Need More Mystery in Your Life? Discover a New Mystery Series to Read!
Find a New Favorite Mystery Series to Enjoy
Some of My Favorite Mystery Book Series
My love for mystery books began with reading the Nancy Drew mystery series. Then I graduated to Agatha Christie once I reached junior high. The Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries by Agatha Christie will always be my favorite.
Over the years, I have discovered quite a few new mystery book series that I love. In this post, I am highlighting two of my latest favorites that I discovered during the pandemic with additional suggestions if you like these. If you have a favorite mystery series, please drop me a comment below. I’m always on the hunt for more mysteries to read!
Note: The links to the books are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase one of these books through the link, What A Good Day will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. We appreciate your support!
The Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series by Dianne Freeman
There’s nothing that grabs my attention more than a good historical mystery series. Dianne Freeman’s books feature Frances Wynn as the young, wealthy, and widowed Countess of Harleigh. The first book in the series brings the police to her door implicating her in the death of her husband.
Frances is eager to clear her name but more importantly keep the circumstances of her husband’s death a secret. With this series set in Victorian England, no lady wants or needs a scandal attached to her name!
With the help of her charming neighbor, George Hazelton, she investigates. As the mystery develops, so does the romance between Frances and George. The next three books feature their relationship as they solve cases together.
This is a charming and fun read. What I love most is the storyline of how much freedom a young wealthy widow has in Victorian England. I love the independence and strength of the Countess of Harleigh. The writing flows really well, and it is an easy read that is perfect for taking on summer vacation.
The latest book in the series will be published in June 2024, so this gives you time to read the first three books and be ready to discover the latest mystery that Frances and George find themselves embroiled in!
To buy any of these books, you can click on the images or the links below.
To buy A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder click here.
To buy A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder click here.
To buy A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder click here.
To buy A Fiancé’s Guide to First Wives and Murder click here.
If you like the Countess of Harleigh series, you might also like these series:
The Pink Carnation Mystery Series by Lauren Willig
The Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig is another fun historical mystery series that features a current time storyline. I always enjoy when a book alternates between the current day and the past.
Eloise is a grad student trying to finish her dissertation. She heads to England to do research and uncovers the story of the Pink Carnation – an elusive spy during the Napoleonic times. The series then features Eloise and a new character in the past in each new book. These are light and fun to read – perfect for summer! To buy the first book in this series, click on the image or click here.
The Verity Kent Mystery Series by Anna Lee Huber
The Verity Kent mystery series is set right after the end of the First World War. Verity was a spy during the war, and her husband served as an officer in the trenches. He was killed in action, but in 1919 she receives a message alluding that he may have committed treason.
Verity uses her investigative skills to track down the truth and makes a surprising discovery that changes everything. The fifth novel in the series is set to be released on August 31, 2021, so you have plenty of time to catch up on the first four books. To buy the first book in this series, click on the image or click here.
The Ruth Galloway Mystery Series by Elly Griffiths
This mystery series features Ruth Galloway as the main character. She is a forensic archaeologist who is called on by the police to assist in identifying recently discovered bones. This is when her path first crosses with Detective Inspector Nelson who comes to figure prominently in her life.
One of the reasons I found this series to be so captivating is the realistic bent the stories take. This is the opposite of the light hearted cozy mysteries that I also enjoy. The characters are complicated and face real world problems to which there are no easy answers.
For reasons I cannot explain, I am drawn to British police procedural books, but I do not enjoy ones that feature American police. That’s a mystery in and of itself. Perhaps it is because I am such an Anglophile.
This particular series was a lifesaver for me the first few months of the pandemic. The books were absorbing, and there were plenty in the series to keep me occupied. Also, I really enjoy archaeology in general, so the storylines were very interesting to me.
There are 12 books currently published in the Ruth Galloway series with the 13th book due to be published June 29, 2021. I’ve provided links for the first three books in the series below. Or you can click on the images to buy.
To buy The Crossing Places click here.
To buy The Janus Stone click here.
To buy The House at Sea’s End click here.
If you like the Ruth Galloway books, then you might also like these:
The Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid Mystery Series by Deborah Crombie
Like the Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths, the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series are more realistic with complicated characters and complicated problems.
Currently there are 18 books in this series, so if you like the characters you will have plenty to read for a while. I have read all of these and enjoyed each and every one. To buy the first book in the series click on the image or click here.
The Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series by Jacqueline Winspear
The Maisie Dobbs series of books by Jacqueline Winspear have long been favorites. It follows the unlikely rise of Maisie from a servant working in an aristocratic household to a working woman who owns her own business. The series begins shortly before World War 1 and moves into World War 2.
There are currently 16 books in this series. To buy the first one, click on the image or click here.
You Won't Run Out of Books to Read!
If you enjoy reading mystery series, then these suggestions will keep you busy for a while! One of my biggest fears is running out of something to read. If you are like me, these suggestions will solve that problem for you.
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have. I love finding a new series to read, because I enjoy following the arc of the characters. It’s like returning to catch up with old friends; I find it comforting!
Have a good day!
Kristin
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Thank you for the book suggestions! And I love a series! Now, to find the time!!!
I hope you find a new favorite! And the time to read!
Thank you for all the book suggestions. I will definitely be reading some of these series!!
You are welcome! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.