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…
Authors similar to Agatha 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
Dorothy Simpson: Inspector Luke Thanet Mystery 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
Josephine Tey: Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant
(Make sure to check the comments below for some more recommendations from Phoebe, Elizabeth, and Bill…)
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.♦
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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-
I believe Patricia Wentworth should be added to the list. She wrote cozy British mysteries during the same era as Christie.
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 …
Julie,
Thanks for reminding me about Patricia Wentworth. I am going to go add her right now.
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!
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.
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!
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.
How could I have forgotten Peter Robinson‘s "Inspector Banks" series?? Not a bad one in the bunch.
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!!
I think Ian McShane’s ‘Lovejoy’ series fits this ‘category’, too — English village life, clever plotting, interesting clues, eccentric characters. And, though they are not precisely mysteries, the ‘No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ series, the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series, and the ‘Portuguese Irregular Verbs’ series, all by Alexander McCall Smith, share many characteristics with cozy mysteries and are absolutely delicious reads!
Thank you, Cyndi, for the great suggestions! I love Smith’s novels… especially the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Have you tried his 44 Scotland Street books? (Actually, the 44 Scotland are right up there with the Mma Ramotswe books… very different but also very enjoyable.)
Ann Purser has written a new Lois Meade mystery due out in Nov., called ‘Warning at One’. Does anyone know what it is about and if there will be more?
Hi Dora,
I went to Ann Purser’s website and read that she is starting a new series: the Lois Meade Mystery Series. Now that all seven of the days of the week are used up in Purser’s Days of the Week Mystery Series, she is starting the new series which will have Lois and her family, as well as some of the villagers from her first series.
How about Josephine Tey?
Thank you, Colette, for recommending Josephine Tey for this theme. I have added her to the list.
I recommend Dorothy Simpson’s Insp. Luke Thanet series to be added to the Agatha Christie type list. This author was a delightful “find” for me at the used book store. I recommend them highly.
Thanks, Stefanie, for reminding me to include Dorothy Simpson.
Definitely try Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series, set in Quebec. You will love the world you are drawn into while reading her books.
Thanks for the recommendation, Toni!
I think you will want to move to the village of Three Pines outside of Quebec after reading these Gamache novels. Also, don’t forget the great Robert Barnard, especially “The Masters of the House,” a great story.
How about Carolyn Hart? Her Death on Demand series is great and even includes one novel called “The Christie Caper” in honer of the Queen of Crime.
Thank you, Pat…
Danna – I absolutely loved “The Christie Caper!!” I picked it up because of the title and have been hooked on Carolyn Hart ever since.
Has anyone mentioned Margaret Yorke? I just discovered her. She writes village mysteries and reminds me of Ruth Rendell’s social psychological outlook, though not as bizarre.
Thanks, Zoe, for telling us about Margaret Yorke. I have just added her to my list of authors to do.
Thanks, again….
I have been through all of the Janet Evanovich, Cynthia Riggs, Donald Westlake, Anne George, Dorothy Gilman, Carolyn Hart, Rex Stout, Carl Hiaasan, can anyone recommend more comic mysteries? I love them and devour them!
Maura,
I am working on a blog that will have some names for you… I will probably have it done by this Wednesday, the 25th.
Hopefully some site readers will have recommendations, also.
I am of a certain age (I have had this legal assistant job for 33 years last Monday, if that tells you anything)and I love to read. After a day of listening to whining clients and unhappy coworkers it is nice to sit down with a good murder mystery. At least you can shut the book if you are tired of it. Ha ha. Married to my childhood sweetheart, Mother of two sons, one in Nebraska and one in California, Grandmother of 5, greatgrandmother of two, love to quilt, read, garden, play cards with my friends, cook and eat. I thought your cozy mystery information was right up to date and you also put in all of my favorite authors. I will use your guide when I go to the library. I grew up on Nancy Drew, the Dana girls, the Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie. Along with the L. Frank Baum Oz series and the one about Freddy the Pig who talked to the other animals, can’t remember the series now, another senior moment. Thank you again for your wonderful information and I look forward to any updates.
Hi Pam,
Welcome to the site!
Your “senior moment” got me thinking…. Sounds like Bean Farm…where Freddy the Pig (and his friends) resided… by Walter R. Brooks. What a series!
Would I be out-of-line in suggesting Stuart Palmer (unless he is somewhere on your list and I’ve missed him)? I adore Miss Withers, especially as played in the movies by Edna May Oliver.
Hi Bill,
Thanks for telling us about the Miss Withers movies with Edna May Oliver. I am going to be on the lookout for them!
Stuart Palmer is on the site, but I’m glad you missed them so that I don’t miss the movies!
Thanks again!
For a comical author, Dorothy Cannell is a hoot. Set in England and the heroine is Elly Haskell. Also, the author who writes the “Burglar” books – for the moment I cannot remember the name of the author. All titles start “The Burglar who…”
Thanks, Donna. Lawrence Block is the author you are thinking of… the Bernie Rhodenbarr Series…
Hi all,
I just stumbled onto this list and am thrilled. I have been a fan of crime novels for years. Most of the authors mentioned are known to me. May I add:
Elizabeth Corley, Sarah Rayne and Kate Ellis?
Hi Ellen,
Welcome to the site, and I’m glad to add the three mystery book authors you mentioned to my list of authors to do.
I don’t see Charles Todd listed among your Agatha clones. I discovered them this summer and lost myself in the eleven Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries set just after WW1. Totally gripping. Also the stand-alone mystery, The Murder Stone–quite unique I think.
Thanks, Peg, for adding Charles Todd to our list of “Agatha clones!”
I am so glad I discovered your website, I’ve read all of Agatha Christie’s books and I love listening to them read to me when I get home after a long day at work…I’ve been struggling to find an english village ms. marple type mystery series and with your list I will happily spend my time discovering new authors and characters…I’ve read all of Sherlock Holmes as well. Thank you for this wonderful website!
Welcome to the site, Venise! AND I hope that you are able to find some new Miss Marple substitutes!
Re: comic mysteries may I recommend Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben- I am not a sports fan (unless you include the lifting of fork to mouth a sport) but theses are funny- I think you will enjoy the sarcastic humour.
Thanks, Mary!
A good Ms Marple type is Mrs Jeffries. She and her housekeeping staff ‘help’ Inspector Whitherspoon solve crimes in Victorian London.
I’ve just read a very satisfying Christie-esque murder mystery called The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy by James Anderson. It had all the necessary ingredients and the hidden x-factor so often missing but which Christie always delivered – the quirky policeman, the country house, the dinner party, the huge lot of suspects – just loved it. Have to recommend to all. I am now buying the next 2 in the series tout suite!!
Thank you, Sally, for telling us about James Anderson. Sounds very cozy!
I’m just finding this wonderful website and hope it isn’t too late to add a few more favorites to the list. While they wouldn’t all be called “cozies”, they are definitely the same type of read:
Elizabeth Peters – Amanda Peabody series. These are not cozies but anyone who likes Christie should love these. They are my all time favorites and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I also love her Vickie Bliss series.
Edmund Crispin is one of my all time favorites and very funny as well.
V. C. Clinton-Baddeley, sadly I believe his books are out of print now but easily obtainable and well worth it. I think he only wrote 4 or 5 books. These are not funny but they are definitely in the cozy genre.
Michael Bond who wrote the Paddington Bear series also gave us the wonderful Monsieur Pamplemousse series a wonderfully comic mystery series.