Very cool list! My all-time favorite is still the Harry Bosh series by Michael Connelly. Such great books, and also a great TV-show. I also enjoyed the Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais, again a series that takes place in LA. I can also recommend some Japanese crime fiction. My go-to would be Keigo Higashino and his two most well-known series: Detective Galileo and Kyoichiro Kaga. Both give an interesting look into Japanese society! :) And a good chunk of them have been translated into English.
Scudder is probably my favorite series in any genre, and A Dance at the Slaughterhouse is definitely my favorite mystery novel. I'll have to check out a few of these others. Thanks!
Sue Grafton has the alphabet series, A is for Alibi, etc. I’ve read them all. Stand alone books, but the characters remain constant, Kinsey Milhone being the private eye main character and narrator. Very enjoyable series.
Great video. I have a few series recommendations. Spy fiction: the Slough House series by Mick Herron Hard boiled private eye: the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series by Robert Crais Historical mystery: the Giordano Bruno series by S.J. Parris Police procedural: the Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series by John Sandford Legal thriller: the Mickey Haller series by Michael Connelly
This was a great video, Olly. Right now, I’m reading my way through Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books. I love her. A favorite series of mine is the Inspector Armande Gamache series by Canadian author, Louise Penny. I’ve also really liked the Quirke series by Irish writer Benjamin Black/John Banville . We’ve got a booktube group going right now where we are reading all of the crime novels by Argentinian writer Claudia Pineiro. Well, we’re reading all that have been translated into English. I was thinking that you’d really like her. There’s a lot of dark humor in these stories-well, at least in what we’ve read so far. Thanks for doing this video, Olly. Really great discussion.😊
Louise Penny was one that I wanted to mention - I'm almost caught up to her published Gamache books, and they have all been excellent. In a similar vein, I would recommend Elizabeth George's Linley, which can get a bit dark, too, and P.D. James' Dagliesh series. For something lighter, Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce series is very entertaining.
As a good Belgian, I must mention the Maigret series by George Simenon. I also really appreciate the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton and all the series by Michael Connely, Harry Bosch in particular.
An excellent video. Thank you. Sheesh, I haven't read any of those series that you mentioned, although I have certainly heard of them. My to be read list has just expanded. My two favorites are John Sandford's Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport and Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels (and now Renee Ballard). I also enjoy C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series and James Lee Burke series featuring David Robicheaux.
John Connolly's Charlie Parker series is an absolute must read. Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy novels, set in Ireland during the troubles, are superb. Stuart McBride's Logan McRae series is probably the funniest police series ever written--gory and horrific, but hilarious too. The Strike series by Robert Galbaith is brilliant.
Several great series in here. I've really enjoyed books by Lawrence Block, Walter Mosley, Chester Himes, and Joe R. Lansdale. I've even taught a few of them, and they tend to be a hit with my students.
I really appreciate this video. I am a mystery series reader before any other genre. I've found that quite a few booktubers that I follow don't like procedurals - whether police. lawyer, or private detective. I like their common shortness, and the punch of a quick puzzle. I've tried a lot, especially cozy cats (as you might recall), but I love hearing about other people's recommendations for series.
Look into the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. First book is The Shape of Water. Excellent series around 20 books in the series. Good stuff!
I loved the first several I read, but when the author took that extreme turn later, it really put me off. Do you know what I mean? (Ollie might really like it, though.)
A series I would recommend is by Swedish writers Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall. The detective is named Martin Beck and he operates in Stockholm in the 1960's/70's. One of their novels, The Laughing Policeman was made into a film. After reading one of the series entitled The Man on the Balcony I was hooked and read every book in the series. The authors are credited with inventing the so called Nordic Noir genre. Well worth a go in my opinion.
I agree with you on Poirot and I also like Miss marble. I was recently introduced to Amanda Cox and I'm enjoying that series as well. I heard you many times mention the 87th precinct and I want to get that first book. Enjoyed this. Thanks.
Hi Olly, I'm really enjoying Dana Stabenow's Kate Shgak series set in Alaska, native private investigator with her trusty half wolf/half husky Mutt. I think it's the setting in Alaskathat I love so much. Also Vivien Chien's Noodle shop mystery series is a lot of fun cozy mystery series, "Death by Dumpling", "Dim Sum of All Fears", you get the idea.
Oh! No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is fabulous, especially the audiobooks because the narrator is wonderful (Lizette Lecat). There is an HBO tv series based on the books that is fantastic too.
Hi Olly. Very solid choice. With reference to Walter Mosley & Chester Himes.I would say seek out Trick baby by Iceberg Slim. Can't go wrong with Block & scudder. The burglar series are pleasing.My favourite being spoons. Love to see that in film as with all the Scudder books. I enjoyed the film A walk amoung the Toomstones & was glad it was taken on though I did not see the main character as being who was selected. He has written so many books. I would mention James Lee Burke, George V Higgins & Elmore Leonard. Cheers Bob
Some great choices and quite close to my own. I wasn’t aware of the Agatha Raisin one, so I’ll have to check that out. Very good idea for a video, and enjoyable to watch!
I want to add my voice to the small chorus of folks recommending James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. Such skillful writing. As was also mentioned by another commenter, you definitely can't go wrong with a Parker novel by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake). Finally, Reed Farrel Coleman's Moe Prager series is on my TBR. Thanks for the video!
I have a series for you that’s often overlooked with so many great series out there. Michael Collin’s Dan Fortune series. Collin’s being the pseudonym for Dennis Lynds, who wrote many mysteries under various names and various series too. Dan Fortune is a one armed private eye and the books are quite entertaining and pulpy crime reads. You feel like you’re watching a Bogart movie when reading them. Especially with the first person narration. Anyway, I think you’d enjoy them.
I would suggest the Spenser novels by Robert B Parker. Lean prose with a sense of humor and endings that can be disconcerting. Truly a great character based series.
You listed some of my favorites, and some I've never read, so I added them to my list. I would suggest for you, J. A. Jance, both the J.P. Beaumont series who is another alcoholic cop, this in Portland Oregon, and the Joanna Brady series which takes place in Arizona. I see others have mentioned John Sandford, which I heartily endorse.
I am a huge fan of almost all the books by Michael Connelly. (Harry Bosch, "The Lincoln Lawyer") But I really like a series of books that start with "The Poet". A newspaper man looking into why his cop brother committed suicide, and ends up uncovering a serial killer. The main character in those books is Jack McEvoy. I also like the fact that all of Connelly's books are in the same "universe". Characters from one book might have a scene or two in another.
Good list, Olly. I tend to read a lot of vintage paperbacks, but my faves- really liking the 87th Precinct books so far, only a couple of books in, but really enjoyable. I read the first Poirot after steering clear of Agatha Christie for decades and was shocked at how good it was. Will be reading more. Love reading Leslie Charteris’ The Saint and John Creasey’s The Toff books great mystery/adventure series. Creasey, writing as J.J. Marric did the Gideon novels- old fashioned British police procedurals, each book sees him and his team tackle a number of cases per book that land on his shift. Cleve Adams did a few books featuring private detective, Rex McBride. Read the first one and it was a hoot- McBride is a not too easy to like, cynical arsehole written with a good deal of humour amid the hardboiled antics.
I love the Commisario Brunetti series set in Venice by Donna Leon. Also Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, set in the Birmingham area. Thanks for your suggestions.
I would also recommend John Sanford, but I would go with the Virgil Flowers series as there is a bit more humor in those. An old favorite are the Lord Peter Wimsey books by Dorothy Sayers.
You are talking about my absolute favourite genre yay! I read the Bernie Rhodenbarr 2nd book and liked it - need to read more of these as like the humour. Always outnumbered, always outgunned sounds really good - I love inter-linking short stories- added. I love the Agatha Raisin series , even though she is quite awful 😂 A few of my faves are DI Barton by Ross Greenwood set in Peterborough, Roy Grace by Peter James set in Brighton, Erika Foster by Robert Bryndza set in London and cosy fave Lady Hardcastle by TE Kinsey set in early 1900's England - I could go on and on! Great vid Olly.
You mentioned one of my favorites - MC Beaton (Agatha Raisin) series. I am currently on #14 in the series and I really like how this series has developed and changed over time. I can't move on to another series until I finish this series. It is just that good!
Himes and Mosley are the BIGGEST inspirations for my Duke Gibbs crime series. The audiobook versions of Himes' novels are especially great, because the narrator is just brilliant!
Thanks Olly! Just bought Cop Hater based on your rec. I’ve got 2 of the C Himes books, W Mosley’s are on my TBR. I’ve read the first of a lot of series: Roseanna in the Beck series by Wahloo, A Cold Dish in the Longmire series (much better than TV series). Probably my fav is the Porfiry Rostnikov series by Stewart Kaminsky about a cop in Moscow bf the collapse of the Soviet Union. I’m also interested in the Lew Archer by Ross MacDonald, & Mike Hammer to see if Spillane was really as bad a writer as a lot critics claim he was. I’ve got a long list… Thanks again! 😊
The Lew Archer series is great. The earlier books are much more in a hard-boiled style, but by the 1960's MacDonald's character had evolved and the books were great mysteries and great writing. My favorites are The Underground Man, The Goodbye Look, Black Money and The Chill. As far as Spillane and Hammer goes. The books are short and exciting to read, but he is not the greatest writer. Also, the books can be predictable. If you think you know the ending, you are usually correct.
Olly, I'm a new subscriber and your channel is already paying off! I remembered that you had put Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series on your list and then when I was on UA-cam something possessed me to do a search for "Knots and Crosses". Up popped an audiobook by that name and it is dy-no-mite! I'm not through yet, but this audiobook has had me literally laughing out loud. I could send you the link (but only if you want me to as I'm sure you are swamped). Much respect to you from Larry in the states.
Check out the Detective Sean Duffy series by Adrien McKinty. Fantastic books set in north Ireland during the Troubles. What are your thoughts about Every Dead Thing and its sequels by John Connolly?
Totally agree about Rankin. I also much enjoyed the numerous DCI Banks novels by the late Peter Robinson, and also the Logan McRea novels by Stuart McBride. He will often be horrifying and hilarious on the same page.
Too many comments to read through, so maybe this has been mentioned: you just and simply have to read the ten Beck novels by Sjöwall/Wahlöö. They really brought society into crime novels, and made such an impact on Scandinavian crime pretty much all writers have to relate to them somehow.
Great list, Olly. I, too, would put Christie in my list of great crime series. Which Tommy and Tuppenence book did you read? If it wasn't N or M, I suggest you try that. One series of crime/mystery novels I like is the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich which has loads of humor (the good kind). Of course, I need to mention Raymond Chamdler's Phillip Marlowe series as well. Happy reading, everyone.
Great video Olly. I love a good mystery series. Reading Mcbain's 87th precinct got me into crime novels. Love the Scudder books too. I really must try some Mo Hayder. I'm a big fan of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books which are really well plotted. Two crime authors I never see mentioned and that I really enjoy are James Hall's Thorn books and Bill James's Harpur and Iles series.
If you ever get the chance, try Konrad Sejer series by Karin Fossum. She is good at describing outdiders, and the every day life and Konrad Sejer is not playing a hero. He likes to see all people as people. Another series I like is the crime series by Mo Hayder. Haven't read them all but the first three I think. Very dark and unsettling.
Great assortment. My favorite series is the V I Warshawski series by Sara Paretsky, over 20 books in the series now. I also love Poirot like you do, such a great detective creation.
@@CriminOllyBlog there are various movies made from the series. Point Blank with Lee Marvin. And The Outfit with Robert Duvall are the two to watch. Westlake loved The Outfit cause of the cast.
@@worldobserver3515 I agree. Read the latest through my fingers waiting for what I knew would happen. No spoilers. But I hope Jussi ends it the way I think and hope. 🤞🤞I just feel for Carl.
First time channel viewer and really enjoyed the video. I’m always looking for book recommendations, but I happen to have read all these guys already and agree with you on all. I would add Chandler and Ross MacDonald, but not remove any on your list. Question: Is that an 8mm film box behind you on the shelf? If so, what is the movie?
Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, it's an 8mm of Canadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders. Chandler nearly made the lost, MacDonald is on my "Crime series I want to read" list which goes up this week - stay tuned!
I've been enjoying the "Charles Lenox Mysteries" series by Charles Finch. It's a cozy mystery series that follows a Victorian gentleman who solves crimes. They're beautifully written and not afraid to touch on things like prison reform or classism, but they manage to do so without disrupting the "coziness." I just read the fifth one, which took place on a naval ship, and it was good fun.
Managed to get two McBain's on there. Most of your list wasn't a surprise. Maybe Rebus was because I don't think you've talked about it as much as the others? I'm near the finish line in terms of the Ellery Queen series which I read in publication order and regret. Ellery's age and personality shifts around from book to book.
I do need to read more Ellery Queen's. I read the Penzler re-release of the American Gun Mystery which I enjoyed. I actually don't think I've read a Rebus since I started the channel, but I will have featured them in a library tour in the early days as I have a tonne of them
I really enjoyed Arthur Upfield's Bony series. They were very popular when they first came out in the U.S. but don't seem to be well known now. Dick Francis? Tony Hillerman?
M C Beaton has so many different series in both mystery and romance genres. She has a couple of few really fun series that are I guess you could say "cozy historical romance". In one, a housekeeper gets a small inheritance from her late employer and she decides to travel the world(!) which she accomplishes by taking the mail coach to different exotic locales, like Bath and Portsmouth. Another follows the start of a hotel by a bunch of "leftover" relatives -- poor relations who would have to rely on distant family and instead decide to make their own future. Very quirky and slyly enjoyable.
I also really like the Poirot books by Agatha Christie but I haven't read any of the other series you mentioned. More to add to my huge TBR list. I enjoyed the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, the Dortmunder series by Westlake, the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly, and the Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver.
The Martin Beck series by Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo is a favorite of mine, Ross MacDonald’s Lew Archer is another, but overall a great list of authors of crime fiction.
Great choices. I'm surprised there isn't any Travis McGee (John D McDonald) on the list. I am a big fan of the Detective Sergeant Tom Brant books by Ken Bruen. Other favorites are harder to track down these days: Howard Browne - Paull Pine Derek Raymond - Factory Fredric Brown - Ed and Am, however I haven't come across any truly bad Brown mystery books.
I like John D McDonald a lot. They can be quite dark and some people will have trouble with the unenlightened attitudes of some characters, but they are engrossing. They should probably come with a warning not to become too attached to any of the female characters, though.
I love the Peter Robinson Inspector Banks series, the Pendergast series by Preston and Childs, and in addition to the Agatha Raisin series MC Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series.
If you are looking for a solid series with elements of horror and the supernatural, I invite you to give Irish writer John Connolly a try. His Charlie Parker series is superb, although Connolly gets a bit preachy at times. The writing itself is far superior to what we are exposed in the genre, being of true literary value, with poetic passages that show a deep talent in this writer. I think it's better to read these novels in order. I happen to believe the first novel is the weakest of the lot, since it's clearly divided into two parts, the first part being much better and better written than the second part. Still, a powerful beginning for a great and unusual series.
Dennis Lehane's Kenzie and Genaro series, Andrew Vachss' Burke series and thanks to this channel - The 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain of course! I also enjoyed Mo Hayder's Birdman and plan to read more by her.
I enjoy mystery series and often listen to the audio versions. With the various readers, certain books come to life. Sadly, others die a horrible monotonous deaths despite being good books. From this vantage point, I have enjoyed many mysteries read by George Guidall- Craig Johnson and Tony Hillerman are 2 mystery writers that have utilized George with great success.
Great video! I've always loved police procedural, and have very happy memories of my grandfather, mother, and I all passing down the latest in a detective series. Would you say you generally prefer American crime novels to British ones? Or is it more that a lot of your favourite crime writers are American? I do like some American police procedurals (especially Jeffrey Deaver and Chris Carter) nutnintend to gravitate towards the British authors more in this genre.
Andrea Carter, Lin Anderson, C.J.Box, Robert Galbraith, David Baldacci, Anthony Horowitz, Louise Penny, Harlen Coben, Eva Björg Æegisdóttir, walter Mosley, William Kent Kreuger, John Sandford, Jo Nesbo…
Rebus has been on my radar since moving up to Edinburgh a few years ago, as I believe a lot (most?) of those books are based in Edinburgh. I’m a bit daunted with such a long-running series! Do you need to start with book 1? Is there a recommended reading order?
Another series I enjoy is the Patricia Moyes/Inspector Henry Tibbett mysteries. The first book, Dead Men Don't Ski is very good. The book I started with was Murder Fantastical which is a quirky, strange book. I also solved the murder before the end of the book. It almost put me off the series, but her other books are more straight forward and not so strange.
The Quinn Colson series by Ace Atkins. 11 books. Not realizing it was a series I read book 6. (When did the trend start to not mention on the cover it’s part of a series or even what number it is in the series?) It was so good I read on through book 11. Now in the process of starting book 1 The Ranger. Quinn left his small town in Mississippi to be in the army in Afghanistan. He returns to find his uncle the sheriff possibly murdered. He starts investigating it himself. Sort of reminds me of Jack Reacher but he is not a lone guy but has a family and roots in the community. Another is Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich. 5 books.
The 87th Precinct series deserves all the praise given, it's excellent...but...it's form & style was lifted from the nine book Sixth Precinct Thriller Series by Jonathan Craig, aka Frank Smith (author of the excellent stand-alone So Young, So Wicked). The Sixth Precinct series featured NYC homicide Detectives Pete Selby & Stan Rayder. The first book, The Dead Darling, came out in 1953, three years before the first 87th Cop Hater. The Sixth Precinct novels read like a blueprint for the 87th...This series is long out of print but you can find some used copies on line. Check out the Sixth Precinct series, they are very good police procedurals....-I also like the police procedural series of Luis Mendoza by Dell Shannon and my favorite the Lew Archer series by Ross MacDonald...-Mo Hayder Birdman is next up on my reading list for Noir-vember. Looking forward to it....
Love the 87th Precinct books. I once reviewed a book by Maynard (&) Sims, and mentioned that the police stuff in it reminded me of The 87th Precinct. One of them (I think it was Sims) said that that was one of their infuences. I don't believe that I have read any Matthew Hope books. I can't remember if I have read any Matt Scudder books. I have read all of the Bernie Rhodenbarr books. I have just recently started reading Walter Mosley. I have all of the Easy Rawlins books, and have read the first three. Great stuff. Lansdale is in my top 3 favorite authors of all time, and Hap & Leonard are two of my favorite characters. I have three Chester Himes books, and have read one, A Rage In Harlem. I have not yet read Ian Rankin. I may lose any cred that I have, but I'm not a huge fan of Agatha Christie. My mother reads TONS of cozy mysteries, and she has read Agatha Raisin. I think that the only cozy mystery series I have read is The Cat Who...series by Lilian Jackson Braun. I haven't readd any Mo Hader. My favorites, that weren't mentioned: The Spenser series by Robert B. Parker. The Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais. And, of course, the classics, Doyle and Chandler. Great list. I will definitely check out Rankin and Hader.
My Songs of Ice and Fire are ... Abarat by Clive Barker (3 out of 4 books released so far), The Books of the Art by ... Clive Barker (2 out of 3 released so far), Galilee by ... Clive Barker (possibly a second book to come apparently.) I sense a pattern emerging. Still there is still hope. He apparently is heavily focussed on writing again so we'll see. Still, you Ice and Fire folk have got it easy!
I started with the 87th Precinct book 1, and read through the series in approximate order. You do not need to read them in order, but there is some payoff in watching characters and the city evolve as well as travelling through time from the 1950s to the 21st century.
I'm not sure you will like some of the series I like; I'll start with Golden Age; I love most of Christie's detectives, (only one I am not much of a fan of,) So I have read all of those series. (I love Tommy and Tuppence.) Ellery Queen, Miss Silver, Alan Grant, ECR Lorac's detectives, Roderick Alleyn. Modern ones, Phryne Fisher, Marlow Murder Club and Magpie Murders books.
Agatha Raisin. Huh. If I have any opinions about reading this series I will say for everyone to push through books, oh let's say 28, 29 & 30...then sit back and enjoy when R.W. Green takes over the writing at book 31. I think he has done a great job with Agatha (and Hamish Macbeth) by making subtle changes that seem to have made the series better. I'm a Sue Grafton fan as Kinsey Milhone is the series that got me into the whole PI/police detective genre.
Hi Olly, I hope you're well. I have read the devil in a blue dress and birdman but not carried on with either series. I've read a couple of the Matt Scudder books. I am ashamed to say I have some Rebus and 87th Precinct novels that remain unread as yet.
Hello! Very much enjoyed your list, and happy to discover you (you just popped up in my queue). I have to admit I was distracted by the box art for the Super 8 excerpt from Canadian Mounties Vs Atomic Invaders that you have displayed in your bookcase. I have a linen mounted one sheet for this film on my wall. I've never actually seen the film but I'm a big fan of the RCMP and this poster art (which is not the same as your box art) has always amused me. Related to that I have to ask if you are aware of the Michael Slade books featuring the Special X branch of the RCMP? I think it would fit quite well into your reading areas of interest.
Hey! I’ve not watched it either, although it does seem to be available on UA-cam if you ever get the urge. And yes! I’ve read a few of them, discovered them back in the 90s and always found them a solid read.
Some of those are pretty good, but I will always love Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo the most. With a shoutout to witty Dorothy Sayers. (Agatha Christie sucks.)
Hi, I believe that few prolific authors are missing here. 1. Robert Ludlum 2. Fredrick Forsyth and 3. Jeffery Archer (specially for his Kane and Abel trilogy).
Very cool list! My all-time favorite is still the Harry Bosh series by Michael Connelly. Such great books, and also a great TV-show. I also enjoyed the Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais, again a series that takes place in LA.
I can also recommend some Japanese crime fiction. My go-to would be Keigo Higashino and his two most well-known series: Detective Galileo and Kyoichiro Kaga. Both give an interesting look into Japanese society! :) And a good chunk of them have been translated into English.
Love hearing someone talk up Rankin’s Rebus books. I have enjoyed quite a few.
Scudder is probably my favorite series in any genre, and A Dance at the Slaughterhouse is definitely my favorite mystery novel. I'll have to check out a few of these others. Thanks!
I really like James Lee Burke. When he writes about Louisiana he puts you there.
His descriptiveness blows my mind. Sometimes I'll just open one of his books and find a big paragraph because I know it'll be amazing.
I've read one of those, need to try some more
@@CriminOllyBlog He's utterly humourless.
Dave Robicheaux is a charmless, humourless thug, though not quite as unappealing as his psycho friend Clete.
Sue Grafton has the alphabet series, A is for Alibi, etc. I’ve read them all. Stand alone books, but the characters remain constant, Kinsey Milhone being the private eye main character and narrator. Very enjoyable series.
Great video. I have a few series recommendations.
Spy fiction: the Slough House series by Mick Herron
Hard boiled private eye: the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series by Robert Crais
Historical mystery: the Giordano Bruno series by S.J. Parris
Police procedural: the Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series by John Sandford
Legal thriller: the Mickey Haller series by Michael Connelly
Thank you! I’ve read the first of the Slough House books and really liked it. My dad is a huge fan
My favourites are Robert B Parker's Spenser and Jesse Stone series, as well as John Sandford's Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport.
@@neilmarriott4338 Jesse Stone Great miss him...
This was a great video, Olly. Right now, I’m reading my way through Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books. I love her. A favorite series of mine is the Inspector Armande Gamache series by Canadian author, Louise Penny. I’ve also really liked the Quirke series by Irish writer Benjamin Black/John Banville .
We’ve got a booktube group going right now where we are reading all of the crime novels by Argentinian writer Claudia Pineiro. Well, we’re reading all that have been translated into English. I was thinking that you’d really like her. There’s a lot of dark humor in these stories-well, at least in what we’ve read so far. Thanks for doing this video, Olly. Really great discussion.😊
I enjoy the Quirke series, but they are very dark . The audiobooks are read, at least some of them, by Timothy Dalton, who does a wonderful job.
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@ ah thanks for that tip. I’ve never listened to any of them. I agree that they are very dark.
Louise Penny was one that I wanted to mention - I'm almost caught up to her published Gamache books, and they have all been excellent.
In a similar vein, I would recommend Elizabeth George's Linley, which can get a bit dark, too, and P.D. James' Dagliesh series.
For something lighter, Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce series is very entertaining.
Yes Banville. His new novel The Drowned is fantastic.
I've just finished reading The Grey Wolf. And yes, the whole Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series is excellent!
As a good Belgian, I must mention the Maigret series by George Simenon. I also really appreciate the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton and all the series by Michael Connely, Harry Bosch in particular.
Maigret nearly made the list!
An excellent video. Thank you. Sheesh, I haven't read any of those series that you mentioned, although I have certainly heard of them. My to be read list has just expanded. My two favorites are John Sandford's Prey series featuring Lucas Davenport and Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels (and now Renee Ballard). I also enjoy C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series and James Lee Burke series featuring David Robicheaux.
Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series is criminally under rated.
I need to give those another try. I did years ago but didn’t get on with the one I tried
John Connolly's Charlie Parker series is an absolute must read. Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy novels, set in Ireland during the troubles, are superb. Stuart McBride's Logan McRae series is probably the funniest police series ever written--gory and horrific, but hilarious too. The Strike series by Robert Galbaith is brilliant.
Totally agree with all your picks. Stuart MacBride is soooo good (and funny) 😂
I’ll have to give McKinty and McBride a try - definitely need to read more of the Parker books too
Several great series in here. I've really enjoyed books by Lawrence Block, Walter Mosley, Chester Himes, and Joe R. Lansdale. I've even taught a few of them, and they tend to be a hit with my students.
Preston & Childs FBI Agent Pendergast books and C.J. Box's Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett are both good.
Yes, I have read the first book in both series.
I really appreciate this video. I am a mystery series reader before any other genre. I've found that quite a few booktubers that I follow don't like procedurals - whether police. lawyer, or private detective. I like their common shortness, and the punch of a quick puzzle. I've tried a lot, especially cozy cats (as you might recall), but I love hearing about other people's recommendations for series.
Dennis Lehane's Kenzie & Genaro series is excellent.
An excellent series.
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great series. My favorite of the series was Sacred. Proud to have him from our state of Massachusetts
That's one I need to read more of
Look into the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. First book is The Shape of Water. Excellent series around 20 books in the series. Good stuff!
Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo is very good. Especially The Snowman!
I loved the first several I read, but when the author took that extreme turn later, it really put me off. Do you know what I mean? (Ollie might really like it, though.)
Love that series!
The Snowman!!!!
@ I enjoyed that one, too.
@constancecampbell4610 have you read Henning mankel's wallander series? Also a good Scandinavian crime novelist
A series I would recommend is by Swedish writers Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall. The detective is named Martin Beck and he operates in Stockholm in the 1960's/70's. One of their novels, The Laughing Policeman was made into a film. After reading one of the series entitled The Man on the Balcony I was hooked and read every book in the series. The authors are credited with inventing the so called Nordic Noir genre. Well worth a go in my opinion.
I agree with you on Poirot and I also like Miss marble. I was recently introduced to Amanda Cox and I'm enjoying that series as well. I heard you many times mention the 87th precinct and I want to get that first book. Enjoyed this. Thanks.
Hi Olly, I'm really enjoying Dana Stabenow's Kate Shgak series set in Alaska, native private investigator with her trusty half wolf/half husky Mutt. I think it's the setting in Alaskathat I love so much. Also Vivien Chien's Noodle shop mystery series is a lot of fun cozy mystery series, "Death by Dumpling", "Dim Sum of All Fears", you get the idea.
@@nathanfoung2347 yes!! I love Kate and Mutt.
Oh! No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is fabulous, especially the audiobooks because the narrator is wonderful (Lizette Lecat). There is an HBO tv series based on the books that is fantastic too.
I have heard great things about that one
Hi Olly. Very solid choice. With reference to Walter Mosley & Chester Himes.I would say seek out Trick baby by Iceberg Slim. Can't go wrong with Block & scudder. The burglar series are pleasing.My favourite being spoons. Love to see that in film as with all the Scudder books. I enjoyed the film A walk amoung the Toomstones & was glad it was taken on though I did not see the main character as being who was selected. He has written so many books. I would mention James Lee Burke, George V Higgins & Elmore Leonard. Cheers Bob
Some great choices and quite close to my own. I wasn’t aware of the Agatha Raisin one, so I’ll have to check that out. Very good idea for a video, and enjoyable to watch!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
I want to add my voice to the small chorus of folks recommending James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. Such skillful writing.
As was also mentioned by another commenter, you definitely can't go wrong with a Parker novel by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake). Finally, Reed Farrel Coleman's Moe Prager series is on my TBR. Thanks for the video!
I have a series for you that’s often overlooked with so many great series out there. Michael Collin’s Dan Fortune series. Collin’s being the pseudonym for Dennis Lynds, who wrote many mysteries under various names and various series too. Dan Fortune is a one armed private eye and the books are quite entertaining and pulpy crime reads. You feel like you’re watching a Bogart movie when reading them. Especially with the first person narration. Anyway, I think you’d enjoy them.
Thank you for the variety!
I would suggest the Spenser novels by Robert B Parker. Lean prose with a sense of humor and endings that can be disconcerting. Truly a great character based series.
Yes! read the first 2 and really liked them
@@CriminOllyBlog I'm absolutely convinced that you'll like the rest. I did.
@@CriminOllyBlog They just keep getting better and better.
@@jespernielsen8549 Read them all as well - a few even twice.
My favorite of the Lawrence Block/Matt Scudder novels is When the Sacred Gin Mill Closes. I’ve read it at least three times and it never gets old.
That is a great one!
Every one of the Matt Scudder novels is excellent! 'Eight Million Ways to Die' is really, really good... So are the rest of them!
You listed some of my favorites, and some I've never read, so I added them to my list. I would suggest for you, J. A. Jance, both the J.P. Beaumont series who is another alcoholic cop, this in Portland Oregon, and the Joanna Brady series which takes place in Arizona. I see others have mentioned John Sandford, which I heartily endorse.
I am a huge fan of almost all the books by Michael Connelly. (Harry Bosch, "The Lincoln Lawyer") But I really like a series of books that start with "The Poet". A newspaper man looking into why his cop brother committed suicide, and ends up uncovering a serial killer. The main character in those books is Jack McEvoy. I also like the fact that all of Connelly's books are in the same "universe". Characters from one book might have a scene or two in another.
JD Robb's In Death series, my favorite hands down. Been reading them for years. They are so good and you can read any of them as stand alones. 📚
Good list, Olly. I tend to read a lot of vintage paperbacks, but my faves- really liking the 87th Precinct books so far, only a couple of books in, but really enjoyable. I read the first Poirot after steering clear of Agatha Christie for decades and was shocked at how good it was. Will be reading more. Love reading Leslie Charteris’ The Saint and John Creasey’s The Toff books great mystery/adventure series. Creasey, writing as J.J. Marric did the Gideon novels- old fashioned British police procedurals, each book sees him and his team tackle a number of cases per book that land on his shift. Cleve Adams did a few books featuring private detective, Rex McBride. Read the first one and it was a hoot- McBride is a not too easy to like, cynical arsehole written with a good deal of humour amid the hardboiled antics.
I love the Commisario Brunetti series set in Venice by Donna Leon. Also Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, set in the Birmingham area. Thanks for your suggestions.
Yes! He read the first two Brunetti’s and liked them
I would also recommend John Sanford, but I would go with the Virgil Flowers series as there is a bit more humor in those. An old favorite are the Lord Peter Wimsey books by Dorothy Sayers.
You are talking about my absolute favourite genre yay! I read the Bernie Rhodenbarr 2nd book and liked it - need to read more of these as like the humour. Always outnumbered, always outgunned sounds really good - I love inter-linking short stories- added. I love the Agatha Raisin series , even though she is quite awful 😂 A few of my faves are DI Barton by Ross Greenwood set in Peterborough, Roy Grace by Peter James set in Brighton, Erika Foster by Robert Bryndza set in London and cosy fave Lady Hardcastle by TE Kinsey set in early 1900's England - I could go on and on! Great vid Olly.
I did enjoy the early Roy Grace books - the first one has a car chase that goes past the house I was living in at the time!
You mentioned one of my favorites - MC Beaton (Agatha Raisin) series. I am currently on #14 in the series and I really like how this series has developed and changed over time. I can't move on to another series until I finish this series. It is just that good!
I'm taking notes and making a list!
I recommend the Longmire series by Craig Johnson. Quite different from the show they made. Excellent on audio!
Thank you!
The show was better than the books, unfortunately.
@@worldobserver3515 have to disagree on this. The books are fantastic. The show is good and also very different. Enjoy both.
Hey Olly, I made the request the other day, and very happy to see it made so quickly! Making notes now 👍
Hope you like it!
Himes and Mosley are the BIGGEST inspirations for my Duke Gibbs crime series. The audiobook versions of Himes' novels are especially great, because the narrator is just brilliant!
I’ll have to see if Spotify has those
Thanks Olly! Just bought Cop Hater based on your rec. I’ve got 2 of the C Himes books, W Mosley’s are on my TBR. I’ve read the first of a lot of series: Roseanna in the Beck series by Wahloo, A Cold Dish in the Longmire series (much better than TV series). Probably my fav is the Porfiry Rostnikov series by Stewart Kaminsky about a cop in Moscow bf the collapse of the Soviet Union. I’m also interested in the Lew Archer by Ross MacDonald, & Mike Hammer to see if Spillane was really as bad a writer as a lot critics claim he was. I’ve got a long list… Thanks again! 😊
The Lew Archer series is great. The earlier books are much more in a hard-boiled style, but by the 1960's MacDonald's character had evolved and the books were great mysteries and great writing. My favorites are The Underground Man, The Goodbye Look, Black Money and The Chill. As far as Spillane and Hammer goes. The books are short and exciting to read, but he is not the greatest writer. Also, the books can be predictable. If you think you know the ending, you are usually correct.
@@fredhaier5526 Thanks!!
Olly, I'm a new subscriber and your channel is already paying off! I remembered that you had put Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series on your list and then when I was on UA-cam something possessed me to do a search for "Knots and Crosses". Up popped an audiobook by that name and it is dy-no-mite! I'm not through yet, but this audiobook has had me literally laughing out loud. I could send you the link (but only if you want me to as I'm sure you are swamped).
Much respect to you from Larry in the states.
Hi Larry! Glad you're enjoying the channel and Rankin!
Check out the Detective Sean Duffy series by Adrien McKinty. Fantastic books set in north Ireland during the Troubles.
What are your thoughts about Every Dead Thing and its sequels by John Connolly?
I love the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter.
I read the 87th precinct books in the 80s! Glad they are still around!
They're so great!
Totally agree about Rankin. I also much enjoyed the numerous DCI Banks novels by the late Peter Robinson, and also the Logan McRea novels by Stuart McBride. He will often be horrifying and hilarious on the same page.
Too many comments to read through, so maybe this has been mentioned: you just and simply have to read the ten Beck novels by Sjöwall/Wahlöö. They really brought society into crime novels, and made such an impact on Scandinavian crime pretty much all writers have to relate to them somehow.
Yes, I read the first of of those last year and really liked it!
Great list, Olly. I, too, would put Christie in my list of great crime series. Which Tommy and Tuppenence book did you read? If it wasn't N or M, I suggest you try that. One series of crime/mystery novels I like is the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich which has loads of humor (the good kind). Of course, I need to mention Raymond Chamdler's Phillip Marlowe series as well. Happy reading, everyone.
I honestly can’t remember which one it was now!
Great video Olly. I love a good mystery series. Reading Mcbain's 87th precinct got me into crime novels. Love the Scudder books too. I really must try some Mo Hayder.
I'm a big fan of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books which are really well plotted.
Two crime authors I never see mentioned and that I really enjoy are James Hall's Thorn books and Bill James's Harpur and Iles series.
If you ever get the chance, try Konrad Sejer series by Karin Fossum. She is good at describing outdiders, and the every day life and Konrad Sejer is not playing a hero. He likes to see all people as people. Another series I like is the crime series by Mo Hayder. Haven't read them all but the first three I think. Very dark and unsettling.
Hamish MacBeth by Beaton is also a fun series. How about Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series? Anyone like those?
I'll probably move onto Macbeth when I finish Agatha. I read the first couple of the Osman books and they were a lot of fun
Great assortment. My favorite series is the V I Warshawski series by Sara Paretsky, over 20 books in the series now. I also love Poirot like you do, such a great detective creation.
I read the first few of those when they came out and really liked them
What no Richard Stark (Donald Westlake) - Parker series.
Love Ed McBain. Also Joe Lansdale. I wish we had more seasons of the Hap and Leonard series.
Unfortunately Michael Kenneth Williams died in 2021. I’m not sure who could replace him in that excellent series.
@Scott-td9sl totally agree.
I haven't tried those yet, but they're high on my list!
@@CriminOllyBlog there are various movies made from the series. Point Blank with Lee Marvin. And The Outfit with Robert Duvall are the two to watch. Westlake loved The Outfit cause of the cast.
I have enjoyed the Dept. Q series by Jussi Alder-Olsen.
Not heard of those, thanks for the recommendation!
@@worldobserver3515 I agree. Read the latest through my fingers waiting for what I knew would happen. No spoilers. But I hope Jussi ends it the way I think and hope. 🤞🤞I just feel for Carl.
@@deniseham2839 The latest book is waiting for me at the post office. I pick it up tomorrow. Can't wait.
First time channel viewer and really enjoyed the video. I’m always looking for book recommendations, but I happen to have read all these guys already and agree with you on all. I would add Chandler and Ross MacDonald, but not remove any on your list. Question: Is that an 8mm film box behind you on the shelf? If so, what is the movie?
Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, it's an 8mm of Canadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders.
Chandler nearly made the lost, MacDonald is on my "Crime series I want to read" list which goes up this week - stay tuned!
OOOOH MORE RECOMMENDATIONS 🎉
I've been enjoying the "Charles Lenox Mysteries" series by Charles Finch. It's a cozy mystery series that follows a Victorian gentleman who solves crimes. They're beautifully written and not afraid to touch on things like prison reform or classism, but they manage to do so without disrupting the "coziness." I just read the fifth one, which took place on a naval ship, and it was good fun.
Those sound fun!
Hap and Leonard was made into brilliant tv series
Managed to get two McBain's on there. Most of your list wasn't a surprise. Maybe Rebus was because I don't think you've talked about it as much as the others? I'm near the finish line in terms of the Ellery Queen series which I read in publication order and regret. Ellery's age and personality shifts around from book to book.
I do need to read more Ellery Queen's. I read the Penzler re-release of the American Gun Mystery which I enjoyed. I actually don't think I've read a Rebus since I started the channel, but I will have featured them in a library tour in the early days as I have a tonne of them
I really enjoyed Arthur Upfield's Bony series. They were very popular when they first came out in the U.S. but don't seem to be well known now. Dick Francis? Tony Hillerman?
I put Sherlock top, if you don't go for that then
Charles Willeford 's Hoke Moseley books are really really good.
My favorite is Bill Pronzini’s the Unnamed Detective series. I was disappointed that he finally retired him. Every book in the series was solid!
I've not read those - will have to take a look
M C Beaton has so many different series in both mystery and romance genres. She has a couple of few really fun series that are I guess you could say "cozy historical romance". In one, a housekeeper gets a small inheritance from her late employer and she decides to travel the world(!) which she accomplishes by taking the mail coach to different exotic locales, like Bath and Portsmouth. Another follows the start of a hotel by a bunch of "leftover" relatives -- poor relations who would have to rely on distant family and instead decide to make their own future. Very quirky and slyly enjoyable.
I’m definitely keen to read more by her. I have a romance by her (as Marion Chesney) that I need to get to
I love the Simon and Charlie series by Sophie Hannah!!!
Sophie Hannah continues Poirot novels btw!
Currently I can’t get enough of Caimh MacDonald. The Dublin Trilogy is brilliant.
I also really like the Poirot books by Agatha Christie but I haven't read any of the other series you mentioned. More to add to my huge TBR list. I enjoyed the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, the Dortmunder series by Westlake, the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly, and the Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver.
The Martin Beck series by Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo is a favorite of mine, Ross MacDonald’s Lew Archer is another, but overall a great list of authors of crime fiction.
Lew Archer is definitely one I want to read
Great choices.
I'm surprised there isn't any Travis McGee (John D McDonald) on the list.
I am a big fan of the Detective Sergeant Tom Brant books by Ken Bruen.
Other favorites are harder to track down these days:
Howard Browne - Paull Pine
Derek Raymond - Factory
Fredric Brown - Ed and Am, however I haven't come across any truly bad Brown mystery books.
I forgot the Lew Griffin series by James Sallis
I like John D McDonald a lot. They can be quite dark and some people will have trouble with the unenlightened attitudes of some characters, but they are engrossing. They should probably come with a warning not to become too attached to any of the female characters, though.
The Factory books are incredible! I probably should have included them
Yea!! Mysteries! Finally!!!🙂
:)
I love the Peter Robinson Inspector Banks series, the Pendergast series by Preston and Childs, and in addition to the Agatha Raisin series MC Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series.
If you are looking for a solid series with elements of horror and the supernatural, I invite you to give Irish writer John Connolly a try. His Charlie Parker series is superb, although Connolly gets a bit preachy at times. The writing itself is far superior to what we are exposed in the genre, being of true literary value, with poetic passages that show a deep talent in this writer. I think it's better to read these novels in order. I happen to believe the first novel is the weakest of the lot, since it's clearly divided into two parts, the first part being much better and better written than the second part. Still, a powerful beginning for a great and unusual series.
Dennis Lehane's Kenzie and Genaro series, Andrew Vachss' Burke series and thanks to this channel - The 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain of course! I also enjoyed Mo Hayder's Birdman and plan to read more by her.
I definitely need to read more Lehane!
I love all of those, and would like to suggest Sarah Barrie's Lexi Winter series, the first book is called Unforgiven. ☺️
Thank you!
I enjoy mystery series and often listen to the audio versions. With the various readers, certain books come to life. Sadly, others die a horrible monotonous deaths despite being good books.
From this vantage point, I have enjoyed many mysteries read by George Guidall- Craig Johnson and Tony Hillerman are 2 mystery writers that have utilized George with great success.
A good narrator makes such a difference
Great video! I've always loved police procedural, and have very happy memories of my grandfather, mother, and I all passing down the latest in a detective series.
Would you say you generally prefer American crime novels to British ones? Or is it more that a lot of your favourite crime writers are American? I do like some American police procedurals (especially Jeffrey Deaver and Chris Carter) nutnintend to gravitate towards the British authors more in this genre.
Andrea Carter, Lin Anderson, C.J.Box, Robert Galbraith, David Baldacci, Anthony Horowitz, Louise Penny, Harlen Coben, Eva Björg Æegisdóttir, walter Mosley, William Kent Kreuger, John Sandford, Jo Nesbo…
Cop Hater has my favorite romance. Carella and Teddy are so cute together.
Agreed! I love them
Rebus has been on my radar since moving up to Edinburgh a few years ago, as I believe a lot (most?) of those books are based in Edinburgh. I’m a bit daunted with such a long-running series! Do you need to start with book 1? Is there a recommended reading order?
Andrew Martin's train detective Jim Stringer series and another Lawrence Block series i enjoyed, the Keller hitman books.
Ah yes, I'd forgotten about Keller - definitely need to read those
Have you ever read the Sean Duffy Series by Adrian McKinty?
I haven’t! Will have to look them up
@@michaelibk418 Sean Duffy books by McKinty are brilliant. I’ve got a feeling you’ll love them!
@@CriminOllyBlog Olly the character is fiction but the history isnt, great humor too I know you like a good Humor in thrillers too.
Yes l think the Snowman is great with good atmosphere Malcolm 2:25
Another series I enjoy is the Patricia Moyes/Inspector Henry Tibbett mysteries. The first book, Dead Men Don't Ski is very good. The book I started with was Murder Fantastical which is a quirky, strange book. I also solved the murder before the end of the book. It almost put me off the series, but her other books are more straight forward and not so strange.
I never manage to solve the mysteries 😂
The Quinn Colson series by Ace Atkins. 11 books. Not realizing it was a series I read book 6. (When did the trend start to not mention on the cover it’s part of a series or even what number it is in the series?) It was so good I read on through book 11. Now in the process of starting book 1 The Ranger. Quinn left his small town in Mississippi to be in the army in Afghanistan. He returns to find his uncle the sheriff possibly murdered. He starts investigating it himself. Sort of reminds me of Jack Reacher but he is not a lone guy but has a family and roots in the community. Another is Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich. 5 books.
Those sound good! Thanks for the recommendation!
The 87th Precinct series deserves all the praise given, it's excellent...but...it's form & style was lifted from the nine book Sixth Precinct Thriller Series by Jonathan Craig, aka Frank Smith (author of the excellent stand-alone So Young, So Wicked). The Sixth Precinct series featured NYC homicide Detectives Pete Selby & Stan Rayder. The first book, The Dead Darling, came out in 1953, three years before the first 87th Cop Hater. The Sixth Precinct novels read like a blueprint for the 87th...This series is long out of print but you can find some used copies on line. Check out the Sixth Precinct series, they are very good police procedurals....-I also like the police procedural series of Luis Mendoza by Dell Shannon and my favorite the Lew Archer series by Ross MacDonald...-Mo Hayder Birdman is next up on my reading list for Noir-vember. Looking forward to it....
Ooooh, okay I need to track those down. Thank you!
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Mark Billingham’s “ Tom Thorne” series, although those are best read in order.
I did read the first few of those years ago and remember them being good
Love the 87th Precinct books. I once reviewed a book by Maynard (&) Sims, and mentioned that the police stuff in it reminded me of The 87th Precinct. One of them (I think it was Sims) said that that was one of their infuences.
I don't believe that I have read any Matthew Hope books.
I can't remember if I have read any Matt Scudder books.
I have read all of the Bernie Rhodenbarr books.
I have just recently started reading Walter Mosley. I have all of the Easy Rawlins books, and have read the first three. Great stuff.
Lansdale is in my top 3 favorite authors of all time, and Hap & Leonard are two of my favorite characters.
I have three Chester Himes books, and have read one, A Rage In Harlem.
I have not yet read Ian Rankin.
I may lose any cred that I have, but I'm not a huge fan of Agatha Christie.
My mother reads TONS of cozy mysteries, and she has read Agatha Raisin. I think that the only cozy mystery series I have read is The Cat Who...series by Lilian Jackson Braun.
I haven't readd any Mo Hader.
My favorites, that weren't mentioned:
The Spenser series by Robert B. Parker.
The Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais.
And, of course, the classics, Doyle and Chandler.
Great list. I will definitely check out Rankin and Hader.
Spenser is great, I need to read more of them
My Songs of Ice and Fire are ... Abarat by Clive Barker (3 out of 4 books released so far), The Books of the Art by ... Clive Barker (2 out of 3 released so far), Galilee by ... Clive Barker (possibly a second book to come apparently.) I sense a pattern emerging. Still there is still hope. He apparently is heavily focussed on writing again so we'll see. Still, you Ice and Fire folk have got it easy!
I’m eager to read some Ed McBain, but there are so many! You said they can be read in any order, but are there some good starting points?
I started with the 87th Precinct book 1, and read through the series in approximate order. You do not need to read them in order, but there is some payoff in watching characters and the city evolve as well as travelling through time from the 1950s to the 21st century.
I would start with Cop Hater, but if you want a later one that gives a good flavour, 'Tricks' is really fun
Like you I tend to start at the beginning. Ordered Cop Hater and found a copy of The Mugger. Will keep an eye out for Tricks too. Thanks!
Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series
Recommend James Oswald, Inspector McClean and also Constance Fairchild series
Highly recommend DI Adam Fawley by Cara Hunter!
I'm not sure you will like some of the series I like; I'll start with Golden Age; I love most of Christie's detectives, (only one I am not much of a fan of,) So I have read all of those series. (I love Tommy and Tuppence.) Ellery Queen, Miss Silver, Alan Grant, ECR Lorac's detectives, Roderick Alleyn. Modern ones, Phryne Fisher, Marlow Murder Club and Magpie Murders books.
Agatha Raisin. Huh. If I have any opinions about reading this series I will say for everyone to push through books, oh let's say 28, 29 & 30...then sit back and enjoy when R.W. Green takes over the writing at book 31. I think he has done a great job with Agatha (and Hamish Macbeth) by making subtle changes that seem to have made the series better. I'm a Sue Grafton fan as Kinsey Milhone is the series that got me into the whole PI/police detective genre.
Hi Olly, I hope you're well. I have read the devil in a blue dress and birdman but not carried on with either series. I've read a couple of the Matt Scudder books. I am ashamed to say I have some Rebus and 87th Precinct novels that remain unread as yet.
Get to those McBains! You won't regret it
@ I will definitely, I am planning on next year. Got a lot of library books at the moment.
Wonderful list! Elizabeth George isn't on your list because you haven't tried her. Also Greg Iles' Penn Cage series is top of the genre. Thank you!
I’ve been meaning to try both of those! I read Spandau Phoenix by Iles years ago and really loved it.
Hello! Very much enjoyed your list, and happy to discover you (you just popped up in my queue). I have to admit I was distracted by the box art for the Super 8 excerpt from Canadian Mounties Vs Atomic Invaders that you have displayed in your bookcase. I have a linen mounted one sheet for this film on my wall. I've never actually seen the film but I'm a big fan of the RCMP and this poster art (which is not the same as your box art) has always amused me. Related to that I have to ask if you are aware of the Michael Slade books featuring the Special X branch of the RCMP? I think it would fit quite well into your reading areas of interest.
Hey! I’ve not watched it either, although it does seem to be available on UA-cam if you ever get the urge. And yes! I’ve read a few of them, discovered them back in the 90s and always found them a solid read.
Such a great list! I've been thinking of starting Birdman. Have you read John Verdon's Dave Gurney series?
I haven't!
Some of those are pretty good, but I will always love Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo the most.
With a shoutout to witty Dorothy Sayers.
(Agatha Christie sucks.)
Hi, I believe that few prolific authors are missing here. 1. Robert Ludlum 2. Fredrick Forsyth and 3. Jeffery Archer (specially for his Kane and Abel trilogy).
I've read the first two but would think of them more as thriller/espionage writers
@ Yes, you are right.