@Sandra Not really. They don’t really show the characters ageing and there aren’t really any spoilers from one to another, so you can start anywhere. The earliest books don’t feature Signorina Elletra who is an excellent addition to the police station, but won’t make much difference where you start. I think my first was Suffer Little Children.
I have read them all (most of them more than once) and I collect them in hardback. For me they’re like the book equivalent of comfort food: when I need consoling I reach for Brunetti and enjoy the company of a humane, intelligent and happily married man (plus Venice!)
@Sandra@Tony If you like books that are set in Italy you might also enjoy Magdalen Nabb’s books featuring Marshall Guarnaccia. They are set in Florence and although the supporting characters aren’t as memorable as Donna Leon’s, the Marshall is an endearing character. They’re undeservedly out of print since Nabb’s untimely death a few years ago but it’s fairly easy to find second hand copies, especially of the last book Vita Nuova (my public library has copies).
Andrea Camilleri’s Montalbano novels are more widely known, and if you haven’t read any do try them. They’re quite different from the TV adaptations imho, and if you enjoy a dry, sardonic wit they’ll suit you well.
Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast !! (Who would be played so well by Tom Hiddleston. Drives me insane the only movie to come out of 15-20 awesome books was Relic 20 some yrs ago).
Alex Cross, Lindsay Boxer, Michael Bennett, Rizoli and Isles. Have been a big fan of James Patterson for years. I’ve tried newer detective novels and whilst they are somewhat enjoyable they all have such dramatic personal issues that I wonder how on Earth they manage to get through their day.
I love the Harper Connly books by Charlaine Harris. She is a psychic detective. Wish you could look for books like that as a genre, because I am a real fan.
@Elisabeth that’s awesome that you’re getting to enjoy them again with your girls. My school librarian introduced me to them in 3rd grade and I was hooked. My son just finished 2nd. Can’t wait to start them with him this summer. I hope he likes them. It’s such a joy to share your favorite books with your children. ?
My first mystery novel favorite was Nancy Drew. I also love ?️♂️ and Peroit. I can’t choose! Like someone earlier said it’s like picking a favorite child. I can’t!
Roy Grace
Yes I love Roy Grace, when was Peter James’ last book out?
@Katia last week.
Poirot and Marple
Agatha Raisin
Kay Scarpetta
For someone who isn’t a detective she does a lot of detecting. Love her ❤️
Jack Caffery – Mo Hayder books
Miss Marple
Commissario Guido Brunetti.
Totally agree, although I actually love Paola and Elletra even more than Brunetti!
@Carol, I find his name and the whole backdrop of Venice enticing. Would love to live a day in the life!
@Tony from what series is This?
@Sandra Donna Leon’s books, almost all feature Commisario Brunetti
@Sandra https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Leon Donna Leon
@Carol I’ve seen some of them around and never got one, would it be a good series to start at the beginning?
@Tony wow that’s a lot of books. Thanks. Do you think it’s worth reading All of them?
@Sandra Not really. They don’t really show the characters ageing and there aren’t really any spoilers from one to another, so you can start anywhere. The earliest books don’t feature Signorina Elletra who is an excellent addition to the police station, but won’t make much difference where you start. I think my first was Suffer Little Children.
I have read them all (most of them more than once) and I collect them in hardback. For me they’re like the book equivalent of comfort food: when I need consoling I reach for Brunetti and enjoy the company of a humane, intelligent and happily married man (plus Venice!)
Exactly what @Carol said. I have read them randomly, they are not great literature, they are enjoyable yarns with a wonderful heart and backdrop.
@Carol I like books with Italian settings
@Sandra @Tony If you like books that are set in Italy you might also enjoy Magdalen Nabb’s books featuring Marshall Guarnaccia. They are set in Florence and although the supporting characters aren’t as memorable as Donna Leon’s, the Marshall is an endearing character. They’re undeservedly out of print since Nabb’s untimely death a few years ago but it’s fairly easy to find second hand copies, especially of the last book Vita Nuova (my public library has copies).
Andrea Camilleri’s Montalbano novels are more widely known, and if you haven’t read any do try them. They’re quite different from the TV adaptations imho, and if you enjoy a dry, sardonic wit they’ll suit you well.
Lottie Parker
Kinsey Millhone… I loved Sue Grafton’s alphabet mysteries when I was a teenager.
Poirot and Sherlock Holmes tough choice.
Thursday Next literary detective ?l
Harry Hole
Bosch
I still love Sherlock ?
Lindsay Boxer
Will Trent ?
Inspector Gamache or Wallender
Kinsey Millhone
Tom Thorne, Logan McRae, Robert Hunter, Carson Ryder
Sorry I’m greedy ?
My girl Veronica Mars. HEY, it’s not cheating, there’s a book! ?
Nancy drew
Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast !! (Who would be played so well by Tom Hiddleston. Drives me insane the only movie to come out of 15-20 awesome books was Relic 20 some yrs ago).
James Qwilleran ☺️
Shawn Spencer
Gutted that psych finished!
did you watch the movie??
Not yet . I have it but scared I ‘ll be disappointed lol
@Claire I sent u a pm ?
On tv Columbo, in books, Rizzoli and Isles in Tess Gerritsen books. Harry Bosch close second.
Nancy Drew
Myron Bolitar x
Charlie Parker, Helen Grace, and Hannah Scarlett
Helen Grace! As if I forgot her . Just read the full m.j Aldridge books of her
Alex cross or Rizzoli and isles
Rebus
Sherlock Holmes
Harry Bosch
Rebus. Peter Wimsey. Miss Marple. Harry Nelson. Vera. Perez. Murdoch.
Too many to choose a single favourite.
Albert Campion?
Sherlock holmes
Dirk Gently!
oh so many…. Charlie Parker / Endeavour Morse / Rebus / Taggart
Lindsay Boxer
Alex cross all the wayy
Hercule Peroit
Michael Bennett or lindsey from James Pattersons women’s murder club series
Virgil Flowers in John Sandford novels.
Absolutely love his character
I am in the Harry Bosch corner.
Harry Hole, Alex Cross
Charlie Chan & the thin man
Alex Cross!!!
Hero Nelson from Mel Comley books
Harry Bosch 🙂
Ohh – just reading The Narrows now!!!
Alex Cross, Lindsay Boxer, Michael Bennett, Rizoli and Isles. Have been a big fan of James Patterson for years.
I’ve tried newer detective novels and whilst they are somewhat enjoyable they all have such dramatic personal issues that I wonder how on Earth they manage to get through their day.
I used to buy super American crime/mystery novels from ‘Murder One in London. No longer there. Struggling to find another source in UK.
Miss Marple or is she a detective, lol.
YES
I love the Harper Connly books by Charlaine Harris. She is a psychic detective. Wish you could look for books like that as a genre, because I am a real fan.
Nancy drew
My first mystery novels! ?
@Elisabeth such great memories!
Our church library had the whole series. I would check out two a week my 4th grade yr. now I’m reading them to my own girls.
@Elisabeth that’s awesome that you’re getting to enjoy them again with your girls. My school librarian introduced me to them in 3rd grade and I was hooked. My son just finished 2nd. Can’t wait to start them with him this summer. I hope he likes them. It’s such a joy to share your favorite books with your children. ?
It sure is! I’ve been buying all the 70’s and 80’s Newbery award books and others that were my favorite for my kids.
Dixon Hill
Sherlock Holmes
Alex Cross! He always gets the bad guys in the end and still finds time to be with his kids and be a ladies man. 🙂
Poirot
YES
Dirk Gently
Lindsay Boxer!
Laszlo Kreisler
Harry Bosch
Cormoron strike
Harry Hole
Merry Gentry by laurell Hamilton lol
Alex Cross, he was my first murder series I read all the books.
I just finished Jack and Jill. It felt convenient that Alex’s crush suddenly became available.
I guess I still want to Pop The Weasel and see if he woos her
Bosch
Mine also is Bosch
Vera
Love her
Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie – love those books!
Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie – love those books!
Sherlock Holmes!!!!
Shardlake!
Roy Grace
Cormoron Strike
Peter Grant too!
Sherlock Holmes ?️♂️
I need that emoji in my life! ♥
Gosh, that’s like choosing between my children! ?
Sherlock Holmes ??
Miss Marple
Harry Bosch
Yes!!! Love Harry!!! ??
My first mystery novel favorite was Nancy Drew. I also love ?️♂️ and Peroit. I can’t choose! Like someone earlier said it’s like picking a favorite child. I can’t!
Lord Peter Wimsey
I enjoyed all the Vera books and now working through the Wallander books. Enjoy the different settings (I live in the USA) and the characters.
I do love Sherlock. I’m just doing an A-Z of vintage crime fiction on my blog so I’m learning about lots of others and reading a bit more too.
Do you have a link to your blog you can share?
Hopefully that works. It’s C tomorrow. I publish every Sunday on it. if the link doesn’t work its wishvintage.co
https://wishvintage.co/2018/05/20/a-z-of-crime-fiction-b-is-for-father-brown-crimefiction/
@Rebecca you have a new follower
Tom Thorne all day! Love him
Kim Stone
I’m busy collecting Angela Marson’s books at the minute to start reading them. Got the first 3 so far. (y)
@Eileen They are fantastic
Good! (y) I’m looking forward to reading them!
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in the Louise Penny books…. but love Harry Bosch & Kinsey Millhone!???
Harry Dresden, October Daye, Anita Blake, Eve Dallas
Omg…yes, Harry Dresden..wizard detective..love
Myron Bolitar
Myron Bolitar, Inspector McLean, DCI Daley, Logan McRae and Patrick Hedstrom – sorry simply can’t choose one, cos I love all these.
Myron is a legend ? and Win of course x
Everybody should have a Win in their life! (y)
@Eileen, definitely ???
Armand Gamache in the series by Louise Penny.
Kinsey Milhone or Meg Langslow…hard to choose between the two
louise Penny’s series, Gemache. love it
Alex Cross
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson
Travis McGee and Jack Reacher