Chicks On Lit discussion

Do you read mysteries? Who are some of your favorites?

I've been reading some of Agatha Christie Poirot series lately, and have recently read my first (but not last) Raymond Chandler with his detective Philip Marlowe. In another group, someone mentioned Nero Wolfe, and I remembered enjoying a TV series a few years back so have added Rex Stout to my list.

Do you read mysteries, and who do you like?

do read Elizabeth George, P D James, Ruth Rendell (but Ruth Rendell mysteries are quite dark and brooding in nature, always leave me depressed or with roaring headaches)
There is also, Ngaio Marsh who writes pretty decent mysteries

Two Aussie authors jump into my mind immediately P.D. Martin and Katherine Howell then British writer Minette Walters. These are my 'must buy whatever they bring out, authors and they have not let me down yet.

I read mysteries and would recommend Agatha Christie . I read PD James with a dictionary, Don't really like Elizabeth George anymore after I read one of her books about "snuff" movies and love Ruth Rendell Det Inspector Wexford series, probably after seeing them on television. Reginald Hill is also good and he writes about Dalziel and Pascoe. Val McDermid is a bit too dark for me, but I quite like Ian Rankin.
Sally you mentioned the Aussie authors - I don't know them, but will look into it. Have heard of Minette Walters , but can't remember in regard to what - more research.
Quite a few suggestions so far, Elizabeth. Hope you find something you like. Smitha and I don't seem to agree about Ruth Rendell and so you will have to make up your own mind.Let us know how you go.

I read The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly recently. (I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie.) It is excellent. The movie is good; the book is better.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter is another very good book that I read recently.
There are so many different styles of mysteries that it's hard to know what someone else might like. I discover new authors by checking the lists of nominees for mystery book awards. The Agatha award is for Christie-style mysteries (cozies). And there's an Edgar award for traditional mysteries. You can find the list of current and past nominees for various mystery awards at http://www.stopyourekillingme.com.

I just wanted to learn if we have some who are interesting in mysteries here and what they might be reading. Sort of a conversation on the genre.

the last one I read and immensely enjoyed was 'this body of death' by Elizabeth George. But this is an ongoing series - Inspector Lynley mysteries - and you'll have to read from no.1 to make sense of the subplots involving the police department

I like Sue Grafton mysteries, Perri O'Shaunessey, Agatha Raisin and the Cat Who mysteries(for a light and at times funny mystery reading)

I just read The Wine of Angels and bought the next three books in the series. Have anyone else read them?
I also like Arturo Pérez-Reverte and have read most of his books (the Alatriste ones aren't mysteries).
Johan Theorin is one of the best newer mystery writes in my humble opinion :-)

Louise wrote: "I just read The Wine of Angels and bought the next three books in the series. Have anyone else read them?
I also like Arturo Pérez-Reverte and have read most of his boo..."

Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Johan Theorin both especially look good! Off to add some more to my Wish List!

C.S. Harris is my favourite mystery writers; her St. Cyr mysteries are awesome--he's like a cross of Mr. Darcy and James Bonds set in early 19th century England.

I also third Arturo Perez-Reverte; I've only read two of his works but his stuff's good too =)

I love getting all the recommendations. I am definitely interested in mysteries. About 20% of the reading that I do is in the mystery category. I have read all of PD James and consider her a favorite. Her earlier work is a little more accessible and better for starting with her Inspector Dalgliesh character. I don't read much Agatha Christie but recently took on . It was great and very easy to read. I was familiar with the story, of course, from the televised and movie versions. I've enjoyed some of Ruth Rendell's work too although she is not on Auto-Buy. Another fun read was a book by Nancy Pickard and Virginia Rich called . Loads of fun and part of a series with the main character. The original author passed away and the other author finished the book. There are so many mystery writers that it is hard to know where to start. This will be a good thread to follow.

I love mysteries! I read all of the different sub-genres - everything from cozies to paranormal! Right now I'm reading a Dan Brown mystery, next on deck is a Charlaine Harris, followed by a Leslie Meier!

I'm still pretty much sticking my toe in the water on mysteries and, since I like classics, I've pretty much been sticking to those in the mystery genre, too. I'm currently reading The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare. It's my first by this author, and, though probably needing to choose carefully, will probably read some more.

I'm not the world's biggest mystery fan but I love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. I find them to be very interesting and well-researched-they take place in the inter-war years in England. I can't really speak if they're good examples of the mystery genre as a whole though.

I love mysteries! It was only after I joined GR that I started to branch out into reading historical fiction and fantasy books. PD James is my favorite author, although there are a lot of "second runner ups" like Reginald Hill, Michael Connelly, Jeffrey Deaver and Ian Rankin. Elizabeth George and Ruth Rendell are good - but sometimes too dark for my taste. For laid back times I read Alex McCall Smith. The best thing for me is to discover a new series and sink my teeth into them.