I've read the latter, I'm thinking about starting the former, who's read both of these, can you compare and contrast them? Which do you like better, and why?

Elizabeth

I have read all of the Pa. Dutch series and some of the Goldy Schulz series.If fact I just bought the new Myer's book today.They are really silly and I probably wouldn't read them except that I started them and can't seem to stop.The Schulz books may be a little more realistic.Anyway if you enjoyed one you will probably enjoy the other.

I love Diane Mott Davidson and have kept all her books as keepers. Tamar Myers on the other hand just drove me crazy. Her Magdalena character is so immature and I could not stand the repetitive jokes and her temper tantrums and the oogly gooogly schnookum talk about her love interest.  In fact please pm me if you want her series I have a few on my shelf and I will make you a deal. I quit reading them after the third one, but I had all ready collected a lot of the series.

Just my humble opinion=)

Tamar Myers books don't compare to the D.M.D. books when it comes to cooking either. While Goldy cooks and loves it and make it a large part of the story, in the Meyers books, Magdalena dosen't even cook. She has a cook for the Inn and there may be 2-3 recipes in each book.(ie grits)

I don't know of another author that is the same as D.M.D., but I like Joanne Flukes Cookie Jar series. It starts with

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and there is usually 6-7 recipes for cookies and desserts in each book.

 I don't want to discourage you from starting any book even Tamar Myers, she has a huge fan base, so maybe you will enjoy them!=)

This is exactly what I wanted to know....thanks so much!

I have indeed read the Hannah Swensen series, really enjoy it....I live in Chicago, but I love the whole Minnesota small town atmosphere...and I'm an amateur baker....and I also enjoy the Goldy series, the way she nails the whole new-rich McMansion crowd she works for, clearly she loves Colorado but "gets" it too.

Sounds like the Penn Inn series is not up to this level, I wonder if its more appropriate for my teenaged daughter, not that she has the time, her TBR is as long as mine!

Thanks again everyone!

Elizabeth

I didn't like the Penn Dutch series ... I thought the characters were downright annoying.  HOWEVER ... I DO like Tamar Myers "Den of Antiquity" series ... seems like they are written in totally different styles.

I also like DMD and Joanne Fluke series, but I will admit that I think the series are dragging a little as they go on ....the same reason I gave up on Claudia Bishop's "Hemlock Falls" series

I like Joanna Carl's and Sammi Carter's series ...

Karen - I thought I was crazy for thinking what you just wrote.  I didn't like Penn Dutch series. It got on my nerves. But I have the entire Den of Antiquity series. Totally different writing!

I also agree with the DMD books - I loved every single one of her books until about three books ago. The last one, Sweet Revenge, was just horrible. I hear it's the last one so that's good -  I loved the character but it began to seem like DMD had no idea what to do with her in the last couple of books.

The writing of the Penn Dutch is just not up to par with those of DMD - at least most of them, like I said, until the last couple. But the odd thing is, Den of Antiquity by Tamar Myers is up to par (writing style) but it's not about cooking. The author is clearly capable but just didn't deliver on the Penn Dutch series, IMHO. Now, I have a friend who's read most of them and she would disagree with me. She's also a DMD fan so she's read the both authors and likes them both.

What Aimee said, also Susan. I could not stand the protagonist, and it was one of the few books DW actually threw across the room. Incredibly annoying character.

Agree that DMD's earlier books are a treat, but we don't read them any more because she seems to have run out of ideas.

Les

I almost feel catty saying it, but the cleverest thing about the Penn Dutch series (IMHO) are the titles!  8-0

Can't speak to the DMD  books, but it looks like I am in good company with Les's DW as one who threw a Magdalena Yoder book across the room about 40 pages in.

I didn't mind the first two or three in the PA Dutch series although I didn't think they were all that well written. I read them mostly cause I'm from the Bedford, PA area (her town is made up) and enjoyed some of the local chatter, etc. Some of it was funny the first time around, not so much the second, and downright irritating thereafter. The author lifts entire sentences, paragraphs from one book to another and it seems you're reading the same book, just some the characters have changed. It's all too repetitive after a while.

I like the DMD books but Goldy often got on my nerves with her "helpless victim" routine when it came to her ex-husband. They are much better written and many of the recipes are excellent.

 I have read the first two Den of Antiquity. They were good. Light humar good characters. Try the first one or two and see how you like.

Alice

I haven't read the Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries, but I can say that I enjoyed the first books in the Goldy Schultz series, but the last 3 or 4 books have been awful.