Mystery Authors who write in the English style, but are not English

[Bionic Jean]

This is the thread to talk about Mystery Authors you like, who write in the English style, but are not English.

[ShanDizzy]

Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series comes to mind under this heading but I have a love/hate relationship with that series. It started out grand and fell flat very quickly. Grr! Hate it when that happens to a promising series of wonderful characters. Maybe some of the members will introduce me to other authors who fit this description.

[Icewineanne]

Elizabeth George & Deborah Cromie

[Pamela]

Good theme. I'm interested in reading about more authors. I'd always thought Martha Grimes was British!

[Bionic Jean]

I like Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series, about Egypt, but had always thought (like Pamela with Martha Grimes) that she was English!

Can anyone talk a bit more about these authors please, for those of us who are not familiar with their work? For instance which series(es) did they write, or are/were their novels standalones?

I know several people think that Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley novels have got more preoccupied with the back story - and that it is unrealistic. What do you think? And has she written others which you like?

These are the only two authors here whom I've read, so need more info please! Thanks.

[Sandy]

Bionic Jean wrote: "I like Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series, about Egypt, but had always thought (like Pamela with Martha Grimes) that she was English!

Can anyone talk a bit more ..."

I was introduced to Elizabeth Peter's series in a reading list accompanying an archaeological lecture. She was a professional archaeologist and the Egyptian history is accurate.

For me the great draw of her books are the characters. The series should be read in sequence as the family grows. I find the plot mechanics wildly improbable but wonderfully amusing. I'm afraid my partner doesn't measure up to Emerson's physical prowess. (In his defense, he also loves the books and probably blames me for leaving my umbrella at home.)

[Bionic Jean]

Sandy wrote: "I was introduced to Elizabeth Peter's series in a reading list accompanying an archaeological lecture ..."

That's fascinating! And so good that the Egyptian history is accurate. Sometimes I realise that some of my factual knowledge has come from well-researched fiction!

"The series should be read in sequence as the family grows." Really useful information - thank you.

I suspect there may be an in-joke about umbrellas here ... ;)

[Bionic Jean]

Rita wrote: "I think that Elizabeth George is trying to make Barbara Havers the main character in the books ..."

That is an odd switch for the author to make. Yes, perhaps she will begin another series.

[Bionic Jean]

Rita wrote: "The series differs completely from how it started ..."

So many people have said that to me. I've only read odd ones, not in order, so it's hard for me to judge, but there does seem to be a consensus. It's such a shame when an author doesn't take account of their faithful readers.

[C.J.]

Rita wrote: "I think that Elizabeth George is trying to make Barbara Havers the main character in the books instead of Inspector Lynley.. For the most part I can barely tolerate Barbara Havers but Inspector Tho..."

Many of her readers have been bothered by how much her books have changed in the past few years. I suspect George's publisher (& the whole book-industry set-up) keeps pushing her to pump them out, too fast to do justice to her characters & original goals. I wondered about that with Louise Penny, too, when she went back to an early book that (I thought) ended really wrong, as if she'd rushed to publish it on schedule, & actually changed whodunnit.

[Susan]

I have been so frustrated by Elizabeth George since she spoiler. I hate what she's done with Lynley and now with Havers. Having Havers tap dance was just awful. Steam is arising out of my ears. I am invested in these characters as I have spent hours reading them (look at how long they are).

[Bionic Jean]

Havers tap dancing? LOL I wonder if Sharon Small (who plays her on TV) is going to have to add that to her CV ... it certainly doesn't fit well with the character's personality or history.

C.J. Those are depressing thoughts, but have a ring of truth :(

[Penny]

It’s obviously a major advantage for a writer if they can sustain a series but as we are all human I can see that it would be demanding. The Gamache series and the Lynley series have both got strong characters with a lot of back story and as someone else said we are invested in these characters but ultimately it must be a gripping, paced , credible mystery. Authors have great and not so great books and one thing I find interesting is how readers disagree on what/when/who makes a worthy addition to a series. One Example is Elizabeth George’s What Came Before He Shot Her - loads of people slated it but for me it was a brave and brilliant dip into the mind and life of a ‘ criminal’.
(Sorry I don’t how to add a link for a book when on the app)

[Susan]

Penny, I see what you mean. The George book you refer to is one that I loathe. I hate it so much that it makes my top 10 of disliked books. I guess it is different strokes for different folks.

[Bionic Jean]

Here it is, Penny:
What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George

[John]

American writer Sujata Massey's series featuring Mumbai lawyer Purveen Mistry would fit here to me with its Colonial India 1920s setting.

The Widows of Malabar Hill

[Susan]

Rita wrote: "I DNF'D Just One Evil Act because it was all about Barbara Havers tracking down her boyfriend's daughter."

I gave it a very luke-warm review. It just made me sad at how much I think George has lost her way.

[Penny]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Here it is, Penny:
What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George"

thanks for adding the link Jean

[Penny]

Susan wrote: "Rita wrote: "I DNF'D Just One Evil Act because it was all about Barbara Havers tracking down her boyfriend's daughter."

I gave it a very luke-warm review. It just made me sad at ho..."

I know exactly what you mean but I have seen others that really liked it. Definitely prefer the first 5 or 6 - except for which for me was superb!

[Leslie]

I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago that he was actually American! He lived in England for many years so I guess it isn't surprising that his characters & settings are English.

[Victoria]

Ashley Weaver writes Golden Age style books set in the Golden Age period. I thought the first, Murder at the Brightwell, was very good, really captured the style and the period. I didn't realise then that the author is American.

But in the later books the Americanisms have really started to creep in, and it is obvious that the author is American. As a separate issue, I'm also finding the main character more and more annoying.

[Diane]

Leslie wrote: "I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago that he was actually American! He lived in E..."

His wife was also English.

[Leslie]

Rita wrote: "I've seen books by John Dickson Carr but have never read one. ..."

I inherited several of his books (both as Carr and as Carter Dickson) but have only managed to read a few. Perhaps his most famous is The Three Coffins, originally published in England as "The Hollow Man". Carr was a master of the "locked room" mystery.

[Diane]

Rita wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago that he was actually American..."

My personal favorites are The Three Coffins and The Plague Court Murders (under his pen name, Carter Dickson). They're very atmospheric. He also wrote standalone thrillers and historical mysteries (Papa La-Bas and The Bride of Newgate), and mysteries featuring Colonel March of the Department of Queer Complaints. There was a TV show (Colonel March of Scotland Yard) based on the latter with Colonel March played by Boris Karloff. Very entertaining show. It's available on Amazon Prime Video.

[Diane]

Rita wrote: "Diane wrote: "Rita wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago th..."

I enjoyed it. You could tell he had fun making it. It dates from 1956, but the copy is pretty good for its age.

[Leslie]

Diane wrote: "There was a TV show (Colonel March of Scotland Yard) based on the latter with Colonel March played by Boris Karloff. Very entertaining show. It's available on Amazon Prime Video. ..."

I watched that! I was sorry there weren't more episodes - very fun.

[Diane]

Another American author is Elizabeth Daly, who wrote the Henry Gamadge books. She was one of Agatha Christie's favorite authors. I just finished Murders in Volume 2. Honestly, they could be set in England and you wouldn't really notice much of a difference.

[Leslie]

Diane wrote: "Another American author is Elizabeth Daly, who wrote the Henry Gamadge books. She was one of Agatha Christie's favorite authors. I just finished Murders in Volume 2. ..."

Oh, I have a lot of those from my mother. I have only read the first book - I should make time to read more of them since Mom and I had similar tastes in mysteries.

[Diane]

Leslie wrote: "Diane wrote: "Another American author is Elizabeth Daly, who wrote the Henry Gamadge books. She was one of Agatha Christie's favorite authors. I just finished [book:Murders in Volume..."

He's one of the more likable detectives I've come across. And he's a fellow cat lover, which doesn't hurt.

[Barbara K]

Leslie wrote: "I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago that he was actually American! ..."

I would never have guessed that John Dickson Carr was not English! His books are just so... English!

[Barbara K]

I adore Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody! Such rich entertainment in a marvelous setting.

I have a couple of Elizabeth George books on my print TBR shelf, where books frequently languish for years given my limited time to actually sit down and turn pages. Can I have some pointers about whether A Suitable Vengeance and With No One as Witness are worth reading?

[Diane]

Barbara wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I would put John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson) in this category. His books are so English that I didn't realize until a few months ago that he was actually American..."

He lived in the UK for 15-20 years and his wife was English. Even after he moved back to the US, he kept writing stories in a British setting. I used to think he was British, too.

[Susan]

Barbara wrote: "I adore Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody! Such rich entertainment in a marvelous setting.

I have a couple of Elizabeth George books on my print TBR shelf, where books frequently languish for year..."

This is a very divisive decision. It really divided her readers. I am a glutton for punishment and read them all because I am so afraid I will miss something but it's quite an investment of time (and frustration for some of us).

[Bionic Jean]

I too thought John Dickson Carr was English until few days ago! I'm learning so much from this group :)

[Diane]

Interestingly, John Dickson Carr's books are listed under both British Library Crime Classics (It Walks by Night: A Paris Mystery) and American Mystery Classics (The Crooked Hinge). Somebody can't make up their mind!

[Barbara K]

Good to know, Rita.

[Icewineanne]

Barbara wrote: "I adore Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody! Such rich entertainment in a marvelous setting.

I have a couple of Elizabeth George books on my print TBR shelf, where books frequently languish for year..."

Haven’t read No One as Witness, Barbara, but A Suitable Vengeance was very good

[Adrian]

Victoria wrote: "Ashley Weaver writes Golden Age style books set in the Golden Age period. I thought the first, Murder at the Brightwell, was very good, really captured the style an..."

I have to agree Victoria, the first book was actually quite good, and certainly no sign off any Americanisms (although some of the names were a little weird). I have book 2 but haven't read it yet although my wife says it was ok, just not as good as the first. I shall see.

[Victoria]

Yes, the character names weren't right for the period.

I thought the quality dipped a little more with each successive book, until after I read An Act of Villainy I wasn't sure if I wanted to read any more. As I said, I was finding the main character more and more irritating, as well as the Americanisms.

I see Murder at the Brightwell is currently £1.89 on Kindle, for any UK readers who want to try it.

[Jean]

Icewineanne wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I adore Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody! Such rich entertainment in a marvelous setting.

I have a couple of Elizabeth George books on my print TBR shelf, where books frequently l..."

What Came Before He Shot Her marked her downfall, IMO. I had liked the ones before that, but it was really bad -not because I was attached to Helen, I wasn't - and the ones after it have been truly horrible. Lynley and Havers acting out of character, plot lines that made to sense, plodding writing.

[Susan]

My feelings exactly. You said it better than I could have.

[Thomas]

I just finished The King's JusticeSusan Elia MacNeal
I enjoyed it and rate it 4 stars. It is a murder mystery set in WWII London, UK
The author is an American.

[Susan]

I read that too, Thomas, and also gave it 4 stars. Great minds think alike.

[Pamela]

What would you guys says about Emmuska Orczy (1865-1947)?

I feel she is probably British, even though she was Hungarian-born.

From Wikipedia: "... was the daughter of composer Baron Félix Orczy de Orci (1835–1892) and Countess Emma Wass de Szentegyed et Cege (1839–1892). Her grandfather, Baron László Orczy (1787–1880) was a royal councillor, and knight of the Sicilian order of Saint George, her grandmother was the Baroness Magdolna Müller (1811–1879).

"Emma's parents left their estate for Budapest in 1868, fearful of the threat of a peasant revolution. They lived in Budapest, Brussels, and Paris, where Emma studied music unsuccessfully. Finally, in 1880, the 14-year-old Emma and her family moved to London, England."

She wrote The Scarlet Pimpernel as part of a series, as well as the Lady Molly Of Scotland Yard and The Old Man in the Corner.

[Thomas]

Susan wrote: "I read that too, Thomas, and also gave it 4 stars. Great minds think alike."

Thanks Susan. I will pass on your comments to Liz, who is depressed, as am I.. We flew down to Florida on the 12th for our 50 th anniversary cruise, March 14-22. We were treating our daughter , s-i-l, and 3 grandchildren. On Friday the 13th at 730pm, Royal cancelled the cruise. We celebrated our 50 th on the 21st with takeout dinners, a bottle of wine and bakery chocolate cake- just the 2 of us

[Susan]

I am sorry about the trip but with your grandkids medical problems it is blessing they couldn't go right now. And your celebration was romantic in its own way. Stay safe.

[Leslie]

Pamela wrote: "What would you guys says about Emmuska Orczy (1865-1947)?

I feel she is probably British, even though she was Hungarian-born.

From Wikipedia: "... was the daughter of composer B..."

I really enjoyed Lady Molly of Scotland Yard (as well as her most famous The Scarlet Pimpernel).

[Thomas]

Susan and Rita you are right. However, we planned this cruise 2 years ago, with a family conference. We are in the process of booking a replacement cruise next year.

[Susan]

And the next cruise will be even better as it is the light at the end of the tunnel. You wouldn't want to expose those precious kids to the current danger.

[Bionic Jean]

Thomas wrote: "We flew down to Florida on the 12th for our 50 th anniversary cruise, March 14-22. We were treating our daughter , s-i-l, and 3 grandchildren. On Friday the 13th at 730pm, Royal cancelled the cruise ..."

I agree with Susan, it will be even better next time, but do feel for you, Thomas. In a way, it doesn't help right now. A cruise can be a once in a lifetime thing, and you build up your hopes ...

I know this is a much smaller example, and many don't understand what a huge thing it is for me. But every year I try to get to see cygnets hatching, for a few weeks, at a swannery in Dorset. It is the highlight of my year, even though it's in the same country as me, and just a "day out" for many.

For various reasons, this is the third year I'll miss it :( (I was in hospital for over 3 weeks with a broken leg 2 years ago, (after arguing with the nice paramedics that I was going to Dorset the next day!) Then last year I was on chemotherapy and too ill. Now this - and we even had our taxi booked already, it was such a close thing!

People say there's always next year, and this is very true for YOU too, but it's hard to have your cherished hopes dashed. I hope in a few days you can begin planning once more, and have a wonderful cruise planned to look forward to :) Then next year, you will remember that you had some precious time with your daughter and her family the previous year as well, as an extra :)