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guitarnan
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Help!
I love reading mystery series (no brain strain except for trying to figure out whodunnit!) but am running out of prospects at my local library. I can use ILL to borrow out of area, but it would be great to get some suggestions from my fellow readers (hint, hint  ).
Any thoughts?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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Oh, I would love ideas too!! I've only read Sherlock Holmes (which I really enjoyed) and am looking for some reading too. Our library doesn't carry Fr. Brown mysteries and I don't know of anything else.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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lapazfarm
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I am not a big mystery fan, but a while back I have enjoyed a few of the Sue Grafton alphabet (Kinsey Millhone) series, as well as Lilian Jackson Braun's " The Cat who..." mysteries.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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stellamaris
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One of my all-time favorites is the Victorian classic The Woman in White. It was the first novel written from more than one perspective, and as each character tells what they know ( or what they are willing to say about what they know), the story unfolds. There is a plot twist right in the middle of the book, just when you think it is obvious what will happen. Great read and classic literature all in one!
It's available free on Kindle as well 
ETA: also, free of gratuitous you-know-what
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Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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guitarnan
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I love The Woman in White! Excellent book! Highly recommended...
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Kristie 4
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I am reading A Father's Tale and really enjoying it (could sort of be in the mystery department).
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
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CrunchyMom
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Have you read the Flavia de Luce series? I thought they were fun.
Someone recommended Edmund Crispin recently, but I haven't read them myself.
I also keep meaning to read the Campion novels by Margery Allingham. I enjoyed the BBC series.
I'll have to check out the Lady in White!
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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stellamaris
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Vell(as my Svedish grandfather vould say), it's not a mystery series, but another semi-mystery, semi-historical fiction book I have enjoyed is On the Far Side of the Sea. This book recounts the life of Fr. Eusebio Kino and his biographer, the Spanish soldier Manuel, through a series of flashbacks. The main "mystery" is the search by a Mexican archaeologist to find the location of Fr. Kino's remains. As the archaeologist researches archives and tries to piece together Fr Kino's last days while his funding clock ticks, the author interweaves the story of this great missionary's life and work in the Sonora desert regions of Arizona and Mexico. The story is very well-researched and factual in its details.
Very interesting and inspiring story of a man whose cause for canonization is being postulated and whose statue represents the state of Arizona in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The writing quality is uneven in places, but I found the story quite interesting and an easy read.
This would also be suitable for high school students. There is one account of a gruesome scene where an Indian massacre has occurred and some details of torture given, fyi. The author is a practicing Catholic, so the tone is very positive throughout with regard to the Church. A welcome change!
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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SeaStar
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If you like cooking mysteries, there is a whole series about a caterer named Goldie Schultz by Diane Mott Davidson.
I liked the earlier books in the series better than the newer ones.
I think the first was called "Catering to Nobody".
But I also have to admit that for some unknown reason I also love all the Doug Cushman Aunt Eater mystery books. I say I get them for the kids  .
They are beginner reader chapter books...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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stellamaris
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Also, have you tried the Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayer?. The link takes you to Whose Body?, one in the series. It looks pretty intriguing, and the reviews are mostly good.
I have to say, I have not been happy with any newer mysteries as they tend to depict events very graphically and usually have terrible language, etc. But I do like mysteries, and these by a Christian author from the 1920's look like they might appeal to me  .
ETA: Here's one of the reviews for Whose Body?; it looks from other reviews as if her later books in this series are better than this first one, but this is the one that introduces the character, so I guess it would be just as well to read it first! If anyone has read these, I'd appreciate hearing your comments. These look like they could fit the "beach read" category for me this summer. 
Review by Marc Ruby:"When Lord Peter Wimsey is called in by Her Grace the Dowager Duchess (AKA Mother) to help extricate the timid Mr. Thipps from a case of body in the bathtub he finds himself embroiled in for far more than he has bargained. For one thing, the church architect's excess body, naked except for a Gold pince-nez, appears to be inexplicable. When it turns out that Sir Reuben Levy, an important financier is missing, the police become convinced that the body is that of Levy, and seize Thipps and the maid as the guilty party, despite all evidence to the contrary. Now Wimsey must work quickly with his friend Inspector Parker to solve both crimes and save both Thipps and the leaking church roof.
Thus begins Dorothy Sayer's first novel in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. Partly a satire of the British upper class, partly a comedy of manners, and mostly the first of a time honored series of detective novels that very nearly reinvented the British mystery story in the 1920's. Lord Peter is the second son of the current generation of the Dukes of Denver, his rather stuffy brother currently holding the title. Lately recovered from some harrowing war experiences and a badly ended relationship, he has come to be an amateur detective as a way to gain a new focus in life. Wimsey is intelligent, only occasionally serious, and a perfect image of the English gentleman.
Accompanying Lord Peter is his most excellent manservant Bunter, who served with him in the war and has become a loyal and true companion. Bunter is the straight man for many of Wimsey's quips and quotes, but has a wry wit of his own, and is probably the first forensic photographer in detective fiction. Lord Peter's other aide in this and ensuing tales is Inspector Parker who is of the same age and equally bright in his own right. A man after my own heart, Parker reads theology for entertainment. While the detection style has much of the same cerebral quality which mark many of Holmes' adventures, Wimsey and his companions are far more accessible than the 'Consulting Detective.'
Sayer's has a unique ability to do caricature, creating little gemlike performances for each of the people who parade through her stories. Be they somewhat dull policemen to distinguished surgeons, nobody is unmemorable. The wonderful characters, and Wimsey's own unique charms are very much the reasons that ''Whose Body' and the rest of the tales remain rereadable long after the plot has been completely memorized. Hopefully, you are a reader newly come to the world of Lord Peter and can look forward to the delights of this discovery. Dorothy Sayers is very much in a class by herself, both in terms of her own achievements and because of the history of her most remarkable invention, Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey."
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Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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CrunchyMom
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I LOVE Lord Peter Whimsey! Whose Body is the only kindle one, I think, but I did enjoy it in spite of it not being the best.
Another mystery series I enjoyed that is free for Kindle was the Dr. Thorndyke mysteries.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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stellamaris
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OK! I'm going for it! I could use a fun read!
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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SaraP
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Definitely Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.
And Father Dowling.
And The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
And Brother Cadfael.
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Erin
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Nancy
I'm a huge mystery fan.
One of my top favourites is anything by Anne Perry but I particularly love Inspector Pitt's books. Currently re-reading them in sequential order which is fascinating. Also like her Hester and Monk books. Both series are Victorian.
I'm also a big fan of Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters. Egyptian archaeologist who is quite likeable, turn of the century.
Then there are China Bayles mysteries. Current time.
I'll be back with more tomorrow when my internet is faster. Apologies for no links.
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Erin
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JuliaT
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I love mysteries! I recently came upon a new author for me: Louise Penny. The first one I read of hers is entitled 'Still Life.' This is a series so I think it is important to start at the beginning.
I also enjoy reading books by Charles Todd, P.D.James (her books do tend to have weird storylines, though, for shock value) and Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce.) There are also cozy mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert (Beatrix Potter mysteries) and Staphanie Barron (I think that is her name, she writes Jane Austen mysteries.) There is also The Innocence of Father Brown from Chesterton.
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Julia
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Barb.b
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ERin, The books you listed sound great! Do you think they would also be ok for my 14 year old dd?
Barb
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Livin'4Him
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I LOVE mysteries!! One of my favorite finds recently is the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. It is set in Europe about 10 years after World War 1. She flashbacks a fair amount to the war and her experiences surrounding that time. Definitely a great series to start at the beginning!
Enjoy!!
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Blessings~ Megan
Mama to Gracie (00), Gabriel (01) and Daniel (02)
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stacykay
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I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, but am looking to branch out. I am glad you started this thread, Nancy!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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Erin
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Barb
Depends on how mature your dd is. Inspector Pitt addresses some heavy issues but doesn't wallow in it if ywim? From memory on the whole the Peabody's would be fine although in one of them there was a more mature theme. China Bayles I think mature issues mentioned but once again not explicitly so. But I wasn't reading them thinking of a teen so please check them out first.
Now I've a few more to suggest, I really enjoy the Torie O'Shea mysteries A wife, a mother and a cook with her own business, also a history buff who gets herself embroiled in situations.
Found a couple of new authors in the past week too, I read The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett and Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington. I enjoyed both, I think both authors are just beginning their series.
Also I do enjoy the Sister Fidelma Mysteries - Peter Tremayne but..... I offer these with huge caveats, certainly not a series I would offer to my teens. The author works on the supposition that the early church in Ireland allowed marriages between religious, there were major issues with the church in Rome, etc etc Not the main thrust of the series but an underlying issue. However I do find them well written and enjoy the main two characters so I read them taking it with a whole bag of salt. Not something I would recommend to one in formation but if well versed a rollicking good mystery, not one where you easily know 'who done it.'
I read Margery Allingham for the first time recently, Tiger in the Smoke which was actually a thriller but I must say she writes exceptionally well. So I'm off to source more from her.
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Erin
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JennyMaine
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My favorites are the Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron. You can see them at Amazon.
Very well done!
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--JennyMaine, Mom to Catherine (17) and Sam (15) "The countenance is a reflection of the soul. You should always have a calm and serene countenance." -- Therese of Lisieux
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Light Reading for Moms - Mysteries!
