Janice's Favorite Mysteries

NOTE: I do not pretence that these lists, for historical and contemporary mysteries, are based on literary merit or critical acclaim -- they merely contain books that I personally like!

(To find out the order of a mystery series, I highly recommend the Stop, You're Killing Me site, through which you can look up a mystery series by author or by character name.)

Historical Mysteries

The list below provides the author's name, the first book in the series, and a brief description of the era and protagonist of the series.

Alexander, Tasha And Only to Deceive Victorian wife in lukewarm marriage whose husband dies in Africa gradually learns more about him, and becomes friendly with his best friend.
Allen, Conrad Murder on the Lusitania Male/female Pinkerton detectives working for steamship lines

Dickinson, David Goodnight Sweet Prince Victorian baron, a former India intelligence officer, does occasional jobs for the government

Dunn, Carola Death at Wentwater Court Daughter of a viscount in post-WWI England works as a reporter, falls in love with a Scotland Yard inspector (lighter)

Franklin, Ariana Mistress of the Art of Death Sicilian-trained female medieval coroner is hired by King Henry II.

Gellis, Roberta A Mortal Bane A 12th century "whoremistress" with powerful friends

Greenwood, Kerry Cocaine Blues (APA Death by Misadventure) 1920s heiress in Melbourne. Lots of nice period detail with a heroine who might be a little too good to be true but is still engaging.

Harrison, Cora My Lady Judge) 16th century female Irish brehon (judge). A bit more charcter-driven than the Fidelma mysteries.

Harris, C.S. What Angels Fear Regency-era Viscount falsely accused of murder investigates and solves crime, then goes on to solve other sensitive cases. Very well written and interesting personal dilemmas for main character.

King, Laurie R. The Beekeeper's Apprentice Sherlock Holmes gets a young, female assistant (sounds silly but an excellent series)

March, Hannah Complaint of the Dove Georgian impoverished tutor who works for various rich/noble families

Marston, Edward The Queen's Head Elizabethan theatre troupe manager and the troupe's adventures

Newman, Sharan Death Comes As Epiphany 12th-century French convent novice leaves the convent and has interesting family linkages

Paige, Robin Death at Bishop's Keep Victorian-era American writer of gothics marries scientifically inclined baron in England with noble friends (lighter)

Perry, Anne The Face of a Stranger (William Monk series) Victorian detective loses memory but continues to work at his job (I thought this would take the easy way out and restore the character's memory right away but the author handles this in an intriguing way through several books)

Perry, Anne Cater Street Hangman (Inspector Pitt series) Proper Victorian woman gets involved with social inferior police detective

Peters, Ellis A Morbid Taste for Bones Very well-known medieval mystery series starring Brother Cadfael, a former Crusader soldier now turned monk and apothecary.

Raybourne, Deanna Silent in the Grave Victorian wife whose husband dies suddenly is contacted by an inquiry agent, and they begin working together.

Robins, Madeline A Point of Honour Regency-era "fallen woman" turned investigator

Ross, Kate Cut to the Quick Regency-era intelligent dandy with doctor friend

Ryan, P.B. Still Life With Murder Civil War Irish governess with a shady past working for an unusual Brahmin patrician society woman

Sayers, Dorothy Whose Body? 1920s - 30s. Lord Peter Wimsey. Read them now.

Thompson, Victoria Murder on Astor Place 1900s New York widowed midwife with Irish police detective friend (lighter)

Tremayne, Peter Absolution by Murder 16th century Irish princess turned nun who is an investigative lawyer (great historical stuff about Ireland)

Wentworth, Patricia Grey Mask Immediately post-WWII, elderly former governess turned private investigator. Impressively well-written prose, nice central character and characterizations. (Note that this first book only glancingly introduces the main character; the subsequent books are more engaging.)

Winspear, Jacqueline Maisie Dobbs Former WWI military nurse becomes investigator. Good look at psychological aftermath of WWI as well as compelling main character.

Contemporary Mysteries

The list below provides the author's name, the first book in the series, and a brief description of the protagonist of the series.

Andrews, Donna You've Got Murder Self-aware computer program solves mysteries with help of human IT staff. Light, but interesting premise.

Atherton, Nancy Aunt Dimity's Death Cozies mostly set in Britain about a woman who communicates through a diary with a friend of her mother's.

Crombie, Deborah A Share in Death Well written Scotland Yard procedurals with interesting main characters.

Davidson, Diane Mott Catering to Nobody Caterer with violent ex-husband. Nice character arc plus recipes.

Fluke, Joanne Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Cozies about a bakery owner in a small Minnesota town. Nice main character and continuing characters who are interesting without being too quirky. Be warned: you will want dessert while reading these :->

Fowler, Earlene Fool's Puzzle Female rancher in central California. A bit Christian but well written central characters. (This author also wrote a terrific one-off mystery, The Saddlemaker's Wife.)

Krich, Rochelle Blues in the Night Orthodox Jewish female true crime writer. Easily the best depiction of an Orthodox character where that is only a part of their identity, plus decent mysteries.

Maitland, Barry The Marx Sisters Well written Scotland Yard procedurals.

Maron, Margaret Bootlegger's Daughter Southern female lawyer with interesting family.

Robb, J.D. (pseudonym of Nora Roberts) Naked in Death Series set in the near future featuring a kick-ass female New York cop and her husband, The Richest, Most Handsome Man in the World. Addictive.

Spencer-Fleming, Julia In the Bleak Midwinter Female Episcopalian priest assigned to small town in upstate New York, has intriguing and non-standard relationship with local police chief. Totally non-formulaic and extremely well written series.

Last updated November 1, 2010.

This page hosted by

Alexander, Tasha	And Only to Deceive	Victorian wife in lukewarm marriage whose husband dies in Africa gradually learns more about him, and becomes friendly with his best friend.
Allen, Conrad	Murder on the Lusitania	Male/female Pinkerton detectives working for steamship lines
Dickinson, David	Goodnight Sweet Prince	Victorian baron, a former India intelligence officer, does occasional jobs for the government
Dunn, Carola	Death at Wentwater Court	Daughter of a viscount in post-WWI England works as a reporter, falls in love with a Scotland Yard inspector (lighter)
Franklin, Ariana	Mistress of the Art of Death	Sicilian-trained female medieval coroner is hired by King Henry II.
Gellis, Roberta	A Mortal Bane	A 12th century "whoremistress" with powerful friends
Greenwood, Kerry	Cocaine Blues (APA Death by Misadventure)	1920s heiress in Melbourne. Lots of nice period detail with a heroine who might be a little too good to be true but is still engaging.
Harrison, Cora	My Lady Judge)	16th century female Irish brehon (judge). A bit more charcter-driven than the Fidelma mysteries.
Harris, C.S.	What Angels Fear	Regency-era Viscount falsely accused of murder investigates and solves crime, then goes on to solve other sensitive cases. Very well written and interesting personal dilemmas for main character.
King, Laurie R.	The Beekeeper's Apprentice	Sherlock Holmes gets a young, female assistant (sounds silly but an excellent series)
March, Hannah	Complaint of the Dove	Georgian impoverished tutor who works for various rich/noble families
Marston, Edward	The Queen's Head	Elizabethan theatre troupe manager and the troupe's adventures
Newman, Sharan	Death Comes As Epiphany	12th-century French convent novice leaves the convent and has interesting family linkages
Paige, Robin	Death at Bishop's Keep	Victorian-era American writer of gothics marries scientifically inclined baron in England with noble friends (lighter)
Perry, Anne	The Face of a Stranger (William Monk series)	Victorian detective loses memory but continues to work at his job (I thought this would take the easy way out and restore the character's memory right away but the author handles this in an intriguing way through several books)
Perry, Anne	Cater Street Hangman (Inspector Pitt series)	Proper Victorian woman gets involved with social inferior police detective
Peters, Ellis	A Morbid Taste for Bones	Very well-known medieval mystery series starring Brother Cadfael, a former Crusader soldier now turned monk and apothecary.
Raybourne, Deanna	Silent in the Grave	Victorian wife whose husband dies suddenly is contacted by an inquiry agent, and they begin working together.
Robins, Madeline	A Point of Honour	Regency-era "fallen woman" turned investigator
Ross, Kate	Cut to the Quick	Regency-era intelligent dandy with doctor friend
Ryan, P.B.	Still Life With Murder	Civil War Irish governess with a shady past working for an unusual Brahmin patrician society woman
Sayers, Dorothy	Whose Body?	1920s - 30s. Lord Peter Wimsey. Read them now.
Thompson, Victoria	Murder on Astor Place	1900s New York widowed midwife with Irish police detective friend (lighter)
Tremayne, Peter	Absolution by Murder	16th century Irish princess turned nun who is an investigative lawyer (great historical stuff about Ireland)
Wentworth, Patricia	Grey Mask	Immediately post-WWII, elderly former governess turned private investigator. Impressively well-written prose, nice central character and characterizations. (Note that this first book only glancingly introduces the main character; the subsequent books are more engaging.)
Winspear, Jacqueline	Maisie Dobbs	Former WWI military nurse becomes investigator. Good look at psychological aftermath of WWI as well as compelling main character.

Andrews, Donna	You've Got Murder	Self-aware computer program solves mysteries with help of human IT staff. Light, but interesting premise.
Atherton, Nancy	Aunt Dimity's Death	Cozies mostly set in Britain about a woman who communicates through a diary with a friend of her mother's.
Crombie, Deborah	A Share in Death	Well written Scotland Yard procedurals with interesting main characters.
Davidson, Diane Mott	Catering to Nobody	Caterer with violent ex-husband. Nice character arc plus recipes.
Fluke, Joanne	Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder	Cozies about a bakery owner in a small Minnesota town. Nice main character and continuing characters who are interesting without being too quirky. Be warned: you will want dessert while reading these :->
Fowler, Earlene	Fool's Puzzle	Female rancher in central California. A bit Christian but well written central characters. (This author also wrote a terrific one-off mystery, The Saddlemaker's Wife.)
Krich, Rochelle	Blues in the Night	Orthodox Jewish female true crime writer. Easily the best depiction of an Orthodox character where that is only a part of their identity, plus decent mysteries.
Maitland, Barry	The Marx Sisters	Well written Scotland Yard procedurals.
Maron, Margaret	Bootlegger's Daughter	Southern female lawyer with interesting family.
Robb, J.D. (pseudonym of Nora Roberts)	Naked in Death	Series set in the near future featuring a kick-ass female New York cop and her husband, The Richest, Most Handsome Man in the World. Addictive.
Spencer-Fleming, Julia	In the Bleak Midwinter	Female Episcopalian priest assigned to small town in upstate New York, has intriguing and non-standard relationship with local police chief. Totally non-formulaic and extremely well written series.