I love mysteries. I know some people look down on genre fiction, but I can't help having a mystery going at all times. I love literary mysteries, I love cozy mysteries, I love historical mysteries--you get the idea. At the moment I am working on With No One as Witness by Elizabeth George. I should have finished it by now, but I am a bit behind on reading my own books as I have so many out from the library at the moment. I tend to choose mysteries that have female sleuths, I will admit. Technically George's mysteries are Inspector Lynley mysteries, but Barbara Havers--a Scotland Yard detective generally figures prominently in them as well. Here are some of my favorite series. Antonia Fraser writes Jemima Shore mysteries. I have only read the first one. Oxford Blood is #5. Norton started to reissue the series, they put out about three, but then they stopped. I believe her series is pretty much out of print these days. I think I have most of them used. Norton did a nice job of the ones they reissued--interesting covers (okay so sometimes mysteries have hokey covers!), and a nice larger format.
This is a new series I recently found and am looking forward to starting. Molly Murphy starrs in Murphy's Law. These are set in turn of the century New York City. Molly is an Irish immigrant. I think there are two or three of these out. I have to say I was originally drawn by the dust jacket design on her newest book. But the story sounds fun as well. I like plucky heroines! Here is the author's website.
This is the newest Paige Turner mystery, How to Marry a Murderer by Amanda Matetsky. Okay, these are a bit cheesy, but I read the first two right when they were released. They seem to come out every July. These are set in New York City of the 50s. Yes, I know the name is cheesy, but 'Paige Turner' wants to be a writer. She works at a mystery magazine, and manages to get herself into all sorts of scrapes. Not too surprising her beau is a policeman! They are just fun, mindless but entertaining, summer reading!
This is another series I have been following. Carola Dunn writes the series about the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple. This is the next one I will be reading, Dead in the Water. These are cozy mysteries. The setting is post WWI England. Daisy is also a writer (do we see a trend here), who manages to be in the wrong place at the right time, and she is also being wooed by a police officer. Read more about her series.
I don't think there are but a couple of Olivia Brown mysteries out there. Annette Myers is the author. Next in line for me is Murder Me Now. I wish she would write more, but I think she co-authors another series, and she doesn't seem to be moving along with Olivia. These are set in Prohibition era Greenwich Village. Olivia is a bit of a bluestocking and a poet. The first mystery was a bit different, and I really liked it. I think this time period is fascinating.
Some other series that I enjoy with female sleuths:
- Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters (Victorian Egyptologist!)Her Website
- Aimee Leduc mysteries by Cara Black (French Investigator) Her Website
- Ursula Blanchard mysteries by Fiona Buckley (Lady to Queen Elizabeth I)
- Rei Shimura mysteries by Sujata Massey (Japanese American woman living in Tokyo)Her Website
- Charlotte Willett mysteries by Margaret Miles (1700s New England)
- Catherine LeVendeur mysteries by Sharan Newman (12th Century France)Her Website
- Gemma Jones mysteries by Deborah Crombie (British policewoman) Her Website
I am sure I could list a few more, but these are some of my favorites. I do also read mysteries with male detectives, but I will save that list for another day. Isn't it amazing the wide variety of mysteries. It seems anyone at anytime can solve a mystery! Fine by me of course.