Favourite Detectives - Winner!

[Bicky]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’d say:

...Of all time: 1. Brother Athelstan,
2. Brother Cadfael,
3. Dame Frevisse
4. Matthew Shardlake
..."
What a list. I did not even know the name 'Dame Frevisse'. Others I had come across but never read. Cadfael, I had seen on video.

Great, I am putting them on my immediate list.

[Susan in NC]

Bicky wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’d say:

...Of all time: 1. Brother Athelstan,
2. Brother Cadfael,
3. Dame Frevisse
4. Matthew Shardlake
..."
What a list. I did not even know the name 'Dame Frevisse'. Other..."

Dame Frevisse is the creation of Margaret Frazer, and I read the whole series years ago. I liked Frevisse very much, she struck me almost as a female Cadfael- she’d come to the cloistered life after having a life, had a sharp mind and tongue, and struggled at times with the restrictions of the convent. I hope you enjoy!

[Bicky]

Susan in NC wrote: "Bicky wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’d say:

...Of all time: 1. Brother Athelstan,
2. Brother Cadfael,
3. Dame Frevisse
4. Matthew Shardlake
..."
What a list. I did not even know the name 'Dame Fr..."

What about Anne Perry's various detectives?

[Susan in NC]

Bicky wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Bicky wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’d say:

...Of all time: 1. Brother Athelstan,
2. Brother Cadfael,
3. Dame Frevisse
4. Matthew Shardlake
..."
What a list. I did not even kn..."

Oh, nuts, I forgot about Thomas (and Charlotte) Pitt - and now Daniel - I read several of the Monk series, and liked him, but I like the Pitts better. Thanks, Bicky!

[Sandy]

When first trying Anne Perry I started both Monk and the Pitts, liked them both and decided to continue with Monk because the series was shorter and I could get back to the Pitts 'soon'. Well, I still haven't caught up with Monk and now the Pitts' son is old enough to have his own series.

Bicky, your 'immediate' list must be too long for all to be read immediately! Have fun deciding priorities.

[Bicky]

Sandy wrote: "Bicky, your 'immediate' list must be too long for all to be read immediately! Have fun deciding priorities. ..."

No, it is not a problem. Only 100 or so first books of a series! And, you know, we Indians have a different idea about time - immediate is a relative term. The first guests to arrive for a eight o'clock party saunter in at nine thirty.

[Judy]

How do you decide which series to go to next, Bicky?! I've only read one Anne Perry book ages ago but I remember liking it, so she is yet another author I should really try again!

[Roman Clodia]

Favourite detectives: Has anyone mentioned Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri?

[Pamela]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Favourite detectives: Has anyone mentioned Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri?"

Haha I did of course! (Post #6) and Jan C in post #10. Lots of love for the moody Sicilian :)

[Roman Clodia]

Oops, sorry! Count me into his fanclub here ;))

[Bicky]

Judy wrote: "How do you decide which series to go to next, Bicky?! I've only read one Anne Perry book ages ago but I remember liking it, so she is yet another author I should really try again!"

Well, this group helps me a lot. Along with Marsh, I am reading the Littlejohn series by George Bellairs which starts in the forties and the Gently series by Alan Hunter which starts in the mid fifties

[Bicky]

I would like to suggest that whenever this group considers the next reading list, thought should be given to including historical detective fiction as apparently so many members of this group are readers of the same. Of course, at the moment my experience of the same is nil but I am planning to make up the deficiency.

[Susan in NC]

Bicky wrote: "I would like to suggest that whenever this group considers the next reading list, thought should be given to including historical detective fiction as apparently so many members of this group are r..."

Good idea, there seem to be many fans here.

[Sandy]

Bicky wrote: "I would like to suggest that whenever this group considers the next reading list, thought should be given to including historical detective fiction as apparently so many members of this group are r..."

Bicky, in case that 'immediate list isn't long enough, I belong to another GR group, Historical Mystery Lovers, that has an 'around the world' challenge going this year. I was delighted to find our next Marsh takes place in France. (Their definition is loose enough to include any mystery set 50 years or more ago. Normally the GA writers would not be considered historical as they are set in the author's current day.)

[Susan]

Bicky wrote: "I would like to suggest that whenever this group considers the next reading list, thought should be given to including historical detective fiction as apparently so many members of this group are r..."

Although we tend to stick to a certain period, or authors in that style, any member can suggest, and run, a buddy read, if they wish. It is something that we are happy for members to do and, indeed, one of our members has set up a thread for the Poirot books. We also stray outside of our general era, for example, with the Mick Herron Slough House spy series.

It's your group. If you have a book that you want to try, Bicky, and have some other readers willing to join in, then please feel free to run a buddy read. All we ask is that, should a member do so, they run the discussion.

[Judy]

This discussion has reminded me of the historical mystery novels I'm meaning to try! I've just posted a suggestion for a historical buddy read over in the buddy reads thread - either Cadfael or Shardlake. Can anyone interested pop over and say?

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

[Bicky]

Sandy wrote: "...It's your group. If you have a book that you want to try, Bicky, and have some other readers willing to join in, then please feel free to run a buddy read. All we ask is that, should a member do so, they run the discussion. "

I was afraid of this and so I am very glad and thankful that Judy has initiated the reading of Cadfael.

[Judy]

Thanks, Bicky, glad you are looking forward to Cadfael - but we are also happy to set up threads for anyone who does want to run their own buddy read. :)

[Susan]

Bicky wrote: "Sandy wrote: "...It's your group. If you have a book that you want to try, Bicky, and have some other readers willing to join in, then please feel free to run a buddy read. All we ask is that, shou..."

Of course, people are also very welcome to suggest books. We are always happy for members to run their own buddy reads, as Judy says.

[Susan in NC]

As a relatively new member, I want to thank our mods for running a great group!

[Judy]

On behalf of the mods, thank you, Susan - and thanks to our members for keeping the group so active. :)

[Bicky]

Susan in NC wrote: "As a relatively new member, I want to thank our mods for running a great group!"

Second that.

[Susan]

Well, Judy, you started the group, so we should all thank you!

[Judy]

Thank you, Susan and Bicky, and thanks to everyone!

[Calum]

Hi guys!

Loving the group. It's only in the past year that I've branched out from Christie into all these other golden age authors, and I still have some notable absences (Bude, Bellairs, Heyer etc.) but for now:

1) Carolus Deene
2) Miss Marple
3) Inspector Hazelrigg

[Bicky]

I must look up Carolus Deene. Got a few but never read any.