My idea of a good series is, say, the Travis McGee series by John D MacDonald. I first stumbled over a late book in the series, then gradually acquired the others as they turned up in my favourite second-hand bookshops, and read them in no order at all. There were passing references to earlier events, but only in passing; or if they were relevant to this book, a brief fill-in was provided. A series, but every book stand-alone as well.
To me, a series that drones on and on makes me think of of soap operas, and if there's anything I don't like it's soap operas. Or a serial, and I'm not overly fond of endless serials, either.
Some authors sneak in recurring characters so you might think of them as series: eg Skink in Carl Hiaasen's Florida books. Or two (count 'em, two) appearances of Mick Stranahan as lead character (Skin Tight; and years later Skinny Dip). But you can read them in any order you like. No cliff-hangers.
Detective series using the same detectives investigating different cases each book is, as everyone seems to agree, really just a collection of standalones with a common character.
Give me stand-alone any day.
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