Recently, I was asked the following question by site reader PamB, and I thought I’d share the answer with all of you.
“Miss Zukas Mysteries, by Jo Dereske, were recommended on this blog and this series has been my favorite to read this year. Miss Helma Zukas is a single lady, works in a library, and is set in her ways. The books are witty, well written, and make me smile as to how some things are described. I’ve slowed down reading them as the last book is Farewell, Miss Zukas and I can’t imagine not having a Miss Zukas book to look forward to.”
Well, as a matter of fact, I do sometimes hold onto a series that I’ve been enjoying, just so I can pull it out later. Just as one example, I had been working my way through the Peter and Helen Shandy Mystery Series by Charlotte MacLeod, but decided to take a break so I could come back to it later. I know that once I finish the series, there simply won’t be any more! That will be it! So I haven’t read the last two Cozies in that series. I just want to know they are there waiting for me.
So, do any of you have a favorite series that you’ve held off on finishing just so you could have the satisfaction of reading a new-to-you book by a favorite author later? Please leave a comment below!
shannon says
Dang it, you have sent me on another errand, with getting involved with new series!!!
I still haven’t read the last of the Cat Who, because I know that it is the last one!
I read the last one of the Mitford series and I am still bummed out.
I shouldn’t get on this web site because I find something new to read all the time! Dog gone you!! LOL LOL LOL
Thanks for your work!
Shannon
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Shannon, I know about saving books for the future! Instead of enjoying them, I feel like I will all of a sudden not have them to enjoy! When you say the last Mitford book, do you mean Light from Heaven (2005), or Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good (2014)? I haven’t read it yet, but was pleasantly surprised when Jan Karon released that last one so many years later.
Lisa says
I was that way with Robin Paige’s Victorian/Edwardian mysteries. I’m going to re-read them soon, as it’s been awhile. Good books never go out of style. I love to re-read!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lisa, so you strung Robin Paige’s Victorian series out as long as you could! Why do we do this? And, you’re right about good books never going out of style!
reginav says
Danna Do i save mysteries? You betcha ! ! My nook and now my new Kindle are loaded with my favorites. In fact I have found this the best way to preserve and retrieve some of my favorites. The problem is that when I find one of my preferred books available , I buy it and the rest of the series and begin to read or re-read the series until I finish it. I don’t read anything else. I just began Dell Shannon’ Mendoza series. I said I would only read the first and space the rest out between other books, no such luck, I am up to #7 and hooked. There are 38 books in this series. Guess what I will be reading for the next few days.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I’m a firm believer in spacing books out between other books, but know that sometimes that plan doesn’t come to fruition. I did that with Hamish Macbeth when I finally decided to try that series. I was hooked from book one, and read no other Cozies until I caught up with him. But, other times, when I’ve read several books back-to-back by an author, I grow impatient with the “sameness” of some authors’ Cozies. So, I try to space them.
Susan* says
Regina, if it makes you feel any better, I do the same thing you do – ‘binge’ read favourite authors – and I seem to recall from a blog post some time ago that I’m not the only one. Lol!
I think ‘my’ record is about 15, though. Thirty eight … Wow! Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy them all!
LynnK says
I, too, love Hamish MacBeth, but I took a break from his adventures to explore Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries. They are a bit easier than MC Beaton, but I just love that Phyrne Fisher is a Flapper in 1920s Australia. Love the music and silent movies of the era, so it was a good match for me.
I’ll go back to Hamish soon.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
LynnK, there were a few times when Hamish started to wear on me when I was reading the books back-to-back. Well, actually, it wasn’t Hamish, it was Priscilla!
LynnK says
Yeah, I want to see him have a little more romance with Priscilla or Elisbeth, if I have her name right. I’m a little bored with them, but will go back. I just started Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James. Maybe I’m getting scared of getting close to the end of the Hamish novels, though MC Beaton is releasing another, I see. It’s good to branch out to other series, though. Can’t cope w/o my Cozies.
susy says
I find I do this with single books, not just a series. I tend to slow down as the book finishes, wanting to prolong the joy of being in a place I love and with people I find interesting. Not all books, just the best ones for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, now that’s a twist! There are some Cozy Mystery settings that are so homey that I feel like I’m going to my grandmother’s small town (without the murders!) for a visit every time I read a book in the series. So I can understand wanting to prolong a particular book…
susy says
Danna, do you read more than one book at a time? I hardly ever do that; usually only when I am not too happy with the first book, but can’t quite bring myself to abandon it. Two books take away some of the joy of place. And that is the most important aspect of cozies for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, I only read one mystery at a time, however, I listen to another audio mystery during the same time. I just started James Runcie‘s Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death (book #1 of Grantchester Mystery Series), of which I have read two of the novella-length mysteries. I read one, went and read another author’s book, and then came back to read the second story, etc.
LynnK says
Me too. I feel like I’m saying good bye to friends.
Wakar says
I waited AGES before reading the last Miss Zukas book. It was a satisfying ending but still… I’m still holding off on the last two Southern Sisters books by Anne George. With the exception of Louise Penny (I just can’t hold out with her books) I try to let the authors get a few book ahead of me -just to be safe. lol The Maisie Dobbs books for example. But, alas, no more Charlotte MacLeod who is an all time fav author.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wakar, I read Anne George’s Southern Sisters mysteries as they were released. (I don’t do that with a lot of my favorite authors’ series.) I guess George was to me what Louise Penny is to you.
(I like the wording you use: “just to be safe”!)
PamB says
Wakar, thanks for letting me know the last Miss Zukas book had a “satisfying ending”. The Southern Sisters books were the first cozy mystery books I read straight through and then I was so sad to find out I had read the last of them. Am not going to put myself through that ‘grief’ again…
PamB says
I’m enjoying all of the comments. It’s ‘comforting’ to know I’m not the only reader who can’t quite bring myself to read the last books of a series I truly enjoy. I have the last two of the Charlotte MacLeod Sarah/Max Kelling and Peter/Helen Shandy books, and the last Camille Minichino Periodic Table Mystery book to read. Just don’t want these series to end…..
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, when I read the last of Camille Minichino’s Periodic Table mysteries, I didn’t know it was the last one! I don’t blame you for not wanting the series to end. I was sorry that it did…
Lexie says
With rising costs I wish I had room to keep series. Books are too expensive to buy anymore. Having limited room to live I only have two bookcases and they are already full of family antique books and my favorite hardbacks. I have two shelves designed for paperback mystery books. The ones I keep are my Mom’s entire paperback Christie collection, my cat who, and Grafton is slowly building. I also kept all my Mom’s Beaton series of Hamish and Agatha. They are so delightful and I will keep them forever. I am for now keeping Sally Goldenbaum, and Annette Blair as they are delightful. I love Madelyn Alt books and if I can find them again will keep them as she is no longer writing. Oh to have room for more would be great but alas I have to make hard decisions. I find the Cat Who very hard to find and decided they were worth making room for and I adore Grafton. I just gave away 200 paperback mystery books to charity this week and now you send me to get more! I am delighted to hear about this series and am hunting them down at my library as we speak. How I would love to have bookcases full of my favorite mystery series! What fun that would be.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lexie, when I converted to Kindle reading, I gave a way a whole bunch of books. It made me sad to get rid of them, but happy that they were going to be read/enjoyed by more Cozy Mystery readers. It’s terrific that you have your Mom’s collection of books. What a joy to be able to read your mom’s favorite books!
Dianne W says
Just go to Charlotte McLeod’s other series. I’ve read and enjoyed both.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dianne W, I have skipped around her other series, also. To me, there’s just something about knowingly reading the last mystery in a favorite series.
Lisa says
It sometimes physically hurts to read the last book in a series. It’s like saying farewell to an old and trusted friend. The Mitford series sounds interesting. I’ll look it up.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lisa, Jan Karon‘s Mitford series is not a mystery series. It’s a very delightfully well-written series about a pastor and his flock.
Lisa says
Still sounds good. I like to read other types of books. Thus, my obsession with James Lee Burke, Steve Berry, Lee Child and Preston & Child.
I also like to read “true” ghost stories.
Margaret M. says
I do save all the books in my favorite series. Since I only read “hard copies” not digital, occasionally I have to purge, but I have appropriate space to keep books I don’t want to part with. Of course I learned the hard way, when I have given away books and later regretted it. But, when I do need to clear out space I donate them, so I hope they will go to someone who will love them as much as i did.
And, I have re-read several books from time to time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret M, I have started re-reading a few books, but I don’t do it very often. I am still making my way through Agatha Christie’s mysteries, but I’m not rushing the process.
mary says
hello. well, call me old fashioned… but i BUY my mysteries. sure, some are hard to find, and old, and i have to hunt them down via a used bookstore. that’s a lot of fun too. and i’ve disposed of very few of my mysteries and cozies over the years. even still have my complete nancy drews, trixie beldens…sitting right up there with every charlotte macleod/alissa craig. and yes, i buy the new mysteries as well, but i prefer they be well written and not mindless fluff. fluff has it’s place, just not at my house. and yes, i have bookshelves in every room. regularly dusted by my cat. i guess this makes me a mystery reader and collector…but hey, at 3am i can find a real book to go to bed with.
mary
UUVirginia says
Last year our basement got mold under the rug. All books, including textbooks, non-fiction and all my lovely series were packed away and put in storage. They are still there. I find myself wanting my old friends back: Margaret Fraxer’s Tales, Margaret Coel’s Wind Reservation, Ellis Peter’s Cadfael, Beaton’s Highlander policeman, Anne Perry’s Monk and the Pitts; Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma, Agatha Christie’s Hercule, of course; Elizabeth Peter’s Peabody; Jan Karon’s Mountain Priest, Susan Wettig Albert’s China, and her lovely Beatrix Potter cottage tales, and on and on.
All these personalities have been friends, just like J.R.R. Tolkein’s Hobbit series that I read twice a year for decades = they became familiar and once I learned about them, I knew what to expect. I learned that “Order and Method” were the best way to not get lost. I learned the difference between thinking-so and KNOWING-so from Gandalf when he tested the ring in fire. I learned the value of liturgy and the hours from Sister Frevisse and Father Tim. I learned the beauty of language and insight from Ellis Peters and Brother Cadfael. I discovered 12th century France from Sharan Newman, and the ugliness of war in Victorian England from Anne Perry.
Teachable moments come at surprising times. Friendships, history, thinking through puzzles, learning how to gain insight and wisdom all have resulted from the many series on my shelves. Even Benjamin Bunny and the Black Stallion series have instructed me in their turn.
I know this is long. But I’ve wanted to tell others of my love affair with mystery series and the delicious, wondrous people within for a long time. Now I joyfully have. Thanks.
mary says
thanks. i enjoyed your comment. share your pain. but look forward to your re-union. it will be sweet. books conquer all!
Susan* says
I have been known to not read the last book in a series, although not for the reasons mentioned here.
I am quite happy to re-read books I’ve enjoyed, and I don’t always remember details, especially if it’s been a while, so no new ones is not a problem for me. (Although I do understand the excitement of a new story that you haven’t read before! Oh, yes! Lol!)
The final books that I really don’t like reading are ones where I know the long-time sleuth dies at the end of / during the book. Somehow that spoils the entire series for me. It’s somehow just not the same once I know they’re dead.
As an example, I have Agatha Christie’s entire works, but I won’t read ‘Curtain’, the final Poirot, for the reasons mentioned above. I have the book – it completes a matched set – but I won’t read it.
Daft, maybe, as they are only fictional characters, but …
Sheila says
My favorite series is Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series. I have A-W and Kinsey and Me in hard cover. I also download them to my Kindle but … I’m reading them very slowly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, sounds like you do the exact same thing that PamB and I do. You must really adore Sue Grafton >>> to have her mysteries both on your Kindle and also on your book shelves!
Ann says
I usually don’t hang on to series but the Mitford series is the exception. It’s enjoyable to read over and over again.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, you should see if your library has the Mitford books in audio format. John McDonough is an absolute delight to listen to. (He was the second Captain Kangaroo!)
Rob says
I agree with all of you ladies! I save mysteries and for the lady that saved the Robin Paige mysteries-Have you read Bishop’s Keep?
The first of the Charles and Kate Sheridan books -loved them all but I agree that if you know it won’t continue-you kind of shoot yourself in the foot if you read it! I hope Emily Brightwell and Laura Childs don’t quit, either. They are my absolute favorites.
Such great suggestions and ideas, and just fun stuff on this site. I love tuning in after a long week at work. So refreshing and welcome!
Rob
Lisa says
Yep, Rob, I’ve read them all. Will re-read them soon, because it’s been a while. Emily Brightwell has a new one out, or will soon.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, I’m glad to hear you enjoy spending time with us after a long week at work. I hope to see you before next weekend, but if we don’t, we’ll see you then!
Stash Empress says
I also space out books when I’m coming in new to a long running series — but that said — when i get to the end — i’m at the end LOL — I can’t hold off on a good book that I *know* I want to read! I will happily reread it though & do hold on to certain series — but alas have had to give away literally hundreds of books (even hard cover cozies!) over the past couple years cuz we have absolutely NO space in this tiny overcrowded apartment.
LynnK says
Me too. I am looking for cheap shelving. I have wall space but not enough floor space for bookcases. I’m a slow reader, so I have 1000 books to read yet. Wish I could get a bigger house! 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn K, I was going to say that years ago we got some cheap book shelves at Walmart, but I just went to their site, and I can’t find the type we bought.
LynnK says
My dentist told me about Ikea Billy bookshelves which are cheaper than others I’ve priced but of course they have to be put together. Oh bother! I can fit a few but I may need to get that company called California Closets to build a shelf system in here. I can’t bear to give away certain series. They’re like children that I don’t want to see leave the nest.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, a couple of years ago my husband and I decided to downsize. I went through our garage and donated boxes and boxes of toys I had accumulated from when our two children were small. I also got rid of hundreds of my Cozies. However, my husband has been taking a whole lot longer to get rid of his things, and now I wonder if I should have held on to some of those things, since it doesn’t look like we’re going to downsize any time soon.
Julia says
I can’t say I don’t mind reading what I know will be the last book in a series, because it makes me sad to see any series I’m enjoying end. I won’t hold off reading it, though, and more than likely after I finish it I will go back and read a few (or all) of the earlier ones to live a little longer in that world.
The only book I won’t finish is Deborah Crombie’s “Kissed a Sad Goodbye,” and I’m afraid that’s really for superstition’s sake – it’s just a jinx to me. I’m sure it’s a very good book, because I’ve read the rest of the series, before and after this one, and enjoyed them very much. But when I bought it I had two older cats, and every time I started to read it, one (or both) of the cats would suddenly get very ill. They were in their late teens, to be fair, so it was hardly unexpected that there might be a health crisis or two, but after, I think, the third time that I started the book and one of them got very ill, I just said enough was enough. It’s stupid, but…
Both cats have since died (at ages 19 and 22, respectively), but I still won’t read the book. I have other cats.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, that is crazy-freaky about Kissed a Sad Goodbye! I don’t blame you one bit! Keep your cats healthy!
I probably should go ahead and finish the series by my favorite authors who have finished writing the series. It will be like losing a group of friends with whom I have spent a lot of time. Sad…
LynnK says
That’s exactly how I feel when I find a series I like. You feel as though you know the characters so well. They are like friends. I haven’t gotten into a completed series yet. Which ones would you recommend?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn K, right off the top of my head I can think of four: Kate Borden‘s Peggy Jean Turner Mystery Series, Ann Granger‘s Markby and Mitchell Village Whodunnit Mystery Series, Ann George‘s Southern Sisters Mystery Series, and Lilian Jackson Braun‘s the Cat Who ***** Mystery Series.
LynnK says
Thanks. I’m new to the genre, so I’m looking for some good series. I’m reading mc beaton Hamish MacBeth, and Diva series by Krista Davis. I’m also reading Kerry Greenwoods Miss Fisher books, but I get upset thinking of how few I have to read in all 3 series. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
LynnK, you might want to take a look at the monthly Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations that we do every month. I have found many new-to-me authors who are now on my favorite authors list >>> from reading other Cozy Mystery readers’ comments.