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Jan-1-2007 16:54

I've actually never read a mystery novel in my life yet somehow I ended up here and like this game a lot. This got me to thinking that maybe I should actually check out some mystery novels. Who knows maybe I might stumble onto a hidden passion I didn't knwo I had.

Now I'm assuming a few of you here must be mystery buffs and I was wondering if you could recomend some mystery novels to a "n00b" of the genre.

Jan-1-2007 23:40

Here are some of my personal favourites:

Agatha Christie: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Sleeping Murder
Lord Edgware Dies
Death on the Nile

Arthur Connan Doyle: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Ellis Peters: The Leper of St Giles (and others from Brother Cadfael series)

Josephine Tey: The Daughter of Time
Miss Pym Disposes
Brat Farrar (not typical murder mysteries, but excellent reading)

Robert van Gulik: The Chinese Bell Murders (and others from Judge Dee series)

Jan-1-2007 23:41

Personally I have been reading the works of Robert Ludlum (Bourne series) and Kathy Reich (her books are the basis of the TV show "Bones") lately... they're more thriller than mystery but have the same elements for the most part.

Jan-2-2007 05:14

James Patterson's Alex Cross Novels. The movies Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls are based on his novels.

Micheal Connelley - Harry Bosch Novels

David Baldacci.

Since you are starting out go the library 1st, is much cheaper then trying to purchase even if you purchase used.

Jan-2-2007 06:19

LOL, do mystery TV shows based on books count? If so, I personally love the Midsomer Murder series. I haven't read any of the books yet, but I'm planning to very soon.

Jan-2-2007 10:09

I tend to go more for the more recent stuff, like Farm up there. Michael Connolly is great, as is James Patterson. My absolute favorite is Faye Kellerman (Peter Decker series), closely followed by Robert B. Parker (Spenser series), and Perri O'Shaughnessy (which is more legal thriller, but still great).

Jan-2-2007 11:02

I recommend The Cat Who books. Its a series. Each title starts with "The Cat Who". Personally, I've read The Cat Who turned on and off. Great book. Also try Dead for the Winter. Sorry, I don't know the authors of either book. Hope I helped. :)

Jan-2-2007 13:09

Some books I have read have mini mysteries for you to solve and then they tell you what page the answer is on. After looking at the evidence and you think you know the answer, you can look at the page and see if you got it right.

Jan-2-2007 13:17

I agree with Biggie, the Spenser books are excellent. Very funny, not terribly complex, but certainly compelling. If you're looking for something with more meat, I recommend Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series.

Jan-2-2007 19:47

me three about the Spenser books (I kind of like the earlier ones better). Another good author (more-thriller-ish too) is Philip Kerr. Anything of his is great, but there's a trilogy called 'Berlin Noir' that I particularly liked.

Jan-3-2007 06:08

Elizabeth George is great too, definitely more complex but I like the differences there.

Thats kind of how Fay Kellerman is too, the main characters are practicing Orthodox Jews so it adds some complexity to the story aside from just chasing murderers.