February 28, 2008
If You've Run Out of Agatha Christie Mysteries:
This morning I received a letter asking me for some advice. The writer wanted to know which authors she could try who fall in the Agatha Christie "category" (my word, not hers.) I thought that I would write a blog addressing this inquiry, since I have been asked this very same question by several people.
I know that this is presumptuous, but I am guessing that most of us got to be hard-core cozy mystery buffs after we read our first Agatha Christie novel. And, most of us have probably made our way through so many of the Christie novels that we can't remember which is which. Once we have had our Christie fill, there are other authors we can turn to (thank goodness!) The following is a list of authors who I would consider trying out if I were just starting on the cozy mystery route. This is not to say that they are Agatha imitators… by any means! They are just the ones who I would recommend if I really had a love of all things Christie…
Catherine Aird: Inspector Sloan Series
Margery Allingham: Albert Campion Series
M. C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth Series
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Series
Kathy Lynn Emerson: Lady Susanna Appleton Series
Anthea Fraser: David Webb & Ken Jackson Series
Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax Series
Caroline Graham: Midsomer Murder Series
Ann Granger: Markby and Mitchell Series
Martha Grimes: Jury & Plant Series
P. D. James: Inspector Adam Dalgliesh Series
Ngaio Marsh: Inspector Roderick Alleyn Series
Jill McGown: Lloyd & Hill Series
Gladys Mitchell: Mrs. Bradley Series
Ellis Peters: Brother Cadfael Series
Ruth Rendell: Inspector Wexford Series
Dorothy L. Sayers: Lord Peter Wimsey Series
Georges Simenon: Inspector Maigret Series
Rex Stout: Nero Wolfe Series
Patricia Wentworth: Miss Maud Silver Series (A site reader just reminded me to add Wentworth. Thanks!)
Another site reader just recommended the following authors be added to the list: (Thanks, Phoebe!)
Deborah Crombie: Kincaid & James Series (A site reader just recommended Crombie for this list…)
Marjorie Eccles: Gil Mayo Series
E. X. Ferrars: Andrew Basnett Series, Toby Dyke Series, & Freer Series
(Make sure to check the comments below for some more recommendations from Phoebe and Elizabeth…)
Oh! And by the way, if you have an author who you really think should be added to the list, please let me know… by sending me a comment right under the faint gray line beneath this post.
***To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.***
Filed under Authors, Books, Cozy Mystery Books by Theme by Danna - cozy mystery list
Comments on If You've Run Out of Agatha Christie Mysteries: »
Vickie @ 8:28 pm
Yep, yep, yep! I collect Martha Grimes and love Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series. I didn't know Midsomer Murders was a book series. Thankin' you! PD James is the queen of English Mystery and I truly adore listening to the Hamish Macbeth stories. Thanks for this! -V-
Julie @ 8:16 pm
I believe Patricia Wentworth should be added to the list. She wrote cozy British mysteries during the same era as Christie.
Chris Well @ 9:36 pm
Thanks for the list, there are several authors here I need to sample. I am already on a mission to get the whole Nero Wolfe series; so far, I've made it about halfway …
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 9:39 am
Julie,
Thanks for reminding me about Patricia Wentworth. I am going to go add her right now.
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 9:46 am
Chris,
I'm so glad that you have found some new authors to sample… and what a great way of putting it.
You're way ahead of me with the Nero Wolfe books… That's a lot of reading!
Phoebe @ 1:12 pm
Thank you for this topic. Christie-type mysteries are still my favorites. Do add E.X.Ferrars, Marjorie Eccles, and Deborah Crombie to the list. They will please anyone who loves Christie.
There are others but I'm going to have to think a while.
IMO, Caroline Graham is the best writer of English "village" mysteries since Christie. Stunningly good books! I wish she were more prolific.
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 2:08 pm
Thank you so much Phoebe! When trying to pick and choose authors on the site for different mystery theme categories, I always have a feeling that I am missing one or two, so readers' suggestions are always welcome!
Phoebe @ 6:03 pm
I said I had more. Not all, as you say, Christie clones, but all absorbing, civilized, literate, well-plotted, philosophically insightful English mysteries.
Simon Brett's "Fethering" series, Michael Gilbert (His "Smallbone Deceased" is a classic of classics), Peter Lovesey (Peter Diamond series Great!) Colin Dexter, of course Josephine Tey (Just 7, I think, books. She died too soon.) I have more, I'm sure. Stay tuned.
Phoebe @ 6:12 pm
How could I have forgotten Peter Robinson's "Inspector Banks" series?? Not a bad one in the bunch.
Elizabeth @ 3:04 pm
I think you should add Georgette Heyer to your list of authors similar to Agatha Christie. Her mysteries are currently out of print, but easy to find on used book sites. Also, Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series is really excellent - she even names a character Mary St. Mead in tribute to Agatha!!