Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Discussion Forums - Mystery & Thrillers

Topic: Looking for a series like...

Club rule - Please, if you cannot be courteous and respectful, do not post in this forum.
Page:   Unlock Forum posting with Annual Membership.
tattookitty avatar
Subject: Looking for a series like...
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 12:35 AM ET
Member Since: 10/24/2005
Posts: 84
Back To Top

I never really liked mysteries.. then I got into Janet Evanovich and got hooked. Stephanie Plum rocks!

Then somehow I picked up a Joanne Fluke book at the bookstore because it looked cute, and Hannah Swenson rocks too!

Any suggestions for some more series' with these quirky likeable main characters? I'm overwhelmed when I look at all the different mysteries.

Thank you for helping me with a question that has probably been asked 9 million times before..hehe.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 7:02 AM ET
Member Since: 7/31/2006
Posts: 14,634
Back To Top

I've liked most of Victoria Laurie's 2 series - Psychic Eye and Ghost Hunters. Psychic Eye has I think 6 out now and the 3rd ghost hunter one just came out. The characters are sorta funny..the last psychic eye book I wasn't crazy about but the others I really enjoyed and they need to be read in order for the ongoing romance.

 

Doughgirl avatar
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 7:27 AM ET
Member Since: 11/11/2005
Posts: 5,238
Back To Top

Try the Flower Shop series by Kate Collin - starts with Mum's the Word.

I think you would also like the "Strip" series by Nancy Bartholomew.   Unfortunately, there are only four books in the series and the author won't be writing any more, but thought those four books were hilarious and very similar to the Stephanie Plum books in style.  The first book in that series is The Miracle Strip.



Last Edited on: 3/9/09 7:27 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 9:26 AM ET
Member Since: 8/11/2006
Posts: 6,597
Back To Top

Try the recently introduced Lisa Lutz series about Isabele “Izzy” Spellman.  http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/L_Authors/Lutz_Lisa.html

I have also enjoyed Nancy Bush's series about private investigator Jane Kelly. http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/B_Authors/Bush_Nancy.html

The Sofie Metropolis series by Torrie Carrington features a Greek-American private investigator. http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/C_Authors/Carrington_Tori.html

 



Last Edited on: 3/9/09 9:28 AM ET - Total times edited: 2
Spuddie avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 2:26 PM ET
Member Since: 8/10/2005
Posts: 4,607
Back To Top

I tried reading the "Bubbles" books by...oh crud...let's see...Sarah Strohmeyer. I read about half the first one and it was so much like Stephanie Plum I quit reading it. LOL (I liked the first few Plum books but after awhile they got formulaic and tiresome so I quit.)

Cheryl

tattookitty avatar
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 4:12 PM ET
Member Since: 10/24/2005
Posts: 84
Back To Top

Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

HAHAH.. I just looked up that Bubble series... I live in the town where the book is set! Talk about conicidence. Now I HAVE to read it to find out what kind if impression she's giving the rest of the world..

Kukana avatar
Standard Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 4:55 PM ET
Member Since: 1/26/2006
Posts: 320
Back To Top

Nicole ~ One of my favorites is the Savannah Reid series by G.A. McKevett :)

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/10/2009 2:04 PM ET
Member Since: 10/30/2008
Posts: 19
Back To Top

I second the Flower Shop Mysteries by Kate Collins.

Also recommend:

 Wine Lover's Mystery by Michele Scott

Coffeshop Mystery by Cleo Coyle

Whiskey Mattimoe series by Nina Wright

Herb Shop Mystery by Susan Wittig Albert

All of the above are some of my favs and all contain great mysteries with fun characters!

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/10/2009 2:05 PM ET
Member Since: 10/30/2008
Posts: 19
Back To Top

Oh I thought of another:

Candy Shop Mysteries by Sammie Carter

hugbandit7 avatar
Book Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medal
Date Posted: 3/10/2009 4:32 PM ET
Member Since: 5/10/2007
Posts: 5,526
Back To Top

There are also books by Maddy Hunter that deal with travel and a group of seniors led by a 20 something

tattookitty avatar
Date Posted: 3/10/2009 7:32 PM ET
Member Since: 10/24/2005
Posts: 84
Back To Top

Thanks for even more recommendations! You guys are the best. :)

brat1 avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 3/10/2009 8:03 PM ET
Member Since: 3/4/2008
Posts: 1,673
Back To Top

Loving the "Spellman" books!  You should also try the Elvis Cole series, ugg...can't think of the author right at the moment...Oh, Robert Crais

KareninVT avatar
Date Posted: 3/11/2009 11:06 AM ET
Member Since: 8/11/2008
Posts: 15
Back To Top

I love this site - I get great ideas for new authors to try.  Some of my favorites (Love the Spellmans!) not already mentioned are Sheryl Andersen, Maggie Barbieri, Stephanie Bond (Body Movers series), Meg Cabot (Size 12 is Not Fat series), Kyra Davis, Chloe Green, Sue Ann Jaffarian, Laura Levine and Kate White.  For a not quite so light but still excellent mystery, try Linda Barnes, Chris Grabenstein (Tilt-A-Whirl) or P.J. Tracy (Monkeewrench series).

 

Generic Profile avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 3/18/2009 4:05 PM ET
Member Since: 8/24/2005
Posts: 504
Back To Top

 

 

Try the Meg Lanslow series by Donna Andrews.

CK avatar
Date Posted: 3/18/2009 4:34 PM ET
Member Since: 12/25/2005
Posts: 1,413
Back To Top

I currently read and keep the Mrs. Murphy and the Foxhunting series by Rita Mae Brown, Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen, Hannah Swenson series by Joanne Fluke and The Cottage Tales Of Beatrix Potter series by Susan Wittig Albert.  Below are series that I've read alot of the books in and are good as well

Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs

Desiree Shapiro Mysteries by Selma Eichler

The Blackbird Sister Mysteries by Nancy Martin

stacy270 avatar
Date Posted: 3/18/2009 6:04 PM ET
Member Since: 7/8/2006
Posts: 791
Back To Top

I like the chocoholic series by Joanna Carl.Also like the coffee series by Cleo Coyle:) Sandra Balzo has a good coffee mystery series too.

(also love Agatha Raisin series,Lucy Stone seiries and Lois Meade series!)

Stacy

Ps-I never even knew what a "cozy" was before PBS and now I have read tons and have tons on my TBR shelf:)

Twill avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 3/19/2009 10:26 PM ET
Member Since: 12/30/2006
Posts: 929
Back To Top

I love the Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines.  A bit different from Stephanie Plum but very good.

DebKit avatar
Standard Member medal
Date Posted: 3/20/2009 5:55 AM ET
Member Since: 2/27/2008
Posts: 1,173
Back To Top

Should have known better than to look at this discussion! Now I know I NEED MORE BOOKS! Debbie

geejay avatar
Geri (geejay) -
Member of the Month medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 3/21/2009 11:52 AM ET
Member Since: 9/2/2008
Posts: 9,094
Back To Top

You might also try Stephanie Bond's Voodoo series  The first is In Deep Voodoo.  Stick a pin in a voodoo doll and an ex-husband dies!

redwingsgal avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 3/30/2009 1:42 PM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2009
Posts: 2,402
Back To Top

For quirky mysteries, I would really recommend Joan Hess and Tamar Myers. Sarah Shaber is also fun although she doesn't have a lot out there yet.

texasgranny avatar
Subject: Looking for a series like...
Date Posted: 4/9/2009 12:42 PM ET
Member Since: 10/24/2006
Posts: 19
Back To Top

Check out cozy-Mystery.com.......gives you a huge choice....

I am hooked on the trailer park mysteries by Jimmie Ruth Evans and the coffee house series by Cleo Coyle

Sailorslady avatar
Date Posted: 4/9/2009 12:45 PM ET
Member Since: 1/9/2006
Posts: 760
Back To Top

I love the Home Repair is Murder series by Sarah Graves. 

And pretty much all of the other series listed here....lol

Generic Profile avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 4/10/2009 3:06 PM ET
Member Since: 8/24/2005
Posts: 504
Back To Top

 

Quirky main characters:  I have stumbled on the Robin Hudson series by Sparkle Hayter. She is a somewhat subdued Stephanie Plum. Think "snicker" instead of "guffaw".

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 4/13/2009 9:05 AM ET
Member Since: 1/29/2007
Posts: 131
Back To Top

You have listed about every favorite of mine and also some finished only to get to the next books.

You didn't mention  Maron [Deborah Knotts, should be read in order] and Crombie [first name eludes me now],

I found the Bubble book so bad I didn't finish it [which is very rare.

I have a lot of Desiree Shapiro, Nina Piesman etc on my bookshelf as I just vetted my books.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 4/13/2009 9:05 AM ET
Member Since: 1/29/2007
Posts: 131
Back To Top
Page: