Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly event that is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic actually is 'Books that have been on my TBR the longest and I still haven't read'. Well, I decided to tweak that a bit and am sharing 'Authors that have been on my TBR list for a long, long time and I still haven't tried their books'. There are definitely a few of those and almost all have long-running mystery series.
So, here's a question - do you ever keep avoiding reading a series because, quite frankly, it's just gotten too long? And you might be a reader who prefers to start at the beginning and read in order. Sometimes, I look at the backlists of great mystery authors and sigh - too many books to catch up. Here are some of those authors and their older and newer books:
1. Charles Todd - mother/son writing team that I have seen in person more than once. There are about to be 20 books in their Ian Rutledge series and soon will be 10 books in their Bess Crawford series. The first books in each series are A Test of Wills and A Duty to the Dead.
2. Rhys Bowen - very prolific author that is multi-awarding winning and nominated. She writes several series - Molly Murphy has 17 books, Royal Spyness will have 12 this year, the Constable Evan Evans series had 10 books. This author has also branched out into standalones with In Farleigh Field coming out last year and The Tuscan Child being published two weeks from now.3. Hank Phillippi Ryan - She's a current on-air investigative reporter from Boston and also a well-known author. Her Charlotte McNally series had 4 books and the Jane Ryland series is up to 5. There will also be a standalone novel published in August called Trust Me. Maybe I should start there.
4. Victoria Thompson - This lovely author will have 21 books in her Gaslight mystery series this year. And she also had a standalone or maybe series debut published in 2017, City of Lies. One of our mystery group members loves the Gaslight books and is always encouraging me to try them.
6. John Connolly - This author has been recommended to me many times by Cath at read_warbler. He writes the Charlie Parker series - 16 books this year - which is a bit of mystery and bit of something else. Connolly has also penned a few standalones and shorter series. The first Charlie Parker book is Every Dead Thing.
7. Donna Leon - This author lives in Venice, Italy, and it's where her mystery series is also set. She has been on my list for decades, literally. Her protagonist is Commissario Guido Brunetti - 27 books this year. The first is Death at La Fenice. I have several friends who love these books.
8. Cara Black - For some reason I am not a big fan of books set in France or Italy - not sure why. However, I've also wanted to read this author's Aimee Leduc series. There will be 18 books describing murder in Paris this year. Again, I have friends who love this author and her books. The first one is Murder in the Marais.
10. Colin Cotterill - This author has been recommended to me more than once by Cathy at Kittling: Books. Cathy has an amazingly broad knowledge of mystery authors and books and reads all across the spectrum. Cotterill, who lives in Thailand, writes the Dr. Siri Paiboun books - 13 this year. The first in the series is The Coroners Lunch. The time period is the 1970's and Dr. Siri is a coroner in Laos. Interesting, right?
Have you read any of these authors' books? Do you like them? Suggestions on where to start? Tell me everything!! Ha!
Have not read any of those books and while I used to read books in order back in those days, nowadays I tend to jump into the middle of a series because I simply couldn't follow them, lol. And the good thing is, some series books read as stand-alone and I'm so grateful for that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really trying to get over that compulsion of mine. Not entirely successful yet. Occasionally. LOL
DeleteI've read all of them except Ryan, and after seeing her at The Pen, I've got one of her books sitting on a shelf in here (and it's staring at me). Of them all, I'd say COLIN COTTERILL! His latest Dr. Siri book, The Ratcatcher's Olympics still makes me smile. I will admit, however, that you've compiled a darned good list.
ReplyDeleteOK, I get it. Cotterill books are best. LOL
DeleteI haven't read any of these books or authors I'm afraid! My tastes are a bit more geared to horror, monsters and apocalypses!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's OK too. Mine has been in that realm at times. LOL
DeleteI like your twist on the topic! I finally read John Connelly's Every Dead Thing last year.
ReplyDeleteOh, good to know. Hope you enjoyed it!
DeleteI did. :)
DeleteI liked the Ian Rutledge series. McPherson's first books, I liked a lot, but abandoned Scott Free early on. John Connolly's Charlie Parker series is really dark, with a lot of violence and the supernatural. I think the first one is the hardest. I've enjoyed the Cara Black books I've read, but have only read 3 or 4.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your take on a few of them, Jenclair. Yes, I knew that the Charlie Parker books were a bit out there. I'm going to try Scot Free, but we'll see how it goes. I think her standalones with those creepy looking covers are the ones that appeal to me most.
DeleteI've read one book by Donna Leon and thought it was quite good. Of course I loved the Venice setting too.
ReplyDeleteYes, that Venice setting is certainly a plus. I've got one friend that has read all of them. She loves it.
DeleteI really liked A Duty to the Dead and In Farleigh Field.
ReplyDeleteIn Farleigh Field has been nominated for some awards this year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mary.
DeleteNice post! You've mentioned a few series I have actually begun (but am far from caught up on) and a few I'd like to start, but the shear magnitude scares me.
ReplyDeleteThat's what it is - sheer magnitude of them. I guess I'll never have less than a million books that I wish to read. LOL
DeleteI haven't read any of those authors either.
ReplyDeleteYay, I'm not alone!
DeleteI haven't read any of these authors. I don't read alot of series in adult fiction.
ReplyDeleteDo you read YA series or just not series at all? I have friends in both of those camps. LOL
DeleteI do like the Cotterill books. They are completely unique. Strong sense of place. There is a mystical quality as well. He has two series: Siri Paiboun and Jimm Juree. I've read 6 of the SP.
ReplyDeleteI knew there was someone besides Cathy who read those. It's you! :-)
DeleteI haven't read any of these authors. I know what you mean about needing time to read longer series. I hope enjoy these when you get a chance! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHope I do too. My eyes are always bigger than my time frame for reading. I want everything. LOL
DeleteI have heard so many great things about Rhys Bowen and have never tried out any of her novels!!
ReplyDeleteYou should try In Farleigh Field - nominated for some awards this year. :-)
DeleteI read all the H.P. Ryan Jane Ryland series and have the Charlotte McNally ones on my kindle for forever. I recommend her books and I think you could read any of them as stand-alone and still enjoy them almost as much as in order.
ReplyDeleteI read the first of the Gaslight series by Thompson, too. I do want to try the Yrsa Icelandic series. I used to read Michael Ridpath's detective series set there over the past few years- they were good.
Oh, Michael Ridpath - I remember those books. Never got to read them. Meant to. See, the list grows ever longer. LOL
DeleteThere are just so many series to keep up with! I have read a few (starting from the beginning of the series always) books by Cotterill, and McPherson, and Cara Black. Yes, I am sometimes put off by a series that has many books in it already, but I still want to read at least the first one, because it often establishes the series.
ReplyDeleteMy husband doesn't like to read books set in Italy or Spain because they are too hot and dry. That is so weird to me.
Ha! No, it's not the hot and dry that bugs me or I'd never read about Arizona. I'm not sure what it is. Anyway, I can see that I to at least start some of these series and I agree that at least the first book to introduce the characters.
DeleteWhat a great list subject and I have had Catriona McPherson on my TBR for a long time and really do want to get around to reading her books before too much longer.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, she is very funny and personable at events. Saw her at a mystery conference a couple of years ago and will again this spring.
DeleteI've really enjoyed the Rhys Bowen books I've read and I like the direction she's going with the standalones. I finally read Victoria Thompson with City of Lies and really enjoyed it. It's more con than murder mystery but I loved how she brought the suffrage movement to life. I haven't read any of the other authors but they're all on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteGood to know about Victoria Thompson's City of Lies. I bet you do like Rhys Bowen's books. They seem like you would.
DeleteI've read the first couple books in the Bess Crawford series and I liked them, didn't love them. I plan to continue with the series at some point but I'm not rushing.
ReplyDeleteI always want to read the Gaslight series. I have the first book checked out from the library right now. I'm hoping to get to it before it comes due!
Oh, good. You read it and then tell me if I should definitely. ;-)
DeleteKay you are so spot on! Those series with lots of books can become somewhat intimidating to try because you think you'll never catch up. Now, believe it or not, I am up to date on the Victoria Thompson series and I even finished her latest new one just last week. Those are great books but they do need to be read in order in my opinion. You've got several series here that I want to check out but goodness where to find the time! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you've read all the VT books. You and Casey in our mystery group would get along very well. She loves the VT books.
DeleteRhys Bowen I love all her series, and most of Donna Leon's books. Yrsa's I find pretty depressing however. I've read 3 of them and it doesn't get better.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it's the Icelandic setting for the depressing story? I wonder.
DeleteNo, more the society/moral tone? Anyway thanks for the reminder, I had forgotten Cara Black, I've read several of hers and enjoyed them, also Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series. Now I can catch up.
ReplyDeleteGlad that I added to your list. LOL
DeleteI can skip all of the authors listed here except the first three. I've read everything Hank Phillippi Ryan has written and really like her. I just discovered Bowen and Todd this last year, but they've become must-reads. Of those three. I think you'd like Rhys Bowen. Try In Fairleigh Field.
ReplyDeleteI plan to try the Fairleigh Field book. She's gotten nominated for awards this year for that one.
DeleteI hope you get a chance to read all these soon! I avoid series because there are so many books and so little time. I either can’t keep up, or I lose interest in them.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Yes, that's the way with series. I actually have to pick and choose favorites and then not worry about the rest.
DeleteIf I pick up a book and there are more than 5 in the series, I usually put it down. A couple of these authors on on my TBR list, but I have yet to get to them.
ReplyDeleteIt tough to think about a series that already has 10-20 books, even if it's a good one.
DeleteI tend to avoid series completely which might explain why I've read very few from these authors.
ReplyDeleteI know. Series are indeed hard to keep up with. I do like 'bonding' with the characters though.
DeleteFun tweak to this week's theme. There are a lot of authors that I'd choose this week too if I had gone with your way of doing it, maybe not quite as many as books themselves, but still quite a few.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today!
It seemed to work for me since my TBR is decades long. Who knows what's the oldest? LOL
DeleteI really enjoy a lot Cara Black, with each book in a different neighborhood of Paris
ReplyDeleteYes, my friend who loves this series enjoys that part too.
DeleteCara Black! her Leduc series is one I've been mulling over, but 18 books in it's kind of daunting to think about!
ReplyDelete18 is a lot. Hence the problem. LOL
DeleteI finally read Rhys Bowen last year... listened to the first of Her Royal Spyness series and it was a lot of fun. Also purchased In Farleigh Field as a kindle daily deal not too long ago and hope to read it this winter.
ReplyDeleteGood! I think I have that first Royal Spyness book on audio as well. I should check.
DeleteI've only read Donna Leon's books. Well, I should say book since I only read the first in the series. I enjoyed it, but never went back to read more.
ReplyDeleteI've done that with several series. I really need to try at least the first book.
DeleteI've read one John Connolly book and I think it was one in that Charlie Parker series. I thought it was quite good and would love to read more of his at some point.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I've heard good things. Need to try to get to at least the first one to see if it would work for me.
DeleteIt's so interesting how even the most avid reader doesn't get around to certain authors...I've read all but three on your list but I'm sure I could come up with a different 10 of "really want to read but not enough to actually do it" authors that would make other crime fiction fans scoff. Robert B Parker, Elmore Leonard, Marcia Muller.... So many books, so little time :(
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean and as time passes, more and more books and probably less time. Ha!
DeleteOh, yes! Some series seem so long! It's easier to start the new ones--but then they grow before I know it and I've only read one book and there are suddenly many more . . . LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. So many of these I want to read or have read one or two books of.
I could have listed more authors too. Sigh.
DeleteI met Cara Black when I served as an author guide One year at the Texas Book Festival. I loved hearing how she researches her books. She also leads tours about her books in France. That would be a reason I’d read her.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize she had been at the Book Festival. How fun to get to be her guide!
DeleteOh Bowen here as well! I have so many of the books but just haven't gotten to them yet. They look wonderful, though.
ReplyDelete