We need help in identifying three mystery book authors>>>
1. Tracy has asked for help identifying this mystery book author:
“I’m trying to remember the series that takes place in late Victorian England say the 1900s. It’s a husband and wife team. He is a policeman and the wife helps out along with a young, shy housekeeper? They have a couple of children and that’s all I can remember. I thought I’d kept one of the books, but didn’t and now I’m searching for the series so I can enjoy some more of their escapades.”
” The main characters where divorced but back together and I believe the woman was an accountant or investment broker. The husband inherited a trunk of treasure/gold? from a wayward uncle.”
3. And here’s one more unidentified author (from Danna – me):
“The first book in the mystery series had an older woman going to some sort of spa (I think in Great Britain) where no one locked the doors to their rooms. The woman (sleuth) was able to go into other people’s rooms because of the no-lock situation, since all of the spa residents were ‘upper crust’ people, which of course meant that there was no need to lock the rooms, thanks to their codes of honor. This is not much information, but it is all I can remember about the series, other than I enjoyed the first book. Unfortunately I read it right before I realized that I needed to start writing down the names of all of the authors I enjoy reading.”
So, Cozy Mystery Site Readers, it’s up to you all to help us solve these mysteries! Thank you (in advance!)
Kay says
The first one is almost certainly the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books by Anne Perry. The little maid is Gracie. Might not be this one, but I think so.
For #2, I suppose that Sharon Fiffer’s Jane Wheel mysteries couldn’t be the one? I don’t remember an uncle with gold though.
I don’t suppose #3 could be Weep No More My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark. I know that it is not the beginning of a series but it does take place at a spa (in California) and is the first time we see lottery winner Alvirah Meehan. The rooms are not locked and she does some snooping at this highclass spa. She also has a brooch that has a camera embedded in it.
Those are my guesses. They may all be completely wrong! 🙂
Carolyn says
I believe the author of the first request is Anne Perry. This would be the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. She writes a number of other series and they are all excellent.
Barbara Thompson says
Tracy, that sounds a lot like the Anne Perry, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. They are set in Victorian England. Thomas is an inspector. They have two children. The maid often helps in solving the crimes.
Hope this helps.
Tracey says
The first series sounds very much like Anne Perry’s Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series. They had a couple of young children, and a shy housemaid called Gracie. The first book in the series is “The Cater Street Hangman”, and there are 25 books in the series, not counting the Christmas novellas.
Sue says
The first definitely sounds like Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series by Anne Perry.
Carol says
The Victorian one that you are looking for sounds a lot like Anne Perry’s Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series.
Sue says
The 2nd could be: Don’t Look Down by Tima Smith
“Smith’s new romantic mystery series gets off to a fast start, when young divorcee, Mandy Baasch, returns home late one night to find her house ransacked and her beloved dog Ringo brutally beaten. Desperate to save Ringo’s life, she rushes to the one person she knows will help–her womanizing, thrill-seeking ex-husband, Gary, whom she divorced four years before. The predicament worsens, as it becomes apparent that Mandy has something that someone desperately wants, something this someone is willing to kill for. Old marital wounds are forgotten, when the two discover that Mandy has the key to a million-dollar ancient treasure and that the two of them are in grave danger. Smith delivers a suspenseful page-turner spiced with spicy characters, satirical dialogue and a shrewdly deceptive finale that pulls it all together.”
Marie says
1. Sounds like Anne Perry’s Inspector William Monk series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
1. Tracy, it sounds like you have a winner! Thank you Carolyn, Barbara, Kay, Tracey, Sue, Carol, and Marie.
2. Sandy, Kay’s suggestion of Sharon Fiffer just might by the ticket! Or, could Sue be correct in guessing Tima Smith?!
3. Thank you, Kay. I’m going to go take a look at Weep No More, My Lady and see if this just might be the book I’m thinking of.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I just took a look at Weep No More, My Lady… and while it is close, I am pretty sure that my book had an older sleuth at the spa…
Marie says
Oops! Carolyn’s right. Number one is Anne Perry’s Thomas Pitt series. I knew what I meant :-), unfortunately I wrote the wrong name–sigh.
Tracy says
You’re right, it’s Anne Perry’s the Pitts. Thanks so much. I’ve just finished the last of Charles Todd’s Ian Rutledge series and I was so immersed in the Victorian England, WWI era that I wanted to read more in that genre.
Thanks ever so much,
Tracy
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Rats. I’m no help on these things at all. No hold’m here, it’s fold’m.
Ruth says
I think #3 may be Murder at the Spa by Stephanie Matteson.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my gosh, Ruth! I think you are correct! I just ordered Murder at the Spa, and absolutely cannot wait to read it.
Thank you so much!