# Let's talk about our favorite mystery novels **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982 "2012-04-16T18:48:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/41 "2012-04-21T01:07:19Z")
I’m all about [Kate Atkinson’s](http://www.kateatkinson.co.uk/books/) Jackson Brody novels these days: _Case Histories, One Good Turn, When Will There Be Good News?_ and _Started Early, Took My Dog_. Character driven with several smart, gritty, interwoven plot lines and a likable sad sack of a flawed hero. What’s not to love? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/42 "2012-04-22T06:04:34Z")
Ah, time for my semi-annual rant: I like mysteries that you can figure out before the end (and not just two pages before all is revealed, please!). As far as I’m concerned, they’re the only type of mystery story that’s worthy of the name. Anything else is should be categorized as “crime” (perhaps “suspense”), as far as I’m concerned. As such, most modern books fall far, far short of my standards, especially since my favorite subgenre is the locked room mystery, which is incredibly hard to write well, especially if you care about making a gimmick that hasn’t been done before (or at least camouflaging it well enough so it doesn’t look like it has). Paul Halter is a gift, but he’s only now being translated out of French. Edward Hoch, RIP, also wonderful. There are some Japanese authors, I understand, that I’d love, but they haven’t been translated yet. (Anyone with suggestions that fall in spheres I’d be interested in, PLEASE share!) ETA: Oh, and far as classics go, John Dickson Carr is, of course, king, although I wish Christianna Brand had written more.) ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/43 "2012-04-22T14:27:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Sherlock Holmes (novels and stories) > > Robert H. Van Gulik’s _Judge Dee_ novels, set in T’ang dynasty China, and using elements taken from Chinese mystery novels written hundreds of years ago. Van Gulik plays fair, too – if a clue is a linguistic one, he gives it to you in English form (Van Gulik was a _Dutch_ diplomat writing about _Chinese_ history in _English_. And other languages, too. The man was astonishing) > > . > Lindsay Davis’ _Marcus Didius Falco_ mysteries set in ancient Rome. I have to read more of these. My wife’s read them all. > > Rex Stout’s _Nero Wolf_ novels. It took me a while to get into these, but they’re worth it. I also like Robert Goldsborough’s sequels, which i’ve finally read the last of. Surprised to actually know someone else who enjoyed Van Gulik, used to love his stories but they’re mostly unobtainable now in the U.K. Lindsay Davis’s books were readable to start off with but became more and more menopausal, until they became very odd and unreadable to someone who wasn’t a broody, middle aged female. Tried to read her last two and gave up on both of them . Totally dreadful. My own candidat is Inspector Morse, an intellectual police detective who works in the university city of Oxford. Used to enjoy Ed McBain but he jumped the shark some time ago. Bernard Knights medieval mysteries are good also, and accurate. When a period piece has “Now’ist” thinking behind it or gets it wrong, I stop reading. ---
**Author:** ![Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8dc957/32.png) [@Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Christopher_Robin_Davies)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/44 "2012-04-22T16:18:16Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > Surprised to actually know someone else who enjoyed Van Gulik, used to love his stories but they’re mostly unobtainable now in the U.K. > > Lindsay Davis’s books were readable to start off with but became more and more menopausal, until they became very odd and unreadable to someone who wasn’t a broody, middle aged female. > > Tried to read her last two and gave up on both of them . > Totally dreadful. > > My own candidat is Inspector Morse, an intellectual police detective who works in the university city of Oxford. > > Used to enjoy Ed McBain but he jumped the shark some time ago. > > Bernard Knights medieval mysteries are good also, and accurate. > > When a period piece has “Now’ist” thinking behind it or gets it wrong, I stop reading. What does Now’ist mean? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/45 "2012-04-22T16:53:15Z")
> [@Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](#): > > What does Now’ist mean? I assume “Now”-ist. Modernist. Putting modern ideas of social equality and social justice into non-modern characters’ worldviews. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/46 "2012-04-22T17:44:36Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I assume “Now”-ist. Modernist. Putting modern ideas of social equality and social justice into non-modern characters’ worldviews. Spot on ! Or the character who is an eccentric who believes in frequent washing in the Middle Ages, or is shocked by sudden death or disfigurment etc. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/47 "2012-04-22T22:34:21Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > Surprised to actually know someone else who enjoyed Van Gulik, used to love his stories but they’re mostly unobtainable now in the U.K. > > . Odd. They’ve just republished them in the US – I saw new editions in a bookstore last week. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/48 "2012-04-23T18:24:37Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Just curious- is there such a thing as a good, compelling mystery that doesn’t involve someone being murdered? How close do you want to miss it? [spoiler]Consider, say, DIAL M FOR MURDER: the inheritance-hungry husband is guilty of _ **attempted** _ murder by setting up his perfect alibi and hiring someone else to off her; his wife isn’t guilty of anything upon killing that guy in self-defense; the husband presumably earns himself a _ **second** _ attempted-murder charge (and other stuff besides) by messing with the evidence to make it look like it wasn’t self-defense but murder, for to get her sentenced to death – and then we see the proto-Columbo, who knows no more than we do, try to uncover what really happened with hours to go before she’ll be executed; it’s not a whodunit for us, but a compelling howcatchem! And, since the sleuth succeeds in time, you could argue that nobody actually gets murdered; it has all the sizzle of a murder mystery, but never bothers with the steak![/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/49 "2012-04-25T17:37:00Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Odd. They’ve just republished them in the US – I saw new editions in a bookstore last week. Sounds good, hopefully they’ll reprint them over here as well. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/50 "2012-04-25T17:49:42Z")
I’m another Agatha Christie fan – I read lots of her books when I was a teenager and young adult. Some of my favorites of hers are: _The ABC Murders Three Act Tragedy One, Two, Buckle my Shoe After the Funeral Cat Among the Pigeons_ and of course, _Murder on the Orient Express_ ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/51 "2012-04-25T21:29:03Z")
I bought a compilation of Christie works (novels and short stories) for my Nook, for something like three or four bucks. And I got several books and stories that I’d never been able to find before. I also bought the complete Sherlock Holmes for a similar price. ---
**Author:** ![creynier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@creynier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/creynier)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/52 "2012-08-16T13:26:00Z")
> [@Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](#): > > My personal favorites are the Lord Peter Wimsey and Philip Marlowe novels. I love Sherlock Holmes too though techically most of those are short stories rather than novels. Most contemporary mystery stuff does nothing for me I am afraid but I am open to recommendations that might change my mind. Anybody care to talk about the stuff they like best? I wouldn’t be so quick to poo poo contemporary mystery. There have been several new books released in 2012 that might be worth your while. _Defending Jacob_ and _The Gods of Gotham_ to name a couple. You should check out this list of [The Best Mystery Novels of 2012](http://www.thebestbooksof.com/bestbooks/best-book-lists/the-best-mystery-novels-of-2012/) by [TheBestBooksOf.com](http://www.thebestbooksof.com). They create great lists and I’ve always trusted their opinion, as I have purchased many books based on their recommendations and loved them. Well, I hope I’ve at least somewhat swayed you towards new mystery novels! 🙂 Cheers Hope you find a great book. Let me know if you know of anything else worth reading. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/53 "2012-08-17T03:17:09Z")
Inspector Van der Valk series by Nicolas Freeling Anything by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (co-writers) Ross Thomas Ross McDonald Len Deighton’s trilogy of trilogies (Winter; Game,Set,Match; Hook, Line, Sinker; Faith, Hope, Charity) Almost all Elmore Leonard with the exception of Be Cool Susan Isaacs ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/54 "2012-08-17T03:54:40Z")
Am I the only Ngaio Marsh fan here? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/55 "2012-08-17T05:43:17Z")
I just scored half a dozen Dorothy L. Sayers at Half Price Books a couple of days ago. I guess someone was cleaning out an estate, there were plenty of older mysteries in that aisle, all in wonderful condition. The bad news was, I picked up a couple of books that I already own, because I hadn’t remembered that I actually own them (not Sayers’ books), I only remembered reading them. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/56 "2012-08-17T06:09:57Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My personal preference is science fiction/fantasy mystery. Larry Niven has written a number of short stories and novels that are science fiction (they take place in the future, with future tech) that are essentially mysteries, and they work well… My favorite SciFi is _ **The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton** _. A couple of mystery stories set in the future. Larry Niven again, this time writing about a noir-ish detective that just happens to have a “psychic arm” (trust me, it works). Asimov wrote a number of excellent mysteries, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/57 "2012-08-17T16:13:50Z")
Is there no love for Alan Bradley’s Favia deLuce mysteries? Or Christopher Fowler’s Peculiar Crimes Unit? ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/58 "2012-08-17T17:29:43Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Am I the only Ngaio Marsh fan here? NO! See post #37 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/59 "2012-08-17T22:41:44Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Am I the only Ngaio Marsh fan here? I love Ngaio Marsh. Her stories and characters are interesting even without a murder being involved. Alleyn’s aristocratic identity also gradually diminishes in impotance throughout the series. Peculiar Crimes Unit : I’ve read the first two, and enjoyed them. However, if you’re starting with a septuagenarian/octogenarian pair of detectives, whose age is showing, Fowler will have to do a Poirot to keep the series running. The books I’ve read by Minette Walters have been good. Try _The Scold’s Bridle_ or _The Ice House_. One of the best mystery novels I have read is _An Instance of the Fingerpost_ by Iain Pears. Set in Restoration England it tells the story of a murder in Oxford through the eyes of four individuals, each with a different understanding of the events. Everything is brought neatly together at the end. Most of the characters involved are actual historical figures. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982/60 "2012-08-18T01:17:17Z")
No mention of Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine? :eek: I’m shocked! I would pick her books above all the others mentioned. She’s in a class by herself. Inspector Wexford stories are wonderful renditions of modern day life in England, even without the murders. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-our-favorite-mystery-novels/618982.md?page=4)