Thinking about reading Elmore Leonard (thank you Library of America for setting me off on this path . . .) makes me think of my mystery/crime reading in general and as I am soon to be choosing a new mystery to read, I have been thinking of some of the mystery series I own but not started and others that I really need to return to. I have more than ten that come to mind, but ten seems a nice round number to start with so . . . in no particular order--ten sleuths I am considering, one of which I will pick up next:
Laurie King's Mary Russell -- I just realized that I will be nine books in when I start Language of the Bees, which is next up for me. From the sound of some of the reviews I peeked at, it looks like this particular book might just sag a bit compared to others bu then as one reader noted a Mary Russell novel, even one that sags, is still head and shoulders above so many other series.
Anna Lee Huber's Verity Kent -- First book in a new to me series, This Side of Murder, is set in England, 1919. Another post-WWI mystery with a widowed sleuth. I have high hopes for it.
Iona Whishaw's Lane Winslow -- Not sure where I came across this series, but there are already half a dozen books out starting with A Killer in King's Cove (aka Dead in the Water). Lane is a former WWII intelligence officer who has returned home to (or maybe she is just starting over) British Columbia, Canada.
Anne Perry's Daniel Pitt -- I have already mentioned this new series featuring Charlotte and Thomas Pitt's son Daniel who has just joined a firm as a junior barrister in 1910 London. Twenty-One Days is the first book and I am looking forward to meeting him as well as Miriam who is a supporting character (and as a doctor--very appealing to me).
Elmore Leonard's Harry Mitchell -- So this is a new author for me and I am not sure that there is one sleuth in particular, and I am not starting with his first book, but I have 52 Pickup on my reading pile. It was published in 1974, so an era that is of interest (and great entertainment) to me.
Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan -- I read the first in this series years ago and I liked Tess very much. She reminds me somewhat of Kinsey Millhone, so now I need to go back to the Lippman books so I can compare. Only the second book in, Charm City, awaits me.
Frances Brody's Kate Shackleton -- This series has been recommended to me by another friend and mystery enthusiast. Another war widow from WWI. Must check out Dying in the Wool.
Mick Herron's River Cartwright -- There are a number of spy novels/authors that I am interested in, but this Slough House series really appeals. I think this time it is contemporary England and Slough House is where the washed-up MI5 agents end up. From what I can tell the series moves between various characters, but Slow Horses is the first book.
James Runcie's Sidney Chambers -- I must admit that this made my list, though I have read the first book of the series ages ago (when they first started airing on PBS), when I bought the newest book, which is a prequel to the series. Shallow I am, but I love the cover of The Road to Grantchester. It is set before WWII and tells of Sidney's early days.
Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski -- I feel like V.I. Warshawski is like Kinsey Millhone--a classic character and an important one in the world of female detectives. Why have I never read Sara Paretsky? It all starts with Indemnity Only published in 1982 (and there are some 19 books that follow--and she is still publishing). I think I need to read it this year regardless!
So, is there a mystery series you love? A particular sleuth you follow religiously? Someone new (at least new to you) that you want to get to know? A particular time or place or kind of mystery series? Just curious--I always like to know what others are reading (as maybe it will be something I can add to my own reading line-up, right?).