Need suggestions similar to Stephanie Plum/Reichs books

FatDog · 01-13-2011, 09:11 AM

My Wife enjoys the Stephanie Plum novels and the Kathy Reichs books so I am looking for more series/authors to send to her new Kindle or other.

We have looked at the "Bubbles" series and while fun, not as engaging.

The last several Scarpetta novels have been so bad I dont want to even bring them into the house (although the early novels were good).

Someone here suggested "The Spellman Files" as an alternative. I am listening to the first book on audio and it is funny in a dark-humor way, but the tone is too depressing. I want to surprise and delight my wife. (Orson Scott Card for example writes good to great books - but we feel so depressed at the end.)

Other favorite authors we already know about: Pratchett, Fford, Lackey, Reichs, Evanovitch, Moore.

JSWolf · 01-13-2011, 09:29 AM

Give Tess Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles series is very good. There are currently 8 books and the 9th is due in July 2011.

karenr_nz · 01-13-2011, 07:35 PM

I second the suggestion for Tess Gerritsen.

Another good author is Jeffery Deaver, though (like with the Scarpetta books) the early ones are best - my favorites are 'A Maidens Grave', 'The Coffin Dancer' and 'The Bone Collector'.

Or if you want to try something a bit grittier, you could consider Lee Child's books.

FatDog · 01-13-2011, 11:23 PM

Well.. I love Jeffery Deaver (Agent Pendergast) but I need something lighter for my wife. And Lee Child ... I dont know of any women who like the Reicher novels.

We did like the Rizzoli & Asiles TV show and I bought her the first 2 books in paperback, but they did not click.

(Strange... Angie Harmon stared in the TV series based on Patterson's Womens Murder Club and now on Gerritsen's Rizzoli TV show. We like her a lot but the shows dont last.)

So give me some distaff-friendly authors. Carl Hiaasen perhaps? Roger Moore (We enjoyed "Fool" during a long drive).

mediax · 01-14-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatDog

The last several Scarpetta novels have been so bad I dont want to even bring them into the house (although the early novels were good).

I totally agree. What spoiled her novels for me was when she changed from first person to third person narrative. The latest in the series (Port Mortuary) is back to first person, so maybe things might pick up again. I bought it for my wife at XMas and I'm awaiting her verdict with interest!

dmacmart · 01-14-2011, 09:28 AM

Two of my favourite authors!

For Stephanie Plum-like books: How about Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone or Parnell Hall's Puzzle Lady series? They are both best read in sequence and I'm not sure how many Puzzle Lady are in eBook format; I think Grafton's are available.

Joanne Fluke's bakery-titled books. I've just read the latest one but will read more. Seems just a bit lighter-weight and fluffy, easy to read. And recipes!

For Reichs-like books, authors that I really like:
Lisa Gardner, DD Warren series - she is a female detective.
Karin Slaughter. Her books are very graphic but have a female protagonist (coroner/pediatrician), again best read in sequence. Most have quite a dark side though
I like Greg Iles, which are all stand-alone. I can't recall specific female main characters but there were probably some.

CatsMeow · 01-14-2011, 02:59 PM

Donna Andrews Meg Langslow series -- they all have titles that pun on birds -- reminds me a lot of Evanovich.

Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series. A cozy mystery read with lots of herbal lore.

Julia Spencer Fleming is a more serious page-turning read that leaves haunting images.

Carl Hiassen is very funny -- particularly if you're familiar with Florida where we know his books are closer to non-fiction than fiction.

SJ Rozan. The first few books in her Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series are pretty lightweight but the series builds to the Edgar Award winning "Winter and Night".

Lyn Hamilton's archaeological series.

Darqref · 01-15-2011, 01:00 AM

In one thread or another last year Phenomshel posted an excel file of all her "cozy" mysteries, which had a lot of authors included.

Personally, I add Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series, and maybe some classic Dick Francis.

FatDog · 01-15-2011, 01:04 PM

Wow - some wonderful new authors. Thank you very much.

01-13-2011, 09:11 AM	#1
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Need suggestions similar to Stephanie Plum/Reichs books My Wife enjoys the Stephanie Plum novels and the Kathy Reichs books so I am looking for more series/authors to send to her new Kindle or other. We have looked at the "Bubbles" series and while fun, not as engaging. The last several Scarpetta novels have been so bad I dont want to even bring them into the house (although the early novels were good). Someone here suggested "The Spellman Files" as an alternative. I am listening to the first book on audio and it is funny in a dark-humor way, but the tone is too depressing. I want to surprise and delight my wife. (Orson Scott Card for example writes good to great books - but we feel so depressed at the end.) Other favorite authors we already know about: Pratchett, Fford, Lackey, Reichs, Evanovitch, Moore.

01-14-2011, 09:28 AM	#6
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	Two of my favourite authors! For Stephanie Plum-like books: How about Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone or Parnell Hall's Puzzle Lady series? They are both best read in sequence and I'm not sure how many Puzzle Lady are in eBook format; I think Grafton's are available. Joanne Fluke's bakery-titled books. I've just read the latest one but will read more. Seems just a bit lighter-weight and fluffy, easy to read. And recipes! For Reichs-like books, authors that I really like: Lisa Gardner, DD Warren series - she is a female detective. Karin Slaughter. Her books are very graphic but have a female protagonist (coroner/pediatrician), again best read in sequence. Most have quite a dark side though I like Greg Iles, which are all stand-alone. I can't recall specific female main characters but there were probably some. Last edited by dmacmart; 01-14-2011 at 09:30 AM. Reason: pointing out Slaughter is not a light, fluffy read

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01-13-2011, 09:29 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,727 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Give Tess Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles series is very good. There are currently 8 books and the 9th is due in July 2011.

01-13-2011, 07:35 PM	#3
karenr_nz Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 820 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: PB360	I second the suggestion for Tess Gerritsen. Another good author is Jeffery Deaver, though (like with the Scarpetta books) the early ones are best - my favorites are 'A Maidens Grave', 'The Coffin Dancer' and 'The Bone Collector'. Or if you want to try something a bit grittier, you could consider Lee Child's books.

01-13-2011, 11:23 PM	#4
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Well.. I love Jeffery Deaver (Agent Pendergast) but I need something lighter for my wife. And Lee Child ... I dont know of any women who like the Reicher novels. We did like the Rizzoli & Asiles TV show and I bought her the first 2 books in paperback, but they did not click. (Strange... Angie Harmon stared in the TV series based on Patterson's Womens Murder Club and now on Gerritsen's Rizzoli TV show. We like her a lot but the shows dont last.) So give me some distaff-friendly authors. Carl Hiaasen perhaps? Roger Moore (We enjoyed "Fool" during a long drive).

01-14-2011, 02:59 PM	#7
CatsMeow Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook & K3	Donna Andrews Meg Langslow series -- they all have titles that pun on birds -- reminds me a lot of Evanovich. Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series. A cozy mystery read with lots of herbal lore. Julia Spencer Fleming is a more serious page-turning read that leaves haunting images. Carl Hiassen is very funny -- particularly if you're familiar with Florida where we know his books are closer to non-fiction than fiction. SJ Rozan. The first few books in her Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series are pretty lightweight but the series builds to the Edgar Award winning "Winter and Night". Lyn Hamilton's archaeological series.

01-15-2011, 01:00 AM	#8
Darqref space cadet Posts: 335 Karma: 2999999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle area Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360	In one thread or another last year Phenomshel posted an excel file of all her "cozy" mysteries, which had a lot of authors included. Personally, I add Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series, and maybe some classic Dick Francis.

01-15-2011, 01:04 PM	#9
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Wow - some wonderful new authors. Thank you very much.