I have always liked mysteries, but this summer I feel like ODing on them. So I'm looking for suggestions.
Know that I have already read Doyle, Christie, PD James, Cornwell, Grafton, Paretsky, Crais, Dunning, and more. But if you have a favorite I haven't mentioned, please do share!

James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series set in Louisiana? Susan Wittig Albert's herb-titled mysteries featuring China Bayles? If you haven't yet read any of either of these, I would suggest reading them in order of publication as the best approach.

I'm reading one of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mysteries right now (by Laurie King). It's fun.

I agree completely with Dottie and Sherry. Albert, in particular, writes light books, good for summer reading. But if you haven't read it, JLB's The Tin Roof Blowdown, set during Hurricane Katrina, is superb. I recently read Down River, which was very good. I just finished The Long Fall, the first in Walter Mosley's new detective series set in NYC. It's good, but I like his Easy Rawlins and Fearless Jones books more. But for a really enjoyable series set in a great time period, I recommend Barbara Hambly's series about Benjamin January which begins with A Free Man of Color.

And I left out one of my favorite series, Julia Spencer-Fleming's series which begins with In the Bleak Midwinter. Her protagonist, Clare Fergusson, is an Episcopalian priest.

MAP:

Here are a couple of good mysteries I have read in the past couple of years:


Christine Falls A Novel


In the Woods


Enjoy!

Ian Rankin's The Falls was very good. The basic idea of a alcoholic detective who can't get along with his superiors and who lives in an exotic location seems cliched, but Rankin gives a lot of life to the situation and makes you believe.

Staying with alcoholics and exotic locations, I recently re-read some Simenon, Maigret and the Burgular's Wife, and was impressed by Maigret's ability to have three brandies at lunch and still function. What I like best about Simenon is the trip he provides into tense little domestic situations, in this case a second wife living with a domineering mother-in-law. And contrary to what Elmore Leonard would have you believe, I enjoy the weather report that usually opens the stories:

It was eight-twenty-five in the morning when Maigret rose from the breakfast-table still drinking his last cup of coffee. Though it was only November, the lights were on. At the window, Madam Maigret was peering through the fog at passers-by, who were hurrying to work, shoulders hunched and hands in pockets.

For some reason, maybe a personal character flaw, I am immediately carried away to November in the Paris of the 50s.

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series is very good. Margaret Maron writes great mysteries that take place in the South. Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan is a favorite of mine.
Sandy

James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series is terrific, I'd also recommend Lawrence Block's Keller series. Probably anything by Block I'd say.

Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander series is most interesting as well. I like the early Kathy Reichs as well, later down the road they became a little off the wall mystery wise and became slightly preachy IMO. The first 5 or so are good though. Elmore Leonard is good as well, tend to be a bit period pieces, but good all the same.
Try Jo Nesbo for a twisty sort of mystery.

Plus, interestingly enough Vladimir Nabokov wrote a mystery, or what qualifies as a mystery to me at least, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight.

And there is always P.D. James or Elizabeth George. Sorry can't get a link for George.

My summer mysteries are Kathy Brandt's series - I figured they would be good summer reading because the detective is a scuba diver and often set in the BVI where its always summer! I just discovered her so will work my way through her series.

I'm an anthropologist and have always enjoyed the light forensic anthropologist series by Aaron Elkins. His Gideon character reminds my of my first anthro prof. A gentle soul.

I have never been able to get authors to link.

Do you want lighter mysteries or creepy mysteries, gorey? Because I am sure I can find more that I ahve read and enjoyed that will fit any bill.

T. Jefferson Parker is very good, particularly his Merci Rayborn series: RED LIGHT, THE BLUE HOUR and BLACK WATER.
I also enjoy Donna Leone's Inspector Guido Brunetti series. The books take place in Venice. Michael Connelly has a new one: THE SCARECROW. Stephen White is another favorite of mine.

Jane

Thank you, everyone for the great suggestions.

Shannon, I suppose you could say I don't like them too creepy, because I've never cared for Stephen King. Although I'm doubtful he would be categorized as a mystery writer. With mysteries, I will try a new writer once and move on if it does not appeal or go crazy if the author hits a resonating chord.

With the convention in mind, I should add two Portland writers: Philip Margolin and Chelsea Cain. And for a more obscure writer, how about Richard S. Prather who wrote the very funny and very pulpy Shell Scott mysteries in the 60s.

I really like Laurie King's Mary Russell/Holmes series. Her other books are good, too. Donald Westlake's mysteries are often hilarious. I'll also read anything written by George Pelecanos or Dennis Lehane.

Currently, I'm reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and so far, so very good.

I really enjoy the Hamish McBeath series by M.C. Beaton set in Scotland. A light read.

If you like historical mysteries the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear is set in England following WWI is terrific as is the Matthew Shardlake series by C.J. Sansomset in the court of Henry VII.

Pelecanos is one of my favorites, but I'd call it crime fiction rather than a mystery, but he is so good!

The Maise Dobbs books are very, very good and, in my opinion, good summer books.

Another vote for the Maise Dobbs books. They are great in audiobook too.

I "read" most of my mysteries in audio form.

I too have been craving for a good mystery. Last year I read "The Thin Man" by Dashiel Hammet , because it is such a classic of the genre. I really enjoyed it, and have since wondered about suggesting "The Maltese Falcon" – which I have not read yet – to my bookclub. I might just do that...

Patricia Highsmith is another great classic writer, although her books are more thrillers than mystery. I enjoyed "The Talented Mr. Ripley" better than the sequels, and "Strangers on a Train" is a must read.

Hey! Good ideas for ALL of us..thanks..
my recs: The Winner-Baldacci
Body Double-Gerritsen
Skinny Dip-Hiaasen
The Alienist-Carr (more literary)

Capitu wrote: Patricia Highsmith is another great classic writer, although her books are more thrillers than mystery. I enjoyed "The Talented Mr. Ripley" better than the sequels, and "Strangers on a Train" is a must read.
I loved the Ripley series, although 2 of them were less than stellar, it's true. Ripley's Game just might be my favorite of the set though. The film with John Malkovich was perfect as the slightly wiser, maybe ever so slightly - let's say ripened - Tom Ripley. Malkovich had the smooth exterior that exploded in a most controlled fashion. The opening scenes actually shocked me, and I knew more or less what to expect.
I did read them all in a row, couldn't help myself. However I found it difficult to get into Strangers on A Train for some reason.

I am a big mystery fan. Here are some favorites:

Martha Grimes: I prefer her Richard Jury mysteries, the earlier the better, each named after a pub. They are not as serious as PD James -- some humor -- but not wholly "cozy."

Batya Gur: I've read all 6 of her Michael Ohayon series. Gur was an Israeli and Ohayon an Israeli policeman of Moroccan ancestry. He is a bit melancholy and her mysteries, a commentary on Israeli life. (On second thought, these may be better fall/winter reading. But very good!) Sadly, Gur died at 57, in 2005, I think.

Barbara Cleverly's Joe Sandiland series, mainly set in British India in the 1920's. Heavier on atmosphere than plotting, but entertaining.

Mary Ellen

Oops! Forgot to second the recommendation for Lawrence Block. He has 3 series, fitting several mystery moods:

Matthew Scudder: kind of hard-boiled, alcoholic private eye in the naked city. Scudder develops over the course of the novels. A double favorite of mine because of the NYC setting.

Bernie Rodenbarr: used-bookstore owner by day, burglar by night, he should be a CR favorite. Very light mysteries, all titles include Burglar, usually "The Burglar Who..."

Keller: all books begin with "Hit...", as Keller is the eponymous Hit Man. Not as light as Bernie, nor as dark as Scudder, but very witty. One usually feels that his victims got what was coming to them... (These books are less novels than connected stories.)

Mary Ellen

I forgot Val McDermid and Lee Childs. McDermids books were the base for the BBC series, Wire in the Blood. Lee Childs's books, with hero Jack Reacher, are violent, but good.
Sandy

I want to also give a nod to the Maisie Dobbs series by Jaqueline Winspear. (Donna, Mina, and Barbara have already mentioned them.) I have read all of those books, and I don't even wait until they are out in paperback. I buy the hardback, and it is such a treat!

Another vote for Maisie--they are really great.

Also recommend Denise Mina--her first trilogy is all I've read so far: Garnethill/Exile/Resolution.

Sara

I was going to start with Maisie Dobbs, but there are already sufficient votes for that one.

Two other mystery authors I have just discovered this month (but they have numerous books out) are:

Louise Penny - starting with Still Life (Three Pines, Inspector Armand Gamanche) - set in Canada

Charles Todd - starting with A Test Of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge series) - England after WWI, so some similarity to Maisie Dobs

Laura

Seconding both the Maisie Dobbs and Dissolution suggestions.

I also enjoyed The Alienist, and the novels about the "Lion of Judah," A Conspiracy of Paper and A Spectacle of Corruption, by David Liss. (There's a third one, The Devil's Company A Novel, which I haven't read.)

The Amelia Peabody mysteries are fun - they have a backdrop of Victorian/Edwardian Egypt.

These are all historical mysteries.

These are great suggestions, everyone! I will never get to all of them, but never mind that. This list is a public service to all of our mystery lovers.

Mike, you have reminded me that I read many Hiaasan books one year after he was on 60-60 due to the fact that his fiction was often out paced by strange actual human behavior in the Miami area.

Saw interview w/Hiaasen also. Plan to read more. Yep So. Fla. is deep in strangeness.

I love Hiaasen (never know how to spell him). His books are great in audio format.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/t...

The link is to a much longer list, but there is a section on mysteries that manages to include some not covered here.

I've recently discovered the whole cozy mystery genre and the number of authors and series amazes me! I've thoroughly enjoyed Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series (lots of great recipes, too), and Deb Baker's Gretchen Birch/Dolls to Die For series. Here's a link you might enjoy: http://www.cozy-mystery.com/

The cozy mystery web site lists books by author, by theme (example: exotic locations, culinary, hobbies, profession) and they do a great job of keeping track of new releases, too.

I am just finishing the latest PD James (A Private Patient) and am finding it, for James, a disappointment. She devotes a lot of space to meaningless details (a list of the toiletries provided at the B&B where one of the detectives is staying!), but is a bit sketchy re: motive and character. The book plods a bit. (Yes, I know it is amazing that she is writing at her age, and so elegantly...maybe I am expecting too much; but would expecting less be patronising? Not sure.)

Mary Ellen

I find details not always meaningless--in War & Peace they really seem to tell a lot about the person. But I know what you mean. If the details are not grounded--just left floating in air, they are meaningless. I haven't read this one, but I've read many of them. I can't imagine her age isn't catching up to her. And, yes, expecting less would be patronizing.

Have you read the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, MAP?

I read the most recent, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, which was my first, so yes, I'd like to go back and read earlier ones.

I've enjoyed several of the No. 1 Ladies Detective books, particularly for the sense of place. The "mystery" is just an excuse to spend some time with Precious & co.!

Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen, Did you read The Lighthouse by PD James? While I did enjoy A Private Patient I thought the Lighthouse was better.

I think someone already mentioned Donna Leon and Insp Brunetti of Venice but if you like books set in Italy I would also recommend the Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. These are set in Sicily.

Donna, I think I have read most of PD James's Adam Dalgliesh mysteries (definitely all that she's written since 1985 or so) and I also enjoyed The Lighthouse more than I did A Private Patient. I think she is a wonderful writer and hers is the only series I've enjoyed, without being particularly drawn to the lead detective. I find Dalgliesh pretty dull (and how old is he by now -- he's been detecting since 1962!).

BTW, Donna, did you think it odd that James spent as many pages as she did on the wholly extraneous story of Annie being raped? What was the point of that?

Mary Ellen