Any folks like mystery stories/novels?

[David1961]

I find I'm getting more interested in reading mystery short stories and novels, especially "who-done-its". Any others here enjoy mysteries? What authors do you recommend? I prefer short stories as opposed to long novels. I've read the Sherlock Holmes short stories and some Agatha Christie. Thanks for your time.

 

[Chuckanut]

Michael Dibdin's series on the Italian detective Aurelio Zen (sp?) are quite good. The first book is called RatKing. Do read them in sequence so you can understand Zen's unique personality.

 

[Koogie]

Michael Dibdin's series on the Italian detective Aurelio Zen (sp?) are quite good. The first book is called RatKing. Do read them in sequence so you can understand Zen's unique personality.

I enjoyed the BBC tv movies they made out of the Zen character. Rufus Sewell is always a good actor.

Poe also wrote some mysteries/crime stories, if all you want are short stories.

 

[pb4uski]

I enjoy Stuart Woods books - he has a few different protagonists but the main on is a ex-NYPD homicide detective turned lawyer. Mindless entertainment. Not short stories but short chapters and an overall quick read.

 

[ronin]

I've gotten into Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt novels. Very good writing, wrapped in early 20th century Cairo intrigue. Highly recommend it.

Also am reading Stuart Kaminsky. Clever, extensive series set in '40s Hollyweird. Like it for something off the beaten track. Quite good.

Second the Aurelio Zen books.

 

[Nemo2]

The Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr........actually, anything by Philip Kerr.

 

[may pop]

John Sanford in the Prey series. Night prey ect. Get em at the library for FREE.
I start at the a section and go from there. Years of reading.
Ron

 

[Telly]

If you liked Sherlock Holmes, then you will probably enjoy the Solar Pons series by August Derleth. IIRC, most are short stories.

Mysteries written by Georges Simenon - He wrote the Inspector Maigret series (and other mysteries of his) in French, all have been translated to English. They are only around 200 pages each, and there is also a collection of Maigret short stories. Time frame is early 1900's, main area is Paris. His stories are like being there.

Not a mystery, but an enjoyable read favorite of mine, is Dickens "The Pickwick Club", also known as "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club". The beginning pages establish the purpose of the Pickwick Club, and its reason for being - to experience life, and document it (but do it on your own nickel ). It was written in the 1830's, but the people could be around today. The only part that drags a bit is the political chapter, the "Blues and the Buffs", but that part could describe American politics today to a T. A bit scary, actually, like he foretold the future.
It's a fast-paced adventure, never know what is around the next bend in the road.

 

[heyyou]

My first week of retirement, I read one or two Tony Hillerman books per day. Living only 150 miles from that area helps. That is my style of reading--come home from the library with an armload of the same author, start with the earliest one, and read 10-16 hours a day. Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels are new to me this year. Most certainly not literature, but I don't watch TV so those are a good substitute. Took me while to work through John Grisham and Michael Crichton. It is all good if it keeps your interest.

 

[drb391]

I went thru a phase of reading mysteries several years ago. read many books each of James Lee Burke, Lawrence Block, Earl Emerson, Marcia Muller, Michael Connelly, to name a few. some had separate series of books with different protagonists.

my favorite part was getting to know a new area/region as is fairly colorful/descriptive of the locale they write about

 

[Nemo2]

I enjoyed the Mallory series.

 

[modhatter]

I'm not sure what it is with me, but I guess I just may be hard to please.
I download book from the library, and find so few that can hold my interest.
Right now I'm listening to Gone Girl that everyone raves about, and I am finding it boring.

I am a huge fan of John Grisham. Loved "The Litigators", "The Innocent Man", Kid Lawyer, "The Painted House". I find it hard to find anyone I like as much.

 

[Lsbcal]

For me it's not just the mystery idea but what the author has to say about people and/or societies. Here are some of my favorite authors:

Sue Grafton -- starting with the "A is for ..." up to maybe "V is for ..." nowadays.

Colin Dexter -- the Inspector Morris series. Great English writer.

PD James

Donna Leon -- Inspector Brunetti covers Venice, learn a bit about Italians

Elizabeth George -- some of her earlier works. Warning, very long novels.

 

[Moemg]

I love Grisham , Connelly , Harlan Coben ,Lisa scottline , Rober Parker , Patterson before he started churning them out ,Janet Evanovich,Gillian Flynn and many others .I grew up with Nancy Drew and was hooked on mysteries ever since .

 

[MBAustin]

Have to put in a plug for Martha Grimes - she's a long-time family friend (for a time she was my late aunt's sister-in-law, long story there). Her "Richard Jury" series are set around English pubs, and some of the others are set in rural western Maryland where she (and I) grew up. Our family dog from the 1970s appears in one of the books, although it's one set in England, go figure .

 

[cj]

Mary Higgins Clark. Light, easy reading.

 

[debster747]

Louise Penny

I read a mystery by Louise Penny (a Canadian author) and was hooked. I proceeded to read all the rest of her books. Very nicely written .....

 

[Nemo2]

J. Mark Bertrand is someone we've recently found, (my lady & I generally like the same books), and enjoy.