I commute on a train for about 2 hours every day. I love book series because I never have to do any research on what book I choose next. I can just jump to the next without thinking about it. The issue is I’m picky.
I’m looking for a series:
– mystery, drama, horror, literary fiction, thriller (although I tend to dislike this new trend of absurdly ‘twisty’ thrillers)
– has characters that you route for and really like by the end of the book/series
– certain sci fi is okay but please no heavy science aspects or super outlandish concepts (I tend to like books about space but nothing Star Treky)
– preferably 500 pages or less per book but definitely open for longer too
I’m not looking for:
– fantasy (I just don’t like it) please nothing medieval or any sort of dystopian stuff
– YA
Here are a few books I love to help you but don’t let it limit you because I’m open to stuff that’s different:
– anything Agatha Christie
– Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French
– Kafka on the Shore by Murakami (I like how the more supernatural concepts are just parts of a very emotional story)
– A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway
Thank you!
by bradbassbrad
5 Comments
I mainly read series for the same reason, and also I like to get to know the characters. These three have about 7 books each, plus some digital novellas here and there.
The Below Stairs series, by Jennifer Ashley, one of my favorite series. “Cook Kat Holloway investigates murder, scandal, theft, and other dark crimes from her kitchen in Victorian London.”
The Lady Sherlock series, by Sherry Thomas. An excellent takeoff on Sherlock Holmes. I initially resisted it because I was ‘afraid’ it would be gimmicky, but I was completely wrong. Such depth – in the characters, the plots, the storytelling. “With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London.” How and why she becomes Holmes is so audacious and shocking, got me hooked.
The Louise Pearlie series, by Sarah Shaber, about a ‘government girl’ working for the US govt in DC during WWII. “It’s 1942. Louise Pearlie, a young widow, has come to Washington DC to work for the legendary Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA.”
Try the 20 volume ( plus one unfinished) Aubrey / Maturin Master
and Commander series by Patrick O’Brian. Terrific series of books about a British sea captain and his friend, the ship’s surgeon, during the Napoleonic Wars. It’s so good and so absorbing.
For comedy-mystery, The Dublin Trilogy by Caimh McDonnell
For historical fiction about the Napoleonic wars, try the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian. Very well-written with great characters.
Oh also, since you like Agatha Christie, have you read any Ngaio Marsh? Her Inspector Alleyn, the younger brother of baronet, is a great character – driven but sensitive, fastidious but not fussy. Her plots are well-developed, and the other characters are also well done. His mother, Lady Alleyn, who makes an appearance from time to time, is a delight. Reminds me of Lord Peter Wimsey’s mother.
PD James’ mysteries
The Neopolitan quartet by Elena Ferrante