If you had to choose just one, which mystery/crime fiction series would you say is your favorite?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I was reminded this morning in the nominations thread about my favorite crime novels ever: the entire Martin Beck series out of Sweden written by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.

First book in the series is Roseanna.

who's next?

[Bill]

If I had to choose just one crime series it would be Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti books set in Venice.

First book in the series is Death at La Fenice.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "If I had to choose just one crime series it would be Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti books set in Venice.

First book in the series is Death at La Fenice."

You know, I still haven't gotten 'round to reading her books! Someday.

[Bill]

I hope you do, it's a great series.

[Tom]

Thanks guys now I have 2 more series to get sucked into!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Thanks guys now I have 2 more series to get sucked into!"

That's how this works, Tom. You read a thread or two and your tbr pile grows exponentially.

[Michele]

The Cadfael series by Ellis Peters is my all time favorite.

[Jan C]

Just one crime series? Lord Peter Wimsey by Dorothy L. Sayers. I've read all of them multiple times.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Michele wrote: "The Cadfael series by Ellis Peters is my all time favorite."

It is a good series.
first book = A Morbid Taste for Bones

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Jan C wrote: "Just one crime series? Lord Peter Wimsey by Dorothy L. Sayers. I've read all of them multiple times."

your all-time favorite, if you could choose only one. I like Sayers as well.

first novel in series: Whose Body?

[David]

Can't name just one.

For PIs: Robert B. Parker's Spenser series starting with The Godwulf Manuscript.

For Detectives: Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series starting with The Black Echo.

For police procedurals: Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series starting with Cop Hater.

[Steve]

John D. MacDonald's "Travis McGee" series.

[Wendy]

When I was young, preteen in 1970's, it was Nancy Drew. We're talking originals not updated. I read the entire series. There was also Lois Duncan. I graduated to the Ed McBain series with some Agatha Christy. Now, Faye Kellerman, Marcia Muller, Leslie Glass, are a few. I have male faves too but am going blank.

[Wendy]

ooops I will delete my thread when I get to my laptop, I read the thread tiltle wrong. you said one.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Steve wrote: "John D. MacDonald's "Travis McGee" series."

I keep meaning to get to his books, but just haven't yet.

first book: The Deep Blue Good-By.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Wendy wrote: "ooops I will delete my thread when I get to my laptop, I read the thread tiltle wrong. you said one."

just edit it - pick one! No need to delete.

[Steve]

Nancy: The McGee books get better later on. "The Deep Blue Goodbye" is probably my least favorite. I started with "The Empty Copper Sea," and it is one of the best.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Steve wrote: "Nancy: The McGee books get better later on. "The Deep Blue Goodbye" is probably my least favorite. I started with "The Empty Copper Sea," and it is one of the best."

Thanks! Now, for some time ....

[Tom]

Fortunately, I can't count so I would list Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer, John D MacDonald's Travis McGee.

But if I were forced to say just one, it would have to be Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe - the Gold standard for mystery-crime that remains unequaled and unsurpassed.

[Jackmeister]

No one has just one favourite, I feel I'm doing an injustice to the ones left out by only naming one, having said that, my main favourite is Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch but seeing as how he has been mentioned, I'll say Elvis Cole/Joe Pike by Robert Crais, first book is The Monkey's Raincoat.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Fortunately, I can't count so I would list Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer, John D MacDonald's Travis McGee.

But if I were forced to s..."

Chandler is way up there on my list as well! First book: The Big Sleep.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Jackmeister wrote: "No one has just one favourite, I feel I'm doing an injustice to the ones left out by only naming one, having said that, my main favourite is Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch but seeing..."

I like Harry Bosch as well. My husband read all of the Elvis Cole series, and loved every one of them.

[Barbara]

I like many of the series previously mentioned - and lots more. I'm going to chime in with Sue Grafton's "Kinsey Milhone" series; I've enjoyed most of those books, which have interesting characters and good mysteries (usually).

[Jo Ann]

If I could only pick one it would be Karin Slaughter's Will Trent.

[Bill]

So many excellent series listed. Some new ones for me to check out.

[June]

OMG, to pick just one.....impossible!

Lee Child's Jack Reacher and Preston & Child's Pendergast top my list.

Not to mention David Silva's Gabriel Allon, Michael Connelly's Bosch and Mickey Haller, James Patterson's Alex Cross.

[Georgia]

I agree June hard to say. So many good ones out there!

[Stephen]

I have to agree with the previous comments about Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe. Every series since owns big time props to Chandler.

[Zoe]

Gahh this is really really hard actually its nigh on impossible I guess if I have to choose it will be a sub genre in the genre of mystery and crime because I really can't decide it will have to be one of the modern ones and I really love her style and how she makes your heart pound Kathy Reichs with Temperance Brennan series

[Michelle]

at the moment loving the DCI Helen Grace series by M J Aldrige. (Eeny me any and Pop goes the weasel) Excellent books.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Stephen wrote: "I have to agree with the previous comments about Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe. Every series since owns big time props to Chandler."

That may be so, but even on his own he's excellent.

[Carmen]

It is a toss up between the Rebus series by Ian Rankin and the Dr. Siri Paiboun by Colin Cotterill.

[Billys]

Wallander, no question for me.

[Elizabeth]

Wallander absolutely!!!!!

[Bill]

Billys wrote: "Wallander, no question for me."

I still have to read my first Wallander, did enjoy the TV series though.

Carmen wrote: "It is a toss up between the Rebus series by Ian Rankin and the Dr. Siri Paiboun by Colin Cotterill."

I've read more Rebus books, but I enjoyed the one Dr Paiboun book I've read so far. Excellent choices.

[Truman32]

Put me in the Travis McGee camp!

[Denise]

#1 Wallender #2 Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne by Richard Montanari

[Gerard]

Marlowe, best writing & most impact (but a short series), Rebus most enjoyment over a long series (but all series can become too long), Maigret, great writing + substantial body of work.

[Doseofbella]

Tough question....David Baldacci is the first author that comes to mind. "The Camel Club" is truely a favorite, but I have many that I enjoy.
Happy reading.

[Malina]

I would say Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly

[Carmen]

Am amazed that no one has yet to say the Spenser series by Robert b. Parker. The best of all of his series.

[David]

I did. See message #11.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Carmen wrote: "Am amazed that no one has yet to say the Spenser series by Robert b. Parker. The best of all of his series."

He's my husband's favorite.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Billys wrote: "Wallander, no question for me."

It was a definitely a sad day when that series finished.

[Stephen]

Nancy wrote: "Billys wrote: "Wallander, no question for me."

It was a definitely a sad day when that series finished." I agree, I walked around totally depressed. Someone at work asked me if anything was wrong and it was reading The Troubled Man that was making me so sad. It put me in a funk.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Stephen wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Billys wrote: "Wallander, no question for me."

It was a definitely a sad day when that series finished." I agree, I walked around totally depressed. Someone at work asked me if anyth..."

That was me. Totally. LOL

[Malcolm]

Back in May this year I belatedly discovered Parker and was immediately addicted...


Since then, and even more belatedly, I found Dorothy L.Sayers while researching the lifestyle of the late 1930s for a writing project of my own.

Both authors would place high on my own top ten.

[Lynda]

Ian Rankin's Rebus, John Harvey's Resnick and of course Hercule Poirot. Also like Maigret

[Malcolm]

Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Just one crime series? Lord Peter Wimsey by Dorothy L. Sayers. I've read all of them multiple times."

your all-time favorite, if you could choose only one. I like Sayer..."

Gaudy Nights... I think Harriet Vane is wonderful!

[Malcolm]

Natalie wrote: "Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May series."

New to me...maybe my first Goodreads discover!