Let’s talk about the mystery genre. Are you a fan? Care to recommend some mystery books to others?
Julie:
I used to read mystery quite a bit, but I got burned out on the genre and haven’t gone back yet. I used to love James Patterson’s books, especially the Women’s Murder Club series. I should give the genre another go soon though, any recs? Especially if the book has a great audio version?
Lynn:
I started out early reading mysteries. I even wanted to be a nuclear physicist after reading Agatha Christie. The appeal for me is really in the plot. I am not one of those people who try to guess who done it, but I find that the mystery drives the plot forward to where I WANT to keep reading and finish the book. Sone of ny favorite myster authors are listed below:
Janet Evanovich – especially the O’Hare/Fox series
Dan Brown
Elizabeth Peters
Deborah Coonts
[…] found it interesting that almost half of all books read are in the mystery or thriller genre. Kinda laughed that westerns are least read. I think those were more popular […]
I read more thrillers and romantic suspense than mysteries. Most of the mysteries I read are cozies. But, I am reading X by Sue Grafton right now, which is pretty good. I also like Janet Evanovich, Sara Paretsky, Deborah Crombie, and Patricia Cornwell (off the top of my head).
I’ve always loved mysteries, back to the days of the Bobbsey Twins. It’s only recently that I’ve realized there are so many sub-genres within this umbrella and have narrowed down which I enjoy most. Legal thrillers, police procedurals, cozy, psychological, etc.
I loved them when I was young, like the Nancy Drew books. I’m not familiar with Bobbsey Twins, will have to look into those.
The Bobbsey Twins are a very old series from the 1950s, I think. 2 sets of boy-girl twins. They’re really geared to a young audience.
I’m afraid I’m no help on this one. I don’t really read mysteries – the closest I’ve gotten are some YA contemporaries with a mystery sort of plot (like Get Even and Get Dirty).
Mysteries are not too popular these days hehe
I used to read mystery quite often. I grew up reading Agatha Christie. But in the past 20 years, I haven’t read it much. And I’m not sure why. But I have enjoyed The #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series as well as Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen mysteries.
Ooh I read the first No 1 Ladies Detective book, it was pretty neat.
I always seem to hit the bad ones! 🙂 The Da Vinci Code was the biggest reading disappointment of my life, I think.
Hmm I really liked Da Vinci Code, but not as much the newest in that series.
The pacing was great. I couldn’t put The Da Vinci Code down, but the reveal of “Who-Dun-It” pissed me off. I didn’t feel there were enough clues to lead me to that conclusion. And that’s what I had most about reading the mystery genre. Not enough breadcrumbs or way too many.
Hi Julie, I don’t read a lot of mystery but the last paranormal book I read had lots of mystery and it was Ah-wesome!
Descendants of the Rose by Juliette Harper here is the link to my review:
http://www.danielaark.com/book-review-descendants-of-the-rose-by-juliette-harper-blog/
I’ll have to check that out. Thanks.
Brace yourselves; I have a lot of favorite mystery writers.
THE BEST
Reginald Hill (this series got much better about four books in, so if you don’t mind missing the backstory, start later)
Elizabeth George
Tana French
ALSO VERY GOOD
Laura Lippman (her stand-alones are better than her series, but her series is a step above Sue Grafton)
Sophie Hannah
Jane Casey
All of these authors write complex, psychological novels where character and theme are right up there with plot in terms of what’s driving the story. They are gritty, but not horror.
Well, I haven’t read any of those authors I don’t think. What a list! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hmm, sometimes I like mysteries and sometimes I don’t. But I do LOVE every Gillian Flynn book: Gone Girl, Dark Places and Sharp Objects. They are all so awesome and have crazy, twisted endings. I also just read another one, Black Eyed Susans, which was really good.
I haven’t read the other Flynn books, just Gone Girl, and it was a bit much for me. I have heard that the others are good so I should probably give them a try.
Julie, I would recommend The Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny and The Mary Russell Series by Laurie R. King. I love reading mysteries, but honestly I read whatever…I’m not to picky as long as it’s a good book.
Agree on the as long as it is a good book point 🙂 Thanks for the recs!
I don’t read much mystery for some reason. I used to love Agatha Christie when I was in my teens, and then, I don’t know… I guess I outgrew the genre or something – is that even possible?? LOL 🙂
Yes, Ramona, I think that is very possible. I don’t read nearly as many mysteries as I did when I was younger. I think it’s a cycle of preference.
I waffle so much with mysteries. Either the ending too obvious or not obvious enough. It’s a fine line and one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to reading this genre.
Very true, Terri. It’s difficult to find a good mystery. There are loads of bad ones out there, like any genre.