Any and all clean mysteries, please?

[Gary]

That's my definition, too, Christine.
http://patwilpenter.com/a-good-clean-...

[[deleted user]]

Joan Hess and Donna Andrews have dozens of mystery books. Does anyone know if they are clean? (No profanity.)

[[deleted user]]

I want to apologize for recommending Elizabeth Peters a few months ago. I recently checked her old novels that I had read decades ago and was astounded by all the profanity. Even though I didn't use profanity myself, I guess I was oblivious to it when I was young. I became a Christian late in life and now I notice those things and they bother my spirit.

[AlegnaB †]

Christine wrote: "I want to apologize for recommending Elizabeth Peters a few months ago. I recently checked her old novels that I had read decades ago and was astounded by all the profanity. Even though I didn't us..."

Since people sometimes read through old threads to get recommendations, you may want to edit the threads where you recommended her books. I'd probably leave what I originally wrote but strike through it (put < s> in front of it and < /s> at the end, but omit the spaces I included) and add a note explaining about the profanity.

I listened to The Crocodile on the Sandbank in 2014 and gave it two stars. I think I thought it was rather boring, and I don't remember about the profanity. I probably got to where I wasn't paying much attention to the story. I listened to EP's first Vicky Bliss book last year, and I didn't like it at all. I rated and reviewed that one, giving it one star and this review: "I didn't like Vicky, and most of the story was boring. There was a lot of profanity."

[Elena]

Christine wrote: "I want to apologize for recommending Elizabeth Peters a few months ago. I recently checked her old novels that I had read decades ago and was astounded by all the profanity. Even though I didn't us..."

Thanks for the heads up. I'm glad to know that because I almost picked up that very book recently.

[Ken]

C. wrote: "All of these are clean~
Thanks for the recommendation on Robin Cook's Cell. I remember reading one of his that had a scene or two I didn't care for, so I had dropped him from my "potential titles" list. Now Cell is back on the list.

[C.]

Ken wrote: "C. wrote: "All of these are clean~
Thanks for the recommendation on Robin Cook's Cell. I remember reading one of his that had a scene or two I didn't care for, so I had dropped him from my "potenti..."

Ken, I'm so sorry, but after re-reading my review on "Cell" I saw where I wrote this~'Could have done without the scattered "F" bombs, and bedroom scenes, though thankfully, no details.

One pretty gruesome scene.PG-13", so I must have had a memory lapse when I included it in my list here. I have edited that post to remove it.

I just wanted to forewarn you what it includes.

[[deleted user]]

Are the Father Dowling mysteries by McInerny clean? The first is called Her Death of Cold. Has anyone read it?

[[deleted user]]

I remembered reading Catherine Aird's mysteries years ago so I read a newer one to see if it was clean. There was one (unnecessary) D word near the end of the book so I don't know if any of her books are totally clean, semi-clean, or whatever.

[C.]

How about those by David Baldacci? I also prefer to avoid grisly/ gruesome/ descriptive gore.

[Christin]

I started the camel club series by David baldacci. I think the first book was okay, but the second one was definitely not. I won't read any of his other books.

[C.]

Christin wrote: "I started the camel club series by David baldacci. I think the first book was okay, but the second one was definitely not. I won't read any of his other books."

Why wasn't the second book ok?

[Christin]

C. wrote: "Christin wrote: "I started the camel club series by David baldacci. I think the first book was okay, but the second one was definitely not. I won't read any of his other books."

Why wasn't the sec..."

Sex, violence and just overall dark and grisly.

[Ian]

Am I allowed to suggest my own thriller, Eavesdrop? My intention has been to produce a past paced thriller without sex or bad language. The great reviews suggest is succeeded.

Smuggling and industrial sabotage leave Customs Investigator James Winter’s career in tatters. Who arranged his dismissal, and what’s their link to Middle East Assassins?

Right now, the Kindle version is on a special 3 day deal for only 99p / $1.24, so you can come face-to-face with its assassins, smugglers and high-tech spies at a large discount!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUKGDDX

[C.]

Re: Christin, Ewww thank you so much for the warning about David Baldacci! :[

[Gary]

Ian wrote: "Am I allowed to suggest my own thriller, Eavesdrop? My intention has been to produce a past paced thriller without sex or bad language. The great reviews suggest is succeeded..."

Ian, I'm glad to see another author sharing his work here. I've occasionally mentioned my series (no sex, no swearing, no gratuitous violence, no gore) here.

Gary
"Pat Wilpenter" (pen name)
http://patwilpenter.com <== clean medical thrillers + sweet romance

[[deleted user]]

I think in one discussion group I mentioned that I thought Terri Blackstock's writing was slipping. I had read IF I RUN in 2016 and was unhappy because it didn't end the story. I had to wait until now to get vol.2 IF I'M FOUND. I will have to wait until 2018 for the last book in the series and the ending. I knew I'd forget the story line by 2017, and I did, so I read it again and realized it is a very good novel. I'm now ready to read vol. 2. I'm still not happy with this idea of holding off on the final ending until several years have gone by but I guess I have to accept it. Sequels yes, cliffhangers no.

[C.]

I love Amish/Mennonite Suspense/Mystery

This series was wonderful and available in audio as well~


also check out the "In Plain Sight" series by Marta Perry.
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Plain-S...

[AlegnaB †]

Hannah wrote: "...Harlequin's "Heartwarming" line, and I was very pleased to find it a sweet romance with absolutely no cussing and a sum total of three kisses..."

"Heartwarming Key Elements
•Clean, emotional, satisfying romances that readers can feel comfortable sharing with their friends and family of all ages.
...
•Plots unfold in a wholesome style and voice that excludes explicit sex or nudity, pre-marital sex, profanity, or graphic depictions of violence: references to violent incidents or pre-marital sex in the past are acceptable if they contribute to character development
•Physical interactions (i.e. kissing/hugging) should emphasize emotional tenderness rather than sexual desire or sensuality: low level of sexual tension; characters should not make love unless they are married
..."
https://harlequin.submittable.com/sub...

So, have any of you tried Harlequin Romance books (the line with the lighter pink on the covers)? Are they clean? How's the language? Here's one detail about them:

"Harlequin Romance Key Elements
...
• Low sensuality: these stories are high on emotional and sensual tension but have no explicit sexual detail
..."
https://harlequin.submittable.com/sub...

[[deleted user]]

I had asked about the Father Dowling books by Ralph McInerny. I haven't read them yet but was told that all McInerny books were clean. Unfortunately, I discovered his new series about Notre Dame and started book 6 Celt and Pepper. It had the "D" word several times so I stopped reading. Now I'm not sure about the recommendation for Father Dowling books.

[writer...]

Elena wrote: "Can anyone suggest mysteries that are clean? I've read ..."

Julianna Deering excellent series 1920s settings

Donna Fletcher Crow

[[deleted user]]

The Daybreak Series of mysteries by B.J. Hoff.(Storm at Daybreak, The Captive Voice, The Tangled Web, and two others).

[Kerry]

thanks to you all. I do wish Goodreads would add content information that would allow us to vet any book according to our preferences. Good writing never needs a crutch.

[[deleted user]]

I thought this thread was for clean -- meaning G-rated-- books. Mild profanity is still profanity.

[[deleted user]]

Christine wrote: "I thought this thread was for clean -- meaning G-rated-- books. Mild profanity is still profanity."

People have different definitions of what is clean...

[C.]

Raevyn wrote: "Christine wrote: "I thought this thread was for clean -- meaning G-rated-- books. Mild profanity is still profanity."

People have different definitions of what is clean..."

Exactly, myself I do not mind "mild" infrequent profanity, but when it becomes constant, and harsher curse words and/or crude sexual talk, I become disgusted.

[[deleted user]]

Since others have different ideas of what "clean" means I can't trust anybody's recommendations. There is then no reason to be on this site.

[Hannah]

I try to always put in my reviews what content might be a problem. I can stomach a few random ds and hs, but only in books that aren't written for the Christian market (which I do expect to be always g rated) and only infrequently.

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "I thought this thread was for clean -- meaning G-rated-- books. Mild profanity is still profanity."

As others have said, not everyone's idea of "clean" is the same. (For instance, my definition of clean is G through mild PG.) It sounds like you're looking for "squeaky" clean. If you make sure to specify that, or otherwise be specific about what your definition of clean is, that will help with recommendations from others.

[C.]

Good suggestion Rachel, for Christine requesting "squeaky" clean reads.

Re: Christine, you might want to join these groups~Squeaky Clean Reads Bookclub

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

and these~Fans of Amish Fiction
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Wholesome Romance: Harlequin Heartwarming
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

SWEET ROMANCE READS
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Love Inspired Books
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

including two of my groups~ Clean, Non Religious-Reads
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Clean Mystery/Suspense for the Squeamish
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[[deleted user]]

Thank you, C., for suggestions. I couldn't access the first one. I'm not much into romance unless it is mixed with mystery and suspense. Too many squeaky clean books are dopey and poorly written. I like a book that has some depth and can hold my interest.
My only complaints about the Love Inspired line is that 1. The stories are rather light-weight (although some authors show promise and some have gone on to write better novels) and 2. Harlequin apparently requires the same format of "I am attracted to him/her but can't allow myself to fall for him/her because . . . ." and they remind the reader of this so many times that you want to scream. and 3. The love interests usually start looking at the hair or lips, etc. and daydreaming about kissing,etc. within an hour or two after the first meeting. Give me a break!!!

[[deleted user]]

I meant to say Love Inspired Suspense. I don't read the regular romance line. The suspense line has too much gooey romance at the expense of plot, but when I can't find anything better I resort to light-weight books.

[[deleted user]]

P.S. For those who like exotic locales: Heart of Stone by Chris Walley (orig. under pseud. John Haworth and book should not be confused with hundreds of others with the same title) is selling for $1.50 on Kindle. It takes place in the limestone pinnacle forest area of Madagascar. Intriguing locale and a good mystery. There is a sequel also on Kindle but I haven't read it.

[C.]

Re: Christine you are most welcome, and I hope that you find many good titles to read.

You made several good points about the Love Inspired/Suspense line, but I have found those elements in all genres of romance, from all publishing houses, so not really specific to just any Harlequin line.

[Hannah]

True. I have found the LIS books are highly dependent on author, but I do enjoy being able to grab a book and relax with it. Lisa Harris, Sandra Robbins, Valerie Hansen, Dana Mentink, Lynette Eason, and Dana Lynn are all favorites who write for LIS.

[Ken]

C. wrote: "Re: Christin, Ewww thank you so much for the warning about David Baldacci! :["

You may not want to write him off entirely, as he writes in different styles. I thought his Wish You Well was excellent.

[Abigail]

There were some recommendations that sound worth checking out, here:

https://world.wng.org/2017/05/suspens...

[C.]

Re:[deleted user] You are pretty much 'Spot On' about the plots in the Love Inspired Suspense line, but many, many other romance books also have that exact same silly "looking at the lips, and then daydreaming about kissing, soon after meeting" scenario, or other lust/love at first sight, LOL!

That is why the ones that don't use that tired old and silly, formula always stand out as being better written and a refreshing change!

[R.H.]

Elena wrote: "Can anyone suggest mysteries that are clean? I've read tons of different authors....Christie (my favorite!), Sayers, Wentworth, Tey, and other golden age mystery authors...plus a few contemporary a..."

I'm new to the group . . . and an author. A number of readers have said they like my crime novels because they contain no gratuitous sex or outrageous profanity. The latest is THE KIROV WOLF, R.H. Johnson. All of the books do, however, contain violence.

[Kayla]

Maisie Dobbs are clean and interesting! They are set in post-WWI England.