readers advisory for all discussion

Hi all, was wondering if I could get your expert advice. I'm looking for another series similar to Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. I love the character, his experience being a military policeman, and the fact that I almost NEVER can guess how the book will end (but that it always makes perfect sense).

To make this a little more specific, I do not want anything sci-fi or paranormal, I would like it to be a series (not just a novel), and I really really hate serial killers/psychopaths. They scare the hell out of me.

Also, if a book doesn't grab me within the first 50 pages or so, I give up on it. Life's too short and there's a lot of good books out there.

Any recommendations? Thanks all!

I haven't read Lee Child's books, so I'm not sure if this will read the same, but you might check out Julia Spencer-Fleming's series about Clare Fergusson and Russ van Alstyne. One is a police offer, the other is a minister, and they both have military backgrounds. I find the characters likable and the mysteries entertaining. In the Bleak Midwinter is the first in the series.

I have some series you might like. I can't swear there isn't a serial killer in one of them somewhere but they are not usually the killer (unlike, say, Patricia Cornwell's books). I'm not a big fan of serial killer books either.

I'm a little worried you may have read these folks already, but here goes:

Jane Whitefield series by Thomas Perry. First is Vanishing Act

Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly. Don't have to start at the beginning. Take a look at The Closers

John Rain series by Barry Eisler. John Rain is an assassin but an assassin with a strong personal code. You may or may not go for him. First in series is Rain Fall

Doc Ford series by Randy Wayne White. First is Sanibel Flats

I've ordered In the Bleak Midwinter from the library, thanks for the recommendation Christy!

Rules of Prey sounds a little too serial killer/psychopathy for me, The Lincoln Lawyer I might try (the movie is from this one, right?) and I've tried reading Vanishing Act before but couldn't get into it. Might have to try that one again.

But the John Rain series actually sounds really interesting! Thanks for the recommendations Janet!

I realized Sandford might be too serial killerish and went in and edited my recs to take him out and put in Randy Wayne White, who writes the Doc Ford series. You must have been reading while I was editing.

Lincoln Laywer is a great book, and the first in a series with a fun character, Mickey Haller. It is the inspiration for the movie.

Hope you like John Rain. Happy reading!

Must have been! I will try Sanibel Flats! Ty.

Janet, I am not sure how much like Lee Childs they are, but you casually nailed three of my favorite series, and mentioned one I have never heard of! I am going to hunt it down tonight. Thank you.

Sally

Janet wrote: "I have some series you might like. I can't swear there isn't a serial killer in one of them somewhere but they are not usually the killer (unlike, say, Patricia Cornwell's books). I'm not a big f..."

Maybe a little bit off your request, but you might take a look at the In Death series by J.D. Robb. A lot of police procedural, a little romance, a little sci-fi (just 40-50 years in the future, in NY, not space). There are more than 30 books in the series, starring a flawed female NY police detective. Some of the mysteries are better than others, and a couple do have psychopathic killers but you should be able to avoid those. I've read most of the books multiple times. In addition to the murder plots, these books are about relationships, and I really like the main characters.

In no way does the order of this list reflect my preference. I just wrote it as the books occurred to me.

Vanished by Joseph Finder. You'll be surprised by the similarity between Reacher and Nick Heller. There are 2-3 books out so far.

Of course, then there's The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (AKA J. K. Rowling). The protagonist, Cormoran, is a ex-MP, just like Reacher. There are two books out, and I believe a third is in the works.

Also, The Gray Man by Mark Greaney, which involves a tough-as-nails protagonist who once worked for the CIA. Classic Jason Bourne-type story, if you like that type of thing. So far 4 books have been published.

Then there's David Baldacci's The Innocent, which features a cool and collected character with definite similarities to Reacher - there are other books in the series. Another of Baldacci's books follows John Puller (Zero Day) an MP who bears an even more striking resemblance to Reacher - stoic and highly competent. There are three books in the series so far.

you might like The Bricklayer for now, and there is something coming out in february that is the first in a series that i hear is very lee child-y: The Killing Season