SLCLS Genre Study discussion

PARANORMAL MYSTERIES
Mysteries featuring psychics, vampires, ghosts and more.


Series
Alt, Madelyn (witches)
Andrews, Donna : Turing Hopper series (artificial intelligence)
Atherton, Nancy : Aunt Dimity series (ghosts)
Ballard, Mignon : Augusta Goodnight series (guardian angels)
Connolly, John : Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker series (sees the dead)
Damsgaard, Shirley : Ophelia & Abby series (witches)
Daniels, Casey : Pepper Martin series (ghosts)
Daniels, Claire: Karma Crime series (auras)
Galenorn, Yasmine: Chintz’n’China series (ghosts)
Goldberg, Lee : Monk series (psychics)
Grabien, Deborah : Haunted Ballads series (ghosts)
Greeley, Andrew : McGrail series (psychics)
Harris, Charlaine : Harper Connnelly series (finds dead people)
Harris, Charliane : Sookie Stackhouse series (vampires)
James, Dean : Simon Kirby-Jones series (vampires)
Kimberly, Alice : Haunted Bookshop series (ghosts)
Laurie, Victoria: Psychic Eye series (psychics)
Lawrence, Martha C. (psychics)
Prabhu, Majiri : Sonia Samarth series (astrology)
Rickman, Phil : Merrily Watkins series (exorcist)
Roberts, Wendy (ghosts & clairvoyants)
Simmons, T.M. (ghosts)
Thurlo, David & Aimee : Lee Nez series (vampires)

Stand Alone titles
Vampire of Venice Beach by Jennifer Colt (vampire)
Story of the Cannibal Woman by Maryse Conde (clairvoyant)
Silent Fall by Barbara Freethy (psychics)
Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman (clairvoyant)
Already Dead by Charlie Huston (vampires)
Beyond Belief by Roy Johansen (psychokinesis)
Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly (ghosts)
Tiles & Tribulations by Tamar Myers (ghosts)
Voodoo Season by Jewell Parker Rhodes (voodoo)
Bad Lands by Selina Rosen (psychics)
Last Breath by George D. Shuman (psychics)
Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott (alchemy)
A Case of Imagination by Jane Tesh (psychics)
Tripletree by Derek A. Wilson (witches)

One of my favorite mystery series for teens is the Gilda Joyce series by Jennifer Allison. She solves ghost mysteries using her psychic skills. They are a little kooky and very cute- perfect for a 6th-8th grade girl looking for a mystery or a ghost book that's not too scary. Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator is the first one, but my favorite is probably Gilda Joyce: The Ghost Sonata.

One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main character is a wizard who acts as a private eye, I thought I would mention it. An excellent series that has 12 or 13 titles, now. A good crossover to recommend.

How about the classic Elijah Baley robot mysteries by Isaac Asimov? I really love those. I'm not sure if robots count as paranormal, but if Turing Hopper makes the list...

Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main character is a wi..."

Daniel, you beat me to it. The later books in the series don't feel as mystery-ish to me, but the first few were definitely mysteries in a noir/fantasy vein (which seems like a strange combination, but it totally works). I love those books!

Stephanie wrote: "Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main ch..."

Yay! I'm glad someone agrees. You are right, the pacing and feel of the later books is different, but I am still hooked :-)

The Pepper Martin series which is in the list is more than just a paranormal mystery. It is funny and chick lit. I have given it to many people and no one has come back and said they did not like it. I have had several people thank me for recommending it.

I just read "Dead is the New Black" by Marlene Perez. It is the first in a series of mysteries featuring a family of psychics in a town full paranormal creatures. I'll admit I didn't love it, but it got rave reviews on Goodreads. It was a fun quick read. I think fans of Twilight or very light mystery would enjoy it.

Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main character is a wi..."

I had a friend recommend the Dresden files to me, but because it's fantasy, I haven't given them a shot. Kind of like Jen said in another discussion about country music, I'm not a fantasy reader, but I like Theft of Swords, Harry Potter, Ranger's Apprentice, Fablehaven. So, yeah... So, are the Dresden files more fantasy or more mystery? I might give it a try.

Darin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main ch..."

I've never considered myself a fantasy reader, either, (but I've read and enjoyed the same books you mention) but for some reason I picked up the first Dresden several years ago and was hooked. I've tried other urban fantasy novels since, but they don't interest me at all. I think it's mostly the characters that I like and not so much the setting. I would classify the first few Dresden novels as noir mysteries, but as the series progresses there's a story arc that veers away from the mysteries and goes more into action/adventure. Anyway, I think they are a lot of fun. :)

Darin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main ch..."

Yes there are fantasy elements, but at first the series is really a private eye mystery series. If you have liked other cross-overs or popular fantasies, you might want to give them a try :-) The voice and characters are excellent.

I really enjoyed the YF book Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann. I liked that the main character Kendall is a little different in that she has OCD, which plays a role in helping her solve the dissapearance of two of her classmates.

I'm a big big fan of the Skulduggery Pleasant series. Definately paranormal, hilarious, JF, and mysteries. They also have a lot of cross-over appeal to fantasy readers.

I really liked Texas gothic. A western paranormal humorous mystery with a love story. I liked it so much more than I thought it would. I also just finished Alice in Zombieland and couldn't put it down.

Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main character is a wi..."

Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main character is a wi..."

I love the Dresden files too! I love Bob. I wish I had a Bob at home.

Robyn wrote: "Daniel wrote: "One of my favorite series of all time is a paranormal private eye--the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. I would normally call it a fantasy or even more urban fantasy, but as the main ch..."

The Dresden Files is one of my favorite series too! I love to listen to them on audiobook since James Marsters is the reader. He was one of my favorite characters on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" so whenever I listen to one, I imagine Spike reading it to me.