Chevy Stevens and her suspenseful debut novel
Today’s edition of BookPageXTRA (not signed up to receive our e-newsletter?—you can fix that here) is an expansion of Bruce Tierney’s July Whodunit column: “The distaff side of mystery.”
Bruce gives props to classic authors Dorothy L. Sayers, Josephine Tey, Ngaio Marsh and acknowledges contemporary authors Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton and S.J. Rozan.
And then, he gives a shout-out to three talented women with new novels out this month: Alex Kava, Chevy Stevens and Sophie Hannah. You can read all about their books here.
Who are your favorite female mystery authors? And do you have a response to the question Bruce poses in his column:
Do female-penned novels offer up enough grittiness, or do they favor sweetness, light and romance?
Do you prefer male vs. female mystery authors—or does it make absolutely no difference?
I like male and female mystery writers equally, but I prefer British authors in general. Josephine Tey is a favorite. She seems to be somewhat overlooked today, but her Daughter of Time is a classic, and Brat Farrar is extremely good. They are among my all-time favorite mysteries.
I too prefer British mystery writers. My favorites are Ruth Rendell and Frances Fyfield. They are my
‘go to’ when, rarely, I am in a reading slump.
Tess Gerritsen; great story lines with suspense.
How can you possibly skip past Agatha Christie — the greatest of all female mystery writers?
Josephine Tey is an all-time favorite, but I also look forward to the newest Elizabeth George.
Louise Penny is right at the top of my favorite mystery writer list at the moment. Her Chief Inspector Gamache series is excellent but her latest twosome in the series, The Brutal Telling and Bury Your Dead are especially connected and wonderful. I have read all of her books in order which makes you love the growing knowledge you acquire about each of her characters.
Jacquelyn Mitchard is my personal favorite. Deep End of the Ocean’s sequel No time to Wave Goodbye are fantastic mysteries with grittiness and family perils.
I like mystery novels but I cannot catalog it as my favorite genre. Nevertheless, when I read a mystery novel, P.D James and her poet inspector Adam Dalgliesh are my favorites. Her novels are classy, well written, and the events and characters have a more profound meaning than what is apparent at first glance. Try one of her novels, you will not be disappointed.
I like lots of women mystery writers, but right now I’ve been enjoying Rita Mae Brown and her Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries. I get a kick out of her corgi and the 2 cats who are always in the thick of things murderous.
My absolute favorite is Elizabeth George, with Faye Kellerman and Laura Lippman tied for second.
I actively search for female mystery writers, especially those who feature female protagonists in their plots. I prefer strong, smart, competent women who solve the mysteries with courage and competence. Among my favorite mystery writers: Nevada Barr, Dana Stabenow, Mary Logue, Sandra Ault, and Julia Spencer Fleming.
P.D. James, Ruth Rendell, Elizabeth George, Ngaio Marsh, all the great British women (though I believe George is American, though writing books set in UK).
My favorites include: Lillian K. Braun, Diana Mott Davidson, Janet Evanovich, Faye Kellerman (and her husband Jonathan Kellerman), Elizabeth George, Rita Mae Brown, and Earlene Fowler.
Karin Slaughter. Linda Barnes. Years ago I enjoyed Patricia Cornwell, but I found she lost her direction around book 6 or 7. During the early 90′s there was a great series writer by the name of Karen Kijewski. Not sure what happened to her but she was a fave.
The queen is, of course, Agatha Christie. Following closely is Ngaio Marsh, E.X. Ferrars, P.D. James, Nevada Barr, Charlene Weir, L.R. Wright, M.M. Kaye, Charlaine Harris (Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard series), Sue Grafton, Caroline Graham, Sue Henry, Dana Stabenow, and so on…so many great writers.
I love male and female writers but my 2 faves would have to be Harlan Coben and Ann Rule.
Tess Gerritsen is my favorite mystery author. And my favorite male mystery writer is Joseph Wambaugh because he captures L.A. and cops so well and with humor.
Sandra Brown’s mysteries are a favorite of mine.
James Patterson’s books, especially his Alex Cross Novels are superb.
Jennifer Donnelly has written 2 wonderful mystery sagas; The first is The Tea Rose and the second is The Winter Rose and she is currently working on the third trilogy.
Phillipa Gregory writes about the the English Court and the treachery that went on during that time during the 17 and 18 hundreds.
I like Sister Carol Anne O’Marie’s books. If a murder mystery can be called wholesome, her books are. The protagonist is a nun named Sister Helen.
My favorite mystery writers are Anne Perry and Mary Higgins Clark
Laura Lippman is my number one.
I also like Shirley Tallman for her period mysteries
set in Victorian San Fransisco.
And absolutely love Blaize Clement’s petsitter
mysteries set on Siesta Key in Florida.
For the males, top three: C.J.Box, Alexander
McCall Smith and Jonathan Kellerman.
Chelsea Cain ~ “Heart” triolgy – by far the best woman psychological, serial killer stories I’ve ever read and I’ve been reading for a long, long time……
I favor British women writers and/or British police procedurals. My favorite? I have too many “must read” authors to pick just one. Martha Grimes and Anne Perry rise as the “cream of the crop,” however!
Why do others prefer women writers? I have been questioning that for myself. I would like to hear what others have to say in response to the question.
THANKS BookPage…I love hearing from you!
Elizabeth George and her wonderful family of characters – the only mystery writer whose novels I’ve faithfully and eagerly followed all the way through!
Carol O’Connell whose heroine is Detective Mallory. I am always eager to hear that Ms. O’Connell has penned another Mallory selection. But, O’Connell’s two stand-alones are also fantastic reads. She doesn’t push them out on a yearly basis which allows her the quality I’ve come to expect and never disappoints once I’m able to curl up with the books.
There are just TOO many favorites to name! More authors writing delicious mysteries every day. Julia Spencer-Fleming; Louise Penney; Dana Stabenow; Sue Grafton; Evanovich…oh the list is just too long for here.
A new writer is Stephanie Pintoff-try reading The Show of Gotham and The Curtain Falls. I love new writers and our book group discover her.
Loved Faye Kellerman from her first book. Also read Grafton, Paretsky nd Lippman. Daughter introduced me to Kate White who does not write enough books.
British women mystery writers are the best, or ones who can write in that style like Elizabeth George. Also like Deborah Crombie, Ann Purser, and Charles Todd (mother/son authorship), Ann Perry, Jacqueline Winspear, Barbara Cleverly, P.D. James, Dorothy Sayers. Of course they write as gritty and insightful as men!
I was surprised no one mentioned Val McDermid, who is Scottish. Also Deborah Crombie (an American who writes British mysteries), Laurie King, Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson, (last 2 are/were Swedish), Kate Atkinson (also Scottish).
I forgot Val McDermid; also Ann Cleeves who writes mysteries set in the Shetland Islands (White Nights, etc.) Did I mention Rhys Bowen with the Welsh settings?
I too like Mary Higgins Clark books and am almost finished with her newest one: The Shadow of Your Smile. I just ordered Still Missing which I saw on this website. Never read anything by this author so I will see if I like her style of writing when I get the book.
My favorite mystery authors are females – Louise Penny being at the top for a good mystery. For a more fun mystery my favorites are Janet Evanovich and MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series.
I do think some female mystery authors offer up a lighter version with romance and fun, but they can also be gritty. There are a good mix of female authors out there who cover what a reader likes best.
My favs have been mentioned, but just to give them more credos–Laura Lippman, Julia Spenser-Fleming, Deborah Crombie. P. Tracy (I think) is a mother/daughter team writing about of group of computer experts–their writing is wonderful, the plots original, a very good read. Val McDermid.
No one has mentioned Minette Walters, also British. A good one. Jill Smith writes about a female police detective in New Orleans. Karin Slaughter. I also liked the Kat series by Karen Kijewski, and I wish she would “come back.” I like mysteries with more than just the crime–psychological subtlies, ongoing relationships. I like the next book to pick up where the last book stopped.
My favorite mystery author is Laura Lippman. She is a great storyteller.
For me my favorite is Mary Higgins Clark. I much prefer women over men.
I love Karin Slaughter! But she may fall into the suspense category, I don’t know. I also enjoy Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden mystery series.
Most of mine have been mentioned… Martha Grimes, Rita Mae Brown, Sue Henry, M.C. Beaton. My favorite for “dog mysteries” is Susan Conant, who is a good story teller and knows her way around different breeds and training. She’s been doing cooking mysteries with her daughter but I wish she’d get back to the dogs!
My favorite female mystery author is Louise Penny. Her books take place in a small village in Canada and the characters are so well drawn that they seem like friends. Can’t wait for the new one to come out in September!
By far my two favorite mystery writers are Ellis Peters and Anne Perry.
I enjoy all writers of mystery, even some of them I haven’t read yet! My favorites, however, are Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Nevada Barr, Nancy Atherton, and T.J. MacGregor.
I love mysteries. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark followed by Sue Grafton.
J.A. Jance
Funny, no one’s mentioned Diane Mott Davidson and Susan Wittig Albert (both Americans). They have good series, the first about catering in Colorado and the second about herbs in Texas. Virginia Lanier was also good. She had bloodhounds in the mix, but is no longer with us. Virginia Rich wrote about Maine and Nancy Pickard did a mystery post-humously (Rich) to finish off a Rich story line, I believe. What about Elizabeth Peters with the Amelia Peabody series on Egyptology mysteries?! All great reads!
I also read and love Janet Evanovich and Diane Mott Davidson. Also Leslie Meier.
I just finished “Island Under the Sea” by Isabelle Allende — very good summer read. Also Barbara Kingsolver ” the Lacuna’ another fascinating book.
I just couldn’t get into Lacuna and I had bought the hard cover; maybe when my friend returns it I’ll give it another shot. I love Kingsolver’s writing usually. I like Allende too; she is an awesome speaker. Linda
Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series – Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor and a new one in the fall, Dark Road to Darjeeling. Great mix of mystery, non-goopy romance and humor.
All of my faves have been mentioned except Carolyn Haines, author of the “Bones” series(THEM BONES,GREEDY BONES, ETC.), whose female protagonist, Sarah Booth Delaney, is funny, smart, and intelligent.
Carola Dunn, Suzanne Arruda, Lauren Willig, Barbara Cleverly, M> C. Beaton, Tashaa Alexander, Candace RRobb, jacquline Winspeare,Sharon Kay _Penman,Joan Wolf, Roberta Gellis,and Arieana Franklin and Donna Andrews and C S Haris.
I love the old British mystery writers, such as Dorothy Sayers and Margerie Allingham, among others, as well as classic American humanistic mystery storytellers such as John D. MacDonald and Robert Parker. Rex Stout is interesting, if sexist. If you haven’t read any of H.R.F. Keating’s books featuring Inspector Ghote, you are missing some laughs. For humor the original Heron Carvic mysteries starring Miss Seeton are priceless, and of course M.C. Beaton’s Death of a __ series. For sheer weird black humor I recommend Joyce Porter’s Dover One, Two, and Three and Liza Cody’s books. These are a bit hard to find but amazing, especially Liza Cody’s Bucket Nut, which may be the strangest mystery ever written. I have tried to like Martha Grimes’ mysteries, but they are just a bit too precious. Elizabeth George’s A Great Deliverance is her best, in my opinion.
I’ll tell my age by saying I always wait to the next Mrs. Malory by Hazel Holt. Similar to a Miss Marple, but the reader gets to know recurring characters in Taviscomb (England). I like older (that is published a while ago) English mysteries. Another favorite is Michael Underwood–especially Rosa Epton ones. I usually troll my library’s catalog at home to find older mysteries. Libraries do tend to keep some of them–Large Print books are always a good source. And I do my part by checking them out–that way they don’t end up on a ‘dusty’ list which is one way libraries dispose of old books.
hello
I tried to sign up for your email newsletter but when I selected the
signup page, it showed that it could not be found..
Oh no! Try this link, Steve. We’re fixing it on the page.
Val McDermid is anything but sweetness and light; I hate to sound sexist but I thought she was a man at first. SHe can be terrifying. I love Frances Fyfield whose characters are ‘edgy’ and really strange at times. It’s difficult to find her books in the states but I have found them used at Alibris. I also love Ruth Rendell and Donna Leon.