Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

One of the most frustrating aspects of reading books in a series is having to wait a year or more for the next installment. As such, I often prefer waiting until a series is complete before reading.

Do you also feel this way?
What are some of your favorite series that have come to an end?

I much prefer it when a series is already complete or, at the very least, has a lot of books already published. I think I enjoy the stories more when I can go from one book straight into another. It keeps the momentum going. I find that the year long breaks in between books really breaks that forward movement and investment in the story. But it's hard to stick with only completed series when a new series starts and it sounds good.

I wouldn't say it's a frustration having to wait, though I also like finding series that have lots of books already published so I can get more of the story in one go.

I'm not sure if you could say they "came to an end", but I definitely enjoyed Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot series (though I still can't bring myself to read Curtain). And I loved Mistress of the Art of Death and was eager for the next one when Ariana Franklin died. I'm thrilled her daughter(?) is picking up that one.

Meghan wrote: "And I loved Mistress of the Art of Death and was eager for the next one when Ariana Franklin died. I'm thrilled her daughter(?) is picking up that one. "

I really enjoyed it as well. The first book is one of my absolute favorite historical mysteries.

Yes, her daughter (Samantha Norman) is continuing the series.

Yeah, I know Sansom's got at least one more planned, and hopes for more.

Unless I know the series is super cliffy (like the Fever series), I don't mind waiting. Rarely do I read a series back to back so the wait doesn't bother me. I sort of like having something to look forward to...

The only historical mystery series I have finished is the crowner john series by Bernard Knightwhich I thought was rushed in the last book.

I like the Catherine LeVendeur series about a young woman of Jewish extraction in 12th century France.

by Sharan Newman

It doesn't make a difference to me if the series is finished, because I read through series so slowly. It's all the same by the time I get there. :)

It seems I have so many series that I think I just "have to" read that I shy away from one that already has many books in the series... since I have to start at the beginning. One series I am caught up on is the Sarah Woolson series by Shirley Tallman. The author had not been writing much since the death of her son but I see she is finally getting another book written in this series so it appears it may not be finished. I certainly hope so as it is one of my favorites... set in 1800's San Francisco.

Vicki wrote: "I like the Catherine LeVendeur series about a young woman of Jewish extraction in 12th century France.

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One of my favorite series - sad to see it finished

I am always sad to see a series end. Two that come to mind are the Cottage Tales and The Victorian Mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert and the Miss Read book series' ( these are not mysteries but favorites none the less). I love a completed series so that I can go right to the next one but am okay with waiting though I agree it breaks the momentum. What I would say I dislike the most is when my library doesn't have the complete series or fails to continue purchasing subsequent books making the hunt for the books a bit more time consuming.

I am always sad to see a series end. Two that come to mind are the Cottage Tales and The Victorian Mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert and the Miss Read book series' ( these are not mysteries but favorites none the less). I love a completed series so that I can go right to the next one but am okay with waiting though I agree it breaks the momentum. What I would say I dislike the most is when my library doesn't have the complete series or fails to continue purchasing subsequent books making the hunt for the books a bit more time consuming.

Michell wrote: "What I would say I dislike the most is when my library doesn't have the complete series or fails to continue purchasing subsequent books making the hunt for the books a bit more time consuming."

Yes! I'm running into that with Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Morland Dynasty (not mystery but definitely historical). There are currently 35 books in that series, and my library has (or can get a hold of) books 1-3 and then nothing again until book 7. Then it skips to 10, 13, etc. I am half-tempted to just buy the missing books and donate them.

Meghan....have you checked with your library to see if they do inter-library loan. Mine does and it only costs $2. Sometimes it can add up but still certainly cheaper than buying them. Another option is my library has started using ebooks. I so far am not a big fan of the ebooks because I don't have a kindle(thing) and would have to use my computer. And I guess I just prefer the feel of a real book in my hands.

The only problem I have with ILL's is sometimes I'll get 4 or 5 books at once and with no renewals, it can be a chore to get them read before they have to go back :)

happy wrote: "The only problem I have with ILL's is sometimes I'll get 4 or 5 books at once and with no renewals, it can be a chore to get them read before they have to go back :)"

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more!

I was really sorry when the Julian Kestrel by Kate Ross series ended following the death of the author. I still have not read the last one; I just don't want to end the series.

I also miss new books in the Bracebridge series by Margaret Miles, the Beau Brummell series by Rosemary Stevens, and the Robert Fairfax series by Hannah March.

Michell wrote: "Meghan....have you checked with your library to see if they do inter-library loan. Mine does and it only costs $2. Sometimes it can add up but still certainly cheaper than buying them. Another o..."

I haven't tried the state-wide ILL system yet, though I have tried the local consortium, which has 43 libraries spread through northeast Ohio. I'll definitely look into ILL, though! (They aren't available on the ebook program through our library.)

ILL's are not just instate (at least in my library system) I've gotten books from libraries all over the country, including places like Harvard University, NYC Public library, St Louis PL, some from Washington State and many others

The due dates can vary wildly - I've had a couple that I had 7 days to read as well as some with as much as 3 monthes (those came from college libraries)

also my library system charges $1 per book to ILL and there is no grace period for overdue fines, normally you have a week before they start charging - they start on the day after the book is due and are quite heavy $1 the first day and 50 cents/per day after that - your library might be different. Check with the reference librarians and I'm sure they would be happy to help

happy wrote: "ILL's are not just instate (at least in my library system) I've gotten books from libraries all over the country, including places like Harvard University, NYC Public library, St Louis PL, some fro..."

Thanks for the info! I've been hunting around on the library's website but can't find a link for the ILL - I'm sure they have one, but at the moment it is escaping me. My best friend is a reference librarian, so I'll put her on it!

My wife is a refence librarian at our local branch - so if I want a book I just let her know and she gets it for me :)

Meghan wrote: "happy wrote: "ILL's are not just instate (at least in my library system) I've gotten books from libraries all over the country, including places like Harvard University, NYC Public library, St Loui..."

My library system has a free ILL network with other libraries that have joined the network. These include a number of university libraries. You can request those ILLs online. If you want an ILL from a library outside the network, you have to pay and you have to go to a library branch to request it in person. Librarians will also try to talk you out of it because it requires them to do actual paper work (yes a physical request on paper)and it often takes some time for the system to receive the book from the library of origin.

It's taken as long as three or four months for me to get an ILL.

Each system has different ways of doing things :)

Wow that is a long time. I will say mine is $2 a book, which I can fill out in person or online, and I think I get 3-4 weeks of check out time (with no ability to renew of course). But is certainly doesn't seem to take more than a week to get the book. My brother says his ILL is free if they find the book within the county but does cost for out of county.

Michell wrote: "Wow that is a long time. I will say mine is $2 a book, which I can fill out in person or online, and I think I get 3-4 weeks of check out time (with no ability to renew of course). But is certain..."

A book within the county may not be an ILL if it's a county library system. It would be a request within the system which can usually be done online for free.

Yeah, request within the county is not an ILL where I live - it's a county-wide system. You can request from any branch at any time, and specify which branch you'd like pick-up at.

All library systems appear to be different. When I lived in the Los Angeles area, we could request a book from the online catalog but, even if it was available, you never knew how long it would take to get it. Now I live in the Duchess county area of NY and we have a county wide ILL. When I first moved here I put in a request for 4 books and was shocked when they arrived the next day. We have 3 weeks with one 3 week renewal allowed--no charge for ILL and with few exceptions, at least one library in the system will carry the book I want. If not, I'll buy it and donate it to my local library.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Yeah, request within the county is not an ILL where I live - it's a county-wide system. You can request from any branch at any time, and specify which branch you'd like pick-up at."

That's the way my county library works - it's a seven branch system, and if the book is in any branch, it will be where you want to pick it up the next day, or the day after that at the latest.

The long delays are normally they are in the process of purchasing the book for their collection, or it's just not very widely available. The one that came from Harvard, I'd forgotten I'd even asked for it :)

I am good either way but I do like binge reading so I do like it if there a few books in the series.