Reading the Detectives discussion
Buddy reads
>
Starting/joining in with buddy reads
date
newest »

message 1301:
by
Judy
(new)
May 01, 2025 11:40AM

reply
|
flag

Shaina wrote: "I have a question. Have we dropped the Maigret series? Just asking as I don't see them listed after May/June."
Yes, we did drop Maigret as few people commented. I intend / hope to continue on my own and have requested Maigret and the Toy Village from the library for this month. I really enjoy the atmosphere and the concise plots but there isn't a lot to say about them. Expect I will be including them in the 'what mysteries are you reading' thread.
Yes, we did drop Maigret as few people commented. I intend / hope to continue on my own and have requested Maigret and the Toy Village from the library for this month. I really enjoy the atmosphere and the concise plots but there isn't a lot to say about them. Expect I will be including them in the 'what mysteries are you reading' thread.
Yes, it was just 2 of us commenting for several Maigret reads so we decided to drop them - also I agree with Sandy that there isn't always much to say even though they are very enjoyable reads. I expect I will read more in the future but wanted a break from them.


I've started Raven Black. Have every intention of getting back to River of Darkness - I read it once when it came out. Got the follow up books and decided to read it again. That was a while ago.

The Long Farewell by Michael Innes (The Inspector Appleby Mysteries Book 17) by Michael Innes (July/August) and
The Long F..."
Sorry, late to answer your group question, I don’t know how I missed it - I would like to continue Poirot and Marple - sorry if this has already been decided and I’m cluttering up the thread, but I just saw this.
Poirot and Marple are always firm favourites, aren't they? You never clutter up a thread, Susan - what a comment to make when we love to hear from you!
I loved my re-read of River of Darkness and am about to embark on yet another re-read of the first Bernie Gunther book.
Not as crazy on the Brighton mysteries, but I really enjoyed Raven Black.
Not as crazy on the Brighton mysteries, but I really enjoyed Raven Black.

I agree 100%! I am really enjoying the Poirot/Marple reads
and I nominated the second book in the series that starts with Raven Black for the August read with The English Mysteries group, FYI.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
We will be reading White Nights by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #2) as a buddy read in August/September, Jackie.

excellent! I will definitely have to get a copy, LOL
Updated buddy read list:
Buddy Reads:
August/Sept
Brought to Light (Bobby Owen #32) by E R Punshon
A Dead Liberty (Sloan and Crosby #12) by Catherine Aird
The Terrorists (Martin Beck #10) by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (last book)
The Corpse in Oozak’s Pond by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #6)
White Nights by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #2)
Sept/Oct
Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) by Sarah Hawkswood
Special Assignments by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #5)
Mrs Pargeter’s Point of Honour (Mrs Pargeter #6) by Simon Brett
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #1)
Oct/Nov
Dark is the Clue (Bobby Owen #33) by E R Punshon
One Virgin Too Many by Lindsey Davis (Falco #11)
Willful Behaviour by Donna Leon (Brunetti #11)
Gently By the Shore (Inspector George Gently #2) by Alan Hunter
Nov/Dec
Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence #5) by Agatha Christie (last book)
The Vanishing Box (Brighton Mysteries #4) by Elly Griffiths
The Blood-Dimmed Tide (#2 John Madden) by Rennie Airth
The Pale Criminal by Philip Kerr (Bernie Gunther #2)
Dec/Jan
The Night of Fear (#2 Hugh Collier) by Moray Dalton (Christmas buddy read)
Triple Quest (Bobby Owen #34) by E R Punshon
The Body Politic (Sloan and Crosby #13) by Catherine Aird
Vane Pursuit by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #7)
Red Bones by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #3)
Jan/Feb
Faithful Until Death (Bradecote and Catchpoll #6) by Sarah Hawkswood
The State Counsellor by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #6)
Mrs Pargeter’s Principle (Mrs Pargeter #7) by Simon Brett
The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #2)
Feb/March
Six Were Present (Bobby Owen #35) by E R Punshon (last book)
Ode to a Banker by Lindsey Davis (Falco #12)
Uniform Justice by Donna Leon (Brunetti #12)
Gently Down the Stream (Inspector George Gently #3) by Alan Hunter
Buddy Reads:
August/Sept
Brought to Light (Bobby Owen #32) by E R Punshon
A Dead Liberty (Sloan and Crosby #12) by Catherine Aird
The Terrorists (Martin Beck #10) by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (last book)
The Corpse in Oozak’s Pond by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #6)
White Nights by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #2)
Sept/Oct
Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) by Sarah Hawkswood
Special Assignments by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #5)
Mrs Pargeter’s Point of Honour (Mrs Pargeter #6) by Simon Brett
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #1)
Oct/Nov
Dark is the Clue (Bobby Owen #33) by E R Punshon
One Virgin Too Many by Lindsey Davis (Falco #11)
Willful Behaviour by Donna Leon (Brunetti #11)
Gently By the Shore (Inspector George Gently #2) by Alan Hunter
Nov/Dec
Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence #5) by Agatha Christie (last book)
The Vanishing Box (Brighton Mysteries #4) by Elly Griffiths
The Blood-Dimmed Tide (#2 John Madden) by Rennie Airth
The Pale Criminal by Philip Kerr (Bernie Gunther #2)
Dec/Jan
The Night of Fear (#2 Hugh Collier) by Moray Dalton (Christmas buddy read)
Triple Quest (Bobby Owen #34) by E R Punshon
The Body Politic (Sloan and Crosby #13) by Catherine Aird
Vane Pursuit by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #7)
Red Bones by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #3)
Jan/Feb
Faithful Until Death (Bradecote and Catchpoll #6) by Sarah Hawkswood
The State Counsellor by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #6)
Mrs Pargeter’s Principle (Mrs Pargeter #7) by Simon Brett
The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #2)
Feb/March
Six Were Present (Bobby Owen #35) by E R Punshon (last book)
Ode to a Banker by Lindsey Davis (Falco #12)
Uniform Justice by Donna Leon (Brunetti #12)
Gently Down the Stream (Inspector George Gently #3) by Alan Hunter
Please let me know if you spot any mistakes.
Also, although we have a couple of series we haven't started, we always need more.
I mentioned on the general chat thread, I really enjoyed our buddy reads of P D James. I would like to suggest a buddy read of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series. Does anyone have other suggestions or want to say a strong yes or no to Rebus?
Also, although we have a couple of series we haven't started, we always need more.
I mentioned on the general chat thread, I really enjoyed our buddy reads of P D James. I would like to suggest a buddy read of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series. Does anyone have other suggestions or want to say a strong yes or no to Rebus?

Also, although we have a couple of series we haven't started, we always need more.
I mentioned on the general chat thread, I really enjoyed our buddy ..."
Thanks for posting this Susan, you keep me on track. Quick question-are we reading Lord Peter Wimsey as a buddy read? I think for September/October? I don’t know when we’ll continue with him after that, in the new year I imagine?
I wouldn’t mind trying Rebus, I’ve never read him. I know we’ve read these two authors as polled reads, but how about Lorac’s inspector Macdonald or George Bellairs’ Inspector Littlejohn? Those are pretty long traditional police series, in the Sloan & Crosby vein. I know the earliest books would be hard to get, and I’m not sure of availability in other countries, but several are available here and Bellairs is currently on Kindle Unlimited for free.
I’m afraid I don’t do current detective series much, but in the Cadfael/historical/clerical vein, there’s the Sister Frevisse mysteries (first was The Novice's Tale), by Margaret Frazer, or the Brother Athelstan mysteries, first was The Nightingale Gallery. Frevisse definitely has more humor, Athelstan is rather heavy on the medieval “life is nasty, brutish and short” vibe!
For something different and more modern, I enjoyed the Sam Wyndham series (India, 1920s, first was A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee) or The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall, first book in the Vish Puri series.
Set in the U.S. west on a reservation, there’s Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee mysteries (first is The Blessing Way), and I’ve never read (but want to), the Anna Pigeon series, set all over the country in national parks (first is Track of the Cat, Nevada Barr).
I know that’s a lot, just looked through my TBR list! Rebus is on it, also. Hope that helps, apologies for nattering on, but mystery is my favorite genre…
Hi Susan and Susan, yes we're doing The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club in September/October, looks like it dropped off the list here but we're still doing it :)
The full list of buddy reads for September/October is:
Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) by Sarah Hawkswood
Special Assignments by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #5)
Mrs Pargeter’s Point of Honour (Mrs Pargeter #6) by Simon Brett
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #1)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers (Peter Wimsey #5)
The full list of buddy reads for September/October is:
Vale of Tears (Bradecote and Catchpoll #5) by Sarah Hawkswood
Special Assignments by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #5)
Mrs Pargeter’s Point of Honour (Mrs Pargeter #6) by Simon Brett
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander #1)
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers (Peter Wimsey #5)
Thanks, Judy and thanks, Susan.
Some great ideas, Susan. I will have a look at your series suggestions and see what's available. I am definitely up for Littlejohn or MacDonald.
Preferably, we want a full series in order to run them as buddies but I will definitely see what is available and report back.
Some great ideas, Susan. I will have a look at your series suggestions and see what's available. I am definitely up for Littlejohn or MacDonald.
Preferably, we want a full series in order to run them as buddies but I will definitely see what is available and report back.
Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "Please let me know if you spot any mistakes.
For something different and more modern, I enjoyed the Sam Wyndham series (India, 1920s, first was A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee) or The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall, first book in the Vish Puri series.
Thank you for mentioning those series. I was already on the wait list for the new San Wyndham but didn't realize there is a new Vish Puri after a long gap.
For something different and more modern, I enjoyed the Sam Wyndham series (India, 1920s, first was A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee) or The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall, first book in the Vish Puri series.
Thank you for mentioning those series. I was already on the wait list for the new San Wyndham but didn't realize there is a new Vish Puri after a long gap.
Continuing Susan in Nc's thoughts:
in the Cadfael/historical/clerical vein, there’s the Sister Frevisse mysteries (first was The Novice's Tale), by Margaret Frazer, or the Brother Athelstan mysteries, first was The Nightingale Gallery. Frevisse definitely has more humor, Athelstan is rather heavy on the medieval “life is nasty, brutish and short” vibe!
I read The Novice's tale in 2017 and my review says I plan to continue. Maybe now is the time? And Brother Athelstan is on my TBR.
in the Cadfael/historical/clerical vein, there’s the Sister Frevisse mysteries (first was The Novice's Tale), by Margaret Frazer, or the Brother Athelstan mysteries, first was The Nightingale Gallery. Frevisse definitely has more humor, Athelstan is rather heavy on the medieval “life is nasty, brutish and short” vibe!
I read The Novice's tale in 2017 and my review says I plan to continue. Maybe now is the time? And Brother Athelstan is on my TBR.

For something different and more modern, I enjoyed the Sam Wyndham series (India, 1920s, first was A Rising Man by Ab..."
Oh, I knew there was a new Sam Wyndham, but didn’t know new Vish Puri, yay! Thanks, Sandy!

in the Cadfael/historical/clerical vein, there’s the Sister Frevisse mysteries (first was The Novice's Tale), by Margaret Frazer, or the Brother Athelstan mysteri..."
I loved Frevisse’s mature nature (as an older nun, I don’t remember the full circumstances), she felt like a female Cadfael. Her rye observations and family connection to Chaucer added a different twist.
Sadly, not all of Lorac’s Inspector Macdonald books are available, either in kindle or paperback in the UK. Such a shame. Hopefully, they will become available later. We will keep our eyes peeled!

That’s what I was afraid of! A lengthy catalogue of titles, but only being released in dribs and drabs.
Someone mentioned another traditional police series by Patricia Moyes - sounds like Sloan & Crosby, perhaps? Inspector Henry Tibbett, first is Dead Men Don't Ski.
Books mentioned in this topic
Dead Men Don't Ski (other topics)The Case of the Missing Servant (other topics)
The Blessing Way (other topics)
A Rising Man (other topics)
The Novice's Tale (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nevada Barr (other topics)Margaret Frazer (other topics)
Abir Mukherjee (other topics)
Tarquin Hall (other topics)
Dorothy L. Sayers (other topics)
More...