The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

So we've got a thread or two about the most thrilling thrillers, but I find I'm not sure I'd like those, because in the end I'm more into books with charming characters. I'm thinking of the Stephanie Plum ensemble, or Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy and her peers. ;) So I was wondering, those of you who like these sorts of quirky, charming characters--who are your favorites, and why?

One series I like is the Alice Kimberly about a woman who inherits/gets a bookshop inhabited by a ghost. I don't usually like ghost stories but this is more of a cozy than a ghost story. It starts with The Ghost and Mrs. McClure.

There are some historical mysteries which have interesting ensembles. The Darling Dahlias series by Susan Wittig Albert set in the Alabama during the 1920s, Dr. Siri series by Colin Cotterill set in Laos in the 1970s, and the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear set in post WWI London.

None of these characters are humourous and there are some serious subjects touched on but in a gentler way.

Carola Dunn has a post-WWI series in England. It is a light series but very serious issues come up. Many people trying to deal with the changes wrought by the war. The entire society has changed.

A number of these same issues are brought up in the Maisie Dobbs books, but they are more serious.

Are these all mystery/suspense?

I disagree about humor in the in the Dr. Siri series by Colin Cotterill. There is quiet a bit of humor in these books.

When I imagine the word charming, two of my favorite mystery series come to mind:

Alexaander McCall Smith's #1 Detective Agency series

Donna Andrew's Meg Langslow series

I wish there was a way to click "like" on people's comments so I could do that with all of yours. Thanks for the suggestions! I'm adding them to my to-read pile!

I think Peabody is charming. (JD Robb 'in death' series) She's funny, too. In my mind, she looks a little like Velma from the Scooby Doo cartoons.

I second Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Detective Agency and raise you Alan Bradley's Flavia DeLuce series. My current favorite, though, is Catriona McPherson's Dandy Gilver series. "Charming" is actually my favorite category, and I'm always looking for it.

Oh! And Louise Penny's Detective Gamache, in the series that starts with Still Life.

Several of my older 'favorites' have main characters that I consider charming, starting with, of course, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Two of my somewhat later favorites are Miss Seeton in the series by Heron Carvic and Mrs. Polifax in the spy series by Dorothy Gilman.

Perhaps more 'ladylike' than specifically charming, and a bit more current, Sister Jane in the foxhunting series by Rita Mae Brown and Judge Deborah Knott in Margaret Maron's series as well as Precious Ramotswe of the Ladies' No 1 Detective Agency series.

Most recently, I've found the Corinna Chapman series by Kerry Greenwood very good, a very well-rounded and charming character.

I have been thinking of starting a thread on detectives who are actually happy. They seem to be a very rare breed in the European mysteries I read. Is anyone interested, or should I just post it here?

That's such a great idea! Whether you post it here or there, I'm interested.

Ok. It seems to me that very few of the detective characters in Mysteries are happy. In the mysteries I have read set in Europe I would number Deborah Crombie's characters Duncan Kinkaid and Gemma James (who get married well into the series) as happy. They are both police officers in London.

Another character who seems happy with her life is Helene Tursten's Irene Huss, who is a Swedish police inspector (everyone in Sweden seems to be an inspector). She is married and seems to have a relatively happy life with her chef husband and twin daughters. I have only read the first five books in this series as the others have not been translated into English (actually #6 Fire Dance is supposed to be available as of today).

A character who started out happy, but has become less satisfied because of his lack of a family is Martin Walker's Chief of Police Bruno.

I can think of one more case of an author who passed away not too long ago. We will see if anyone else thinks of him.

All now in my to-read pile.

I think Stephanie Plum qualifies. I can't think of another among the books I've read. My own series might qualify, after book 1, but I won't say more than that to avoid being spammy.

Well, Robert Parker's Spenser was certainly happy most of the time (not to mention smugly self-satisfied, but yes, I like him anyway). Most of Dick Francis's characters were happy or at least contented. Laurie King's series, both the San Francisco one and the Russell/Holmes one, have characters who are usually happy. Julia Spencer-Fleming's series has two primary characters who have a lot of happiness mixed in with some unhappiness. Lord Peter Wimsey was usually happy (I love the Sayers originals and also like what Jill Paton Walsh has done to extend the series into World War II). But I agree with Gary that depression has been a strong theme in recent mysteries (think of Tess Gerritsen and especially Patricia Cornwall!).

On the negative side, there is Susan Hill who likes to kill or more often have them die of illness in her Simon Serrailler series. These are characters who would be continuing characters for most authors.

Donna Leon's Insp Brunetti is the most contented/happiest I can think of...Camilleri's Montalbano seems pretty happy too, though I haven't read the latest books.
Also, Ruth Rendell's Reg Wexford.

And for me, Bruno, chief of police, is the most charming.

I agree about Montalbano, but I would say he is more content with his life than actually happy. I have read all the books that are available in English.

Another negative: Elizabeth George's characters, who like Susan Hill's tend to become miserable again as soon as they manage some happiness. Wexford is a good cheerful example, and I like Crombie's characters and ditzy Stephanie Plum too. I'm adding the other names people have mentioned to my own lists.

Both of John Sandford's series characters seem generally 'upbeat' ... Lucas Davenport particularly so in the books since his marriage/family ... sometimes a bit confused and overwhelmed with family life but at least content, despite a tendency to depression occasionally.

Virgil Flowers seems to have a much lighter outlook on life and you get the feeling he enjoys himself, not a lot of grim introspection.

Virgil Flowers is one of my most favorite characters ever, one of the first that came to mind when I read the topic. I'm sure not all would find him charming, but I certainly do. Lee Child's Jack Reacher is another favorite of mine.

Oh, Lisa Scottoline's Mary DiNunzio and her extended family are quite charming as well.

From the Grant County series I loved Jeffrey Tolliver and Dr. Sarah Linton and her entire family. Love me some Tess.

I think Commissario Guido Brunetti (in the Donna Leon books) is charming AND happy!

One of my favourite series, Barbara.

Most charming for me is of the canine variety, namely Chet from the Chet and Bernie mysteries. The first one is called Dog on It by Spencer Quinn. Chet works/lives with Bernie, a P.I., and the books are told from Chet's perspective. Very entertaining.

Kathryn wrote: "Most charming for me is of the canine variety, namely Chet from the Chet and Bernie mysteries. The first one is called Dog on It by Spencer Quinn. Chet works/lives..."

I agree. Chet is a charmer.

Janis wrote: "Another negative: Elizabeth George's characters, who like Susan Hill's tend to become miserable again as soon as they manage some happiness. Wexford is a good cheerful example, and I like Crombie's characters and ditzy Stephanie Plum too..."

I love that! "ditzy Stephanie Plum"

Lincoln Rhyme...I envy his intelligence superfine by criminologist

Dorothy Sayer's Lord Peter is one of my favorites.

Lisa Scottoline's characters are quirky, yet 'real'. D'Nunzio family is a hoot.

I also like the supporting characters in Stephanie Plum series although I have trouble believing the lead character..Grandma Mazur and Sally Sweet are hysterical.

warning - the next bit is self promotion - so in the spirit of group you can stop reading. I wrote a mystery with characters who visited me for breakfast and dinner. i think they are quirky real

Don't know about any "charming" characters. Mostly, I care about flawed characters. Especially, as the protagonist. Harry Bosch, Lucas Davenport, Virgil Flowers, Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, Sherlock Holmes, ... They all had at least 1 character flaw. Some, more than others.

I have to say 'Water for Elephants' and 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe' are the most charming books!

Yes, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and favorites since childhood. Inspector Gamache was a welcome addition in . My newest favorite: Flavia de Luce. She really makes me laugh. Finishing book 1 , but completely charmed.

I think Reginald Hill's Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe are both happy and charming, though some may argue that "charming" doesn't exactly describe Dalziel.

Faith wrote: "I think Reginald Hill's Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe are both happy and charming, though some may argue that "charming" doesn't exactly describe Dalziel."

I like Dalziel and Pascoe but for sure I wouldn't call Dalziel charming :)

Jan C wrote: "One series I like is the Alice Kimberly about a woman who inherits/gets a bookshop inhabited by a ghost. I don't usually like ghost stories but this is more of a cozy than a ghost s..."

I read The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library years back, and agree that her main character has some charm and the series seems like a fun "whodunit" series. A little cozy, very true.