The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I am looking for a long book series that must have at least 10 books in it, with each book having more than 500 pages. Also, the chapters of the book series has to be long, which means no James Patterson books or books with short chapters. The book cannot be young adult but can be any genre. I want the series to have many characters who develop as the book series goes on, sort of like the characters in A Song of ice and Fire. The book series can either be ongoing or finished, but I prefer ongoing. The series cannot be boring and must be entertaining.
Update: i mean NO young adult like divergent, or hunger games or harry potter. also the book series has to be very addicting that i can't even put the book down at ALL.

This sounds like Elizabeth George and her Inspector Lynley series.

You might like to try The Chronicles of Amber - 2 Volume Set by Roger Zelazny. It was a fascinating series. The first book in it is Nine Princes in Amber. Each book probably isn't 500 pages long, but the series is worth trying if you haven't before.

I would say the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford and the Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver. Both of these main characters change quite a bit over the series. They aren't 500 pages but a good length and you won't be disappointed. The Lincoln Rhyme series is more in depth, especially with the twists and turns, and I always learn something while reading. Two of my favorite series. They are both ongoing, also.

I will agree with the Michael Connelly/Harry Bosch; if there weren't such a stringent word count / page number required, there are many wonderful series to consider.

Michael Connelly is usually less than 500 pages. As an old newspaperman/journalist he hasn't forgotten how to edit.

If you want a really lo-o-o-o-ng series, Ed McBain's 87th Precinct has 55 or 56 books spanning 50 years. Most of them are (if memory serves me) around 200 pages. Like Connelly, McBain doesn't waste words, but there's nothing missing.

C.J. Box Joe Pickett series is very good but his longer books top out around 400 pages. I think the series is going on 15 books with the next one coming out.

Quillracer wrote: "If you want a really lo-o-o-o-ng series, Ed McBain's 87th Precinct has 55 or 56 books spanning 50 years. Most of them are (if memory serves me) around 200 pages. Like Connelly, McBain doesn't was..."

Wasn't that made into a television series?

Not that I'm aware of, Skye. But I could be wrong.

It sounds so familiar to me.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054510/
It was, and, sigh, I remember it.

Wow! That was when I was just a lad and long before I got into reading police procedurals.

Some big name stars there.

Jonathan Kellerman and his wife Faye Kellerman both have excellent series, Jonathan with Alex Delaware, Faye with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. The books in both are 400-plus pages.

Olivia wrote: "Jonathan Kellerman and his wife Faye Kellerman both have excellent series, Jonathan with Alex Delaware, Faye with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. The books in both are ..."

Son Jesse Kellerman writes shorter books.

Bill wrote: "You might like to try The Chronicles of Amber - 2 Volume Set by Roger Zelazny. It was a fascinating series. The first book in it is Nine Princes in Amber. ..."

I read that series in the 1980s and just loved it, Bill. Thanks for bringing back good memories.

Quillracer wrote: "Wow! That was when I was just a lad and long before I got into reading police procedurals.
I was young, too, but my parents watched it.

Some big name stars there."

Jan C wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Jonathan Kellerman and his wife Faye Kellerman both have excellent series, Jonathan with Alex Delaware, Faye with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. The boo..."

James Lee Burke's 20 book Dave Robicheaux series.

Lee Child's 19 book Jack Reacher series.

Deborah Crombie's 16 book Kincaid & James series

Linda Fairstein's 16 book Alex Cooper series.

Daniel Silva's 14 book Gabriel Allon series.

John Verdon's 4 book Dave Gurney series (I believe more are on the way).

Stephen White's 20 book Alan Gregory series.

Be aware, Landon, that many series start out with shorter books but as they progress, they get longer. Your parameters - 10 books, 500 page minimum - exclude a lot of great writers.

You are right about the 500 page minimum: I can think of quite a few series that fall short.

Do you like Dan Silva: I am getting ready to read one of his novels.

I'm not crazy about Silva, Skye, but he's okay. He's not an author I'd seek out, but a friend gave me about a dozen of his books so I'm working my way through them. I've read 5 so far and rated them all 2 stars. Read my reviews here on Goodreads.

Yeah, you are not likely to find a series that has mostly 500+ books. However, I think that many times books that long have a lot of wasted writing in them. I personally prefer shorter books that are written well. For instance C.J. Box's books are typically around 300 pages, some times less, but he can get a better story in 300 pages than a lot of authors do in 500.

You nailed it, Michael.

Quillracer wrote: "I'm not crazy about Silva, Skye, but he's okay. He's not an author I'd seek out, but a friend gave me about a dozen of his books so I'm working my way through them. I've read 5 so far and rated t..."

I will; I have never read him before, but I do have one of his novels.

Skye wrote: "Quillracer wrote: "I'm not crazy about Silva, Skye, but he's okay. He's not an author I'd seek out, but a friend gave me about a dozen of his books so I'm working my way through them. I've read 5..."

I really enjoy Daniel Silva. I think if you enjoy spy novels, they're very good.

Yes, Daniel Silva is one of the best spy novel authors right now. Vince Flynn was good, as is Olen Steinhauer.

I think Earl Emerson's 'Thomas Black' books don't get the credit they deserve. He's not a popular author on the scale of Lee Child or David Baldacci, but his books are great; the stories are gritty and the characters memorable. I don't know too many mysteries that each book pushes 500 pages. But like the other Michael said above, a lot of story goes into these books. I highly recommend them!

I agree, Michael. His books - both his Thomas Black and his Mac Fontana series - are underrated. And I can't recall any of them that were longer than about 200 pages.

His last Black book, Cape Disappointment, ended in a way that left the possibility of more to come. I wish he'd write them. I really liked this series.

Quillracer, According to Emerson's website, there are 2 more Thomas Black books out. 'Monica's Sister' is available now and 'Two Miles of Darkness' will be soon.

Michael wrote: "Quillracer, According to Emerson's website, there are 2 more Thomas Black books out. 'Monica's Sister' is available now and 'Two Miles of Darkness' will be soon."

Wow! That's the best news I've had in a long time. Thanks for the info.

Harry Bosch

John Sandford's prey series range from about 350 pages to almost 500.

That's what I'm reading, now.

I'm considering getting a group together to read John Connolly's Charlie Parker series and am looking for readers who are similarly inclined. The series starts with Every Dead Thing. So far the series has 12 novel length books plus Nocturnes, a story collection. The books are:
1 1999 Every Dead Thing
2 2000 Dark Hollow
3 2001 The Killing Kind
4 2002 The White Road
5 2005 The Black Angel
6 2007 The Unquiet
7 2008 The Reapers
8 2009 The Lovers
9 2010 The Whisperers
10 2011 The Burning Soul
11 2012 The Wrath of Angels
12 2014 The Wolf in Winter

Let me know if you are interested in participating.

Jan C wrote: "This sounds like Elizabeth George and her Inspector Lynley series."

I was just about to suggest this. Lots of books and some up to 700 pages.

Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch; John Sandford's Lucas Davenport, Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone; Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware; Lisa Gardner has several series; Faye Kellerman's Rina Laszlow.

There is a flash ebook sale for A Cold Day For Murder by Dana Stabenow on Amazon. It is book 1 in a 2o book series. Both my wife and I like this series. Books range between 200-300 pages

See http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S87M92

Thomas wrote: "There is a flash ebook sale for A Cold Day For Murder by Dana Stabenow on Amazon. It is book 1 in a 2o book series. Both my wife and I like this series. Books ra..."

Wow, 20? I actually have this book downloaded. Now I'm going to have put it closer to the top of my reading this.

Kathryn wrote: "Wow, 20? I actually have this book downloaded. Now I'm going to have put it closer to the top of my reading this."

This is a series that really should be read in order.

Tom wrote: "I'm considering getting a group together to read John Connolly's Charlie Parker series and am looking for readers who are similarly inclined. The series starts with [book:Every Dead ..."

Tom; this is a really great idea, but I am 'buried under books' (blog spot of same name).

Tom wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Wow, 20? I actually have this book downloaded. Now I'm going to have put it closer to the top of my reading this."

This is a series that really should be read in order."

I have the first one so I'll start with that one. Really looking forward to it now.

Skye wrote: "Tom; this is a really great idea, but I am 'buried under books' (blog spot of same name)."

Boy, howdy, don't I know it!

I'm on the third Connolly book and really enjoying it but they are definitely slowing down my other reading.

I wish you happy reading.

I recommend Deborah Crombie and Elizabeth George. I also like Martha Grimes, Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky and Ann Cleeves. Cara Black's Aimee Leduc series is excellent as well.

Susan Hill's Simon Serailler series (8.5 books) and Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series (21 books) are both great reading. 8:D

Lisa Gardner, Jonathan Kellerman, John Sandford, Michael Connelly.

Skye wrote: "Lisa Gardner, Jonathan Kellerman, John Sandford, Michael Connelly."

Michael Connelly has several series. Harry Bosch has the most books but I particularly enjoy his Mickey Haller series.

I like Harry the best.

J.A. Jance has a series featuring Seattle Detective J P Beaumont, not sure how many books but it's lots.
Steve Hamilton's series with reluctant PI Alex McKnight is awesome.

Steven F. Havill's Posadas County Mysteries

Faye Kellerman: Pete Decker and Raina Laszlow.