Which series have you read?

[SherryRose]

I've read most of Peter Robinsons Alan Banks series. I love Sofie Kelly's Magical Cat series. I love Juliet Blackwells witchcraft vintage clothes shop series. I used to read the Martha Grimes Detective Jury series. I loved it.

[Betsy]

My favorite of the Maisie Dobbs series was #3 PARDONABLE LIES, but the rest left me cold, mostly because of her personality or lack of it.

[Judy]

I only read the first one and I think I liked the plot, but I agree Maisie didn't have much personality. Also all the back story about her early life kept making me forget what was supposed to be happening in the mystery, though that shouldn't be a problem in the later books.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

My favourite series so far this year (can we call 2 books a series?, but there is a third underway!) is the Charile Cameron series from Owen Mullen Games People Play and Old Friends and New Enemies . Riveting reading! Am hanging out for #3 Owen!

[SherryRose]

Betsy wrote: "My favorite of the Maisie Dobbs series was #3 PARDONABLE LIES, but the rest left me cold, mostly because of her personality or lack of it."

I'm enjoying the 2nd in the Maisie Dobbs series. I was reading reviews. People seem to either love or hate her. So far I really like her.

[SherryRose]

Judy wrote: "I only read the first one and I think I liked the plot, but I agree Maisie didn't have much personality. Also all the back story about her early life kept making me forget what was supposed to be h..."

In the first book, her history kind of clouded the mystery but I loved reading her back story. (Listening actually..audio book)

[Betsy]

My problem is that I find her backstory to be totally unbelievable, and some other aspects of her life need a huge grain of salt. I like PARDONABLE LIES because of its Great War references.

[SherryRose]

Betsy wrote: "My problem is that I find her backstory to be totally unbelievable, and some other aspects of her life need a huge grain of salt. I like PARDONABLE LIES because of its Great War references."

I can see that. Her story is VERY colorful and dramatic. I still liked hearing it but I see what you mean.

[Judy]

Betsy, I also found the back story unbelievable. But I did like some other aspects of the book, so I might give another one a try.

[Judy]

For those who read a lot of series, do you try to keep up with all of them at once, or do you just get caught up in one and then move on to another?

[HJ]

I try to read several books in a series one after the other. If a series is new to me, I'll always read the first book in the series first and then, if I like it, buy all the others and read them all at once. When a new one comes out I'll re-read at least some of the earlier ones.

[Susan]

There are a core of series I keep up with, loads I start and then just don't have time to continue and others where I have read a few and faltered along the way. I have decided that, if I am ever to complete any of the series that I do want to read though, I need to read them start to finish. I have just embarked on reading P D James - another author whose books I have long wanted to read in entirety. I have started with Cover Her Face, which is a very typical GA storyline (murder in the 'big house' on the day of a fete).

[HJ]

PD James is a good example of an author whose series I really liked and followed at one point, and then just tapered out for no reason I can remember. Maybe I didn't like the way the character(s) developed in one book and it put me off the rest? I can't remember, because it was a series which I was reading as it was published i.e. some time ago.

[Susan]

I think that happens a lot, HJ. I will let you know how I get on!

[Damaskcat]

I've read six of the Maisie Dobbs series and then got stuck though I shall probably go back to them at some point.

Currently reading Ann Granger - her Mitchell and Markby series and enjoying them.

[Lady Clementina]

I don't think I've finished any series completely except Sherlock Holmes and Father Brown- both of which I've read (and have complete versions of). But I have read quite a few of the following

Agatha Christie
Poirot
Marple
Superintendent Battle
Tommy and Tuppence

Dick Francis- 24 of these shelfari tells me (not all yet)

Dan Brown - 3/4 Langdon books and all others

And how can I forget
Carolyn Keene- Nancy Drew (the original books, files and
supermysteries- loads of these).
Carolyn Keene- The Dana Girls


Enid Blyton
Famous Five
Five Findouters
The Secret Series
The Adventure Series
The Barney Mysteries
The Secret Seven


The rest, just a few
Ngaio Marsh- Inspector Allen (about 5 so far)
Rex Stout- Nero Wolfe/Archie Baldwin (about 3 only - the ones I have at home)
Margaret Truman - Capital Crimes (5 books)
Erle Stanley Gardner- Perry Mason books.
Ellis Peters- Brother Cadfael mysteries (2 with one waiting on the TBR)
Elizabeth George- Inspector Lynley (a couple)
PD James- Dalgleish (a couple)
Earl Derr Biggers - Charlie Chan (a couple)


Laura Lee Hope- The Bobbsey Twins
Kathryn Kenny- Trixie Belden
Robert Arthur- The Three Investogators

Edgar Wallace- just a 3-4 so far.
Wilkie Collins- about 4
JF Fletcher - about 3
Anna Katherine Green- just one I think
Robin Cook- quite a few- mostly the ones with Laurie and Jack- but I don't like these much any more
Georgette Heyer- just 1 (have been reading more of her regency books)
MC Beaton- Just got started on her Agatha Raisin ones


Would Tintin count too?

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review)]

Hmm I have read all the Agatha Christies, all the Sue Grafton's so far and I am currently reading all the Colin Dexter's.

Kathy Reich's and Patricia Cornwall I gave up on part the way through as I found the later books too graphic - lots of cozy mystery series under my reading belt though!

[Susan]

Of course Tintin counts, Lady Clementia! Also Asterix...

Talking of Enid Blyton, my daughter has just started the St Clares books.

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "Of course Tintin counts, Lady Clementia! Also Asterix...

Talking of Enid Blyton, my daughter has just started the St Clares books."
I love the St Clares books. In fact we were just discussing in another group about how they too could count as mysteries- since there is a mystery element in most of the stories.

[Susan]

Yes, and Malory Towers, the Naughtiest Girl, etc etc.

[Judy]

Thanks for all the replies on the best way to follow a series through - I think I'll also try to get caught up in one or two series at a time, as this worked well for me with Sherlock Holmes.

[HJ]

Susan wrote: "Of course Tintin counts, Lady Clementia! Also Asterix...

Talking of Enid Blyton, my daughter has just started the St Clares books."

My niece loves all the Enid Blyton books too, but I think a lot of them have been "updated" since I read my mothers old originals.

[Lady Clementina]

HJ wrote: "Susan wrote: "Of course Tintin counts, Lady Clementia! Also Asterix...

Talking of Enid Blyton, my daughter has just started the St Clares books."

My niece loves all the Enid Blyton books too, bu..."

They have unfortunately- and some updates are terrible. I've been told to stick with editions published in the '80s and earlier to be safe from these.

[Susan]

Yes, I got The Enchanted Wood for her and they had changed Fanny's name, which confused me mightily for a while - I was wondering who on Earth Francis was?! :)

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "Yes, I got The Enchanted Wood for her and they had changed Fanny's name, which confused me mightily for a while - I was wondering who on Earth Francis was?! :)"

Dick too - I think. First they vulgarize words, then spend time culling them out.

[Lady Clementina]

I just came across a set of books by Annie Haynes. Has anyone read these?

[Judy]

We've just been talking about the problems of keeping up with multiple series over in another thread (about my European challenge), so that reminded me about this thread.

Which series have people read right through and which ones are you reading at the moment? I've just got hooked on the Martin Beck books, though I've only read the first two so far, and there a lot of other series I'm supposed to be reading but getting on quite slowly with!

I've read the first 4 of the Bobby Owen books by E.R. Punshon and the same for the Angela Marchmont books by Clara Benson - both of those are cheap on Kindle so it is easy to get the next instalment!

[Susan]

This year I have read all the Mick Herron Slow Horses series.

[Sandy]

I am officially current on Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series, as I finished The Woman in Blue and am on the waiting list for the new one. Of course there is another due next year, a good problem to have with a series you like.

I haven't tried her historical series, The Zig Zag Girl. Have any of you?

[Carolien]

I keep a spreadsheet with all the series I am busy with, just checked and there are over 80 on there. A bit scary...

[Joanne]

I'm working on a few different series, and always looking for more! I like to skip from one to another, to stretch them out.
Current series for me:
Peter Diamond books by Peter Lovesey,
Inspector Huss books by Helen Tursten,
Inspector Sundstrom books by Torquil MacLeod,
Cormoran Strike books by Robert Galbraith.
I read all of the Martin Beck books, they were fabulous.
I'm thinking about continuing with Mr. Trent and starting the first Bobby Owen book. Just mentioning all of these great mysteries makes me salivate, practically. :)

[Susan]

Typically, I start a series and then forget what I've read (as I have so many on the go) and end up re-starting them... I did love the Mick Herron books so much that I actually read them all one after the other, which is unusual for me.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I have quite a few series on the go, most of them just waiting for the next book to be published/released on kindle/come down in price

Ones that I have the next few books on my kindle are

Bobby Owen

Dandy Gilver (with some that tick off counties in my challenge)

George Gently (but I abandoned reading one so it might be a while before I go back to that series)

[Sandy]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "I have quite a few series on the go, most of them just waiting for the next book to be published/released on kindle/come down in price

Ones that I have the next few books on my kindle are

Bobby ..."

Dandy Gilver is one of the series that I've read the first, hope to continue, but haven't yet. There are a lot of these, unfortunately.

[Julie]

Read:
-All The Agatha Christie sleuths in entirety.
-Inspector Jury series by Martha Grimes
-Complete Sherlock Holmes books
-Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George
-Charles Lenox series by Charles Finch
-Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gillman
-Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton
-Hamish Macbeth series by MC Beaton
-Adam Dalgliesh series by PD James
-Inspector Wexford series by Ruth Rendell
-the Inspector series by Colin Dexter
-Death on Demand series by Carolyn Hart (still a few of these I haven't read)
-Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayers (still a few of these I haven't read)
-Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton ( I stopped at M....)

There are some I am sure that I have forgotten to add.
Right now I am in the middle of the" Jane and the......" series by Stephanie Barron
I am always eagerly awaiting the next installment from Martha Grimes, Charles Firth, and Elizabeth George. :)

[Judy]

Wow, looks like quite a few people have a *lot* of series on the go. Julie, that is an amazing list of series read and, Carolien, I'm awed by your spreadsheet with 80 series!

For anyone reading a lot of series, do you ever find it hard to keep track of them, and do you tend to go on a run of one series or jump between them?

I used to read several books from a series after each other but now tend to alternate them more, to keep up the variety - though this does have the danger of forgetting the ongoing characters and storylines if I leave it for too long.

[Judy]

Joanne wrote: "I'm working on a few different series, and always looking for more! I like to skip from one to another, to stretch them out.
Current series for me:
Peter Diamond books by Peter Lovesey,
Inspector H..."

Joanne, great to hear you are a Martin Beck fan - I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I also agree it is good to skip from one series to another. There are some of the other names on your list that I haven't tried yet, but will hope to do so - I've been wondering about Peter Lovesey after enjoying the Rosemary and Thyme TV series which I believe he wrote.

[Sandy]

I usually rotate thru my series otherwise the books can seem to similar. There are exceptions; two or three of the Three Pine series come to mind - reading those as they were published must have been frustrating!

I have set up lists on GR to keep things straight:
Un-started - from my TBR
Active
Paused - ones I want to get back to soon
Dropped - tried but not for me
Awaiting - "Can't that author write quicker?"

I only include the first book of the series. Then I have a next-in-series list so I remember where I am at a glance.

My system pales in comparison to 80 entry spreadsheet!

[Carolien]

The spreadsheet is my effort at keeping track otherwise I will have no idea. It's very simple. I have the name of the series at the top in each column and just colour code below that - green means I have read that number book in the series, yellow means I own it, but haven't read it, blue is anything I haven't read in the series. I don't track the names of the individual books, just numbers. If I complete a series and know it is the last book ever, I delete it.

I don't have a view of series that I would like to start (that's probably another 80 based on all the recommendations in this group!)

[Jan C]

I discovered this evening that I am involved in 118 series, this doesn't include series where I have picked up books but haven't yet read them.

[Susan]

I suspect many of us are the same, Jan :)

[Judy]

Those series lists sound as if they could work for me, Sandy - I will have a try at being more organised!

[Everyman]

Susan wrote: "There are a core of series I keep up with,."

Would you share which ones?

[Susan]

Well, there are my top faves, Everyman - Mick Herron, Phillip Kerr, Shardlake. Then I have a lot of modern authors whose books I would pre-order without even a title - people like Tony Parsons, Sharon Bolton, Tammy Cohen. Then there are other authors whose series I am trying to read through, (or re-read), such as P D James, Agatha Raisin, etc, etc. I love Nordic Noir too, so there are some of those series I love and lots of Tartan Noir too - authors like Stuart MacBride and others I have, oddly, never read but want to get around to - like Val MacDermid.

[Susan]

I should add that I am looking forward to re-reading the Jane Haddam books (I love her Gregor Damarkian series) when they are re-released on kindle in the UK next month. You see there are so many series I love, I just don't think I could list them all. Not even counting all the GA ones I love - Christie, Christianna Brand and Nicholas Blake being my favourites and I love a lot of the modern ones, like Daisy Dalrymple too.

[Rosina]

Over the years I have read dozens of series, in whole or in part (starting with the Famous Five and Biggles).

Three crime series that I am currently re-reading are Iain Pears' Italian art mysteries, with Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stefano (7 books), the Yellowthread Street police series, set in Hong Kong, by William Marshall, and (just re-starting) the Superintendent Otari series by James Melville, set in Japan.

I owned all the Pears (one of my favourite writers) but have been buying the Yellowthread books second hand through Amazon, and find the Otaris are on Kindle.

[Susan]

I think the Famous Five (or Secret Seven etc etc) were the first series for many of us Brits, Rosina :)

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "I think the Famous Five (or Secret Seven etc etc) were the first series for many of us Brits, Rosina :)"

Me included: Five Findouters, Famous Five, the Secret Seven, Barney books, "Secret" Books, etc. Then there were for me endless Nancy Drew books, some Trixie Belden, the Dana Girls, etc...

[Susan]

I loved all Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, etc. I don't know the last two series you mentioned and I only read a couple of Nancy Drew books, but certainly I moved, almost seamlessly, from Blyton to Christie, as I recall.

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "I loved all Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, etc. I don't know the last two series you mentioned and I only read a couple of Nancy Drew books, but certainly I moved, almost seamlessly, from Blyton to ..."
The Dana Girls was also an american series- same publishers as Nancy Drew- these are twin girls who solve mysteries. They had them at the library where my parents worked when I was a child so that's how I came by them. Trixie Belden is also an american series- young girl and friends solving mysteries. I think I've probably read more of the latter as an adult. Same with Biggles. I
hadn't read any as a child.

I forgot in my list to mention Tintin which I loved and there was also a series (same library) by Herge with two children and a monkey- but I' not sure if they solved anything like Tintin or simply had adventures.

I've also been reading some Bessie Bunter books which have a mystery element in them. As a child I remember reading Bessie Bunter stories as comics in old annuals and things but I discovered there were books only more recently.