I read both, but rarely read a series in order, since I don't find them in order (mostly at book sales).

the only series that I am following in order is the Harry Potter series. Yep, picked up on that after the fact.

I don't care much for cozies, I like more substance. I'm not into chick lit (or chick movies, either). Give me a nice serial killer or creepy plot.

authors - James Patterson, Stuart Woods, Fern Michaels, Sandra Brown's and Nora Roberts; suspenses, Tess Gerritsen, Susan Witig Albert, Patricia Cornwell, Mary Higgins Clark, Janet Evanovich, the Kellermans, Robin Cook, Michael Palmer. I signed up for a summer challenge to read three new authors and so far working on Michael Crichton.

series-the story never ends! :)

ooooh series : ) I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.

Lisa scottoline, female law firm, each lawyer takes turn being the lead
susan witting albert, set in TX, china runs a herb shop and solves crimes
James patterson womans murder club, fast reads
steve hamilton, detective in cold michigan
tess gerristen, good stand alones, now series
jeffery deaver forensics, nyc cops
kathy reichs forensics, show BONES is based on this, but the books are when TEMPE is much older
nevada barr, sereis set in national parks
jonahton king, cop takes force retirment moves to the everglades
evanovich, pure fluff read no brain cells required : )

and many more on my shelves

I love a good series. My first love that captured me as a mystery fan was, of course, Agatha Christie. Two other favorites are Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, and Arian Franklin's medieval series with Adelia Aguilar. I am currently reading G.M Malliet's Death of a Cozy Writer, which is to be a series and enjoying it as the wonderful English mystery it is (reminds me of Agatha Christie).

When you run out of books from the series authors that you love is the time to explore and try to find some new authors that you might enjoy, and the recommendations & reviews from members of this group are a good place to start!

I am a fan of series mysteries and was just complaining the other day that I'm all caught up on my authors so now I am at the excruciating point where I have to wait til they publish something new every two years or so to read a good book. That is the one problem I think series have. If they are any good you devour them and then you are left with nothing to read.

It is rare that I can find a stand alone book that engages me as much as a series can.

I'm always out there hunting for a new author of a series that I haven't read to engage me so I can explore their back catalogue.

I follow authors such as:

Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell (Though I find her Scarpetta series going down hill), Kathy Reichs, Simon Beckett, PJ Tracy, Jeffery Lindsay among others.

I tend to find myself going for the darker themes in stories but lately I'm finding (since the arrival of nieces and nephews) myself put off by gore or violence that is over the top. Though at the same time I find cozies a little boring and too cute to hold my interest. So I'm floating in the middle.

Series I follow:

§ Kathy Reichs - Temperance Brennan
§ Karin Slaughter- Grant Co /Sara Linton/Lena Adams
§ Keith Ablow - Frank Clevenger
§ Patricia Cornwell- Kay Scarpetta (not going well, hope she comes back)
§ Cody McFadyen - Smokey Barrett
§ Sue Grafton - Kinsey Milhone/letters
§ Jeffery Deaver - Lincoln Rhymes
§ Emily Brightwell - Mrs Jeffries
§ Iris Johansen - Eve Duncan
§ James Patterson - Alex Cross
§ Mary Jane Clark - Key News series
§ Harlan Coben - Myron Bolitar
§ Alex Kava - Maggie O'Dell
§ Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum/ numbers
§ James Patterson/others - Womens' Murder Club
§ Lisa Gardner -Kimberly Quincy/Pierce Quincy/Rainie Connor
§ Leslie Glass - April Woo
§ Kay Hooper - Noah Bishop Special Crimes Unit
§ Jeff Lindsay - Dexter
§ Michelle Martinez - Melanie Vargas
§ Stephen Woodworth - Natalie Lindstrom/Violets
§ PJ Parrish - Louis Kincaid
§ Joshua Spanogle - Dr Nate McCormick
§ PJ Tracy - Grace McBride
§ Kate White - Bailey Wiggins
§ Lisa Scottoline - Bennie Rosato & Associates (have them, have to catch up and read them)
§ Stuart Woods - Holly Barker (orchid series)
§ Stuart Woods - Stone Barrington- (have them, have to catch up)

There are others I skipped I'm sure......

My personal favorite mystery books are the Sue Grafton alphabet mysteries. It is a series but the books can also stand alone. Kinsey Milhone is an amazing character and she is so much fun.

I am a sucker for the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. My aunt turned me on to them and i can't put them down.
As far as stand alone, i've been enjoying Lisa Jackson novels.

I love the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke. Often I don't find Burke's mysteries particularly intriguing; meaning, there really isn't a compelling who done it in his stories. But the general plot, the characters, and the settings are fantastic. I love Clet Percell, Dave's foil, and think that Robicheaux himself is a fantastic, if not hard to love at times, character.

I've enjoyed the (all-too-brief) series of Grant mysteries by Josephine Tey.

Also loved the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters.

And, um, er... the four Sarah Caudwell books and the marvelous, side-splitiingly funny Ruth Dudley Edwards.

Don't care for Elizabeth George.

I also like stand-alones by such authors as Robert Berard (or Barnard, I can never remember) and the wonderful Peter Lovesy... "The Reaper" is just a delight. And Tey's stand-alones are excellent as well.

I love the Eve Duncan series, I knew I was forgetting one when I was listing them earlier!

I am so happy someone finally mentioned Reginald Hill. I absolutely love the Dalziel and Pascoe series and just finished "Death Comes for the Fat Man".

I go with the series factor. One nobody has mentioned is the Louis Kincaid books by P.J. Parrish. Those gals can write an exciting tale. One I enjoyed by a lesser-known writer is Lonnie Cruse's Metropolis series featuring Sheriff Joe Dalton.

I began writing standalones but didn't get published until I turned to a series. People like the characters and want to follow them on their journey. I have received lots of comments from readers who enjoy keeping up with a long-married couple who still enjoy one another and are capable on the job (PI's Greg and Jill McKenzie).

If you aren't familiar with them, go to http://www.chesterdcampbell.com. Or check my Goodreads page.

It's funny, isn't it? That our mystery series become our friends. We know the characters and watch for each new installment. I read a lot of cozies...Cleo Coyle's Coffe House series, Alice Kimberly's (also Cleo Coyle) Haunted Bookstore series, Amanda Matesky's Paige Turner series.

But I also love the historical mysteries...Victoria Thompson's Gaslight series, Shirley Tallmage's series set in San Francisco late 1800s. The Maisie Dobbs series.

And the darker series...John Connolly, Lee Child, Michael Connely. Sometimes blood, gore, and extreme violence are just what I need!

If you like adult cozy series, check out my Mrs. Bundle Mystery Series: www.mrsbundle.com or Goodreads---The third in the series, MRS. BUNDLE'S MAINE VACATION: Subterfuge at the Seashore has just been released.
What readers have to say:
“I loved the 2nd book, it really drew me into the story quickly and kept my attention for the whole book.”
“Spending time with Mrs. Bundle and Cracker is a real joy. ‘Mrs. B’ is a wonderful role model for women ‘of a certain age.’ She is fully engaged in the world (and people) around her. Her warmth, intelligence and grit make her a most appealing character and female protagonist. I eagerly anticipate her next adventure.”
"Just finished it. Loved it. Great plot!' Kevin Forrest, Managing Editor, Vermont Standard
“I could not put the books down and certainly read them all post haste. Loved every moment, enjoyed the characters especially Cracker and Mrs. B. Great, Great, Great can't wait for the next book to be available for sale.”
"I finished both books and read them over and over already! I am really looking forward to Mrs. Bundle 3!"
"I just finished Mr. Bundle's Maine Vacation! It was so great! I love Mrs. Bundle and Angie and Cracker! Thanks so much for sharing the adventures of these wonderful people with all of us."
Available through Borders Bookstores or online at www.mrsbundle.com
THANKS!

I also like books in series, like you I like to know more about the charaters. Have you ever read any books by Iris Johansen? She has a series about Eve Duncan, she does facial reconstruction of skeletal remains.

I usually prefer series, though standalones work too. Series just work better for me due to the characters - I always want to know more about them, and see what they're up to next. I grew up with Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books, though these days I generally prefer my mystery-genre more along the lines of forensic-based stories. To that end, I adore Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series, as well as a few of his stand alones (The Blue Nowhere is one of my absolute favorites there). I also enjoy Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series, Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta (at least the early ones, not so much with the later ones), the Agent Pendergast series from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child... I could continue, but that'd just get long. And that's just in this particular genre. ;)

My absolute top favourite series is Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe. I usually find myself pre-ordering his books. Also up there are Ian Rankin's John Rebus, although where that series will go now that he has retired Rebus remains to be seen. Val McDermid's Wire in the Blood is also a series I follow.

As for Australian authors, P.D. Martin's series is first rate. Sophie Anderson is a profiler with the FBI and also possesses some psychic ability. Sort of along the lines of Medium but not too high on the woo-woo scale.

Shane Maloney's Murray Whelan series is another that I'm always eagerly awaiting, although he has stated his next one will be the last in that series.

C. J. Sansom's historical series set in the time of Henry VII is my entry on the historical front.

As for standalones. I read plenty of them and to list some of them here would make this post impossibly long (if it isn't already)

I like series because of the anticipation factor. I like stand alone because you can enjoy it without wondering what will happen next or when the next book will be published. Can you say split personality? My point is that good mysteries/thrillers/suspense are enjoyable in all their forms.
Two series I do like that haven't been mentioned are Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell (beginning with A Perfect Evil), and Carol O'Connell's Kathleen Mallory (beginning with Mallory's Oracle). Both series have their ups and downs but still worth following.
Tana French just started what I hope will be a great series with In the Woods. The Likeness is on order at the library and I'm 9th on the list.
A good Canadian author is Louise Penny - her series is set in rural Quebec. The first book is Still Life. Great writing and characterization.
I guess I haven't read too many stand alones lately now that I look back at my list of books. The best one I can recommend is Laura Lippman's What the Dead Know. Her series is the Tess Monaghan books starting with Baltimore Blues (which I haven't read).
Happy reading everyone!

Carol Lea Benjamin's series featuring Rachael Alexander and her dog Dashiel are fantastic books, on so many levels. Two of my favorites are Without a Word and The Fall Guy. Her books are both cozy and dark and bleak - just like real life.

Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhymes series

Marlowe/Sam Spade series

I really like Micheal Connelly's Harry Bosch series

I prefer Lehane's stand alone books

It was especially fun to pick up and begin reading Koryta's latest because I was staying about fifteen miles from where it was set and could actually see the wilderness he described. My next book is partially set there, as well.
Crais' new one is fantastic. He matures as a writer with each book. And James Lee Burke's latest is, without reservation, the best book I've read in two or three years.

Cheryl,

I enjoyed all of the series you mentioned. Donis Casey is also good. The only one in the group that you listed I haven't read is Donna Leon. Will have to try it. Am currently reading Kindred Spirits by Marilyn Meridith. This is the Tempe Crabtree series and a very good series.

Pat R.

I tend to much prefer series to stand-a-lones, if only because characters are very important to me and I find that a lot of standalone books don't have much character development in them--partly, I suppose, because there just isn't time, and partly due to author skill or lack thereof. If the author of a standalone can make me care about the character and feel like I know them in a short time, I'm good to go, though.

What series do I follow? Oh lordy, now that's a loaded question! LOL I tend to space my series books out so I don't get overdosed on them, so I can read one book in a series and it will be several weeks or months before I get to the next. So....I am currently in the middle of about a hundred and twenty or even more series. I haven't counted lately!! I have tried reading one book in a series after another in the past and found that no matter how much I liked a series, I got very easily burned out on the author/series, which is why I read them the way I do now. Even spacing books by a week or two is often too close together for me.

I enjoy everything from tea-and-crumpets cozies to bleak, violent and hard-boiled, but it really depends on the author, the writing style, the characters' development, etc. And yes, I like a good sense of humor too--although nothing will turn me off faster than a book where the humor is forced--where it seems like the author *thinks* he's being funny but it just makes me roll my eyes. LOL To choose just a few favorites is very difficult...but here are some I've really been enjoying lately:

Margaret Maron's "Judge Deborah Knott" series
Donna Leon's "Guido Brunetti"
Chris Grabenstein's "John Ceepak"
Deborah Crombie's "Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James"
Karen E. Olson's "Annie Seymour"
Craig Johnson's "Walt Longmire"

(I actually read all four of Johnson's and all three of Olson's books within just a very few months, a testament to JUST how much I enjoyed those--and waiting for the next one--write faster, please!)

Cheryl

I am a die-hard fan of the Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais - whose standalones are equally wonderful. I also follow Michael Koryta's Lincoln Perry. Koryta also just published his first standalone that is out of this world (Envy the Night). Alafair Burke's two series - Ellie Hatcher and Samantha Kincaid are must reads, as are Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan series, Thomas Holland's Kel McKelvey series, Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series, Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series, and of course James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux and Billy Bob Holland series.

I loved the Myron Bolitar series. I can't say that Coben's standalones were as enjoyable for me, but they are still good reads.

And Dennis Lehane has some incredible standalones in addition to his Patrick Kenzie/Angela Gennaro series.

This summer I discovered Timothy Hallinan's THE FOURTH WATCHER, which is the second in his Poke Rafferty series. I plan to go back and read the first before the third is released. And I have three of Chris Grabenstein's John Ceepak books waiting for me to get to. I've heard only wonderful things about him.

I guess I tend more toward the dark and bleak, but I do appreciate a writer with a great sense of humor - Crais, Koryta, both Burkes, Holland, Johnson...

What series do you follow? Are you a fan of a cozy? The more dark and bleak?

What stand alone authors do you enjoy reading?