November Genre Challenge: Mystery
This is the fiction genre I read the most, so I was happy to see it on the list of 12 genres in 12 months. My own tastes in mysteries can vary from month to month or year to year. Sometimes I read a lot of cozy mystery such as those by Donna Andrews, Elaine Viets, or Gillian Roberts. Sometimes I'll choose ones that have a certain setting such as the national parks in the series by Nevada Barr. I like mysteries with private detectives as the main characters (see authors Karen Kijewski and Marcia Muller) or journalists (see authors Laura Lippman, Edna Buchanan). Occasionally, I'll read mysteries that combine other genres like the science fiction-themed Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb.
Recommended Reads
Here are just a few mystery authors that I enjoy:
- Laurie R. King
This year I've been reading the entire Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. The first book is The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I'd recommend it if you like historical fiction. - S. J. Rozan
Her series features the P.I. partners Lydia Chin and Bill Smith. The point-of-view varies between them, which makes for interesting books. - Marcia Talley
The main character in this book is a cancer survivor and very likeable. I've only read a few books in her series, but so far, so good! - Ayelet Waldman
She wrote the "Mommy Track" mystery series about a lawyer mom with small children and a husband who works in Hollywood. I like the balance the author strikes between the mystery and the main character's personal life.
To find new authors, I often look at the regular mystery awards, particularly the Agatha (for cozy mysteries) and the Edgar (for first-time authors as well as young adult or children's mysteries). I also read quite a few mystery short story anthologies, which are another great way to find authors you like. See my earlier blog post on Thrillers/Suspense for additional author recommendations.
What I Might Read
Here are the mystery books that made my short list:
Possibility #1: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Why this interests me: Just as with Rebecca, this is one of those books that I've known about since high school but never got around to reading. (I did finally read Rebecca this year.)
Recommended by: 50 Essential Mystery Novels That Everyone Should Read
Possibility #2: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Why this interests me: I went through an Agatha Christie phase in high school, but I don't remember reading this one that kept popping up on "best of" lists.
Recommended by: 100 book everyone should read before they die, BookBub Picks: Our 16 Favorite British Murder-Mysteries
Possibility #3: The Outsmarting of Criminals by Steven Rigolosi
Why this interests me: The description made me laugh: "It's the rare mystery reader who doesn't secretly believe that she'd make a great detective." (It's true!)
Recommended by: 5 Mysteries for Women Who Read Like Fiends (Oprah.com)
Possibility #4: Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton
Why this interests me: I'm committed to this series to the point that I worry that the author might kill off one of my favorite minor characters in the last book. (I'm partial to Henry, her landlord.) I will read this book for sure, although I don't know if it will be in November.
Recommended by: Me. I've read A through X, why stop now?
I'll be reading one (or possibly more) of these books this month.
Next month (December): Fantasy.
For other book ideas, check out my Book Recommendations board on Pinterest. Happy reading!