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Authors Similar to Agatha Christie : If You’ve Run Out of Agatha Christie Mysteries:

This morning I received a letter asking me for some advice. The writer wanted to know which authors she could try who fall in the Agatha Christie “category” (my word, not hers.) I thought that I would write a blog addressing this inquiry, since I have been asked this very same question by several people.

I know that this is presumptuous, but I am guessing that most of us got to be hard-core cozy mystery buffs after we read our first Agatha Christie novel. And, most of us have probably made our way through so many of the Christie novels that we can’t remember which is which. Once we have had our Christie fill, there are other authors we can turn to (thank goodness!) The following is a list of authors who I would consider trying out if I were just starting on the cozy mystery route. This is not to say that they are Agatha imitators… by any means! They are just the ones who I would recommend if I really had a love of all things Christie…

My Author Picks:

Ngaio Marsh:  Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mystery Series

Ellis Peters: Brother Cadfael Mystery Series

Ruth Rendell:  Inspector Wexford Mystery Series

(I have added a lot of authors to this list because they have been recommended by Cozy Mystery site readers as belonging on this Authors Similar to Agatha Christie list. I have not read several of these recommended authors. At first I didn’t know whether to add them to my list or not, since I couldn’t vouch for them. Eventually I added the authors, and hope they truly belong on this list!)

Other People’s Picks for Authors similar to Agatha Christie:

Cathy Ace: Cait Morgan Mystery Series

Catherine Aird:  Inspector Sloan Mystery Series

Margery Allingham:  Albert Campion Mystery Series

M. C. Beaton:  Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series AND Agatha Raisin Mystery Series

Elizabeth Daly: Henry Gamadge Mystery Series

John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, & Roger Fairbairn): Gideon Fell Mystery Series AND Henri Bencolin Mystery Series

Mary Higgins Clark: Stand Alone mysteries

Deborah Crombie:  Kincaid & James Mystery Series

Carola Dunn:  Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series

Marjorie Eccles:  Gil Mayo Mystery Series

Kathy Lynn Emerson:  Lady Susanna Appleton Mystery Series

E. X. Ferrars:  Andrew Basnett Mystery Series, Toby Dyke Mystery Series, & Freer Mystery Series

Anthea Fraser:  David Webb & Ken Jackson Mystery Series

Dorothy Gilman:  Mrs. Pollifax Mystery Series

Caroline Graham: Midsomer Murder Mystery Series

Ann Granger: Markby and Mitchell Mystery Series

Kerry Greenwood: Phryne Fisher Mystery Series

Martha Grimes:  Jury & Plant Mystery Series

Georgette Heyer: Superintendent Hannasyde Mystery Series

Hazel Holt: Mrs. Malory Mystery Series

P. D. James:  Inspector Adam Dalgliesh Mystery Series

M.M. Kaye: Death in ***** Mystery Series

Jill McGown:  Lloyd & Hill Mystery Series

Gladys Mitchell:  Mrs. Bradley Mystery Series

Stuart Palmer: Hildegarde Withers Mystery Series

Louise Penny: Three Pines Mystery Series

Dorothy L. Sayers:  Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery Series

Georges Simenon:  Inspector Maigret Mystery Series

Dorothy Simpson:  Inspector Luke Thanet Mystery Series

Rex Stout:  Nero Wolfe Mystery Series

Josephine Tey: Scotland Yard Inspector Mystery Alan Grant

Patricia Wentworth:  Miss Maud Silver Mystery Series

Please post your recommendations of authors who are similar to Agatha Christie, and I will add them to the list.

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦

Comments

  1. Yep, yep, yep! I collect Martha Grimes and love Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series. I didn’t know Midsomer Murders was a book series. Thankin’ you! PD James is the queen of English Mystery and I truly adore listening to the Hamish Macbeth stories. Thanks for this! -V-

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  2. I believe Patricia Wentworth should be added to the list. She wrote cozy British mysteries during the same era as Christie.

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  3. Thanks for the list, there are several authors here I need to sample. I am already on a mission to get the whole Nero Wolfe series; so far, I’ve made it about halfway … 🙂

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  6. Thank you for this topic. Christie-type mysteries are still my favorites. Do add E.X.Ferrars, Marjorie Eccles, and Deborah Crombie to the list. They will please anyone who loves Christie.

    There are others but I’m going to have to think a while.

    IMO, Caroline Graham is the best writer of English “village” mysteries since Christie. Stunningly good books! I wish she were more prolific.

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  7. Thank you so much Phoebe! When trying to pick and choose authors on the site for different mystery theme categories, I always have a feeling that I am missing one or two, so readers’ suggestions are always welcome!

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  8. I said I had more. Not all, as you say, Christie clones, but all absorbing, civilized, literate, well-plotted, philosophically insightful English mysteries.
    Simon Brett‘s "Fethering" series, Michael Gilbert (His "Smallbone Deceased" is a classic of classics), Peter Lovesey (Peter Diamond series Great!) Colin Dexter, of course Josephine Tey (Just 7, I think, books. She died too soon.) I have more, I’m sure. Stay tuned.

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  10. I think you should add Georgette Heyer to your list of authors similar to Agatha Christie. Her mysteries are currently out of print, but easy to find on used book sites. Also, Kerry Greenwood‘s Phryne Fisher series is really excellent – she even names a character Mary St. Mead in tribute to Agatha!!

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  11. I think Ian McShane’s ‘Lovejoy’ series fits this ‘category’, too — English village life, clever plotting, interesting clues, eccentric characters. And, though they are not precisely mysteries, the ‘No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ series, the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series, and the ‘Portuguese Irregular Verbs’ series, all by Alexander McCall Smith, share many characteristics with cozy mysteries and are absolutely delicious reads!

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  12. Thank you, Cyndi, for the great suggestions! I love Smith’s novels… especially the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Have you tried his 44 Scotland Street books? (Actually, the 44 Scotland are right up there with the Mma Ramotswe books… very different but also very enjoyable.)

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  13. Ann Purser has written a new Lois Meade mystery due out in Nov., called ‘Warning at One’. Does anyone know what it is about and if there will be more?

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  14. Hi Dora,
    I went to Ann Purser’s website and read that she is starting a new series: the Lois Meade Mystery Series. Now that all seven of the days of the week are used up in Purser’s Days of the Week Mystery Series, she is starting the new series which will have Lois and her family, as well as some of the villagers from her first series.

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  17. I recommend Dorothy Simpson’s Insp. Luke Thanet series to be added to the Agatha Christie type list. This author was a delightful “find” for me at the used book store. I recommend them highly.

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  19. Definitely try Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series, set in Quebec. You will love the world you are drawn into while reading her books.

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  21. I think you will want to move to the village of Three Pines outside of Quebec after reading these Gamache novels. Also, don’t forget the great Robert Barnard, especially “The Masters of the House,” a great story.

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  22. How about Carolyn Hart? Her Death on Demand series is great and even includes one novel called “The Christie Caper” in honer of the Queen of Crime.

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  24. Danna – I absolutely loved “The Christie Caper!!” I picked it up because of the title and have been hooked on Carolyn Hart ever since.

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  25. Has anyone mentioned Margaret Yorke? I just discovered her. She writes village mysteries and reminds me of Ruth Rendell’s social psychological outlook, though not as bizarre.

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  27. I have been through all of the Janet Evanovich, Cynthia Riggs, Donald Westlake, Anne George, Dorothy Gilman, Carolyn Hart, Rex Stout, Carl Hiaasan, can anyone recommend more comic mysteries? I love them and devour them!

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  29. I am of a certain age (I have had this legal assistant job for 33 years last Monday, if that tells you anything)and I love to read. After a day of listening to whining clients and unhappy coworkers it is nice to sit down with a good murder mystery. At least you can shut the book if you are tired of it. Ha ha. Married to my childhood sweetheart, Mother of two sons, one in Nebraska and one in California, Grandmother of 5, greatgrandmother of two, love to quilt, read, garden, play cards with my friends, cook and eat. I thought your cozy mystery information was right up to date and you also put in all of my favorite authors. I will use your guide when I go to the library. I grew up on Nancy Drew, the Dana girls, the Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie. Along with the L. Frank Baum Oz series and the one about Freddy the Pig who talked to the other animals, can’t remember the series now, another senior moment. Thank you again for your wonderful information and I look forward to any updates.

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  31. Would I be out-of-line in suggesting Stuart Palmer (unless he is somewhere on your list and I’ve missed him)? I adore Miss Withers, especially as played in the movies by Edna May Oliver.

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  33. For a comical author, Dorothy Cannell is a hoot. Set in England and the heroine is Elly Haskell. Also, the author who writes the “Burglar” books – for the moment I cannot remember the name of the author. All titles start “The Burglar who…”

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  35. Hi all,
    I just stumbled onto this list and am thrilled. I have been a fan of crime novels for years. Most of the authors mentioned are known to me. May I add:
    Elizabeth Corley, Sarah Rayne and Kate Ellis?

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  37. I don’t see Charles Todd listed among your Agatha clones. I discovered them this summer and lost myself in the eleven Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries set just after WW1. Totally gripping. Also the stand-alone mystery, The Murder Stone–quite unique I think.

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  39. I am so glad I discovered your website, I’ve read all of Agatha Christie’s books and I love listening to them read to me when I get home after a long day at work…I’ve been struggling to find an english village ms. marple type mystery series and with your list I will happily spend my time discovering new authors and characters…I’ve read all of Sherlock Holmes as well. Thank you for this wonderful website!

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  41. Re: comic mysteries may I recommend Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben- I am not a sports fan (unless you include the lifting of fork to mouth a sport) but theses are funny- I think you will enjoy the sarcastic humour.

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  43. A good Ms Marple type is Mrs Jeffries. She and her housekeeping staff ‘help’ Inspector Whitherspoon solve crimes in Victorian London.

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  44. I’ve just read a very satisfying Christie-esque murder mystery called The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy by James Anderson. It had all the necessary ingredients and the hidden x-factor so often missing but which Christie always delivered – the quirky policeman, the country house, the dinner party, the huge lot of suspects – just loved it. Have to recommend to all. I am now buying the next 2 in the series tout suite!!

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  46. I’m just finding this wonderful website and hope it isn’t too late to add a few more favorites to the list. While they wouldn’t all be called “cozies”, they are definitely the same type of read:

    Elizabeth Peters – Amanda Peabody series. These are not cozies but anyone who likes Christie should love these. They are my all time favorites and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I also love her Vickie Bliss series.

    Edmund Crispin is one of my all time favorites and very funny as well.

    V. C. Clinton-Baddeley, sadly I believe his books are out of print now but easily obtainable and well worth it. I think he only wrote 4 or 5 books. These are not funny but they are definitely in the cozy genre.

    Michael Bond who wrote the Paddington Bear series also gave us the wonderful Monsieur Pamplemousse series a wonderfully comic mystery series.

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  49. I like Louise Penny. Her mysteries progress through dialog rather than lengthy narratives…(which is one of the many reasons I love Agatha Christie). The stories take place in a French Canadian village called Three Pines. They are actually contemporary, but as you investigate each murder you must, on occasion, remind yourself that you are in North America and not St Mary Mead.

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    • Terrific idea, Tara. Thank you for reminding me about Stuart Palmer. His Hildegarde Withers Mystery Series is actually one that I follow…

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  52. Hi, Danna
    Thank you for this wonderful site and all the work you’ve put into it! Have you considered H. C. Bailey’s Dr. Reggie Fortune books?

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    • Thank you, Mary, for telling us about H. C. Bailey’s Dr. Reggie Fortune mysteries. (This is the first time I have heard about him.)

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  54. Thanks so much for this listing! I listen to audio-stories ALL the time (instead of TV), and prefer ‘cozy’ mysteries, and was running out of authors! If you like mysteries set in older times, I suggest Anne Perry (she has 2 different murder series – the Inspector Pitt one is my favorite); Marion Chesney (the Edwardian Murder Mystery series); also M.C Beaton writes an Agatha Raisin series which is entertaining. I hesitate to suggest some of my other favorites, because I’m not sure that they ‘read’ as well as they ‘listen’ in audio-plays. But for anyone who listens to stories: Elizabeth Peters – Amelia Peabody series (they are read by Barbara Rosenblat – the best in the biz!), her Vickki Bliss series is good too, and BR’s reading of it is hilarious; Alexander McCall Smith – #1 Ladies Detective Agency (slow-paced but entertaining); Lillian Jackson Braun – ‘The Cat Who’ series – all read by George Guidell (the best male reader). I could definitely bring more to mind if anyone was interested.

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  55. I got a book from Mary Roberts Rinehart mixed with my Agatha Christie collection and it took me a few chapters to realise it was not an agatha christie !
    I specially like her Miss pinkerton series. It is set in America but you can’t really tell. It’s in the old days, and people are rich and they have servants and gardeners. To me, it feels like the same ambiance as the agatha christies.

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  56. Loved this page, was just what I was looking for…
    we have this great Oxfam book store, with loads of old books, and I discovered Erle Stanley Gardner & the great Perry Mason series. Great read! 🙂

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  57. I just listened to all of the Anna Katharine Green mysteries that Librivox had recorded, and they are awesome. She was a Victorian writer, and the first real American detective novelist, and as such influenced Christie’s works. She has several interesting detectives, such as Inspector Gryce and his protegee Sweetwater, and a nosy spinster name Amelia Butterworth. Very much worth reading or listening to.

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    • Thanks, Marcia, for telling us about Anna Katharine Green. I just went to her Wikipedia page, and cannot believe I had never heard of her. She truly was a leading contributor of what was to become today’s mystery novel.

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  58. I stumbled onto this site by accident & am grateful I did! Thank you for taking the time to compile a list!

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    • Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Jasmine. We have a great group of people here – who have some great Cozy Mystery recommendations. Hope to “hear” more from you!

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  59. Hello,
    I am a french fan of Caroline Graham books (midsomer murder mystery series aka barnaby in France) and I am looking for similar authors (hoping they publish something in french of course). I read that Deborah Crombie may be a good choice but maybe are there any other authors who propose some similar stories (1/2 inspectors, small english villages, lots of secrets…)
    thanks
    Natacha

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  60. Thank you first for such a wonderful and useful site! Now my Amazon list is growing longer and longer as I add book after book…my bank manager does not like you so much however.

    One missing name on this list for Agatha Christie buffs is a contemporary of hers called John Dickson Carr aka Carter Dickson aka Carr Dickson. He also wrote historical mysteries (lots of these also fit the cozy category) as well as ones set during the 30s and after. He is also my very favorite mystery author.

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  61. Gilbert Adair’s Evadne Mount trilogy

    The first two books are spot on, but be warned the third book is completely different (I would suggest looking at Wikipedia’s page on “And Then There Was No One” before reading the third book in the series).

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  62. Very much appreciated this list for a cozy story, thank you. Ordering many audio books to pass the hours in the car commute! My contribution would be to add Kerry Greenwood and her star Phrine Fisher, great light reads with a lively flapper lady detective!

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    • Welcome to the site, Sonia. I hope you’re able to find lots of authors who you enjoy reading.

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  64. I love the list – thanks for new recommendations! I suspect that many of your readers would enjoy the Lady Julia Gray series by Deanna Raybourn. Although set a little further back, (Victorian), they have great characterization and excellent plot twists.

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  65. Elizabeth Daly is wonderful and should be added to the list. One if her biggest fans was Agatha Christie.

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    • Thank you, Hartley, I just added Elizabeth Daly to the Authors Similar to Agatha Christie list.

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  66. Although the same characters did not recur in her books, I have always thought of Mary Higgins Clark as a modern day Agatha Christie.

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    • Great idea, Blanche S. I’ll add Mary Higgins Clark to the list of “modern day Agatha Christie”s.

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  67. I simply love ALL Agatha Christie, I love how marvellous, interesting, with such manners and brilliant brains that both Poirot and Marple have.. and of course their ‘cosiness’. Where do I begin to start on this huge list of ‘similar to Agatha Christie type novels/audio/tv/movies?

    I also like the 30’s art deco period not much before 1900’s, I love the banquet dinners, country houses, affairs, clever detective with companion like Hastings and clever murderers/esses, with cosy glamour, like going out for tea at Claridges. Please could you suggest where to start on the long list?

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  69. Another similar, but small series, would be by MM Kaye. Death in Cyprus, Death in Berlin and a few others. Great stories and settings.

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  70. Thank you! I can’t believe I just now found this wonderful site. These are exactly the types of books (or ebooks & audiobooks) I love. I appreciate all the effort and time you’ve put into this site.

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    • Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Sherry! I hope you’re able to find lots and lots of new authors who you enjoy reading.

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  71. Hi – just ran across your site

    I saw someone post about Stuart Palmer and Hildegarde Withers series

    10:30am eastern time this morning, Sat, March 22nd, 2014 TMC is showing
    the following HW movie

    “”Forty Naughty Girls
    10:30 AM on TCM 59, 1 hr 4 min 1937
    A homicide inspector is joined by his girlfriend, a crime-solving schoolteacher, in the investigation of backstage murders at a Broadway revue. The final entry in the Hildegarde Withers mystery series.””

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  72. I was reading through your list and all the posts and saw a lot of authors I have read.

    I love Deborah Crombie’s Kincaid/James series, have read them all and am really looking forward to book # 16 this fall

    I really enjoyed Kate Kingsbury Pennyfoot Hotel “Christmas series” sadly, she told me last year was the end of the series

    ELLY GRIFFITHS’ books are great, they are comparable to Debs’ books, modern day England…..police procedural with some cozy moments

    Book # 6 The Outcast Dead was just released a few weeks ago – great book, though like Debs books, the characters and their lives really grow with series, so I always suggest reading series from book one to get the full “feel” for the characters, though can be read as a stand alone.
    Her main characters are Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist and DI Harry Nelson.

    JM GRIFFIN – the Vinnie Esposito series – takes place in Rhode Island, which normally I read Brit mysteries 99.9% of time – I got the first of 5 free for my tablet and have read all of them, easy read, sometimes predictable, but I like the Characters

    ANDREA FRAZER’s books take place in small village in England, present time – The falconer series….I like the main charaters in her series……also in that series is a mini series called the falconer Files (brief cases) they are short stories that take place in between books

    C. C. BENISON – has 2 series out and both are good, 1st takes place in the Queen’s different houses and she asks Jane, her maid to help solve the mysteries

    2nd series is the “Father Christmas” series, not as in Santa – Father Christmas in a Vicar

    FRANK FROEST Only wrote 2 books that I could find, back in the 30’s they were enjoyable reads

    JASON BLACKER – Lady Marmalade Mystery, reminds me more of Agatha’s books

    EMMA JAMESON Lord and Lady Hetheridge Series I have enjoyed all 3 books so far and last I checked with her she is writing book # 4 – no publication date yet

    JEANNIE M DAMS has written some good books in the “Dorothy Martin” series, one book in middle of series, I had a hard time getting into and I have not picked up her new books, as I still have not finishes the previous one, I have found it to be really hard to read, way too much filler – almost like someone else wrote the book.

    But most of the books were nice reads – Dorothy, a widow” lives in a small town in England, when her husband died she decided to follow through with their plans to retire to England

    BILL WILKE has a short story out that I enjoyed, kinda a closed room murder – 51 pages and kept my attention “”Tides Inn – A British Pub Mystery Novelette””

    G M MALLIET – I have not read her books, but on the recommendation of a friend, I have purchases several of the Max Tudor series – on my TBR list 😉

    LILLIAN STEWART CARL – has 2 series out and a few stand alone
    I love the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron, I have read 6 in the series and #7 is out, but not out as E-book yet so I’m waiting

    I hope you all enjoy some of the authors I enjoy reading

    Happy Reading
    Mar

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      • I do read a lot Danna – have many more authors I enjoy reading, those were ones that popped in my head

        And of course I love Agatha and Dorothy – have read all their books, many of them several times.

        I haven’t had time to go through the back posts to see what authors everyone else reads….I will enjoy doing that

        Thanks for allowing me to join your group

        Mar

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  73. Thank you for this listing. I heartily agree with Mary Higgins Clark – I am a big fan and she is the first post-Agatha I have enjoyed.
    But although you acknowledge MC Beaton for her character of Hamish MacBeth I think you have overlooked her Agatha Raisin series. This line is definitely a must read for the Agatha Christie fan. I think the dame herself would have approved of Agatha Raisin. 🙂
    I will try one or two others of the authors you have listed. Thanks again.

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  74. I just happened to come across your site today. And have an author you should add. You should add Emily Brightwell. She writes Victorian mysteries and is well known for her Mrs. Jeffries series of 32 books. I think she should be listed under your author picks.

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    • Emily, I just re-read this comment from you and think I may have misunderstood it the first time I read it. I’m now reading it as you saying I should add Emily Brightwell to the Authors Similar to Agatha Christie page…

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  75. Thank you so much for this list, I have been struggling to find a new series to get stuck into!

    I’m a huge mystery fan – in particular the Agatha Christie style whodunnit.

    I’m taking an extended break from Christie as I have read them all and would like to re-read them when I have forgotten the endings in a few years. I had been looking for some suggestions on what to read up on. I like the vintage murder mystery with a hint of romance (like MC Beaton’s Snobbery with Violence for example). Any ideas would be most welcome and I’ll start from the list you have put together 🙂

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    • Rosy, since you enjoy Agatha Christie so much, you might really enjoy Ngaio Marsh. I think she’s very similar to Christie. And, of course, you have a lot of other authors to pick from on this list.

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      • So glad to have found Ngaio Marsh from your recommendation- thank you!
        She is so much like Agatha Christie in the way she writes/characterisation etc. I now have a great 32 books to read!
        The other great one is James Anderson (Affair of the Bloodstained Egg cosy)- he is also very similar and really worth a read

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  76. I find the nearest to Agatha Christe are books written in the 1930s and a lot of these are being re-printed. A.A. Milne (of “Poo” fame) wrote one called “The Red House Mystery.” It’s not Agatha standard but not bad – a country house murder mystery.

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  77. Thanks all for your contributions! A few of my favorites: Martin Edwards “Lake District Mystery Series,” Rhys Bowen “Constable Evans,” Sarah Shaber “Simon Shaw,” Ann Cleeves “Shetland Mysteries.”

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  78. An absolute favorite of mine is Patrick Quentin. I had
    several paperbacks but over the years they have gradually
    disappeared. Can you help me download any of them?

    They are really terrific.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Judy, I just did a quick search, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like Patrick Quentin’s series have been rereleased in ebook formats. It appears it was as a pseudonym that several people wrote under in collaboration, so it’s possible that getting all the rights from each estate has been difficult.

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  79. Patrick Quentin, Patrick Quentin, Patrick Quentin
    oh my goodness, wonderful mysteries!

    One his books was made into a movie “Black Widow” in
    1954 with Van Heflin, Gene Tierney and Ginger Rogers.
    Pretty good – I can still enjoy it on line.

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  81. I like Clara Benson (Angela Marchmont series), Evelyn James (Clara Fitzgerald Series) and Margaret Addison (Rose Simpson series). These are English mysteries set in the early 20th century so very like Agatha Christie.

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    • I love Reginald Hill writing as Patrick Ruell – great crime novels. Anthony Oliver wrote some great reads as well – not very many and not easy to find.

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  83. I have come back to this list time and time again and have now read the Ngaio Marsh books, the Wexford series, the Brother Cadafel series (got those for free through the Amazon Prime lending library), the Armand Gamache books (those out so far….oh, how I want to live in Three Pines, but a little further south!) and I’m about halfway through the Amelia Peabody series. Tried Nero Wolfe and Josephine Tey, but those weren’t for me. I can’t wait to listen to Blood-Stained Egg Cosy on Audible (it isn’t available on Kindle, and I think it will be great on audio). Thanks so much for this topic and to all who have contributed.

    I would like to add the somewhat dated but my beloved Commandment and Deadly Sin books by Lawrence Sanders, especially the four Deadly Sin books, featuring Edward X. Delaney and his remarkable sandwiches. Fascinating procedurals…not necessarily cozies, but I think most on this list would enjoy them.

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    • (Should have started with, I found this topic because I was sick early this year and read/re-read all of Agatha Christie’s mysteries…perfect for an extended illness because light reading, but not stupid, if you know what I mean. Since then I’ve read almost nothing but mysteries, so 2019 has been mystery year, thanks in large part to all of you!)

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  86. A really good series is by W.J. Burley; the Charles Wycliffe series. I am not sure if they would classify as Cozy Mysteries, but if you like any of the above, you’ll love this writer and this character.

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  87. Thank you for maintaining this list!
    I have been looking for books to help me get through the coronavirus pandemic. Have already read and enjoyed many of the authors.

    Now am listening to lots of books on tape to help me relax and fall asleep. Have particularly enjoyed Hugh Fraser reading Agatha Christie and all the narrators of the Ann Cleeves’ Vera and Shetland books.
    Your list of Great Narrators will be particularly helpful.
    Found a podcast you might enjoy : Agatha Christie BBC. It contains audio dramatizations of many of her books and stories.

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  88. No one compares to the great Agatha. Perhaps Patricia Wentworth is the only one, but she is dense, too dense and not as succinct as AC.

    My not-so-obvious recommendations:

    – Simon Beckett and his black series by forensic anthropologist David Hunter. An english writer. Agatha style but with current themes. Cozy mysteries in small towns (the first 2 books).

    – Fred Vargas: A French female writer, an admirer of Agatha, but with a completely different style, in fact she has an unclassifiable style: Surrealist mixed with strange things. But for me she has something of Agatha, I don’t know how to explain it, the pure essence for the mystery, I don’t know.

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  89. Thank you everyone for all these recommendations! I was just looking for “new” authors, with staying “at home” more and these are great!

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  90. I suggest Patricia Moyes and her Inspector Tibbet series. Her first mystery is Dead Men Don’t Ski. She started writing in the late 1950’s but has a very “golden age” feel. Highly recommended.

    A modern author who I didn’t see listed is Clara Benson, with two series of pseudo Golden Age British mysteries.

    Another modern option is the Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen, very funny.

    Reply

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