Comfort Reads discussion
Mysteries
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A Different Sort of Comfort
BunWat wrote: "I really enjoy Dorothy (L) Sayers. And I think I may have read all of Agatha Christie, except maybe a few things she wrote under pen names. Sayers' detective, Lord Peter Wimsey is a wealthy ar..."
Sayers´ books are great books!! it´s hard not to enjoy them...
Hi! I was trying to tie into the thread written by Gundula about the Travis McGee series but I don't know if I managed to do it as directly as I wished.... anyway.... I haven't read a McGee in years but I used to love them. One of my favorite titles in the 'color' realm was "The Green Ripper" and its great play on words! Fun, easy read, light and entertaining!
I liked the The Green Ripper as well, but it was kind of a freaky novel (and because Meyer, who really is one of my favourite characters is not present for most of the novel, it is not one of my absolute favourites). I think that Cinnamon Skin and Free Fall in Crimson are my favourites, but the first Travis McGee novel I read was The Dreadful Lemon Sky, which we actually had to read in grade eight English (we did a whole section on classical and modern mysteries and had to read a whole load of American and British authors); I got kind of hooked on the Travis McGee series.
BunWat wrote: "Kelly, Donna Andrews is borderline for me. I have to be in just the right mood or I find her just a little bit too silly and I can't get into it. But if I'm really tired or stressed and need something beach book light, then she can work for me."Thanks, that's really helpful!
I like the Amelia Peabody series, too, and Stephanie Plum.
I've never read Dick Francis but I might like them as I really like ones that take place in the west or desert like Tony Hillerman and Nevada Barr.
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Sandy, if you want to reply directly to someone's post, there is a little reply button at the bottom right of the post beside where it says delete and flag. Let me know if you have problems finding it.
I need your help, everyone. My mom is recovering from back surgery, and I'd like to send her some books, but I am a little lost with the genre she likes. She's a big fan of medical mysteries (like, several people in a hospital die mysteriously, or there's a primary character who is the medical examiner).. stuff along those lines. Any suggestions?
I should add that she's read most of the Kathy Reich books, if that helps.
If your mother likes historical mysteries, she might like some of the Matthew Bartholomew series by Susanna Gregory (they are not necessarily medical mysteries, but the main character is a 14th century physician). I hope your mother has a speedy recovery.
That's a great idea, Gundula! May even open her to a new twist on her favorite genre - thanks!
I got hooked on that particular series when I picked up the first novel, A Plague on Both Your Houses at an airport bookstore (I was desperate to find a worthy replacement for Ellis Peters, and Susanna Gregory has definitely done this for me). Hope your mother (and maybe even you) enjoy the novels as much as I have.
Paula wrote: "I need your help, everyone. My mom is recovering from back surgery, and I'd like to send her some books, but I am a little lost with the genre she likes. She's a big fan of medical mysteries (like,..."Paula,
Robin Cook,'s books and Michael Palmer's books qualify. I'll try to think of some more authors and some more specific books too.
I am going to put that book on my to-read list. It sounds like the kind of novel I would like.
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I would definitely second Bun's suggestion of Mistress of the Art of Death if you think she would like to try a historical.
Oh, That book (Mistress of the Art of Death) is going on my shelves as soon as I get home. iPhone is wonky: won't let me do links or shelve easily, which is unusual.
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Oddly enough, Book #1 Mistress of the Art of Death just arrived for me the other day. May have to forward to mom when I'm done! Patricia Cornwall is definitely on her favorites list, too. I actually didn't order any of those because I'm not sure which ones she's read. Love Brother Cadfael, so sent her the first in that series. Thanks, all, for the wonderful suggestions! I knew it was a good idea to ask : )
Lee wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Hi! I was trying to tie into the thread written by Gundula about the Travis McGee series but I don't know if I managed to do it as directly as I wished.... anyway.... I haven't read a..."Thanks Lee, I have found said button... Actually I found it that time too but I must have not hit it correctly as it just came up as a blank text box where I wrote the message in question.... now I've learned. Practice Makes Perfect!
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I'm getting into the Elizabeth George books. I've read the first one, A Great Deliverance, twice. Payment In Blood is on my started-but-was-distracted pile. I have the first Tony Hillerman and the first Nevada Barr on my TBR pile. I really enjoy Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles books; I've read the first few in the series.
I've read only the first Susan Wittig Albert book (Thyme of Death) but I really loved it and I'd love to read the rest. I have a lot of catch up to do!!
BunWat and Lisa: I love the Sayers books too and regularly re-read the whole cycle. They are just too funny and charming*. I recently splurged and bought her translation of the Divine Comedy, which is definitely not a comfort read, but should be interesting anyway.
Mysteries are my #1 comfort read choice. Used to love the Dick Francis books, but re-read one recently and it did not hold up very well after all these years. I'll have to try an earlier one to re-read. The later ones got pretty formulaic (is that the word I mean...?)
*I can't decide if my favorite character is the man-servant or Wimsey's mother... it's a close call.
Mysteries are my #1 comfort read choice. Used to love the Dick Francis books, but re-read one recently and it did not hold up very well after all these years. I'll have to try an earlier one to re-read. The later ones got pretty formulaic (is that the word I mean...?)
*I can't decide if my favorite character is the man-servant or Wimsey's mother... it's a close call.
I love her too, she's so snarky! And I also get a lot of laugh from the correspondences between her and other members of the family/friends before their wedding.
That was/is one of *the* most brilliant pieces of writing ever! When I need a laugh I go back and read that.
It's the beginning of Busman's Honeymoon (Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, #13), if I remember correctly. [Caution: if you haven't read at least [book:Strong Poison|246225] and Gaudy Night, don't try Busman!!]
It's the beginning of Busman's Honeymoon (Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, #13), if I remember correctly. [Caution: if you haven't read at least [book:Strong Poison|246225] and Gaudy Night, don't try Busman!!]
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This definitely will be a group I turn to in turbulent times! I've read many of the titles listed so thought I'd add these few cents:DICK FRANCIS - I've enjoyed many, many of his books. If you're less inclined toward violence or horse racing in your books, though, the ones I'd recommend most strongly for first-timers are Proof, The Danger, and The Edge. The latter two are especially good reads for romantic-at-heart mystery readers as well, although that romance never overpowers the thriller aspect so should not deter readers who think love stories are sticky. Anyone who likes a little wine now and then will especially love Proof. There are violent episodes in all of Francis' books but in these three titles the episodes were essential to the core story and more moving than gory. Pace out your Francis books, though, as the protagonists' voices can start to sound too much alike if you read one after the other. For existing Dick Francis Fans, I'd also recommend Alistair McLean's The Golden Gate, Puppet on a Chain, and The Golden Rendezvous — pulpy but classic 70s action novels with a hidden soft heart.
DOROTHY SAYERS - If you enjoy her intellectual romance mixed with mystery (and have an interest in prior decades as a setting), you'd might like: The Thirteenth Tale (Setterfield); Georgette Heyer's A Blunt Instrument or her Behold, Here's Poison or Why Shoot a Butler?; or The Historian (Kostova), a book I just finished. Lighter but a fun guilty pleasure are Charlotte Armstrong's vintage The Chocolate Cobweb, The Dream Walker, and The Innocent Flower, among others of her books.
JOHN D. MACDONALD - While I've had a great time with lots of his stand-alone novels, I really chew up his short story collection, The Good Old Stuff. It's a great snack for pulp fiction aficionados and a good entry title for readers new to him.
Another author I'd suggest as a delicious comfort read for mystery lovers is Mary Stewart. I never quite fell for her Merlin books but return again and again to her mysteries when I'm feeling low. Among my favorites: Moonspinners (far richer and more complex than the old Disney movie); Nine Coaches Waiting; This Rough Magic; The Ivy Tree, Airs Above the Ground; The Gabriel Hounds; and Madam, Will You Talk?
If you like supernatural-tinged books when burrowing into your comfy chair, try The Uninvited (Macardle), Touch not the Cat and Thornyhold (Stewart), or Seance on a Wet Afternoon (McShane). The latter has no romantic element and is dark but very engrossing.
I'll stop now.
I'll stop now. Elizabeth, Feel free to start up again when you want to post about more books/authors.
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I am unfamiliar with a few of the titles including author Charlotte Armstrong's The Chocolate Cobweb (great title!), The Dream Walker and The Innocent Flower. I'll have to check those out.
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Well, if you like Charlotte Armstrong, IMHO you're almost guaranteed to like many of Margery Allingham's books. Tether's End is a fun one to start with if you prefer stand-alone novels rather than series titles. Although it features her series detective, Albert Campion, he takes a back seat to the young leads. It's another good one for readers who like some light-hearted romance intertwined with their mystery. It's a very old-fashioned, charming story with some real tension because the villain has interesting internal conflicts that give it a little depth.By the way, if you like Dorothy Sayers' Wimsey/Vane books, you might give Minette Walters' The Ice House a try. Walters' later books explore even murkier and often explosive territory than her debut, so those might not supply the "comfort" factor looked for here, but that first book of hers had something of the same cerebral feeling as Sayers, even though it's told in a very contemporary British setting and voice. Sayers dealt with submerged and often violent passions and this book feels like a more modern take on that.
If you're an Armstrong fan and don't have a lot of time for reading, The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman has the same sensibility and is a collection of sweet-natured short stories that lets you dip in and out, kind of like an adult version of those old Encyclopedia Brown stories!
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BunWat wrote: "Have you ever read any of the Albert Campion mysteries by Margery Allingham? They are also from that era and also very very good!"Agreed! And the TV series with Peter Davison was great. I can still hear that 1920s music in my head!
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Lee wrote: "Last night I started reading Nevada Barr's first book featuring a park ranger called Track of the Cat. The series was recommended by our members Kelly and Lisa somewher..."Wait until you get to Barr's "Blind Descent" - it's my personal favorite but will make you claustrophobic since she spends the majority of the book in a cave deep underground - shivers!
Lee, I'm so excited you started. Hannahr, Blind Descent was a particularly good one!
I love Nevada Barr's books. I especially enjoy reading about all the different U.S. national parks. I love many, many mystery series, but the only ones I'm completely caught up on are the ones by Nevada Barr, Sue Grafton, and Lisa Lutz. Oh, and someone who's stopped writing unfortunately: Abigail Padgett, who has 2 series; I like the Bo Bradley one. I'm even behind on some mystery authors I really, really like, such as Stephen White.
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Lee wrote: "Uh oh! I don't know how people do that cave exploring stuff. It totally freaks me out! "Oh, Lee, You'll find Blind Descent deliciously creepy. Scary vicarious experience without having to be there yourself.
;-)I'm really disappointed. Nevada Barr usually comes out with a new book every spring or so (she could be off schedule and I haven't noticed) but I keep checking the library and I don't see a new one. Guess I'll check her site too.
I agree Lisa - Barr is fantastic with the descriptions of the various National Park Service sites. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I did with Blind Descent since it mimics one of my favorite mystery themes: "the locked room". I mean, how creepy must it be to be hundreds of feet below the earth in a cramped, pitch black cave with a killer somewhere near by? It also helps with the atmosphere in reading this book that I'm terribly claustrophobic.Again, I'll reiterate - *Shivers* - lol!
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Lee wrote: "You guys are killing me! I have to check now how many books to go before I get to that one."Sorry Lee :(
But do read them in order, as Barr does have a storyline for Anna and I think it's best to read in order. Don't worry, most of the books are good.
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Yep, in order is absolutely necessary. Of course, I feel that way about every mystery series.
Lisa, I found Blind Descent scary, too, since I'm a little claustrophobic. I have to say that Winter Study also got to me. I live in the South, and just thinking about doing everyday things while trying to stay warm gives me the chills. Anna was also so isolated emotionally in this novel, which just made things harder. That character is so tough, isn't she?
I've just finished An Expert in Murder, which I enjoyed very much. I found the setting - the London theatre scene in the 1930's - to be vividly presented to us. The shadow of WWI lies heavily across the story, adding to the very authentic feel of the book. It's not too gory, and there are some charming (and some quite nasty) characters. I'm certainly going to read the sequel sometime.
I just stumbled upon this thread. How is it that I have not read Dorothy Sayers' mystery series. I have now added the first 4 to my wish-list on Amazon. Another series to fit into my already overwhelming reading list. For those of you (like me) who love Ariana Franklin's Adelia Aguilar series (
), the latest one in the series,
, comes out today. Yay!
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Lee wrote: "Oh wow! I didn't realize she had already written four! I still haven't read the second one yet! Thanks for letting us know Kathy. :-)"Glad to add to your overflowing to-read list, Lee. LOL!
Comfort Reads
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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My favo..."
Bun, I'm sure we'll be chatting when you see me reading it. God knows when I'll get to it though.