Long story short, I wrote a detective novel. Feedback has been that the weakest aspect of the novel is the actual investigation.
So, friends—recommend me your favorite detective novel **in which the main character is a police detective constrained by law**. No PI lockpicking suspects’ briefcases or whatever, at least not as a main character. Side character, sure, have at it. But I’m specifically trying to get a feel for good portrayals of a dutiful (not rogue) police officer solving cases.
Bonus points for:
– the bad guy being a family member of the victim(s)
– serial criminal (especially a serial kidnapper)
– romantic side plot
– fantasy elements
Doesn’t matter the style or age of the book. I would prefer to avoid any mention of pregnancy/miscarriage but otherwise I’m open to anything.
Thanks in advance!
by indiefatiguable
3 Comments
The J. D. Robb Eve Dallas / In Death series
Tony Hillerman mysteries starting with the Blessing Way,
The first book in the [Mr and Mrs North series](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1817999.The_Norths_Meet_Murder) is like this (later books focus more on the eponymous amateur couple). It features much more regular, methodical police-work than most detective books I’ve read. I also really appreciate that the Norths are an established couple with a good relationship who actually like each other, which is also not so common in these kinds of books.