E. F. Benson  Although these are not mysteries, I would have to say that this series is by far my absolute favorite sequence of books, and I have read many! They are about the everyday "goings on" in quaint  British villages of yesteryear. If you are lucky enough to find these books, by all means try them! They are wonderful books that highlight the hierarchal struggles in small towns, struggles between friends to achieve and maintain the "Alpha-dog" status. They are truly delightful books that will make you smile, grin, chuckle, ponder, and laugh out loud.

MAKE WAY FOR LUCIA Series:

1. Queen Lucia
2. Lucia in London
3. Miss Mapp
4. Mapp & Lucia (My very favorite of the series!)
5. The Worshipful Lucia
6. Trouble for Lucia

Written by Tom Holt :  Tom Holt wrote these two books to continue the Lucia tradition. Unfortunately, Benson died before being able to pen a seventh novel in the series. I was able to find both of the following books on the web, through a small book shop. They are well worth the effort of finding them.

1. Lucia in Wartime
2. Lucia Triumphant

I have highlighted a collection of DVDs that feature E. F. Benson's Lucia series on the TV and Movies page.