(These all happen to be by women writers. As delightful as Peter Wimsey is, my favorite books of the series are the ones where he shares the spotlight with Harriet Vane – dark haired, strong-browed, an Oxford girl and a successful writer. Just printed this list for future reading – thanks for sharing!

Be warned though – Taylor’s books can seriously damage your sleep patterns! Black writers like Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Alex Haley, Maya Angelou and James Baldwin created great literary works. Names like Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell and PD James will always spring to mind, and Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves might well be the reigning queens of crime. The books are psychological rather than dashing, but all are good reads. I must have 55-60 of her books. Sussex-born former bookseller and publicist Ware has certainly found her niche in the world of twisty standalone psychological thrillers – now we’re all awaiting the release of The Death of Mrs Westaway, out at the end of June.

Along with Ngaio Marsh, I would like to recommend Elizabeth Peters–especially the Amelia Peabody series–and Ellis Peters (Brother Cadfael). For absolute fluff mysteries (not at all dark, not at all literary – bubblegum pop of the mystery world) try Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity series. Ex romance novelist Callie Taylor swapped genres to great effect in 2014, starting her crime writing career with a cracker – The Accident, an unputdownable standalone psychological thriller that has been Taylor’s stock in trade ever since. The books in this series all contain mysteries that elucidate some scar in English society left from the Great War. Not content with putting the adults under her spell, Taylor released a YA thriller called The Treatment at the end of last year. That should keep you busy for quite some time), but here are five other great mystery series to check out. Better known in literary circles as John Banville, Black is the Booker Prize winner’s pseudonym for when he wants to publish classic hard-boiled stories that wouldn’t be out of place in mid-century America. I’m always excited when I find a new mystery series I like, because it gives me backup books for days. Benjamin Black - This is the pseudonym of John Banville who is the author of award winning novels. How did she do that? I’m always excited when I find a new mystery series I like, because it gives me backup books for days. Both writers I commend, Your email address will not be published. We’re now three books into the series set in the fictional town of Bampton in the Derbyshire Peak District and featuring DC Connie Childs and our appreciation of these classy police procedurals hasn’t diminished. Body Heat, starring her GP/ police doctor set in Hastings. Women may be battling the glass ceiling in many professions, but in the world of crime writing they’ve shattered it with all manner of sharp implements. James is a bit of a departure on this list – her books, featuring Scotland Yard detective Adam Dalgliesh, err a little more towards the thriller and away from the cozy mystery genre. Her latest helping of domestic noir is Let Me Lie, which was released earlier this year. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. King, who has a background in theology, uses some of the books to explore early Christianity and Judaism, and they are all thought-provoking and smart reads, while never losing the pacing and fun of a good mystery. Get bang up to date with Come and Find Me. Women may be battling the glass ceiling in many professions, but in the world of crime writing they’ve shattered it with all manner of sharp implements. ... All I Did Was Shoot My Man: A Leonid McGill Mystery (Leonid McGill series Book 4) Walter Mosley. CUMBERBATCH! Many mystery series are set in this interwar period (with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers both writing in that era, it’s a natural choice), but Maisie Dobbs is the only one I’ve read that goes into depth about what the period between the wars was like for veterans of that first war. Philadelphia, PA. Can I add Rosie Claverton’s Welsh thrillers to your list, Code Runner is especially brilliant. Former police psychologist Kavanagh has the inside line on which buttons to press to grab the reader’s attention and never let go. They’re everything you would imagine a mystery series with covers illustrated by Edward Gorey would be, and they’re a tremendous amount of fun. Great list with some of my faves, esp. They write historical fiction, contemporary, suspense, paranormal, and sci-fi romance. First in the Series: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. Former showbiz journalist Cummins left all of the glitz and glamour behind to come up with a creepy protagonist whose quest to collect the bones of people with unusual conditions is both dark and disturbing. She’s as bright and sparkly as a new pin, but Cara Hunter and her creation DI Adam Fawley are being tipped for great things. 1 and 2 in a series featuring Collins and Griffiths. Pages in category "British mystery writers" The following 47 pages are in this category, out of 47 total. Note that these books are set in Britain, though some of the authors are Americans or Canadians. Unlike most other mystery series, the detective here, Professor Hilary Tamar of Oxford, is a complete cipher. I am re-reading them now. Then make a beeline for Claire Mackintosh.

She burst onto the scene in 2015 with In a Dark, Dark Wood, a book which made a huge impression and has been optioned for film, with Reese Witherspoon pencilled in as producer. I love a good origin story. Thanks for keeping The Domestic Front running. That’s one reason I love mysteries. Black women novelists have won the Nobel Prize (Toni Morrison), garnered the Pulitzer Prize (Alice Walker), and conquered the New York Times bestseller list (Tayari Jones) but black women short story writers aren’t always as visible.When readers think of masters of the short form, they most likely draw from a canon of writers who are white and those who are male. Last year’s release, The Killer on the Wall, was well received and she’s currently working on a non-crime novel – but let’s hope we can welcome Kavanagh back into the fold soon. $4.99 #33. More detective than mystery, but I have read every one of M. C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth stories.

We don’t know his/her gender, temperament, or physical characteristics. detective. Mysteries published prior to 1990 may be found at British Mystery Novels 1945 - 1990. I’ve been reading some Tana French and really enjoying it. The writing whirlwind that is Carol Wyer has already come up with five novels in the past 18 months, beginning with Little Girl Lost and reaching the latest publication, The Chosen Ones, all featuring Staffordshire DI Robyn Carter. Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore, Mystery Road season 2: Australian crime show returns to BBC Four, On the Radar: Some new crime fiction authors for you to try, On the Radar: Robert Galbraith’s Troubled Blood, and more…. Favorite in the Series: All of them. I am asking, despite the fact that I gave up on P.D. Cheerio Names like Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell and PD James will always spring to mind, and Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves might well be the reigning queens of crime. The mysteries are primarily epistolary, the facts told to Professor Tamar in letters and diary entries from four former students, now practicing barristers. If you’re a lover of the BBC’s  Sherlock (and if you’re not, you’re missing out. Also–although the writing isn’t at the same level–the Mrs. Pollifax novels of Dorothy Gilman. That should keep you busy for quite some time), but here are five other great mystery series to check out. The two of them make a formidable crime-solving team. Wyer is currently working on a new series, set to feature DI Natalie Ward. The books are very witty and arch, with a load of wordplay and in-jokes about British society, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (the English IRS), and the tax bar and Inns of Court. Lisa – I happen to love mysteries, so I have lots of suggestions. We decided to bring you a list of the best new  women authors to have emerged in the UK over last three or four years. The Professor Hilary Tamar Series by Sarah Caudwell. This list is not meant to include all authors during They write about black love and interracial, multicultural love. Sayers’s detective, Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey, second son of the Duke of Denver, is so 1920’s English aristocrat as to be almost a caricature, from his smooth blonde hair to his vintage port collection, monocle (!)

As a lawyer myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of the intricacies of the British criminal justice system, complete with barrister wigs, and of course, blood.

First in the Series:Thus Was Adonis Murdered. But I adore the late great Sayers and Caudwell, and only wish somebody could do really good imitations of them.

The first in the Quirke series is. Then came The Woman in Cabin 10, which also caused quite a stir, and The Lying Game. Kindle Edition. Thank you! Into his life stumbles Mary Russell, young, half-American, and brilliant – finally a match for the great man’s mind. Deadlier than the male? I can’t choose. Cummins’ third novel will be a stand alone – but we’re assured that she won’t be leaving behind the dark side she captures so well. Any favorite mystery series that I’ve missed here? As you may realize by now, I start to hyperventilate if I don’t have something to read. Everyone knows about Agatha Christie (and if you haven’t, she wrote 80 books! If you’re looking for a long-running series with tons of books to choose from, Connelly’s famed detective is a great place to look. Mysteries published prior to 1990 may be found at Mystery Author Index. James decades ago–way too dark for me–and only read Christie when I’m hyperventilating (you might enjoy a button I was once given by a Random House rep: “Women Who Read Too Much”). A series means that there’s always (often) another book to pick up, that you’re reasonably likely to enjoy reading, before you start on the hyperventilating. This is an author who isn’t afraid of tacking tough subjects and her police procedurals with a side order of the personal are tempting fare.

Her assault on our minds began back in 2014 with Falling, a book with a well-used backdrop – the aftermath of a plane crash – and her standalones have continued to entertain and bemuse her growing legion of fans ever since. So now I will hunt down Laurie King. I’ve mentioned my love of series before. and loyal manservant, Bunter. Author and book reviewer Ward first came to our notice in 2015, with the release of In Bitter Chill, a frosty tale of family history with its roots way back in the 1970s. This list may not reflect recent changes (). Favorite in the series: A Certain Justice. Again, she has a marvelous sense of place (are we beginning to see a pattern here?) The Best Historical Mysteries 11. What’s with mystery writers and the name Harry? I like to fall in love with protagonists, and I will always be in love with Mrs. Pollifax. She’s Cambridge-educated, the daughter of a fruit-seller (her entire origin story is told in the first book of the series) and like many of her contemporaries, she was deeply wounded by World War I. Unlike the other books in this list, these books are set in the present-day, and feature some of the horrors of contemporary England. Ngaio Marsh, on the other hand, holds up exceedingly well. Try “The Daughter of Time” you will love it! ), you owe it to yourself to check out Laurie King.