English Mysteries Club discussion

Rosemarie wrote: "My name is Rosemarie and I love to read just about everything, especially older books. I'm a retired teacher living in Toronto and have lots of time to read when my husband and I aren't travelling ..."

Hi Rosemarie, and welcome to "English Mysteries"! I hope you'll find lots of things to join in with here. Our members are such great fans of the genre, that I'm sure you'll have lots of recommendations :)

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you started this group again, Jean. I loved it and missed it so much. I am Susan from N. Calif. and I love mysteries. My current favorite is Elly Griffiths and her delightful character, Ruth. I also love C.J. Sansom.

Susan wrote: "I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you started this group again, Jean. I loved it and missed it so much. I am Susan from N. Calif. and I love mysteries. My current favorite is [author:Elly Gri..."

Hey Susan! I'm so glad you re-joined - I hoped you would :) I remember all our great chats here :)

Me too. I am so excited.

Hi, I am Thomas, from Western New York. I joined after receiving an invitation from my friend Susan. I have 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 2 grancats and 1 grandog. I like to travel, road/rail trips and cruises. This year my wife, daughter and family are going on a cruise to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
I read mostly mysteries. I read Ian Rankin, Bernard Cornwell, C. S. Harris, Louise Penney, H. R. F. Keating and Craig Johnson among others.

Thanks, Jean!

Welcome everyone, and glad you joined too Allie! :) I know it means even more books to read. ;)

It will be good to know a lot of (to me) new authors. I enjoy the Cadfael mysteries too, and I also started with the Royal Spyness series.

Hi Thomas, and welcome to "English Mysteries"! I'm pleased to meet you and thank Susan for inviting you! Hope you find lots of fellow enthusiasts for the authors you like - and some new ones :)

And congratulation on your 50th anniversary. That's quite an achievement and you and your wife deserve that cruise!

Michaela wrote: "Welcome everyone, and glad you joined too Allie! :) I know it means even more books to read. ;)

It will be good to know a lot of (to me) new authors. I enjoy the Cadfael mysteries too, and I also ..."

The more books, the merrier reader, right?

Ooh I love the Royal Spyness series.

Laurel wrote: "Or Evan Evans, written by an American...?"

Rhys Bowen, the author of the Evan Evans series, was actually born in Bath, Somerset, UK and moved to the US as an adult. I would definitely consider the Evan Evans and the Royal Spyness series to be English - since they take place in the UK and are written by an British (and even English author).

The ones I have the most trouble with are the excellent series by Elizabeth George, Martha Grimes, Deborah Crombie and Laurie R King, just to mention a few, which are set in England/UK but written by authors that are definitely from the US. I usually consider them to be English based on where the book takes place. Interestingly, there seem to be quite a few contemporary US authors who write mysteries set in England, but I cannot say that I've found many English/British authors who write books set in the US. Personally, I'm not sure I'd want to read them!

And to finally introduce myself, I'm Robin, from Ohio, married with two sons - 18 and almost 15 and I primarily read English mysteries, with some science fiction and fantasy thrown in for good measure. I'm currently reading about 55 different mystery series (in various stages of completion) either set in or written by English/British authors - Golden Age and contemporary.

I also love the BLCC's and InterLibrary Loans are wonderful for those out of print series. It's amazing how many series are still available to read via the ILL system.

Good evening
I'm Susan from Canada. I love reading and listening to audio books while cross stitching. period mysteries being my favourite Thanks for the reintroduction of this group

This is terrific! Thank you, Jean, for the English Mysteries Club! I am a retired RN and live in Las Vegas, NV with my husband, George, of 51 years and our rescue cat, Brandy. We have 3 grown sons and 2 grandchildren who live in Australia - so I DO have a connection to the British! There are many English mystery authors I've heard of, but not read (other than Agatha Christie, of course), so this will be the stimulus to read them. I have enjoyed reading a couple of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series, Louise Penny's Gamache, and Josephine Tey. I also like to read light cozy (cosy) mysteries.

Good to see so many joining and Jean will make the most fantastic moderator as she is in the RFP group!

I am so glad you joined Thomas.
It's looking like a great lively group.

Hi I m new to the group , invited by Bionic Jean . I love mysteries and need a group of like- minded readers!

Hello everyone. I am Sue and I have recently moved to Banff, north east Scotland. I used to read mysteries all the time, about 20 years ago, especially by Scottish authors but somehow got tired of them (and they became too grisly for me). I'm now feeling the urge to rediscover them and when my GR friend, Susan, mentioned your group it seemed a good place to start. I'll try to join in where I can.

Bionic Jean wrote: "l'm going to have to read Nancy Drew, aren't I? I'm probably the only person here who hasn't!"

Hello everyone. I'm Nisa from Antalya, Turkey. I'm new to English Mysteries Club. :)) Jean, thanks for the invite.

Jean, now you are not alone I didn't read Nancy Drew (Is the series named Nancy Drew Diaries Series??) too. And guess I didn't read other mentioned books too :((.


I can't say I read a lot of mysteries but meanwhile, I'm reading Hercule Poirot series (thanks to group buddy read in RFP) and want to finish all books in the series.
After finishing college, I didn't read much for a while but when I learned the second language I began to read more again. I usually read any book seems interesting to me. They are mostly would be from fiction or fantasy genre but I have some nonfiction favorites too. :)) (I can't remember enjoying or finishing a self-help book though :S). And I'm trying to read some classics.
I remember enjoying reading mysteries before but after beginning to read books again I didn't read much mysteries (except Agatha Christie books). I remember reading some books in the Sherlock Holmes series in high school but I'm not sure which one. So after finishing the Hercule Poirot series, I will read them too. And Jean, I will try to read Nancy Drew series too.

Robin wrote: "I'm Robin, from Ohio, married with two sons - 18 and almost 15 and I primarily read English mysteries, with some science fiction and fantasy thrown in for good measure ..."

Welcome to the "English Mysteries Club" Robin :) I hope you like it here, and think you'll find plenty of readers here who share your tastes.

"there seem to be quite a few contemporary US authors who write mysteries set in England, but I cannot say that I've found many English/British authors who write books set in the US."

I've often wondered that too! It seems odd to me. As an English person, I've wondered if Americans find it difficult to envisage English locations, as I do if I'm reading an American crime story.

Here it's more about the "feel" of the book, starting from the "golden age" but moving outward. And we can certainly spread our wings a little :)

Susan wrote: "Good evening
I'm Susan from Canada. I love reading and listening to audio books while cross stitching. period mysteries being my favourite Thanks for the reintroduction of this group"

Hi Susan, and I'm so pleased you found us. I can see you are joining in already, so hope you find lots of threads which interest you. It sounds so relaxing to listen and stitch at the same time :) We'll definitely be reading lots of period mysteries! I think that's the group's core, really.

Elizabeth A.G. wrote: "This is terrific! Thank you, Jean, for the English Mysteries Club! I am a retired RN and live in Las Vegas, NV with my husband, George, of 51 years and our rescue cat, Brandy. We have 3 grown sons ..."

YAY I love it when someone who is already a friend joins :) Welcome Elizabeth, and I hope you like it here. And you have made me blush, but thank you so much for the lovely compliment :)

Sorry if I'm getting these out of order! So many people have joined overnight (well, what is overnight for me!)

Penny wrote: "Hi I m new to the group , invited by Bionic Jean . I love mysteries and need a group of like- minded readers!"

Hi Penny! I've actually only personally invited a few of my friends (though it must look like a lot!) - those who I know love mysteries :) But you were one of the first I thought of, as you were the third "Morse-keteer" and we read all those books together in this group after you initiated a series read :) I'm so glad you've returned to "English Mysteries" too.

Thanks Jean and Susan

SueLucie wrote: "Hello everyone. I am Sue and I have recently moved to Banff, north east Scotland. I used to read mysteries all the time, about 20 years ago, especially by Scottish authors ..."

Hi Sue and welcome to the "English Mysteries Club". I'm so glad you chose us to join - and thank you again Susan!

"and they became too grisly for me" I actually feel the same way :( I do feel there are fewer English mysteries of that type, so hope you will be happy here.

Certainly there will be a place for all types of mysteries in this group though - even true British crime, if that is what people wish.

Nisa wrote: "Hello everyone. I'm Nisa from Antalya, Turkey. I'm new to English Mysteries Club. :)) Jean, thanks for the invite.

I can't say I read a lot of mysteries but meanwhile, I'm reading Hercule Poirot series..."

Hi Nisa! I'm really happy that you have joined, and am sure there will be other authors here to tempt you. I know you've read at last a dozen of the Hercule Poirots already! I actually think that Agatha Christie is probably a good author to read in your second language, as her vocabulary is straightforward and quite simple. And she wrote so many! Rita has just started commenting on her autobiography in a special author thread, so that may interest you too. I know how highly you both thought of that book :)

"Jean, now you are not alone I didn't read Nancy Drew (Is the series named Nancy D..." LOL! We are like 2 babes. They are not that easy to get here, but I have found one - it is number 6. They are by "Carolyn Keene", although it looks as if that is a pen-name, used by several different authors for the purpose of the series.

Bionic Jean wrote: "They are not that easy to get here, but I have found one - it is number 6. They are by "Carolyn Keene", although it looks as if that is a pen-name, used by several different authors for the purpose of the series."

Thanks, Jean. I wasn't sure which one. :))

Nisa wrote: "Thanks, Jean. I wasn't sure which one ..."

The only one I've found is called White Water Terror (there are none in the libraries) but I haven't decided whether or not to buy it yet.

Hello everyone, I'm thrilled to join this lovely group! Like some of the other members, my love of mysteries started with Nancy Drew then on to the Hardy Boys - two series my ten year-old is avidly devouring now! Agatha Christie is probably my all-round favourite author but I'm also a big fan of Keigo Higashino (not English but fab mysteries none the less). I am always on the look out for Simon Brett books here in Canada because they are a bit tricky to find. I really get a kick out of the Charles Paris mystery series and am addicted to the audiobooks featuring Bill Nighy. Other favourites are Francis Duncan, Charles Finch and Christopher Fowler, Dorothy L. Sayers and could read the Dirk Gently books by Douglas Adams over and over!

When not reading mysteries, I am busy writing (I've got a non-fiction book about a WW2 Lancaster crew coming out soon) and researching a WW2 murder mystery, which I hope will become my second book.

I'm looking forward to discovering some new authors in this group and hearing about all of your wonderful reads.

Allyson wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm thrilled to join this lovely group! Like some of the other members, my love of mysteries started with Nancy Drew then on to the Hardy Boys - two series my ten year-old is avidly..."

Hi Allyson, and welcome to "English Mysteries". I'm so pleased to meet you :) I've never heard of Keigo Higashino - he sounds a major Japanese mystery writer - so thank you for telling us about him!

Regarding Simon Brett - do you have a kindle? Many of his books are on there, although of course there may be a different selection in Canada.

SueLucie wrote: "Hello everyone. I am Sue and I have recently moved to Banff, north east Scotland. I used to read mysteries all the time, about 20 years ago, especially by Scottish authors but somehow got tired of ..."

I am so glad you joined us Sue. You will be a wonderful addition to the group.

I am shocked beyond words that you have not read Nancy Drew. Not only did I devour them but I still have my copies that are now about 60 years old. I could never bring myself to part with them. Am I book nerd or not?

Me? They just weren't around here. I've never seen a single one!

Susan wrote: "I am shocked beyond words that you have not read Nancy Drew. Not only did I devour them but I still have my copies that are now about 60 years old. I could never bring myself to part with them. Am ..."

Those must be amazing to have!!! I’m jealous! I have a full set of the yellow hardbacks that are now going on 25 years old. I hope my niece will be a reader because I need to pass them down to someone I trust once I’m gone! 🤣

Bionic Jean wrote: "Me? They just weren't around here. I've never seen a single one!"

That makes me sad! 😭
She really is an American classic but she’s been translated into languages all over the world.

Bionic Jean wrote: "Me? They just weren't around here. I've never seen a single one!"

I think Nancy Drew was the first mystery/detective books I ever read. My mother had some of the ones she had read as a girl which she gave me when I was young (8? 10?) and after that, I devoured the local library's selection of them.

Funny how some authors just don't 'cross the pond' despite their popularity in their home country. I keep hearing my English friends here talk about Enid Blyton but I have never read any of her books nor even seen one.

I’m an avid reader, and mysteries are my favorites. I am particularly fond of golden age mysteries, and am pleased to see so many of them being republished. I do read modern mysteries as well, but I generally find that the golden age authors were just better writers in general. I usually read 3 or 4 books a week.

Sue wrote: "Hello everyone. I'm Sue from Dorset on the south west coast of England. I know some of you from other groups, particularly Reading the Detectives and Reading for Pleasure, so it's lovely to see fri..."

I have read quite a few of the books from British Crime Classics. I’m so glad that these are being republished.

You are absolutely right, Leslie. I have never read Enid Blyton either.
I, also, agree with Rita. It's an age thing. I have no desire to reread them or see the movie. I am waiting for my granddaughter to inherit the books. She's 6 now so almost there.

Leslie wrote: "Funny how some authors just don't 'cross the pond' despite their popularity in their home country. I keep hearing my English friends here talk about Enid Blyton but I have never read any of her books nor even seen one..."

Yes, you see that stuns me! Enid Blyton has been among the world's best-sellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies. Her books are still enormously popular, and have been translated into 90 languages! Since joining GR however, I know what you say to be true of the USA.

I used to say Agatha Christie was like Enid Blyton for grown-ups. Both have grown on me more in recent years :)

Rita wrote: "I can't imagine that you would enjoy them now. There was a new Nancy Drew movie out not that long ago and I had..."

Maybe not, but you know I have a soft spot for kids' and young people's books, and take them on their own merits. And anyway Rita, I am thoroughly intrigued now! If I don't like them, I'll promise to try not to spoil anyone's cherished fond memories :)

I never read Nancy Drew, but had heard of her. My wife read Nancy Drew mysteries. Until now, I had never heard of Enid Blyton.

It must definitely be a US thing, I think!

Bionic Jean wrote: "It must definitely be a US thing, I think!"

Obviously! I´d never heard of Nancy Drew either. Know Enid Blyton though.

Hello, everyone. I'm Diane a/k/a Lemon Sky from Texas. I'm a big fan of mysteries and my favorite authors are Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ellis Peters, John Dickson Carr, Robert van Gulik, and Phoebe Ann Taylor. Right now, I'm trying out a new author (for me) named Moray Dalton (real name: Katherine Dalton Renoir). I like finding little known authors, mostly through Kindle, but also sometimes through lots of paperbacks I buy online.

About Carolyn Keene, yes, that was a pen name for a number of authors working for the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Probably the best known author is Mildred Wirt Benson, who went on to write the Penny Parker and Ruth Darrow series under her own name. She also wrote books in other series such as the Dana Girls, Ruth Fielding, and Kay Tracey.

Hello all. I'm Victoria from Kent in SE England. I've been reading mysteries since I was able to read. I worked my way through Enid Blyton and many other children's authors, many now forgotten, and graduated to Agatha Christie and other more adult books when I was about thirteen.

Recently I've been re-reading some Christie, and also trying some new authors.

For those who have never read any Blyton and would like to try, I recommend the 'Adventure' series, beginning with The Island of Adventure.

Diane, so glad to see the name Robert van Gulik, one of my favourites but really little known in the UK, I think. Well-known in the USA? Good old Judge Dee!

Meant to say how good the line drawings in the books are, giving a real flavour of the people and places!

Hi Jean, many thanks for the invite to this group, given my reading genres this is going to be right up street.
I recognise a number of active friends already in this group, but for those who don't know me. I'm British,I've just reached my 60th birthday, I'm a born and bred Londoner now living in Shropshire in the World Heritage town of Ironbridge (birthplace of the Industrial Revolution).
I have to say like Jean, I have never seen or read a Nancy Drew mystery, but was brought up on Enid Blyton. It must be a UK/USA thing .
I'm looking forward to making my TBR even bigger and enjoying some good reads.
Cheers
Ade
PS please feel free to friend me if you feel we have books or tastes in common.

Adrian, I hope you're not flooded out! I've had a couple of excellent holidays in and around Ironbridge, so have been watching the news with interest and concern.

(And although I'm British, I have read some Nancy Drew. My local library had some when I was a child.)

Adrian, are you under water in Ironbridge? From one exiled Londoner (in Macclesfield in Cheshire) to another!

John wrote: "Diane, so glad to see the name Robert van Gulik, one of my favourites but really little known in the UK, I think. Well-known in the USA? Good old Judge Dee!"

I'm not even sure when or where I discovered him. My first book in the series was The Monkey and The Tiger, which I still have. When my oldest brother was a graduate student, he would pick up used paperbacks of the Judge Dee mysteries and John Dickson Carr at the college bookstore. I ended up with most of them.