What are some good series based mystery novels... (more specifics in details)?

Question

I'm a huge fan of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series. I like them partly for the humor and partly for the fact that they are written in a style the precludes a lot of the garbage seen in many modern novels, Ie... incessant swearing, main characters who are utterly unlikable or disfunctional, grotesque and bizarre sexual kink related murders,etc.

I'm looking for some a couple detective series that are mostly clean in content, entertaining and not hard boiled. You know, more in the style of the traditional murder mystery.

I'll list a few I know and like and a few I don't to give people some idea of what I'm looking for.

I've enjoyed:
The various Dick Francis novels
Rex Stout novels
The Ellis Peters Brother Caedfael mysteries
Sherlock Holmes
Agatha Christie, not so much.

Disliked:
Mystery thrillers like Robin Cook
the A for Alibi, B for Burglery series
Anything with overly described grotesque serial murders.

Thanks in advance!

I have read the Cat Who... series. They were mildly entertaining, though... a cat that helps solve mysteries? I like cats, but that's just silly.

As for John Grisham's stuff, it never quite appealed to me.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Have you read any of Lillian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who... series? Sounds like you may enjoy them--humorous, non-gory, lots in the series. They are definitely more murder-mystery, the characters are generally charming and they are quick, fun reads.

Answer 2

I have been reading the Needlework Shop series by Monica Ferris. The protagonist is a Jessica Fletcher type who owns a needle work shop in a small town in Minnesota. Light reading with some interesting recurring local characters.

I also like the series by Donna Andrews featuring another amateur detective named Meg, who is thirty something and attractive, and does ornamental ironworking for a living. The cast of townfolk and family members is very entertaining, even if the murder mystery part of it is stretched a little.

Another series that is a hoot to read is the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. She is a skip tracer for a bail bondsman, and although the individual stories are forgettable, the locals and family members are very funny.

One more... the Regan Reilly series by Carol Higgins Clark, the daughter of Mary Higgins Clark. These are more serious...she is a private detective and actually does some detecting instead of just stumbling through itl.

Hope this helps a little

Answer 3

Love Brother 'C'. But also love Sue Grafton's Kinsey M.

Here are some that you might like.

The Cat Who series (Lillian Jackson Braun) The most recent have been a disappointment, but the first 10 or so are great.

The Rabbi series (Friday the Rabbi Slept Late is the first) Harry Kemelman.

Mrs. Pollifax series (Dorothy Gilman) More of a spy, but Mrs. P is adorable.

Joanna Brady series (J. A. Jance) Set in New Mexico. Not the J.P. Beaumont series set in Seattle.

Chee and Leaphorn series (Tony Hillerman) Set in Arizona. Navaho cops.

Charlotte Macleod has two series, Peter Shandy & the Kellings. Shandy is hillarious, Kellings are good, but not quite as funny.

I like the Kellermans (Faye and Johathan each have series). But they tend to be very violent novels.

Answer 4

Some of my favorites are: The Brady Coyne mysteries by William G. Tapply, The Campion serires by Margery Allingham, anything by Ngaio Marsh, and The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith

Answer 5

I would have to suggest the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They're great!! Mystery, comedy, and each one gets better. The first one is called One for the Money. I've read through all of hers and am now re-reading them to my spouse at night. He likes them a lot too. Just as good the second time around. I agree on the Cat Who.. series, couldn't get into them at all. Also, Iris Johansen is a really good author. Love her books. Hope this helps ya!

Answer 6

John Grisham's junk doesn't appeal to me either. I do like J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady series and her J.P. Beaumont series and also Stuart Woods Stone Barrington series. And the early Erle Stanley Gardner stuff. And the McNally series. The list can go back 45 years for me. There were too many good detective mysteries for me to remember right now.

Answer 7

Try Alexander McCall Smith: The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is his first title in the series.

Another one you might like is Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. There are several books in that series.

And I cast another vote for Lilian Jackson Braun---her "Cat Who..." books are very entertaining.

If you can find them, there are dozens of books written by Frances and Richard Lockridge featuring Mr. and Mrs. North (one series) and Captain Heinrich of the NY State Police Homicide division (another series). They are mostly out of print now, but many libraries have them. They are fantastic, quick to read, often humorous, and they feature cats and dogs too sometimes.

Answer 8

Sounds like you might enjoy the Cat Who books, by Lilian Jackson Braun. They're very easy to read, absolutely no gore, no swearing, and some humor thrown in. Very light reads, though.

I haven't read any yet (they're on my TBR list) but I hear Alexander McCall Smith is pretty good too, and his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books seem very popular.

I didn't like Sue Grafton's A is for Alibi, etc. series either.

Answer 9

Here are my recommendations:
1. The Travis McGee series: John D. McDonald

2. The Matthew Scudder series: Lawrence Block

3. The Father Brown series: G.K. Chesterton

Those should keep you busy - and wonderfully entertained - for quite a while

Answer 10

Check out the 87th Precinct Mysteries by "Ed McBain". These books are considered police procedural novels and are accurate, grisly, humorous, and well written. You will love the characters of the 87th Precinct.

Also check out the Matthew Hope series also by Ed McBain.

The Lew Archer series by "Ross McDonald". Paul Newman made two movies from these books but re-named the character to Harper.