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

[M.]

Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?

[M.]

Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I'm not worried about hijacking ... but you're making some good points people who might not read this thread might want to see.


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

[Jo Ann]

I just finished Stacy Green's new Lucy Kendall book See them Run....OH WOW! INTENSE!

[David]

M. wrote: "Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?"

Yep. I didn't care for him at first, gave up on the first book part way through but then tried it again later and got hooked.
They're great stories with a unique setting - Wyoming - and different type of law enforcement officer - game warden - that make them refreshing after the city-heavy (NYC, LA) novels that seem to dominate the genre.

[Jan C]

M. wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I think there have been two series based on the John Rebus stories. I've only seen the ones with John Hanna."

???? I'm reading in order &just finished Set in Darkness. No Hanna so ..."

I believe they did two tv series based on Rebus in England,

[Laura]

I have to come back and reaed this whole thread. I am loving the discussion.

[Robin]

M. wrote: "Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?"

I love C.J. Box and the Joe Pickett series. I don't think he's like Baldacci, Child or Connolly as a group. I wouldn't group him with them, but they I like that you've grouped those three together; it works. Personally, I liked Box's books better than many of Child's and Baldacci's (except the Camel Club series, which is a favorite). He's not like Connolly that much since I look at most of Connolly's as Harry Bosch and police procedural. I suppose you could argue that Joe Pickett is a game warden procedural, but that procedure is pretty different than the police side...

If you do end up diving into Joe Pickett's life as a Game Warden, then I recommend starting near the beginning because the larger frame story is a bigger part of the Pickett books than other's (like Bosch or Camel Club).

If you end up enjoying the Joe Pickett Series than you should also check out the Anna Pigeon Series by Nevada Barr. She's a female National Park Law Enforcement Ranger and she moves all over the country's national parks, which is interesting all by itself.

[Ron]

Robin wrote: "M. wrote: "Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?"

I love C.J. Box and the Joe Pickett series. I don't think he's like Baldacci,..."

I'm going to be a bit picky here, but, Michael Connelly wrote the Harry Bosch series. John Connolly is another author and wrote the Charlie Parker series. Just wanted to clear that up because when I saw you mention "Connolly" I wasn't thinking of the Harry Bosch series. My thoughts were with the Charlie Parker series.

I've read several of Michael Connelly's Bosch books and I love them. I've only read one of John Connolly's Parker series, but, will read more.

[Robin]

Ron wrote: I'm going to be a bit picky here, but, Michael Connelly wrote the Harry Bosch series. John Connolly is another author and wrote the Charlie Parker series. Just wanted to clear that up because when I saw you mention "Connolly" I wasn't thinking of the Harry Bosch series. My thoughts were with the Charlie Parker series.

My bad, I didn't even think to check spelling or think of another Connolly! I just read The Burning Room so I must have Michael Connelly on my mind. Plus I haven't read the Charlie Parker Series, but I'll have to check them out (so little time, so many books)!

[[deleted user]]

Quillracer wrote: "M. wrote: "Link? We did hijack this one.

Anyone read CJ Box? Similar to baldacci, child's, connolly?"

Yep. I didn't care for him at first, gave up on the first book part way through but then tr..."

If you like that type of book, there is another series that I would recommend that follows a young Maine game warden that I really enjoy. The first book in the series is The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron.

[Judy]

Just one? Probably Sue Grafton's alphabet series. Or John Sandford's Prey series. It's a tie for me.

[Ron]

Robin wrote: "Ron wrote: I'm going to be a bit picky here, but, Michael Connelly wrote the Harry Bosch series. John Connolly is another author and wrote the Charlie Parker series. Just wanted to clear that up be..."

Not to worry. No harm, no foul.

Only read the 1st Charlie Parker story, Every Dead Thing, and it's really good. Really dark, but, really good.

And, I agree. So many books, so little time...

[Olivia "So many books--so little time.""]

I've quite a few favorite series. I like both John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series. I also enjoy Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series and Faye Kellerman's series. I also enjoy Michael Connelly's, Jeffery Deaver's, and James Rollin's series. And I'm sure I'll think of more later.

[Neill]

Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series - it's kind of cosy, set in Quebec with,characters with both internal and external demons who try, in their unique ways, to deal with the stresses created in and by their worlds. I'd like to meet some of these people.

[Sawyer]

Marlowe, without question.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sawyer wrote: "Marlowe, without question."

Who doesn't love Marlowe?? But I will say that after having read all of the series in order, I couldn't bring myself to read Poodle Springs. My husband did, though, and said it didn't channel Chandler for him.

[Karen]

Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series, or Tess Gerritsen's Rissoli & Isles series.

[Annie]

I would pick Bryant and May by Christopher Fowler. First book is Full Dark House.
Dr. Siri Paiboun, The Coroner's Lunch is also hysterical and so very well written.

Maybe I have something for octogenarian sleuths!

I know the rules say ONE series...(which is impossible! Cruel and unusual punishment!)...but I have enjoyed the heck out of the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. First book is Midnight Riot and he just delivered the 5th book (Foxglove Summer) a couple weeks ago. I devoured it in one day and now I'm wishing he would write faster! /whip crack! :D

PS Edited to add: I see that all three of the series I recommended are more or less 'X-files meets police procedural' type books. It's funny to note that most of the time my reading tastes generally lean toward English cozies or straight up British crime... maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me something ^^

[James]

The Toby Peters series, written by Stuart M. Kaminsky and starting with Bullet for a Star




" Toby Peters is a 1940s Hollywood P.I. in Los Angeles, California who deals with cases involving the stars of the time. "

From Bela Lugosi to Alfred Einstein, Errol Flynn to Howard Hughes, Toby works for or with a cast of famous people of the time.

I enjoyed them all and it's the first (and only) series that I've started to reread.

[Judy]

John Sanford's Prey series.

[Annie]

I don't know who it was who recommended Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series (first book is The Cold Dish ) but they're REALLY good. I've devoured the first two and am on the library waiting list for 3,4 and 5.

Thanks for the recommendation! VERY well written books.

PS For anyone who's sensitive about language, there are a number of 'F-bombs' sprinkled around in the dialogue. Not a problem for me, but some people don't like rough language.

[Marcie]

Bryant and May. Fascinating plot lines and a good bit of humor.

[Michael]

Tough assignment given all the great series out there, but if I had to choose one (besides mine :-)) I'd have to take James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series.

[Paul]

Peter james has written a great series of books about the detective Roy Grace . Another good series of books are the stephen leather series about jack nightingale , these books have a supernatural theme .
Has anybody else enjoyed books by these two authors ?

[Charlie]

I would choose either Rebus or Quintin Jardines Bob Skinner series.

[Ron]

One of my favorite things about forums, such as this, is that it exposes me to "new" authors. At least, new ones to me. :)

I've not heard of either Roy Grace or Quintin Jardines. I will look into them, though.

One of my problems with these forums, is the same thing as above. In that I just don't have the time to read all the good books and authors that I've been exposed to here. :(

As a long gone friend used to tell me, "You've got to take the good with the bad."

[James]

Ron wrote: "As a long gone friend used to tell me, "You've got to take the good with the bad." "

As a tv show used to tell me, "You take the good, you take the bad,you take them both and there you have the facts of life".

[Merrill]

I would pick it had everything you could want in book action, romance and when you got to the end you were sad that you finished the book. I really hope they would a make movie based on that book.

[Chrisl]

First books in series by James and Jardine

Skinner's Rules
Dead Simple

[Erin]

Definitely Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels, however I'm not a huge fan of the books after The Lat Precinct

[Rhian]

I've gone right off Peter James, roy grace series, him and cleo constantly saying I love you and the sex scenes make me go cold lol although I've bought the next few so I will continue but with large gaps between books

[Shane]

Uh oh. Just started with Peter James. I'll have to watch out.

[Shane]

Uh oh. Just started with Peter James. I'll have to watch out.

[Rhian]

@Shane, don't let me put you off because the crime stories are generally good but the back story has started to irritate me a bit

[Rhian]

*ongoing story of roy I meant not back story

[Shane]

Rhian wrote: "@Shane, don't let me put you off because the crime stories are generally good but the back story has started to irritate me a bit"

I'm reading Dead Like You right now. The only thing putting me off a bit is the flipping back and forth. It's 1997, then it's now, then it's 1979, then it's 1998. I'm all for that kind of thing, but when it happens every few pages it does grind a little. That being said, I really like the story and his writing style.

[Rhian]

I started with book 7 of the series but went back to the beginning I think I'm on book 6 next sorry can't remember the names its too confusing

[Rhian]

I just checked dead like you is my next one to read

[Barbara]

James Lee Burke's "Dave Robicheaux" series (though the last couple of books seemed to rehash old themes too much).

[Ron]

Barbara wrote: "James Lee Burke's "Dave Robicheaux" series (though the last couple of books seemed to rehash old themes too much)."

I really like that series, as well. But, a little bit of it goes a long way. I find myself putting a lot of time in between any of those books. I like "flawed" characters, but, Robicheaux gets a little over-flawed, to me. Still, a great series and I'm very glad that I've read so many of them. Just don't do it back to back.

[Debbie]

Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series is probably my favorite.

[Irenecsi]

For thrillers it's definitely Preston and Lincoln's Agent Pendergast! Every one I've read is so intriguing and I am saving the rest for my vacation ...

The first novel is #Relic

But I also love Win so yep I have to mention Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series!

The first novel for that is #deal breaker

Btw, Elvis Cole/Joe Pike is amazing too... I am currently up to The First Rule !

Also can somebody recommend any series that features a hero with a great sidekick and the two have chemistry like Myron/Win or Elvis/Joe? (I know I might be asking too much!)

[Joan]

I love Susan Hill's 'Simon Serrailler' series. Although the latest one was rather disturbing in more than one respect:

[Michael]

I have so many but my 3 favorite series are:

Preston & Child's Agent Aloysius Pendergast novels

Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels

Joe R Lansdale's Hap Collins/Leonard Pine novels.

[Chingyee]

For me I like Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase Series by Andy Mcdermott. It is not the crime type but there are lots of back to back action in it.

[Jené]

Just read an EXCELLENT book by Anthony Horowitz: Moriarty. Excited to read the first book of the series now... this could be my new favorite! Has anyone else read it?

[Ron]

Jené wrote: "Just read an EXCELLENT book by Anthony Horowitz: Moriarty. Excited to read the first book of the series now... this could be my new favorite! Has anyone else read it?"

Haven't, but, it is on my to-read list. Someone else recommended it and, now, we have a 2nd recommendation for it. Think I'll move it up closer to my currently-reading list.

[Heather]

Wendy wrote: "When I was young, preteen in 1970's, it was Nancy Drew..."

I loved reading Nancy Drew too. They were such a fun, quick read.

If I had to pick just one series as my favorite it would have to be Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There is a reason why he has appeared in so many films and TV shows throughout the years. It's because Doyle did a masterful job of conceiving such a thoroughly interesting character who was capable of standing the test of time.

[David YB]

I enjoyed the Hardy Boys as a kid, but they pale to Sherlock Holmes. I still have my copy of the Complete Sherlock Holmes I got as a teenager - a few decades ago. Harlan Ellison once said something to the effect that everything you need to know about writing you can learn from Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories.