Mysteries

[sandar]

Of the mystery novels I've read so far, I liked all the Adam Dalgliesh books by P.D. James. Aside from a propensity to dress many of the women in "fawn" colored sweaters, I think she writes well. Also enjoyed "The Pilot's Wife," by Anita Shreve, which I found hard to put down.

On tv, Columbo wins for me (the original series, not the poorly scripted retreads that showed up later). Peter Falk was great, the plots were fun, and he had some of the coolest guest stars. John Cassavetes and Blythe Danner in a tv mystery? Just remarkable.

What about you? Do you enjoy a good whodunit? Do you have some favorite mystery books, tv shows, or movies to recommend?

Sandi

[LisaG]

mysteries are my favorite books. I strongly recommend Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy the caterer series and my latest discovery is Donna Andrews series that have birds in the titles (Can't think of main characters name right now but the first book was something about flamingos)

People are always asking what I'm reading and after awhile they start asking do you ever read anything where someone DOESN'T DIE?


I love all the Law & Order shows, and older Columbo was always good.

[MissBianca]

Well, you've really hit me where I read. I bet I have 5000 or more paperback mysteries at my house! And, again, I'm a reader not a watcher. You just can't properly get into the psychology of it all without the background a novel creates.

Favorites? My list could go on for pages! But in no particular order, I've read all the works by:
Janet Evanovich, Jonathan Kellerman, Faye Kellerman, Archer Mayor, Lillian Jackson Braun, Elizabeth George, Rex Stout, Agatha Christie, Nevada Barr, Susan Conant, Sue Grafton, Michael Connolly, Patricia Cornwall, Sara Paretsky, Dick Francis, Dorothy Gilman, and many more!

What genre do you like? I can make recommendations!

[roodad]

Anything by Walter Mosely or Tony Hillerman for their character development.
Earl Emerson, Laurence Shames, Alexander McCall Smith, James Lee Burke, Tim Dorsey, Sue Henry, JA Jance and Dana Stabenow (sp) for their use of local color. (western Washington, the Fl keys, Botswana, bayou country, Tampa, Alaska, western Washington and Arizona, Alaska respectively)
Elmore Leonard for all of the above.
Carl Hiassen for being sick and twisted
I used to enjoy some of the forensic books - Cornwell and Aaron Elkins - but Cornwell has gotten whiny and Elkins is producing formulaic crap now.
I also used to enjoy Nevada Barr, but again, I think she has gotten very formulaic
I still enjoy Holmes and Watson

[sandar]

Lisa, MissB, and roodad,

Thank you for sharing your lists. You've given me lots of great ideas, including a visit with Watson and Holmes. :D

Sandi

[MissBianca]

Wow, Roodad, how could I have forgotten Tony Hillerman, Earl Emerson, and JA Jance?

I used to really like Dana Stabenow, too, but she violated one of the main "rules" of the mysteries I like to read: never kill off a character everyone has come to love in such a way that it wrenches your readers heartstrings.

I agree with you that the early Cornwell books are MUCH better than the later ones, I have hopes that she'll snap out of it and give us the science we crave!

Some formulas I guess I just like...Nevada Barr is still on my "can't wait" list.

Speaking of non-formula books, have you read Vertical Burn, the latest in paperback by Earl Emerson? Lots of technical detail about fire fighting--and a huge fire in the Columbia Center tower in Seattle.

[LisaG]

Miss Bianca,
I still like Nevada Barr too. I eagerly await each paperback release.

I have to agree on both Cornwell and Stabenow, earlier ones are better.