DU mystery novel fans - I need help!

[EarlG]

Hi guys,

I have a conundrum - I'm buying some Christmas presents online for my family (who are in England) and I'm trying to pick out a book for my grandmother. She likes mystery novels, which is a genre I know very little about. So I'm trying to pick something that is pretty new (so hopefully she won't have read it already) but also something that isn't super-graphic in the sex and violence department.

She's probably read everything by Agatha Christie already, but I'm looking for something along those lines.

Any recommendations? Help!

[absyntheNsugar]

1. Sue Grafton is always a good choice

Wifey loves her stuff...fairly predictable mysteries about a hard-boiled female detective named Kinsey Milhone who solves crimes. Basically Sam Spade in a dress.

[terrya]

18. Margaret Truman Daniels' mysteries are good.

She's done a series of books over the years. Good reading, but not graphic.

[salin]

29. I second these... especially if she has ever visited DC

then select one around places that are likely to have been visited (that national art gallery, the kennedy center, the supreme court, etc.)

[NightTrain]

2. Try Elliott Roosevelt or Marcia Talley

The late Elliott Roosevelt wrote a series of murder mysteries set in the White House of his father, FDR, with his mother, Eleanor, as the "detective." They're filled with fascinating historical detail that only an insider could have known, and the storylines are gritty without going over the top.

Marcia Talley has written three "volunteer detective" mysteries about her character, Hannah Ives. I recommend the first two, "Sing It To Her Bones" and "Unbreathed Memories." The third, "Occasion of Revenge," wasn't that great, IMHO.

ON EDIT: And, if I can ever get the bloody thing agented and published, you'd certainly be welcome to buy a copy of "Deadwax," my mystery novel about record collecting! ;)

[NightTrain]

8. Just thought of another one!

Laura John Rowland has written a series of murder mysteries set in 17th-century Japan. Her protagonist is a Samurai named Sano Ichiro. So far, Ms. Rowland has written seven or eight books about Sano, every one of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Her series is rich with historical detail, populated by intriguing characters, and always delivers the byzantine plots and sub-plots that a die-hard mystery reader demands.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

33. Except that if EarlG's grandmother is prudish

those purple-prose sex scenes will be a bit much for her. Laura Joh Rowland seems to have learned to write sex scenes from the worst of the romance novelists.

Otherwise, her re-creations of pre-modern Japan are detailed and absorbind.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. The Mummy? Max Allen Collins is pretty good

there is a co-author, can't remember the name but it's an adventure through Egypt..nothing gratuitous..well written.

On edit: Salin is a fan of murder mysteries, I'll pop this in her in box.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. That's Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series

about an early twentieth century Egyptologist.

[KoKo]

49. I've read all of them, and loved them. She has her Ph.D in Egyptology

from the U of Chicago, one of the top schools for Archeology in the US.

And they are period mysteries that go up to WWW I with lots of Egyptian mystery and family emphasis plus the fun archaeology of the time. Quaint, but lighthearted fun.

[david_vincent]

4. Lindsey Davis and Steven Saylor

both write very good mysteries set in ancient Rome. Davis is English and has been more prolific than Saylor, I believe. Her detective is Marcus Didius Falco. Both Davis and Saylor can be a bit difficult to find.

[AnnabelLee]

5. Reginald Hill has a fairly new one out

called Dialogues of The Dead. I just read it & it has a very surprise twist at the end. He's not too graphic with sex or violence, either.

On edit: I know you're looking for something new, but if she hasn't read any of Georgette Heyer's books, those are great--very entertaining.

[eileen from OH]

13. ooh, I love Reginald Hill

didn't know he had a new one out. Must get me to the liberry!

eileen from OH

[Catfish]

21. I love the Hill Dalgleish (sp?)/Pascoe series.

My favorite mystery writers are British. Find out if she's read all of P.D. James. Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series is good. Also Colin Dexter's Morse series.

[AnnabelLee]

27. Hill's characters are Dalziel/Pascoe

Adam Dalgliesh (played by dreamy Roy Marsden on the Mystery tv series) is P.D. James' character. I've confused those two in the past, as well.

I love Ruth Rendell, too!:-)

[Catfish]

42. I'm stupid today

Yes, I love Adam Dalgliesh, I've rented all the netflix DVDs they have of the series. I also like the ornery Dalziel.

[nostamj]

6. Elizabeth Peters

the AMELIA PEABODY series would be right for her

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/westbound341/peabodys.html

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. Dorothy Cannell's Ellie Haskel mysteries. They are also very funny.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-5523772-5211911

[XanaDUer]

9. Dorothy Sayers

same genre as Christie, written around the same time.

Good luck! :)

PS-no sex or violence.

[Robbien]

10. If she is a cat lover

There is a great series of books by Lilian Jackson Braun about a weathly man in a little town in northern Minnesota who solves mysteries and lives with two interesting cats.

[Zomby Woof]

16. I know that series!

It has titles like, "The Cat Who Posted On DU", and "The Cat Who Was A Moderator". :D

[Exultant Democracy]

17. They are a lot of fun.

Carl Hassan is someone else to check out.

[Bertha Venation]

22. Another cat series

by Rita Mae Brown, the "Mrs. Murphy" mysteries. They're more irreverent than Braun's. They contain a very little profanity, but no sex and plenty of small-town intrigue. They're set in central Virginia and a couple of the novels deal w/ American history as a backdrop.

It's not just cats but dogs, horses, raccoons, foxes, owls, rats -- and all the animals talk to each other. I find Brown's series good, entertaining, light-hearted fluff.

She'd be less likely to have read this series than the better-known Braun series.

A few titles:

Wish You Were Here (the first in the series)
Rest in Pieces
Murder at Montecello
Cat on the Scent

Good luck.

[terrya]

28. I like Rita Mae Brown...good writer.

But I haven't read her cat series yet. Bad me....

[eileen from OH]

11. Val McDermid's "Place of Execution"

absolutely super book. Though McDermid is very big in England so she may have already read it. She has several series, most of which may be waaaay too graphic for her, but POE is a standalone and one of my all-time favorite mysteries, bar none.

You didn't mention if you wanted British or American or if it matters. . .

American: Janet Evanovich, who is very very funny, but can get pretty naughty.

British: Dorothy Cannell's would be right up her alley.

American: Joan Hess, she would definitely love - particularly the Claire Malloy series.

American: Jan Burke. Her early Irene er. . .Somebody series would be a good choice. Her latter ones, BONES, FLIGHT, and the new one (name escapes me) are a little more graphic. (I actually like them MUCH more, but that kind of thing doesn't bother me.)

British: Ruth Rendell - very Christiesque. Ditto Dorothy Sayers. But I'm guessing she's read 'em already cuz they are huge over there.

British settings but actually written by Americans: Elizabeth George, whom I ADORE. Martha Grimes, particularly the early ones.

British: Minette Walters, another one of my absolute faves. She can be a tad "dark" but very hard to put down.

send me a private message if you have any other questions or want more suggestions.

eileen from OH (yes, a mystery buff. check out my url)
www.mysteriesbymoushey.com

[eileen from OH]

15. Whoops and another one: Laura Lippman

writes about Baltimore. Very good especially the one about the Poe Toaster. . .can't remember the damn name. Laura used to be a reporter in Baltimore and she's an absolute doll.

eileen from OH

[Catfish]

23. I also like

the American writers with the British settings, Martha Grimes and Elizabeth George.

[curse10]

12. Elizabeth George

no gratuitous sex or violence- the first one is "A Great Deliverence"- it's a series so it would be confusing to get them out of order

The next is "Payment in Blood"

I really like them- I think they are very similar to Agatha Christie novels.

[salin]

30. I second these as well... she varies the main characters...

often a well educated professional woman who runs across a mystery in the line of work. Very intelligently written, yet fast paced and interesting - but very tasteful (no gratuitous sex.)

[SOteric]

39. I will second the second on this recommendation.

Elizabeth George is an engaging writer and crafts a lovely, mind-bending mystery. All can identify with her richly drawn characters, and one can grow quite fond of the regulars.

[EarlG]

14. Thank you!

These are some great suggestions. I was really stumped but this will definitely help my search!

[onebigbadwulf]

19. DA VINCI CODE

And all Dan Brown novels!

GET IT!

[neuvocat]

20. Just finished it myself.

Earl G, this would be the perfect book for you to get.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

44. Couldn't put the Davinci Code down!

It was great!

[amazona]

24. unfortunately my favorite is Ruth Rendell

Probably too graphic if she's a Christie fan.

[Catfish]

25. I also like

her Barbara Vine books.

[amazona]

58. me too!!!

I'm a big fan.

[Mz Pip]

26. Kathy Reich

write wonderful forensic science mysteries. Kathy Reich is a forensic anthropologist and really knows the territory. THey are more creepy than graphically violent.

Laurie King is another good one. The has a series that is pretty neat. Sherlock Holmes and his young smart female assistant Mary Russell. Kind of a neat take on the old standard.

MzPip
:dem:

[salin]

31. Dick Francis

most books are based in English and focus around the horse racing world. I was tipped onto his books by an older woman who was more prone to enjoy Agatha Christie. Great stories and very little violence and gratuitous sex.

[salin]

32. a tiny bit more violence... but very compelling ... Tony Hillerman

his stories take place in the Southwest, current times but often on (or around) Native American reservations. Blends modern stories with rich cultural/traditional background. Almost like getting little bits of an anthropology lessen woven through very entertaining mystery novels.

[terrya]

36. I would suggest Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Deleware books...

But I think those might be a bit violent for Earl's grandmother's taste. But boy, are those books so readable.

[salin]

37. er... a "little" violent? They are great... but rather graphic.

good salin book - but probably not up Earl G's grandmother's alley.

Have you read his wife's books - her series surpassed his - in terms of my "have to read it as soon as it comes out" quotient a couple of years ago. He is excellent... Her books (Faye Kellermen) are, imo, even better.

[terrya]

38. Yeah, I've read some of Faye Kellernan's books.

She's quite good, also.

But I like his books better. Just started his latest, "The Conspiracy Club"...a non Alex Delaware book.

I've wished that one of Kellerman's Alex Deleware books might be adapted to film...could be a good series, IMO.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

35. If your grandmother likes "cosy" mysteries

I recommend The Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency, which takes place in Botswana. The author is a Scotsman who lived in Botswana for many years. The books (continuing with The Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls, and The Kalahari Typing School for Men) are very respectful, nay, admiring of Tswana culture, and there is nothing in them to upset a grandmother.

[salin]

40. Years ago I found a great compilation of female mystery writers.

I think it was called something like "A Woman's Eye." The Editor was Sarah Paretsky (V. I. Warsharski series) - who is great. It was a series of short stories which introduced me to a slew of great mystery writers.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0440213355/002-2834051-9355219?v=glance

[KoKo]

41. If she doesn't like "crime" mystery with "blood and gore" but wants a good

read in a "dignified manor," then anything by Anne Perry who rights about London with her "Inspector Pitt or Monk" series. Great mysteries with a female follower of "Florence Nightingale" as the heroine. There's enough medical background with the Nightingale background where she confonts the surgeons of the day about their backward medical practices, plus some romance and great characters dectective work with atmosphere of "old London" (fog, carriages, etc.)

Next, I would second the recommendation of Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels' (pseudonyms) for the the same author. Peters' Amelia Peabody Archeology Series and Michael's books about all kinds of American Incidents from politics to Washington Ghost Mysteries, are ones that would be fun.

My 92 year old Grandmother loves both the Anne Perry and Michaels'/Peters series. She finds them more "old school" and they don't keep her awake because of "gruesomeness or too much overt sex."

Hope this helps. Also there are the "Mrs. Pollifax" Mysteries. A whole series of them, but I think your "granny" has probably found those. They are very tame but loads of fun. My Granny went through them in her 80's though. So, not knowing the age of yours, I can't say.

Good luck. I'm trying to update my "granny's" list because she reads everything! Luckily she has her eyesight, although she's in a nursing home. She loves to keep her mind active, though her body is failing.

[Catfish]

46. Yes to Anne Perry

Both of her series are good. I was just thinking of a nice older series by M. M. Kaye, simple mysteries but the period details (generally WWII and after) are interesting and the various "travel" settings are also interesting. I had to get most on ebay as I believe most are out of print. Two other current British mystery writers with series I enjoy are Deborah Crombie and Jill McGown.

[KoKo]

48. McGown and Crobie are two new ones! Thanks. Granny and I like to read

some of the same stuff! I wonder if Elad's Granny is only in her 60's or so. In that case she might not want to read what I and my 92 year old Granny have in common. :D

[Catfish]

50. I'm 50

but still like these mysteries that focus on people and somewhat predictable human behavior as opposed to the more rare exotic murders. I like the series because you get to know the characters. British police procedurals appeal to me for some reason.

[Breezy du Nord]

43. Someone above said Da Vinci code

That is a very good book. While I guessed the culprit long before they revealed him, it still is a supremely well-researched, facisnating book.

[jpgray]

45. If you want snob appeal, go Paul Auster

The New York trilogy.

[Redneck Socialist]

47. Dana Stabenow and William Tapply

Neither are very Christie-ish, but they have great characters.

[GreenPartyVoter]

51. I am a book reviewer and would be happy to help. :^)

If she likes contemporary and funny mysteries, she might like Ann Carroll George's SOUTHERN SISTERS series. Similar to that is DEATH BY CHOCOLATE by T. Dawn Richard. Both feature senior gals as the main characters.

If she likes historicals (and also funny) she might try Alice Duncan's SPIRITS books, about a 1920s spiritual medium con artist/amateur sleuth. Also in a similar vein are the Carola Dunn DAISY DALRYMPLE books set in the 20s. (Haven't read them yet but have heard good things about them.)

~Jen

[KoKo]

54. Kick because there are nice recommendations here. Hope Earl

found something, but many of us like reading these or have relatives who do. Good Christmas/Chanuka list.

[Flaxbee]

52. PD James has a new one out ...

I have forgotten the name, but it's the only one in hardback, and I really like Deborah Crombie (set in England) and Jill McGown is pretty good, too. Ruth Rendell is excellent, as are Dorothy Sayers and Ngaio Marsh, but the latter two were very popular when they were writing and perhaps your grandmother has already read them... Neither James nor Crombie nor McGown are racy or gratuitously violent.

I thought the DaVinci Code was OK, but not marvelous, it has very little character development which is one of the things I like about the above authors -- the DaVinci Code is more of a puzzle/thriller without much character interest (IMHO).

[Mercurius]

60. Death In Holy Orders

...is a recent PD James that I'm working on. It's great, so far.

[Spirochete]

53. Roy Winsor

wrote a couple that were pretty good. I don't remember their names, though. Sorry.

[LWolf]

55. Here ya go:

I can second (or third, or whatever) the suggestions for Elizabeth Peters, Dorothy Cannell, Rita Mae Brown, and Lilian Jackson Braun. Especially Elizabeth Peters!

And a few others--


Authors; you can browse amazon (or other) for specific titles by:

Sharon McCrumb
Joanne Dobson
Laurie R. King...the Holmes sequels
Carolyn Haines
Dorothy Gilman
Martha Grimes
Teri Holbrook
Marcia Muller

[Catfish]

56. Not a suggestion but a word of praise for Agatha Cristie

Just have to say something about my love for her books in this mystery thread. I had read mysteries for years before I started reading her books. She is the master and has certainly held up over time. I'm not as fond of her Poirot books as others. The descriptions of the settings, the classic characters, and the enticing plots are really remarkable. Her Tommy and Tuppence series is especially charming. I don't know much about her life but think I'll look into it. Anyone have any recommendations for books about her?

[AngryAmish]

57. The Grifters - Jim Thompson

Feel-good book of the year. Actually - it is amazingly dark. If death and incest is your grandma's bag, then this is the book for her.

[Mercurius]

59. Martha Grimes and PD James

Martha Grimes is incredible. PD James has a bit of sex, though it's not graphic.