Do you love mysteries and need a good book to read over winter break? A good mystery can be hard to come by, so I always appreciate recommendations from others.
To preface this, I generally like traditional, high-brow mysteries like all of the Agatha Christie
mysteries (Poirot, Marple, Tommy & Tuppence, Mr. Quinn... you name it!), and I also like thoughtful mysteries like Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.I read a lot, especially since I stopped watching television. So I am usually reading a book, either on my kindle, or a hard or paperback copy, and I also generally have an audiobook on the go via my Audible subscription. While I've read some good books recently, I haven't enjoyed any as much as I've enjoyed Ashley Weaver's Amory Ames series
, which I am recommending to you today. The first book in the series, Murder at the Brightwell, is a sophisticated and intriguing period mystery, which takes place in 1930s England. This is an elegant and stylish mystery that fans of Agatha Christie will love.
I haven't enjoyed a fiction book this much since I read Amy Snow, which is another fantastic read that I highly recommend. Amy Snow isn't a mystery, but it is a delightful period novel with romance and intrigue.
Hear more about the Amory Ames mysteries in today's video. Be sure to leave your own book recommendations in the comments below.
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I would love to know... do you have any good book recommendations for us? Please let us know in the comments so we can add them to our list.
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24 comments:
I will look into both recommendations thank you!
I mentioned my recommendation of YouTube as well but will add it here.
Get Any Guy by Mary Starke is a dark romantic comedy, very unique and a quick read.
I too recently discovered the Amory Ames series and enjoyed them very much. I also am a big fan of the genre of the "cozy British mystery" in and around WWI and WWII. I happily recommend the following authors who have a series of books: Ngaio Marsh (DCI Roderick Alleyn and artist Agatha Troy); Patricia Wentworth (Miss Silver mysteries); and Charles Todd (Inspector Ian Rutledge). Enjoy!
I am a big mystery reader. Some series I've enjoyed are the Lady Emily series by Tasha Alexander, Masie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Windspear, Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber, Meg Lanslow series by Donna Andrews (these are hilarious), and Her Royal Sypness series by Rhys Bowen (these are a little silly, very light and fun).
Many years ago, I read all the Dorothy L. Sayers mysteries. I highly recommend them.
Just ordered it! Now hopefully I get a few moments to relax by the fireplace with a cup of tea and the new mystery...But with 3 little kids - once I'm hooked on it, I'll probably consume the book in one night after they've gone to sleep!
This isn't a mystery but I loved it. "A Man Called Ove" Loved all of Backmans books. They are very unique and idiosyncratic. Another dear book that everyone loved in my book club is "Boy's Life" by Robert McCammon. Those should keep you busy.
Thanks for your recommendations. I'm always on the lookout for a great book.
Echoing others, I recommend Patricia Wentworth, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers, Ellis Peters (set in the 1100s) and Georgette Heyer - did you know she wrote mysteries as well as Regency romances?
And - because not all my favourite mystery authors are dead and gone - Duffy Brown, Carola Dunn and Catriona McPherson. Duffy Brown is the only one who writes contemporary mysteries, but they're still a lot of fun.
I've just finished the first draft of a humorous mystery set in the early 1930s (aiming for Agatha Christie crossed with P.G. Wodehouse) but it's definitely not yet fit for human consumption!
I just finished the third in this series and I have to say they are getting better. This is my favorite genre right now. Here are some other series to check out if you like these! :) I'm not through all of them but they are good so far. The Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy L. Sayers, is great! The Tannie Maria Mystery series by Sally Andrew (set in S. Africa), The Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber (Victorian Scotland I believe), The Lady Emily series by Tasha Alexander, the Verity Kent series by Anna Lee Huber, of course the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, and the Daisy Dalrymple series by Carola Dunn.
Like I said, I love this genre! ;)
Oh! Also, Elizabeth Peters mysteries, especially the Amelia Peabody series, set in Victorian Eygpt and England. So good and funny!
The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear is one of my favorites. The Verity Kent series by Anna Lee Huber - I've just started the second book of this series, Treacherous is the night.
Not a series, but a really good read: A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. It's been out awhile, so I'm old news.
Hello! I love a good mystery too and am so glad you posted that because I have also been searching.
I would love to recommend books by Australian author Kerry Greenwood.
You would love them if you enjoy Alexander McCall Smith!
She has one series about Phryne (Fry-nee) Fisher, 1920s detective set in Melbourne. These have also been made in a mini series.
http://phrynefisher.com/books.html
Kerry Greenwood also has written a series set in present time called Carina Chapman, another strong female detective / baker ;) http://earthlydelights.net.au
Hope you can get your hands on them. They truly are special.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the book recommendation. I will check it out. I love mysteries, too!
Warm best,
Alexandra
Jennifer thank you for this recommendation. My local library has it so I will soon be able to read it.
In turn I would recommend The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes. Started reading it last night and so far so good!
Also the Maigret mystery books by Georges Simenon.
Hi Jennifer,
Now that I have more time, I can add some recommendations of my own. Like a few folks here, I recommend the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, at least the first several books in her series. I didn't care for her last few books. Also, like someone else wrote, I highly recommend many of the Phryne Fisher stories by Kerry Greenwood. I believe I mentioned them on this blog in the past. If you like A. M. Smith,then you will love his Isabel Dalhousie mysteries set in Scotland. These are even better than the ones set in Africa in my opinion, although they're only mysteries in the loose sense of the word (no murders).
I just finished reading a good book of historical fiction with a mysterious aspect. This was "Golden Hill" by Francis Spufford. It is set in colonial New York. It is very intelligent, but it does have some vulgar and violent elements. It seems it was a vulgar and violent time in history. The mystery is that you don't know the real identity of the main character is or why he is there until the end of the book. Happy reading!
Warm best,
Alexandra
Hello Jennifer,
I have to start by saying that I just love your Madam Chic books, and have read and re-read them multiple times. I give them as gifts, and I recommend them whenever I notice a young lady start to look up to me. I'm definitely going to try your recommendation for the murder mystery book, as I'm a big fan of that genre. I was wondering if you've had a chance to look at Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood? I have been hooked on these books, and like yours, have reread them. Set in 1920's Australia, it's beautiful, the heroine is divine and ahead of her time. There's also a series on Netflix played by the beautiful Essie Davis which I highly recommend.
Please keep doing what you do. You've inspired many, and will continue to inspire more!
Lara
Dearest Jennifer,
I love you blog and books. I myself am a private investigator and love reading mysteries on my off time.
The best of the best is Stephanie Barron. She writes Jane Austen mysteries and her writing is very similar
to Austen.
This series of books explores her keen mind, relations, love, emotions with mystery and intrigue.
Merry Christmas,
Elle
Hi Jennifer-please, please, please try Dorothy L Sayers - the Lord Peter Wimsey series. If you like Agatha Christie I think you love them. They are set in London in the 1930s and are even better than Agatha Christie, I think. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Enjoy reading. Jessica
I do not see Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels mentioned. It is really best to start with Still Life and proceed from there.
Ladies, thank you so much for weighing in with your book recommendations. I am delighted to have so many to add to my list! I know we all share similar taste in this genre and I am truly grateful. If you read the Amory Ames series, I hope you enjoy it!
Love,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer.
I love 20s and 30s period mysteries! My favorites have been the Phryne Fisher novels (who knew 1920s Australia was such a fascinating place?) and the seriously addictive Maisie Dobbs novels (I am counting the days until the next one comes out). (FYI: if you haven't tried the Maisie Dobbs novels yet, I recommend reading them in order because they're almost like one big novel with each book as a chapter.)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is also wonderful. I haven't tried McCall Smith's other series, but I'm curious about them. I'll definitely check out your other recommendations.
- Andrea
I am a huge Susanna Kearsley fan. Her books are a little bit historical fiction, a little bit mystery, and a little romance. They really are good, pretty clean reads. I recommend The Winter Sea or The Rose Garden to start. They are tied for my favorite.
I’m looking forward to checking out some of your recommendations as well! I love a good mystery.
Yes! I absolutely agree! I couldnt believe no one had mentioned these yet, and was preparing to add them to the list. Thank you!!
Jennifer: I'm catching up reading your blog. Thank you for the recommendations! PLEASE can you tell me what that music is at the end of the video? I love it!
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