Thursday, May 1, 2008

Our Favorite Mystery Books

Editors are readers - they love books. If they didn't, they wouldn't be in this job. So ask a group of editors about their favorite books, and it can trigger great discussions. We're pleased to find titles for which several of us share a love, and surprised that what one of us loves another can't stand. Or how we classify books -- are the In Death books by Nora Roberts mysteries or futuristics or even romance (well, my favorite element is definitely the Roarke/Dallas relationship)? So here' s the very diverse list that came out of our "what's your favorite mystery book?" discussions. What are your favorites?
Editors' Favorite Mysteries

1. Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

2. Any old-fashioned mysteries from Agatha Christie

3. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

4. Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver

5. Man Overboard by Lara Diamond

6. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

7. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King

8. Lost by Gregory Maguire

9. From Hell by Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell

10. An Unkindness of Ravens by Ruth Rendell

11. In Death series from J.D. Robb

12. Mortal Wounds by Nikki Soarde

13. Eye Witness by Kennedy Vance

9 comments:

  1. Susan Helene GottfriedApril 30, 2008 at 10:44 PM

    Lost is on my wishlist. The others are most excellent choices, too. I am big on Marcia Muller, Linda Fairstein (LOVE her!), and the Mystery Chix who sponsored breakfast the Saturday of RT this year, even though I've yet to read most of their stuff... Oops. Too many books... you know how it is.

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  2. Tilly GreeneMay 1, 2008 at 12:05 AM

    My current automatic purchase for the airplane read is a Linda Fairstein.

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  3. J LMay 1, 2008 at 7:50 AM

    It's worth looking for: Good Morning, Killer by April Smith.

    I also like the Agent Pendergast series from Preston and Childs. Best read in order. Pendergast is a true original.

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  4. Rachel GlassMay 1, 2008 at 1:32 PM

    The ultimate classic, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I love writers before their time.

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  5. AnonymousMay 1, 2008 at 3:20 PM

    Ah, The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King! I was just trying to think of that one. I adore that whole series about the young woman who becomes Sherlock Holmes' apprentice. Really first-rate books.

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  6. Susan F EdwardsMay 1, 2008 at 3:41 PM

    I am totally speechless to have Man Overboard listed in the company of such illustrious authors. Can I shine your shoes or something?
    Thank you so much.

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  7. Shayla KerstenMay 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM

    One of my fav mystery series is the Brother Cadfael stories by Ellis Peters.

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  8. Terry OdellMay 2, 2008 at 4:39 PM

    As a long-time member of The Mystery Guild, I have authors on auto buy -- Sue Grafton, Dick Francis, the Kellermans among others. Also love the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books -- my first mystery was The Aventure of the Speckled Band. And yes, to the Cadfael series.

    After attended SleuthFest for the past 5 years, I've added more authors to my 'gotta know what happens next' list -- Connelly's Harry Bosch, and Crais' Elvis Cole & Joe Pike.

    I could go on. In the more
    'romance' a definte thumbs up to Eve & Roarke. Also like Allison Brennan & Karen Rose (who I'll forgive profusely for beating me out in the Gayle Wilson contest -- Likewise Brenda Novak for The Lories)

    I'm filling my ebookWise with J.A. Jance at the moment -- like J.P. Beaumont.

    I could go on. And on. And on.

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  9. Lynn LaFleurMay 5, 2008 at 9:48 AM

    I definitely agree with your choice of Mortal Wounds by Nikki Soarde. Excellent book.

    Lynn

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