Need Recommendations

[Anne]

I have read the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and loved every one of the books and loved all of the characters.

Does anyone have any suggestions for another series that I may enjoy as much as I have enjoyed these?

My mom had gotten sick and someone suggested these books to me as a light read that would help get me through a very difficult time in my life so that may be part of the reason I loved Stephanie Plum so much.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Anne

[Ann]

Harley Jane Kozak and Sarah Strohmeyer are two authors who are often mentioned in "if you like Janet Evanovich" features.

And since I recently talked about Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series on a podcast episode, those are fresh in my mind. Though the main character is a man, and a burglar, there are some definite similarities that make me think you might like them. Just be aware that Lawrence Block also writes harder mysteries -- you will want to look for books where the title starts with "The Burglar..."

[[deleted user]]

I like Block's Scudder series. They're pretty dark, though.

[Anne]

These suggestions sound great! On my way to Borders now to see what I can find. Thanks for the advice.

[[deleted user]]

I'm not sure if this would interest you but the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear is quite good.

[Linda]

Carl Hiaasen! I think he's better than Janet Evanovich and I, like you, have read every single one of hers - and am STRUGGLING through #16.

[Carol]

What do you like about the Plum series??? This would help to identify others that you might like. I like the Jacqueline Winspear series but Massie isn't quite the same kick ass character as Stephanie.

Does the group think Sue Grafton's series might appeal?

[Tracy]

Anne,

Another author who is an easy read yet, I find his books very entertaining is Loren Estleman. Most of his books can easily be read over a weekend. The Amos Walker series are great old style private eye books. He also has a series centering around Detroit starting with "Whiskey River" as the first book, set during prohibition. Each book in the series is set in a different decade, which also makes it fun, in my opinion.

[Linda]

Carol,

MY opinion - I would not put Sue Grafton (Kelsey Milhone) in the same breath as Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum). Evanovich, to me, is knee slapping, head shaking "I-can't-believe-she's-doing-that" funny" Grafton is more amusing. I also think Grafton is a more deliberate writer.

I'm struggling through Sizzling Sixteen which came out last week. It is tedious. I think Evanovich is spewing them out too quickly without regards to quality. I think she has at least two other books coming out in the next couple of months. I'm thinking this may be my last adventure with Stephanie Plum.

[Anne]

Someone I met while away on vacation introduced me to the Plum series. She said they were a nice, light, easy read that you really didn't have to think much about but were entertaining.

Right about that time both of my parents became ill, Dad with strokes and Mom with cancer. I was the primary care giver for both but still had a husband and 2 boys at home. This series of books was perfect for me to preoccupy my mind so I could relieve some stress.

While reading several of the books in the series I found myself laughing out loud. It could be because that is all my brain could handle at the time but it helped me get through and I continue to read them now.

That all happened 6 years ago.

[Anne]

I was very disappointed with Sizzling Sixteen as well. It was the same old Stephanie and Lula but the story just did not measure up to many of her other books.

But, I am not ready to give up yet and have her next book on preorder. I will keep you posted on it's quality.

[Carol]

Linda, and all, I haven't read either Evanovich or Grafton in a long time so appreciated Linda's comments as to what she sees is different about the two. This is what makes suggesting a new series to an Evanovich reader difficult. What does the person like about the series? Is there any other author you can think of that captures the same kind of knee-slapping humor?

I, too, have heard grumbles about Sizzling Sixteen. It's unfortunate that fans are not enjoying this outing.

[Karen]

I have never read Evanovich or Grafton, either.
But I like Tana French's books. Not sure how they compare and they are not really a series, but some of the characters are the same so there is a familiarity and focus is on a different protagonist. Her first novel is and her second one is . Her next book, is coming out in July (this month) and I am looking forward to reading it.

[Linda]

I will still suggest Carl Hiaasen's books. I have referred to him as the male Janet Evanovich. His books are often knee slapping, head-shaking "didn't-you-see-that-coming?" stories. They are not technically a series, although several have a couple of reoccurring characters (a governor who tires of the politicking and runs away and hides in the everglades to mete justice fairly - if not always legally). The setting is always Florida and there is always an environmental theme. You may read them in any order. I will admit that I did not read them in order (I read Skinny Dip first because of good reviews). By the time I got to his first book Tourist Season, I laughed just because I understood what he meant by the title without turning a single page.

I am listening to Nature Girl now. It has taken a bit of adjustment on my part because this is the only one of Hiaasen's books I've heard which has a female narrator - which makes sense since it's told mostly from a female's view.

I am thrilled that he has a new book coming at the end of the month and I have already reserved the title at the library.

Unlike Janet Evanovich, Carl Hiaasen has not let me down.

[Ann]

Karen wrote: "I have never read Evanovich or Grafton, either.
But I like Tana French's books. Not sure how they compare and they are not really a series, but some of the characters are the same so there is a fa..."

Karen,
I love Tana French! But her books are pretty dark and I'd say more literary, whereas much of the appeal of Evanovich is the amount of humor in her characters.

Sue Grafton may be a good comp to Evanovich -- I stopped reading around "E is for Evidence", but I greatly enjoyed them.

[[deleted user]]

Anne wrote: "I have read the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and loved every one of the books and loved all of the characters.

Does anyone have any suggestions for another series that I may enjoy as much as I have enjoyed these? "

The Amelia Peabody series (by Elizabeth Peters) is light fare: fun and cozy mysteries. It's about a 19th/early 20th century British woman in the Middle East who gets into scrapes. The humor lies in the absurdity of the situations she finds herself in and, the fact she's not a terribly reliable narrator of her own tales! CROCODILE ON A SANDBANK is the first-in-series.

I agree with the recommendation for Carl Hiassen novels. They are all stand-alones, but all take place in the same area with recurring characters across a couple of the titles (so you can pick them up in any order and not feel like you've missed something.) A couple of the titles were written for the YA market (HOOT and FLUSH) but they are still worth checking out!

[Elhara]

A take me away book would be the type of book I would find soothing. I'm reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand while feeling a little under the weather myself. Even though I have only just begun it makes me smile every time I pick it up. It might just be the one for you. Good luck.

[Karen]

Ann wrote: "Karen wrote: "I have never read Evanovich or Grafton, either.
But I like Tana French's books. Not sure how they compare and they are not really a series, but some of the characters are the same so..."

Thanks Ann! I love this group and the recommendations here--I will need to make more room on my TBR shelf now for Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen, as I have not read either.

Karen

[Carol]

I like Tana French also. They are slower paced, at least in MHO, and more like Val McDermid or Minette Walters, two more or my favorite authors.

I don't read much of what you could call knee-slapping humor but I do like Hiaasen. He makes me laugh out loud. I love the absurdity of the whole.

[Lisa R.]

Linda wrote: "I will still suggest Carl Hiaasen's books. I have referred to him as the male Janet Evanovich. His books are often knee slapping, head-shaking "didn't-you-see-that-coming?" stories. They are not te..."

Carl Hiassen is great! I think that Skinny Dip was my favorite. I really enjoyed the characters.

[Kristen]

Hello! I've just been told that I would probably really like reading Neil Gaiman's books. What's a good starter book for Neil Gaiman? Thanks! KM

[Sandi]

Kjsmulvihill wrote: "Hello! I've just been told that I would probably really like reading Neil Gaiman's books. What's a good starter book for Neil Gaiman? Thanks! KM"

Personally, I think American Gods is his best work. However, it's dark, disturbing and very dense. For something a bit lighter, but with depth, try Neverwhere. The other stuff of his I've read seems pretty light.

[[deleted user]]

I'd go with the Sandman series of graphic novels for Gaiman. Nothing else comes close.

[Gretchen]

I've only listened to The Graveyard Book read by the author. It was wonderful. Usually I shy away from author narrations, but Gaiman was superb! I'm eager for my kids to read the book as well!

[Libby]

I enjoyed The Graveyard Book; now I'm reading Coraline. I just watched the Coraline movie and, unlike most movies made from books, the movie has characters and plot lines not in the book.

[Libby]

By the way, The Graveyard Book and Coraline are both YA books.

[Michael]

Karen wrote: "I have never read Evanovich or Grafton, either.
But I like Tana French's books. Not sure how they compare and they are not really a series, but some of the characters are the same so there is a fa..."

i enjoyed in the WOODS - pretty good mystery - interesting characters.
Could not stand The Likeness. The concept was ridiculous and it went on and on and on....

[Melissa]

I've enjoyed the Stephanie Plum novels. I agree that number sixteen is not very good. The silly situations and characters are all there, but the characters need to change and grow at least a little bit. Stephanie just needs to make up her mind with Morelli and Ranger.

My all-time favorite comic novels and stories are by P.G. Wodehouse. I love his Wooster and Jeeves series. They never fail to lift my spirits and put things into perspective.

Another light mystery series is the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley.

I love Neil Gaiman, but I don't think that he would appeal to someone looking for another Janet Evanovich.

[[deleted user]]

Melissa wrote: My all-time favorite comic novels and stories are by P.G. Wodehouse. I love his Wooster and Jeeves series. They never fail to lift my spirits and put things into perspective.

Word! I introduced my kids to Wodehouse during a recent trip to Florida. We listened to audiobooks of "Right Ho Jeeves" and "Thank You Jeeves". A hilarious experience was had by all.

[Suzan]

I agree that Carl Hiaasen would probably appeal to Evanovich fans.

Also, I just finished Everywhere That Mary Went, the first book in a series by Lisa Scottoline. There are dozens of books in the series now, and I saw some similarities with the Stephanie Plum novels (which I love, too!) The lead character, Mary, is a lawyer in Philadelphia. As best as I can tell from the first one, the books are suspenseful and the author has a good sense of humor, though they don't have that over-the-top silly element that the Stephanie Plum novels do. There's also a bit of romance.

Sue

[Anne]

That is too coincidental, Sue. I picked that book up at Borders today. Then put it down. Then picked it up. I finally left the store without buying anything.

[Suzan]

Anne -

It was fate! You should give it a try. My husband is reading it right now (he loves the Stephanie Plum books too).

And did you hear they're FINALLY making a Stephanie Plum movie based on One for the Money? It's about time!

Sue

[Libby]

"Everywhere That Mary Went, the first book in a series by Lisa Scottoline. There are dozens of books in the series...." I've listened to some of these on tape, narrated by the wonderful Barbara Rosenblat. What is really interesting is that each of the different lawyers in the all-female law firm takes turns being the main character in different books. So one of the associates who is a minor character in one book (and not sympathetic) is the point of view character in another book and you see things through her perspective.

[Suzan]

Thanks for the insight into that series, Libby. I've only read the first book, so I didn't realize that. Makes the series sound even more appealing!

Sue

[Chad]

Janet's Stephanie Plum series is one of my guilty pleasures, I love when characters can make me laugh out loud, which happens too seldom just from text. I'll recommend 2 very different series for you. First, the Elvis Cole series from Robert Crais - while the subject matter is more serious, Elvis cracks me up. Second is L. A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series, which, while technically a YA series, is just hilarious.