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Since it is summertime, I thought it would be nice to talk about some fiction for a change. I’m a mystery lover and always have been. I remember reading Encyclopedia Brown mysteries as a child and eventually moving to Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. The genre stuck as my go-to. I’m drawn to series with likable characters and interesting settings. Here are some of my favorites, starting with the first books.
- Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. This series starts in 1929 when a young Maisie Dobbs has just hung out her private detective shingle in London. This first book reflects on her life from before WWI, through her days working in service to an aristocratic family and as a nurse in the Great War. Book 18 has just been released and they have stayed just as engaging, historically moving, and gripping as the first.
- Still Life by Louise Penny. Somewhere in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, the village of Three Pines, not even on any maps, calls out to me as the perfect place to visit — or maybe even live. The problem is the murder rate. This series features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his colleagues at the Surete du Quebec. It’s very well written, has excellent character development, and leaves you wondering who did it until the end.
- The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais. Los Angeles P.I. Elvis Cole is a wise-cracking, very likable character. Together with his sometimes partner, Joe Pike, a quiet tough guy, they solve crimes in L.A. These aren’t cozy mysteries, but much more action-packed with some violence. Some titles are only available in eBook at the library.
- Rules of Prey by John Sandford. Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Lucas Davenport is the protagonist of this series. Without giving anything away, there are a lot of developments in Davenport’s career over the years, which keeps the series interesting and the plots fresh. It will also last you for a while, with 34 books to date.
- Dog on It by Spencer Quinn. I highly recommend getting the Chet and Bernie series in audiobook format. The narrator is great, and since the book is told completely from the dog’s perspective, the voice makes it even better. This series will make you absolutely love a dog named Chet.
- One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. If you’re looking for mysteries that aren’t scary or gory, the Stephanie Plum series may be for you. They aren’t serious literature with intricate plots, but they are really fun and never fail to make me laugh out loud.
Library Tip of the Month: You can listen to audiobooks without paying a subscription fee by using your library card. Use your computer or the Libby app on your mobile device. Learn more on our eBooks & eAudio page.
