novels set in the White House during the Roosevelt Administration where his mother Eleanor is an amateur detective. Filled with historical Washington personalities, the books are so much fun! Think of Eleanor as Miss Marple.
I have a couple of these in my collection and my library has some of them. I’ve been meaning to check them out. Love the Roosevelt family!
@Geni, they’re a real treat! Enjoy!
Margaret Truman’s books are also great
Any of G K Chesterton’s Father Brown stories. Christopher Morley’s The Haunted Bookshop. My favorites are Sherlock Holmes.
Sue Grafton= Alphabet Series
Martha Grimes – Richard Jury/Melrose Plant. Start with Man With a Load of Mischief.
Any of James Patterson’s series. You
For really FUN detective reads, try the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman!
The westing game
Author LouisePenny
Nate the Great for young readers. 🙂
Harlan coven…gone for good. No 2nd chance
Love them both. Awesome author!
If you mean an adult just starting to read detective novels, try the Inspector Gamache series of mysteries by Louise Penny.
Of course, there are as many different series as there are tastes in reading. What may be fun/easy/interesting for one person might be deadly boring for another. I usually prefer light mysteries, but also some of the darker ones by classic authors.
Right
Thank you
You’re welcome. I guess the thing to do is go to the library, and try a few of the excellent suggestions from this list and see what strikes your fancy. Good luck & enjoy new discoveries!
@Don ..excellent suggestion..
Thank you.
Thank you guys for your help
I have a lot to read now ??
The Patrick Bower series by Steven James
Virgil Flowers or Lucas Davenport mysteries by John Sanford.
They are good, but I think rather intense.
Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce books; 1st one is “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”.
Flavia de Luce is terrific! I am currently reading the latest in the series.
The Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke.
Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly.
The No #1 ladies detective agency
Nancy Drew was my start. read everyone of them by the time I was 10.. many several times over.
I’ll add Agatha Christie
Dorothy L Sayers for lighthearted fun
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Louise Penny!!!!
Josephine Tey, Daughter of Time.
Charles Todd, Louise Penny, Martin Walker, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, etc…
How about Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes? I like Hound of the Baskervilles.
I’m just looking for a novel funny and and easy to read
I meant cozy in language
If you want funny, easy, cosy mysteries, read Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series; start with #1: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The “detective” is a very smart, funny,slightly sarcastic 12-yr old, but the novels are written for adults…
I see you want short, & these aren’t super short, BUT, they are fast-moving, & enjoyable. No gory details, smart but not overly dramatic
Yes it’s sounds good
@Yaacoub Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman 🙂
Sherlock Holmes stories are classic, wonderfully written, and very engaging! Among my very favorite reads!
Robert B Parker, the Spenser series.
Do you want humor? Is gruesome okay? Female or male protagonist preference? Do you want a series? Any preferred time period? Want a historical setting? Any preferred country or culture? Short or longer? Cozy in language or more hard boiled? Can you narrow it down? If you can narrow it down, we can help point you to some that will be more likely to please you.
Yes i’d like it to be funny ,short and cozy in language and no prefers for the other things
@Yaacoub In that case, try the The Cat Who series or the Mrs. Pollifax series to start with. I think you would like them.
Thank you very much
Also, there are short Sherlock Holmes stories you could try; they’re never gory, have some humor, an extemely eccentric detective, & don’t even all involve murders.
I HAVE DONE MANY JOURNALS OF MY CHILDHOOD..LIFE EXPERIENCES..NOW THAT I WANT TO WRITE IN A NOVEL ..MAKES ME VERY UPSET…AND GUILTY WRITING ABOUT MY OWN FAMILIES.IT IS A VERY SAD AND POWERFUL STORY…IS THIS NORMAL?
Nancy Drew! Or Hardy Boys…classics!
Read the Spencers in order. In my family we also read all of Sara Paretsky, Alex Cross (by James Patterson), Marcia Muller and John Sandford. You’ll enjoy them so much more if you read in publish order. And, of course, Sue Grafton, starting with “A is for Alibi.” Great summer reading, all!
Ann Cleeves writes some fun detective stories with the Vera Stanhope character.
Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle. Classic.
Sherlock Holmes was my first mystery of course. There are a lot of different types of mysteries, thrillers and suspense novels. I liked the Cormoran Strike novels. Also, the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries by Charlaine Harris are a fun series.
Probably best to check out a few suggestions here at your library and find what you like.
Agatha Christie
Perri O’Shaughnessy-Nina Reilly novels.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Irene Adler series by Carol Nelson Douglas
P D James is one of my favorites along with Nev Fountain. He is funny if you know sci-fi shows and/or conventions.
I forgot to add Josephine Trey to my list.
Encyclopedia Brown ?
I immediately thought of Nate the Great books
Martha Grimes. Inspector Jury.
The Ladies Number One Detective Agency!!!! It’s s interesting, funny (in parts), and you will fall in love with Precious Ramotswe!!
definitely
The Stephanie Plum series are mysteries and you will get a laugh out of it. She is the Lucy of bounty hunters.
Stephanie Plum is fun! I also love the Charley Davidson series.
@Yaacoub Love Stephanie Plum, the books are fun, quick and you wonder how one person can have so many misadventures. Another fun character is Goldy, a caterer in Diane Mott Davidson’s series of stories. Look for the first one – Catering to Nobody, as each builds the characters
Erin Hart. The Irish bog bodies series.
Sue Grafton
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.
Fantastic book!
I love Ed McBain and his 87th Precinct book series.
One of my all-time favorites!
Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross MacDonald. Private detectives. (I was going to say “private dicks” but, well…)
Michael Connelly
Sue grafton
Start with something really good to hook you and make you come back for more. The first Three Pines book, Still Life by Louise Penny. The characters make this series and a dozen books in, the characters are what brings you back each and every time, wanting more and learning more about this eccentric band of misfits.
I look forward to every book!
Ngaoi Marsh Inspector Allyn series. Agatha Christie with class and kindness and manners and a great love story. Get a list of them off the internet and start with the first one and you’ll be set for a year of good reading.
Love Inspector Allyn.
Sue Grafton and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, I’m a Reacher creature and Michael Connelly
Elly Griffiths.
The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
The Aunt Dimity series is one of my favorites!!
Dragnet, Perry Mason, Hardy Boys.
MAISIE DOBBS!
Trent’s Last Case by EC Bentley. It’s about Trent’s first case.
The C.B. Strike novels by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling.) The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm, and Career of Evil. Now, there are graphic depictions. I am not sure if beginner means to reading in general (aka a minor) or to detective stories specifically. If it’s the former, then avoid until 18yr old. If it’s the later then I highly recommend it.
Louise Penny’s books about Inspector Gamache.
Beebo Brinker; @Nancy; Trixie Beldon; Dana Girls
James Patterson the women’s club murder series.
Casual vacancy.
The very first detective fiction I ever read was the series by Del Shannon.
I remember this, haven’t read it in years. I’m thinking the author was trying for hard boiled police procedure, but the characters kept coming across as very likable.
@Katherine my local library had the complete set. Very old style, but I had to keep reading to see what happened next to those characters!
James Patterson-Alex Cross series.
I started reading Sherlock Holmes stories as a teenager. Loved them.
Yes I read my first when I was 12 and I was hooked!
In the Agatha Christie novels you become the detective…that’s why I love them!
I love this feeling when you become one of the novel’s personages
You will get that feeling from many of the books recommended here. Agatha Christie in particular was master of the red herring – you think you’re going in one direction with the story and at the end there’s a twist that surprises and delights you!
Sue Grafton…..good but easy reads
I like the Dublin Murder Squad series, by Tana French. Also the Cormoran Strike series, by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling), although this one only has three books so far.
the Chet and Bernie series
Beginner what? Readers? Hopeful detectives? Non-native English speakers?
Non-native english speaker
Awesome, let me think about it to come up with more suggestions!
Yac Ob Bou Make sure to read Edgar Allen Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue, which is the first detective story ever written – he created the genre. The Gold Bug is another one of my favorites!
So by beginner, you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated than Encyclopedia Brown? Literally the first thing that popped into my head! ?
Anything by Rex Stout
Two Kinds of Truth
Book by Michael @Sharon
Ed McBain
If you mean young beginner, my daughter enjoyed Nancy Drew and The Boxcar Children; I liked The Hardy Boys.
Yes!!! I personally loved Trixie Belden mysteries.
Psychic Eye mysteries by Victoria Laurie
The Lady Hardcastle Series!!!
The series by P. L. Gaus set in Ohio Amish country.
Raymond Chandler
Stephanie Plum mysteries by Janet Evanovich
Agatha Christie – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle –
I love the cork o Connor series by William Kent Kruger
Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly
Nero Wolfe stories. The best
Dashiell Hammett
The Ed McBain books.
YES!
The Cormoran Strike series is good too. As is Agatha Christy(sp)
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Sue Grafton’s “alphabet series” features private detective Kinsey Millhone, who is smart, feisty, and fiercely independent. The early books, e. g. A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, etc., are quick reads, but the stories & characters are more developed as the series progresses. Sadly, we lost the author last year before she could complete the final book, “Z”, but I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
The Outsider, by Stephen King.
A lot of people like Louise Penny
Agatha Christie
James Lee Burke!
I like the Issac Bell series by Clive Cussler if you like historical stories. He is a detective similar to a Pinkerton or early FBI in the early part of the 20th century. I also enjoyed the first book I read of the Gaslight Series but I can’t remember the author.
I would suggest looking for an audio book to go along with a printed book. That way they can listen to the the words as they read without struggling with the print. (I saw where it was for an English as second language)
Any of the Louise Penny books from her series!
Harry Bosch series
Try the old holler man now written by his daughter and the Margaret Truman novels. I also love Brit detective s
Hillerman
Ruth Rendell wrote many a fine novel, including the Inspector Wexford series. If you are an Anglophile, these are great!
Maisie Dobbs series…it is awesome
Louise Penny’s Gamache series
Mary Higgins Clark…her books are quick reads that hold your attention.
Elvis Cole/Myron Bolitar
Thomas and Charlotte Pitt in Anne Perry.’s books.
Oh beginners? You gotta start with the basics: Edgar Allen Poe, Agatha Christie, Dashiel Hammett…then move on to the newer stuff. You need a grounding. ? After that, newer you might have seen adapted, any of the Bosch or Lincoln Lawyer yarns from Michael Connelly are quick but engrossing reads.
Yes reading Christie is sublime. Have all of hers are good but “And then there were None” is quite unique. Also Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is a wonder to behold.
ATTWN….my absolute FAVORITE plot twist of all time!
Andy Carpinter series by David Rosenfelt
Love mysteries and detective novels! The series that sucked me in was the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman. If you like horses and or racing, try the mysteries by Dick Francis.
I loved both of those series!
James Patterson or JD Robb
Agatha @Christie
or Dashiell Hammet
Louise Penny, she develops characters that you want as friends.
Any thing written by David Bald??. Can’t remember how to spell his name. Great writer and plots.
Baldacci
Read a variety, you will find what you like, Hillerman, Burke, Grisham, & Patterson lead the checkouts at the library….there are so many…..pick out several….if you don’t like them return them
JA Jance
How could I have omitted her?
Hi @Yaacoub If you are looking for detective books for younger readers, or for readers whose first language is not English, take a look at the Nancy Drew mystery series by Carolyn Keene ( a girl detective ), or the Hardy Boys series by Franklin Dixon (two brothers who solve mysteries. ). They are enjoyable without being too challenging and are also relatively wholesome…no gory scenes and no sexy talk.
thank you so much
When I was a kid, a thousand years ago, I read the Honey Bunch series and that started me out on the genre.
Lisa Lutz
Laura Levine writes funny, tongue-in-cheek mysteries. Her heroine is Jayne Eyre and her cat Prozac.
The Yarn Shop Mysteries is a series by Molly MacRae. They are so funny, light and are a light hearted and easy mystery series that isn’t gory and is pretty clean.
Allison Brennan, Dee Henderson and Catherine Coulter.
You can’t go wrong with anything by Agatha Christie.
Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths
The Ladies First Detective Agency…(written by a man) about a black woman in Africa who starts her own detective business…lots of humor, is a series that will keep you looking forward to reading (I read them a loooong time ago)
Yes! Perfectly delightful!
I love those books!!!!
The Lincoln Lawyer or any of the others by Michael Connelly https://www.michaelconnelly.com/novels/thelincolnlawyer/
I read many Agatha Christies. Only stopped when I could guess the killer in the first chapter. Fun. Also Dick Francis (horses) and John Grisham.
I love British mysteries. Louise Penny (Canadian) is also good. For detectives I love James Lee Burke and Walter Mosley (any one with a color in the title). Can’t go wrong ever with P.D. James or Elizabeth George.
Tana French (start with “In the Woods”) or Elizabeth George.
Love Tana French!
Yes, Tana French and Elizabeth George!
John Lescroart… Dismas Hardy series
The Camel Club series or Maxwell and King series both by David Baldacci.
Yes The Camel Club series is an excellent choice.
Mc nab
Yes, the Gamache series
Louise Penny
Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon novels
Robert Parker Spencer novels are great
Start with the classics: Sherlock Holmes by Conan-Doyle move onto Dashiell Hammet, Rex Stout, G. K. Chesterson, Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie. Reading these authors will ground you in the genre and help you focus on the type of detective you prefer.
Agatha Christie’s books are good
Jefferson Bass body farm mysteries are great easy reads.
Agatha Christie
Agatha Christi. Sherlock Holmes. They offer a way to compare other stories and characters.
Poirot
Moonstone
I’m not a mystery reader, but I loved the Flavia DeLuce series by Alan Bradley.
John Puller series by David Baldacci.
Pendergast series. Start with Relic. Preston/Child. You will be hooked!
Someone recommended Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series to me on here. The first book is Still Life. It was so good. Fast read and couldn’t put it down. Definitely try it
Also, JK Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith.
#1 Ladies Detective Agency!
Agatha Christie classics. Did we not all start with them?
Have you read the “Cat Who…” books. Fun.
i’m just started yesterday reading tcw could read backrawds
My mom loved those books.
@Dale yeah it’s so lovely
She read nearly read every book.
David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter and his dog is a super fun series!!
Patricia Cornwell
How old? Try Ed McBain
i’m 21 but i’m not a native english speaker
Yac Ob Bou then Sue Grafton is good. Her books also are a love letter to California so have a good map nearby while reading ?
@Betsy thank you
Try “old school” detective stories by Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett – they created the detectives you will find in many old movies , no nonsense and memorable characters
Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cromwell!
I love Harry Bosch!
Second the Agatha Christie recommendation!
Tana French
The Blackbird Sisters Mystery by Nancy Martin are really great! They are a series of detective books that are fun and comical. You may want to read in order. I have all eight books except the 1st one which I loaned to someone. The 2nd book “Dead Girls Wear Diamonds” published 2003. Read the publish date and try and read in sequence to keep up with the story line and characters. It’s well worth reading.
They are fun! Thanks for the reminder ?
I’d start with Agatha Christie
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series
Fern Michaels also has a series of detective books but you should read them in order. You can google and read reviews on Amazon!
Start with the first mystery ever written “The Murders In The Rue Morgue” and then read “The Mystery Of Marie Roget”. These are not novels but short mysteries by Edgar Allen Poe, the grandfather of mysteries.
Can’t believe Poe didn’t make this cut!
And these books by Catherine Coulter were really great detective stories.
I’ll have to try her again. I couldn’t get into her book the first time
Oh Catherine Coulter is wonderful but the FBI Series I would recommend to start with the first books. Then you’ll be hooked
@Faith yes, you definitely need to head them in sequence!
Agatha christie!
I love all the recommendations. It’s going to be a mysterious summer
What do you mean by beginner? Are you looking for a certain type of detective novel? They certainly range from light (cozy) to intense and even more intense (as in those dealing with serial killers, etc.). That said, if you want to really get into the character of the detective, or private investigator, one cannot go wrong with The Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton. (Should mention PI is strong female character with humor)
laura lippman books are good fun
I’ve been having a bit of trouble getting pic to post – but here’s one.
Catherine Coulter, patterson
I love the character Dave Robicheaux in the series by James Lee Burke. James Lee Burke takes mystery to a literary level. If you want to be transported to New Orleans and read mysteries that have a lot to do with redemption, I would highly recommend.
This one is great for beginners! “Hounding the Pavement” by Judi McCoy!
And if you want to get scared and read another excellent author, one of the best is Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith.
The Red Pavilion: A Judge Dee Mystery by Robert Van Gulik…State of the Onion (A White House Chef Mystery) by Julie Hyzy…Thyme of Death (China Bayles Mysteries) by Susan Wittig Albert…The Xibalba Murders (Lara McClintoch Series) by Lyn Hamilton…The Pot Thief Mysteries by J. Michael Orenduff …The Salaryman’s Wife by Sujata Massey …
Raymond Chandler.
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz (there are 6 in the series) & Murder 101 (a series of 7) by Maggie Barbieri. Both have excellent stories with a touch of human & great characters!
Three Pines series by Louise Penny.
Amazing series. Love Louise Penny
The Cat Who series.
Definitely a good start!
Robert b Parker.
If you mean beginner as in children, I loved the Nancy Drew books, and there are the Hardy Boys. I loved Nancy Drew when I was about 12. It was hard to make the transition to the depressing adult books we had to read in high school. As an adult, I have enjoyed Sherlock Holmes & Agatha Christie books. More modern, from a medical examiner viewpoint are the Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta series, and the Kathy Reichs Bones books. Read them in order. (Scarpetta got boring in recent years, so read the early stuff.) I have also read some of the Sue Grafton alphabet series. Sadly, she died, so there will be no Z. (I think I’m only up to E or F.)
The books by Agatha Christie are easy to read….
Hardy boys / Nancy Drew mystery’s or Encyclopedia Brown .
Ngaio March
Ellis Peters.
Ms Marple books by Agatha Christie. ??
Ms. Marple, Hercule Poirot, and the Tommy and Tuppance series. Don’t forget The Mysterious Mr. Quin. I ❤❤ Agatha Christie.
Sue Grafton and James Patterson
Mystery is a huge category. So my question is: what do you mean “beginner”?
Jeffrey Deaver! Just reading my first – a page turner!
Joanne Flugg series of mysteries & running a bakery. Easy to read, the plots are terrific, the recipes are great.
For kids – The Boxcar Children. Trixie Beldon.
I started with Nancy Drew, then graduated to Agatha Christie. Recommend Dorothy L. Sayers if you like England during the roaring 20s time period and mysteries. Lord Peter and Harriet make the most exquisite couple!
Amy Stewart’s Girl Waits with Gun
Most of the Magic Tree House Series involve some sort of mystery or problem solving. My third and fourth graders loved them.
For young boys- Encyclopedia Brown, Hardy Boys, John Grisham’s Theodore Boone books
Encyclopedia brown;
Lol!
Louise Penny. Three pines stories
There have been a trove of great titles shared this afternoon. See if you can retrieve this afternoon’s posts.
Elizabeth Peters, that’s for adults
Listen to the audio, the reader is fantastic
Wife liked “Woman in the window”.
Sue Grafton novels
Sherlock Holmes
And then there were none
Agatha Christie!! Or if you mean “young” reader, then the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. My favorite detective writer is P.D. James.
Mark Pryor – Hugo Marston series, Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie Dobbs, Dick Francis, Cara Black, all good for starters.
Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh from the good old days. I can’t think of contemporary ones (too late to think!) except for a Canadian series, set on the West coast, by the late, lamented L.R. Wright.
You make me think of the author Mary Stewart. I used to love her books. The simple mysteries and the legends of King Arthur. I might have to read some again.
Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn. The first book is Dog On It.
I have read them all!!
Ann Cleeves is delightful.
Yes until the book when Jimmy’s gal…
and a great friend of Louise penny
I love anything by Agatha Christy
Sherlock Holmes
Michael @Connelly
Agatha Christie
The web site cozy mysteries might give you suggestions- Laura childs, Kate Carlisle, Joanne fluke. These are fun mysteries to read
All of Michael Connelly’s books. I’ve read them all in order, twice! Outstanding. Love Harry Bosch!
Lawrence Sanders Deadly Sins series. I love the detective Edward X Delaney who is the main character.
And his sandwiches! I made them all, and they are great!
@Melanie yes he was definitely a foodie! His sandwiches and meals are described in great detail. His dedication to his wife was so lovely too.
Agatha Christie. Dorothy L. Sayers. Colin Dexter. Dick Francis. A. Conan Doyle.
Oh I read Dick Francis!!
Years ago!! Wow thanks for the reminder!
I liked Jon Sanford’s Prey series
J. D. ROBB suspense
Yet another vote for Agatha Christie. The thing I love about her when I read her in high school was that I could never figure them out, but once solved at the end, I saw where she gently laid clues all along.
I read Murder at the Vicarage a while back and was surprised at how funny it was.
And then there were none
Reading it now. Very good.
Michael Connelly. The Bosch series. I have also read them twice. In order!
“The Hound of The Baskervilles “, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Surprised this Sherlock Holmes book wasn’t on the list. The Complete Sherlock Holmes has all his works but this is one of the the most notable.
A Study in Scarlet
Love Michael Connely, Elizabeth George, Anne Perry.
Gillian Roberts…her Amanda Pepper series, set in Philadelphia…fun, clever reads!
Any of the Adam Dalgleish books by P. D. James. Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books.
My favorite genres all these.
I love the series where Sherlock gets married, by Laurie,?
Laurie King .
Thanks @Murray,has she written anything recently?
@Betty I think she has written a couple of new ones I haven’t read any of them in a while.
Her new book “Island of the Mad”, is being released June 12th.
I really loved the Armand Gamache novels by Louise Penny.
Smila’s sense of snow
Loved it loved the movie
Any of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books
P.D. James, or Martha Ruthie Grimes
Tana French’s novels are pretty great
Elizabeth George and Anne Perry two of my faves!!
Sue Grafton is one of my favorites.
Louise Penny—any.
Set in Canada with winsome characters.