The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
Favorite Authors/Books/Series
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If you had to choose just one, which mystery/crime fiction series would you say is your favorite?
It'd be interesting to see a sum up of people's selections.
William Trent series by Karen Slaughter
well, that's sure a tough one... between David Baldacci's Will Robienie series, Karin Slaughter's Will Trent, Simon Beckett's David Hunter and Test Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles...Probably Rizzoli and Isles because of the perfect balance between smart, fast-paced and witty.
Robert B. Parker's SpenserThe plots are not all the involved, but the characters
are great.
Mod
I'll interject periodically with a summary, Bill.
I figured you would, Nancy. Thank you. :)
I have to say my favorite crime fiction series is Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton. I have them all in hardcover.The first book in the series is "A" IS FOR ALIBI.
Mod
A very hard decision, but if I could only read just one, it would be the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford.
There are so many delicious mystery thriller crime writers but one of my all time favorites is the Kurt Wallander series by Henning Mankell. Louise Penny casts a spell too. Oh wait.....what about Elizabeth George?
Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series and Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series.
Can't pick just one. Robert B. Parker's Spenser, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Karin Slaughter's Will Trent, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, Robert Crais' Elvis Cole & Joe Pike, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, and Paul Levine's Solomon vs Lord and/or Lassiter.
John, shame on you. She said one! Only kidding, folks, we are actually good friends in real life!
I'm a little surprised that I have not seen any Dave Robicheaux...
I like Burke's Robicheaux novels, think they're terrific, but I can't take a steady diet or re-read them as I can with Parker or Connelly.
I'm a James Lee Burke / Robicheaux fan but was disappointed in the last book.
I'd probably pick one of the ones already mentioned... like Harry Bosch/Mickey Haller by Michael Connelly or John Rebus by Ian Rankin. (and Hercule Poirot just cos it was the first series I read and what got me so into crime fiction by Agatha Christie).Just to mention a few I love and don't think I've seen mentioned yet (sorry if I missed them):
Kenzie and Gennaro series by Dennis Lehane
Harry Hole by Jo Nesbo
Walt Longmire by Craig Johnson
(and I love the books by Stieg Larsson - they just weren't on the list cos if I could only read one series...I'd want more than 3 books :P )
If I can add one more I love Kate Burkholder by Linda Castillo.
As a series, I guess Cadfael's from Ellis Peters is my favourite...I particularly love the first one, A Morbid Taste for Bones, and the last, Brother Cadfael's Penance, though I have read all those in between.
Judge Dee's mysteries from Robert van Gulik come second.
Cécile
So many good series mentioned in this thread! Some new to me that I'll have to give a try.
John Sandford's Prey series. The books become a bit formulaic after a point, but they still pull me in every time. Lucas Davenport is a great character; likable by basically everyone without getting boring, even though Sandford has said recently that he feels Davenport has worn out his welcome in crime fiction.
I would choose the Bob Skinner series by Quentin Jardine.
Jan C wrote: "Malcolm wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May series."New to me...maybe my first Goodreads discover!"
I think they're great, too."
I've read a couple and enjoyed them but I wonder why he named them after a popular brand of matches.
I regularly watch for Brunnetti books by Donna Leon, Mallory books by Carol O'Connell, Rebus books, by Ian Rankin, Ian Rutledge books by Charles Todd, Enzo Files by Peter May, Vienna mysteries by Frank Tallis,now waiting for Lynley books by Elizabeth George, the books with Lord Ardley, author forgotten, Michael Connelly books with Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer.
Sandi, you described my reading life to a T. There are a few in there I'll be checking out; lately I've been at a loss as to who to read next. Thanks. So great to be here.
"Cécile wrote: "As a series, I guess Cadfael's from Ellis Peters is my favourite...I particularly love the first one, A Morbid Taste for Bones..."
Hello, This is also one of my favorite series. Have you watched the TV episodes? They were very good, and Derek Jacobi is fantastic as Cadfael.
The Virgin in the Ice is my favorite in the series.
I would choose Tony Hillerman's Chee and Leaphorn books. The settings and characters are so strong I can reread these even after I know how the mystery turns out. If I had to choose just one. But I'd really choose three...
James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux -or- Lee Child's Jack Reacher....-or- Lisa Gardner's Dee Dee Warren series
For literary and expanding my vocabulary reasons I would have to say the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George.My two favorite noir characters are John Rebus and Harry Hole by Ian Rankin and Jo Nesbo respectively. The European flavor in these books is also delicious.
My feminist choice (and favorite settings) would be the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr. I almost always Google the settings from this Author.
When I want pretend I still live in the Rocky Mountains I pick up the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box.
Last, when I want something lighthearted, humorous and quick I go for Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton
CRAP- I also have to add the Flavia de Luce Series as best child detective for adult readers by Alan Bradley
Just no way to pick one :(
Robin, I'm with you on it being hard to choose, and enjoying Hamish MacBeth--and loving the settings in Nevada Barr's books.
Amber wrote: "Robin, I'm with you on it being hard to choose, and enjoying Hamish MacBeth--and loving the settings in Nevada Barr's books."It's also that the majority of the books that I've read in my life have been in the Mystery/Crime genre. I have too many to choose from in my head.
This thread is going to add several more! The are several listed that I am not familiar with at all.
Shane wrote: "John Sandford's Prey series. The books become a bit formulaic after a point, but they still pull me in every time. Lucas Davenport is a great character; likable by basically everyone without gett..."
I hope not. I love this series.
I hope not. I love this series.
Robin wrote: "For literary and expanding my vocabulary reasons I would have to say the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George.My two favorite noir characters are John Rebus and Harry Hol..."
I love all the ones mentioned here that I know. Guess this means I am definitely gonna have to check out the Anna pigeon series.
Helena wrote: I love all the ones mentioned here that I know. Guess this means I am definitely gonna have to check out the Anna pigeon series. Anna is great, very independent and self-sufficient. She makes me want to go become a Park Ranger as well, traveling the country park by beautiful park. I hope you check her out, she's a very empowering fictional character, it's the ragged determination that pulls me in.
On a different note, I haven't seen many comments about the Virgil Flowers Series by John Sandford. I guess I'm little surprised only because I relate better to Virgil than Lucas. Lucas bullies his way through cases while Virgil coaxes the story into denouement. JMO...
My favorite is Sigma Force Series by James Rollins with the first book being Sandstorm
J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) Eve Dallas series. Takes place in the future which is fun and includes romance as well as mystery. I love Eve Dallas the character.
Amber wrote: "Robin, I'm with you on it being hard to choose, and enjoying Hamish MacBeth--and loving the settings in Nevada Barr's books."I love this one too, I just recently started to read them. I like when I read a series where I would like to meet the main character in real life, this is one of them!
John Connolly's Charlie Parker series. His writing is above most in this genre.
don wrote: "John Connolly's Charlie Parker series. His writing is above most in this genre."The Charlie Parker series is great. They keep getting better and better--the new one is fantastic.
Fran wrote: "J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) Eve Dallas series. Takes place in the future which is fun and includes romance as well as mystery. I love Eve Dallas the character."Mystery + science fiction? I'm in.
My local library seems to prefer carrying Nora Roberts in audio books only, so I guess I'll have to drag myself in there for the hard copies...
Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, a brilliant author.
Does Sherlock Holmes count or am I barking up the wrong tree, ha!? Must count as mystery and crime... Okay, SHERLOCK HOLMES.
Dee wrote: "I'm a James Lee Burke / Robicheaux fan but was disappointed in the last book."The Dave Robicheaux
Dee wrote: "I'm a James Lee Burke / Robicheaux fan but was disappointed in the last book."I agree that the Dave Robicheaux series is great but I was also a little disappointed with the last book; too much re-hashing of old themes.
I also agree that Jo Nesbo is a great writer; his Harry Hole series is very well done.
So many good series mentioned here- it's too hard to pick one favorite. :)
Dee: I'm a Burke fan, too and reading the series. However, at the moment I can't recall where I left off and the next book to read. I am now reading "The Bat," Jo Nesbo's first in the series of Harry Hole. This is, I think, my fifth or sixth Harry Hole. Harry had to grow on me!
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WHAT? I DIDN'T READ THE QUESTION? Duh!
Sorry. I did not read the question. That's a no brainer for me...it' Travis McGee, he'll be forever my favorite series.
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New to me...maybe my first Goodreads discover!"
I think they're great, too.