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tzew 17 Jan 09 at 3:31 a.m. GMT

I have just finished my final Poriot book and have also read all of Marples.

Could anyone recommend an author close to the standard of these characters.

Thanks

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Tommy_A_Jones 07 Oct 09 at 4:47 p.m. GMT

I didn't think much of the George Baker Films and I was sorry Simon Williams didn't carry on as Alleyn as I found Patrick Malahide's portrayal a bit too heavy if you know what I mean and from memory Simon Williams's Portrayal was lighter and I found him more accessable, ITV3 had a series of Campion which I liked (Well, the ones I saw anyway), If I had more room I would probably buy more Campiuon Books. 

I know what you measn about going back to an Author as I really struggled with the first Patricia Wentworth I read and if I had read some Agatha Christie Books first I am sure I would have given up.

I will look out for Kerry Greenwood Books.

Puffinjill 06 Oct 09 at 6:57 p.m. GMT

I've not heard of Kerry Greenwood before but they sound interesting so I will look out for those. Thanks for the tip, 3rdGirl!

I sometimes have to go back to an author a couple of times before I can enjoy their work. I had no problem with Patricia Wentworth, but I struggled at my first attempt with Ngaio Marsh. And my second, come to think of it. There are times in our lives when certain authors and books seem to 'fit' and at others feel not quite right. And if you return to them later they can be fulfilling.

I never saw the Alleyn Invetigates series. Was it any good? Did you watch Campion when that was on, Tommy? After that, I collected all Margery Allingham's books and love them to. Any one else a fan?

Bundle_ 06 Oct 09 at 5:36 p.m. GMT

3rdGirl

Some more modern writers I enjoy are :

Kerry Greenwood : her 1920's Melbourne based Phryne Fisher series is a huge sucess here in Australia. In case it's the Art Deco period you like.

This one sounds interesting! I do enjoy reading books that take place in the 20's; I just love that time period, especially because of the flapper fashion.

Thank you 3rdGirl!

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Oct 09 at 3:11 p.m. GMT

I used to have afew Ngaio Marsh Books but had to send them to the Charity Shop but I did read some of them, I rememberr that some of hers were set in the Theatre world, There are some films with George Baker (At Bertram's Hotel) as Alleyn and there was a BBC series, Simon Williams played Alleyn in the Pilot but was replaced by Patrick Malahide, I found them difficult but as I think I tried to read Patricia Wentworth's The Chinese Shawl years ago then gave up and finished it recently I might like the Alleyn books now.

Puffinjill 06 Oct 09 at 2:24 p.m. GMT

Ngaio Marsh was writing from the 1920's up until she died in 1982. She hailed from New Zealand but wrote mostly about England as her main character Roderick Alleyn was based at Scotland Yard. Again, I think alot of them must be out of print as I'm struggling to buy them too. I tend to get them in second-hand bookshops, but I have seen on Amazon that they have recently published a couple of omnibuses so have a look see. They are also currently releasing her work in audio book format and these (although they are abridged) are good listening. Some read by Benedict Cumberbatch of Murder is Easy fame.

Do give them a go if you can find them as they are really entertaining and Alleyn is wonderful.

Tommy_A_Jones 06 Oct 09 at 1:05 p.m. GMT

Patricia Wentworth Books are also good, I have only bread 2, though

3rdGirl 06 Oct 09 at 11:06 a.m. GMT

robreid

Ngaio Marsh's Inspector Alleyn books are very good and quite similar to Agatha Christie, they are quite hard to buy though as some shops don't have much in stock.

When were these published? I can't  :-)find any info one them.

3rdGirl 02 Oct 09 at 9:37 a.m. GMT

I agree with regards to Dorothy L Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series. They are much more 'forensically' leaning though. He's a great character.

Some more modern writers I enjoy are :

Kerry Greenwood : her 1920's Melbourne based Phryne Fisher series is a huge sucess here in Australia. In case it's the Art Deco period you like.

Ellis Peters : Brother Cadfael series set in the 1100's in Shrewsbury.

Charles Finch : Charles Lenox mysteries set in Victorian London. Only three written so far and I'm pretty sure the first was a finalist in the 'Agatha Award' which is high praise indeed!

Also 'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie' by Alan Bradley won the 2007 Daggar award for debut novel in the UK and it's fantastic. The sleuth is an 11 year old girl, but don't let that put you off. I have lent this book to my crime-loving and non-crime reading friends alike and they all love it. It's set in the UK in the 1950's and is very clever indeed.

That's enought from me! :-)

Cicely 29 Sep 09 at 4:39 p.m. GMT

You might enjoy Daphne DuMaurier, who writes suspense stories, not exactly mysteries.  My favorite is Rebecca. but she has several others, as well.

mirror 09 Sep 09 at 10:43 a.m. GMT

Seeing you have not mentioned AC's non-series, I guess you cling to have a series on a detective basis.  Then, I recomend you Ellery Queen to read next.  He/they has two detectives in his/their series, Ellery Queen and Drury Lane, just as AC has Poirot and Miss Marple.  Both are really good at solving cases and their deductions are wonderful though they are a little bit difficult to understand.     

GKCfan 09 Sep 09 at 12:04 a.m. GMT

You're very welcome, go_leafs_nation!

go_leafs_nation 08 Sep 09 at 8:52 p.m. GMT

GKCfan

Dorothy L. Sayers was a contemporary and colleague of Christie's, and although some aspects of Sayers's style are very different, many of their fan bases overlap.

Sorry for beating a dead horse (or should I say "topic"?) here, but I decided this was the best place for me to post this. I'd like to thank GKCfan for recommending G.K. Chesterton to me way back on the old site. I've gotten very fond of Chesterton, his love of the paradox, and Father Brown. (Chesterton also inspired the works of one of my very favourite authors, John Dickson Carr.) My sincerest thanks for introducing me to these fine works.

Number3 12 Jun 09 at 7:11 p.m. GMT

How about Ruth Rendell/Barbra Vine.  She has written some wonderful stories.

ArlenaSMarshall 10 Jun 09 at 9:56 p.m. GMT

I've just started reading an Elizabeth George mystery. I think you would like her because it is set in London, but it's in present-day. Also, perhaps try Dorothy L. Sayers. She wrote her classics when Agatha Christie started.

robreid 16 Apr 09 at 11:17 a.m. GMT

Ngaio Marsh's Inspector Alleyn books are very good and quite similar to Agatha Christie, they are quite hard to buy though as some shops don't have much in stock.

ArlenaSMarshall 09 Apr 09 at 12:11 a.m. GMT

I agree, Watson is very similar to Hastings. Tzew, read anything but the Mary Higgins Clark novels. Absolutely dreadful. Ugh.

hellofansofachi 30 Mar 09 at 9:52 a.m. GMT

Try Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew series. I think you shall also try P.D. James' novels. Or try Sherlock Holmes novels/short stories.

ArlenaSMarshall 29 Mar 09 at 10:53 p.m. GMT

I read Nancy Drew when I was younger, and those introduced me to the mystery genre. I collect the old Nancy Drew books.

sapphire_arisa 28 Mar 09 at 4:56 a.m. GMT

I love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for Sherlock Holmes. Chracters are little bit similar, but plot style is quite different but interesting. In Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Dt Watson is like Hastings. :-D

devilgal19 31 Jan 09 at 1:02 a.m. GMT

susandiane

You could try Emily Brightwell's "Mrs. Jeffries" or Nancy Atherton's "Aunt Dimity" The Aunt Dimity's take place mostly in a small English village. They are quite good, only not murder mysteries per se.

I love Emily Brightwell and the Mrs. Jeffries series...it's such a a good read.  I love Sherlock Holmes as well and there's the Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs which are great.  Jill Churchill's Grace and Favour is excellent, going back to the Depression.  Also love Minette Walters although she doesn't have a series like Christie's Poirot and Marple but if you like a good mystery and thriller, she's it.  P. D. James and Adam Dalgelish always a good read. I also heard of Australia's Phyrne Fisher series written by Kerry Greenwood and if you can your hands on it, it's a good read.

susandiane 26 Jan 09 at 10:22 p.m. GMT

You could try Emily Brightwell's "Mrs. Jeffries" or Nancy Atherton's "Aunt Dimity" The Aunt Dimity's take place mostly in a small English village. They are quite good, only not murder mysteries per se.

go_leafs_nation 18 Jan 09 at 12:52 p.m. GMT

I agree with GKCfan, Dorothy L. Sayers is a good choice. G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories are also quite good. If you haven't read AC's non-series books, I recommend them also.

GKCfan 17 Jan 09 at 8:57 p.m. GMT

Dorothy L. Sayers was a contemporary and colleague of Christie's, and although some aspects of Sayers's style are very different, many of their fan bases overlap.

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Jan 09 at 5:07 p.m. GMT

Why not try Dorothy Simpson, Betty Rowlands and Hazel Holt, Betty Rolands has been likened to Agatha Christie as has Hazel Holt, I read Betty Rowlands Mel Craig books in order, I am Reading Hazel Holts 1st book now, Her sleuth is a Widow called Mrs Mallory, Both Betty's and Hazel's books started in the late 80s as did the Dorothy Simpson Books. Why didn't you mention the books without Poirot and Miss Marple?, I would certainly reccommend the Tommy and Tuppence books as well as AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, TOWARDS ZERO, MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT, WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS and the books with Bundle Brent, both have Battle.

ariadnepoirotmarple 17 Jan 09 at 2:18 p.m. GMT

Arthur Conan Doyle and Ellery Queen are both excellent authors. I don't know how old are you but Nancy Drew and Hardy boys are pretty good for younger readers. I think Sherlock Holmes is a great detective so you should try Conan Doyle, especially.

detectivepauljohn 17 Jan 09 at 1:34 p.m. GMT

I can't think of anyone except for Sr. Arthur Doyle who wrote the Sherlock Holmes series. You'll also try Women's Murder Club or something like that. Why don't you try nancy drew or hardy boys? or harry potter? try something new, too.