Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Looking around Goodreads has helped me find lots of new mystery series to try, and I’ve found plenty (mostly through Listopia) to add to my list of favorites. I tend to prefer older books, and I’ve discovered a number of series that seem to have been quite popular (and deservedly so IMO) once upon a time but have since fallen into relative obscurity. (At least most of these I’d never even heard of before.) And I thought I’d share (and see if anybody has any to add to these.)

The first I found was Emma Lathen’s John Putnam Thatcher mysteries, and I doubted I’d care for books with a banker as the hero, but one of the reviewers compared them to the Nero Wolfes, so I had to give them a try. And I’m glad I did (and it’s hard to describe how exactly, but them did seem somewhat reminiscent of the Wolfes to me too.) Great series that occasionally skewers Wall Street while portraying interesting puzzles and proving that bankers don’t have to be villains. (And of course it works out naturally to combine high finance and murder.)

Another new series I discovered was Mr. and Mrs. North (which is also reminiscent of the Wolfes, mainly because of its depiction of 40’s and 50’s NYC and the police of that era.) Hilarious and fun (and like Archie and Nero, Jerry and Pam make a great couple of characters) they’re generally good puzzles too.

Then there were the Antony Maitland mysteries (a stimulating and amusing series about a London lawyer who does a lot of sleuthing outside the courtroom) and the Henry Tibbet series (a little slow at times, but solid stories and well-written characters.) And the Miss Silvers, which now rank up there with my all-time favorites. The first was a bit weird, but they’re all fun and entertaining, and Miss Silver is a great character (who’s different from but as good as, or maybe even better than, Miss Marple. And that’s coming from someone who thinks Agatha Christie is underrated.) And I don’t want to forget the Inspector Sloane series with its biting humor and complicated plots. There are more, but those are the tops for me.

I wonder how many more obscure, old (and really good) mysteries I’ve missed there can still be out there, waiting to be discovered.

I've actually moved away from mysteries now but I have fond memories of some of the old series. Other writers who seem to get little notice now are:

John Dickson Carr
Catherine Aird
Nicholas Blake
Leo Bruce
Edmund Crispin
Michael Gilbert
William Marshall
Margaret Millar
Arthur Upfield

HNR any of these

The Sloane series is very good, and I can remember reading many others; but unfortunately, I can't remember any names after all these years. Those were the days when I went to the library every weekend, and loaded up with mysteries.

JDCis my fav!

Faith wrote: "I've actually moved away from mysteries now but I have fond memories of some of the old series. Other writers who seem to get little notice now are:

John Dickson Carr
[author:Catheri..."

Thanks! The Nigel Strangeways mysteries look good, as do both series by Leo Bruce. I read the first Dr. Fell and liked it but haven't gotten around to reading any more Carr. And I definitely want to check out Crispin. Arthur Upfield's books, though, only seem to be available in French!

One of the problem with these older books, of course, is how difficult and/or expensive they can be to get ahold of. I liked the first Constable Evans, but haven't been able to get any more (at a reasonable price) and the Hildegarde Withers mysteries are great fun (almost like watching old screwball mystery movies) but also really hard to find.

Almost all of the Hildegarde Wither's books are available in Ebook format through Mysterious Press/Open Road Media. Same is true of Mr. & Mrs. North and Catherine Aird's books.

Now if someone can explain to me why most of the Donald Lam/Bertha Cool series is not available...Sure it is ESG writing under a pen name, he used his real name for the Perry Mason series....still....

James wrote: "Faith wrote: "I've actually moved away from mysteries now but I have fond memories of some of the old series. Other writers who seem to get little notice now are:

John Dickson Carr
[..."

Here is the Amazon link to Upfield. His books had an unusual setting. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...

Also try the books John Dickson Carr wrote under the name of Carter Dickson. Also see the books of Ngaio Marsh.

Faith wrote: "Here is the Amazon link to Upfield. His books had an unusual setting. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...

Also try the books John Dickson Carr wrote under the name of Carter Dickson. Also see the books of Ngaio Marsh. "

Those Inspector Bonaparte mysteries look fascinating, and since they're set in the Australian bush, I'll have to read at least one. It's interesting (read: bizarre) that searching for Arthur Upfield here only led me to an empty profile and on Amazon to the French translations - but searching for Inspector Bonaparte both here and there led me to the right books. At least I found them at last. Thanks!

As for Marsh, I read (and really liked) the Inspector Alleyn books, but I'm not sure I'd call Ngaio Marsh obscure!

Gary wrote: "Now if someone can explain to me why most of the Donald Lam/Bertha Cool series is not available..."

Oooh! As a big (figuratively) Nero Wolfe fan, those Cool and Lam mysteries sound interesting! I don't particularly care for e-books, but hopefully they're available (at a reasonable price) in paperback.

The first Cool and Lam novel was instrumental in getting a change to California Law. Gardner, being a lawyer, apparently found a way for someone to get away with murder legally.

In the old days I could have seen the heavier Shelley Winters as Bertha. I have a number of the books in paperback, but at 30 plus years old the books are showing signs of yellowing etc.

Gary wrote: "The first Cool and Lam novel was instrumental in getting a change to California Law. Gardner, being a lawyer, apparently found a way for someone to get away with murder legally.

In the old days I..."

Very interesting! Unfortunately it looks like it'll be really difficult to get that first Cool and Lam, but I'll be trying to get my hands on it for sure now.

That's one great thing about e-books — they never go out of print or become so rare the price becomes exorbitant.

Well except for.....you knew I hsd examples right?

David Eddings The Belgariad and The Mallorian along with Polgara The Sorceress and Belgarath The Sorcerer all had been available as E-books, now all are not available from either Amazon or B&N.

Three books by Maria Grazi Swan, and its two sequels are gone. They no longer show on the publisher's website either.

Gary wrote: "Well except for.....you knew I hsd examples right?

David Eddings The Belgariad and The Mallorian along with Polgara Thd Sorceress and Belgarath Thd Sorcerer all had been available as E-books, now ..."

I stand corrected:-) One great thing about e-books is that they should always remain available, and at a reasonable price.

James wrote: "Gary wrote: "Well except for.....you knew I hsd examples right?

David Eddings The Belgariad and The Mallorian along with Polgara Thd Sorceress and Belgarath Thd Sorcerer all had been available as ..."
Why they should be as costly as print books has always irritated me.

Gary wrote: "Why they should be as costly as print books has always irritated me. "

Since I don't buy e-books, it doesn't bother me, but of course there's no good reason they should cost as much as the print versions.

I was finally able to get ahold of one of the earlier Upfields (Wings Above the Diamantina) and just finished reading it. A fascinating setting, an intriguing mystery, and some great characters (particularly Inspector Bonaparte) made this a real winner, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

(And thanks to Faith for the recommendation.)

You're welcome. The William Marshall books are being reissued for kindle by the publisher Farrago. The first one is Yellowthread Street. It will be published in July. These also have an interesting setting, Hong Kong.

Always have enjoyed John Dickson Carr and Emma Latham series of books.

Has anyone else read Earl Derr Biggers, creator of Charlie Chan? I recently read three of the books and really enjoyed them (especially since there was no white actor pretending to be Chinese with an awful accent!)

I also recently read a number of Georges Simenon's Inspector Maigret novels and enjoyed them as well.

Check out the Judge Dee books by Robert van Gulik. They are set in the time of Tang Dynasty rule (if memory serves). They form a series and are more enjoyable to read according to their sequence.

Dyah wrote: "Check out the Judge Dee books by Robert van Gulik. They are set in the time of Tang Dynasty rule (if memory serves). They form a series and are more enjoyable to read according to t..."

I love the Judge Dee series! Thanks for reminding me about them!

Thanks again to Faith, who had so many great recommendations!

I just read one of Leo Bruce's mysteries, and he's right up there with Ngaio and the other greats, but who'd ever heard of him. (Not me, but I'm glad I know now.)

I love the character of Carolous Deene, and it was a really clever mystery. With plenty of humor, too!

One of my favorites is Joseph Smith Fletcher. Of course, finding his books can be tricky... I did find several on alibris but those cost a bit plus shipping. He is also available on Project Gutenberg as printable books or ebooks, and on Librivox if you want an audiobook.

I think I have all of the ones on librivox, but then I don't mind volunteer readers, and often find them lots of fun. <><

HNR

James wrote: "Thanks again to Faith, who had so many great recommendations!

I just read one of Leo Bruce's mysteries, and he's right up there with Ngaio and the other greats, but who'd ever heard of him. (Not m..."

I'm glad you liked Leo Bruce, I've read several of his books and liked them a lot.

Msjodi777 wrote: "One of my favorites is Joseph Smith Fletcher. Of course, finding his books can be tricky... I did find several on alibris but those cost a bit plus shipping. He is also available o..."

Looks interesting. I'll have to give one a read (or listen.) Thanks for the links - I've just started listening to audiobooks, and I think I prefer them to e-books. (And I certainly prefer free versions of either to over-priced print copies.)