I have been receiving quite a few letters recently about recommending “Authors Similar to” other authors. I know how frustrating it is when you get to the end of a favorite author’s series, and wonder – what next?
Unfortunately, a lot of the time I get requests for authors who I don’t read. This of course, makes it impossible for me to recommend “Authors Similar to” that author.
Even if I am familiar with the author in question, I obviously am not familiar with all other Cozy Mystery authors. It is for this reason that I appreciate it when Cozy Mystery site readers, who are familiar with an author, recommend authors they think write in the same fashion. It’s great to hear from you ALL – whether I know the author in question, or not. The more similar authors, the better…
PS>>> I will be posting several new “Authors Similar to” pages very soon. Thank you – in advance – for your recommendations.
Susan says
So many people are reading / recommending Patricia Wentworth, that I just have to chime in with a ‘similar’ recommendation.
Not in the least similar, character or plot-wise, but E. Phillips Oppenheim was writing around the same time, and writes the same sort of gentle, non-violent, non-profane mysteries. I really think any fan of older mysteries would enjoy these. (At least those I’ve managed to get my hands on so far.)
He’s a recent discovery for me, and my favourite so far is ‘General Bessemer’s Puzzle Box’. An anthology of short stories, featuring a retired WWI general who lives in Monaco between the wars and solves problems.
Cheers!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you so much, Susan, for telling us about E. Phillips Oppenheim. I had never heard of him before.
Kay says
Yes, thanks for the tip. I will look up this author for sure. I do like your description: gentle, non-violent, non-profane mysteries. That’s for me!
Susan says
You are both very welcome! 🙂
Anna says
Sometimes story lines, plots, characters, etc. are so similar that I forget which series I am reading. For example, I just finished reading a Victoria Thompson/Sarah Brandt mystery but couldn’t help thinking I was reading a Rhys Bowen/Molly Murphy book. Two other series I have to take a double take on are the Charles Todd/Bess Crawford and the Jacqueline Winspear/Maisie Dobbs series. Sometimes I have to remember which character is married, who isn’t; who came from a privileged background, who didn’t, etc. But in the end, I like them all!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
This way, Anna, you get twice the reading fun for half the reading time! (I’m not sure that makes sense…)
Treva says
I loved Anne George’s “Southern Sisters” series. Unfortunately she completed only 8 before her death. I am also a big fan of Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knott series. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding similar authors?
Marja says
Treva, I’m glad to hear that someone else liked Anne George’s books, too. I was very sorry to hear she had died. I read her last book first, and it told of her passing on the cover, so I went into the series knowing there wouldn’t be anymore.
In some ways, Rita Lakin’s “Getting Old…” books remind me of Anne’s books, although they’re very different at the same time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Treva and Marja, you are in good company!
Anne George is a favorite of a lot of us. Here is an “Authors Similar to Anne George” entry.
Also, here is an entry about Anne George’s excellent Southern Sisters Mystery Series.
It really is a shame that there are so few books in her series. A lot of times, when I read the eighth book in an author’s series, I am ready to call it quits because of the predictability and repetetiveness. Not so with the antics of Mouse and Sister!~
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Treva, I have added Margaret Maron to the “Authors Similar to…” list.
Ann Tweedell says
I absolutely loved the Southern Sisters series by Anne George. They were delightful.
Grace Bost says
I couldn’t get enough of Charles Todd Bess Crawford series. So I looked and looked until I found the Molly Murphy series! Now that I have read all 15 of her books I’m not finding any authors, until I found this “cozy mystery”. Can’t wait to check out these authors.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Grace, I hope you find a lot of new favorite authors!