You know I read a lot of mysteries but it usually takes me a while to catch up with a series. Sometimes that’s not too bad as I can savor all the books yet to be read but on my library visit today I decided to look for the second installment of a couple of series I’m interested in.
I got Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood. The amateur sleuth is Phryne Fisher, a dashing Australian flapper. I thought the first book was fun and I particularly liked the description of Phryne’s clothes. I think there are 16 books in the series now so obviously I’ve got a ways to go.
The other book I checked out was Secondhand Smoke by Karen E. Olson. This series features the smart Annie Seymour, a crime reporter, not afraid to get to the bottom of things. There is one more in the series and the fourth one comes out this fall. Maybe I’ll be caught up by then.
And, the last book I included in my book bag was He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum. I read the first one several years ago and quite liked it but when I tried to read the second one back-to-back either I wasn’t in the mood for a mystery or maybe this wasn’t for me. Still, I’d like to give this book another chance.
So, any of you catching up on your series lately or feel like you need to go revisit one?
Ooh, I can’t wait to read Secondhand Smoke! The first installment, Sacred Cows is awesome! I also have the third installment in my pile but I just haven’t got around to reading the second book yet. Lately I’ve been reading too much standalones so I think I need to go revisit one soon…
Happy reading!
There is something truly wonderful about starting out on a series and knowing that there are already books in double figures out there waiting for you. I’ve been like that this year with Rebus. I think I’ve read ten now and your post has reminded me that I must go over to the library site and order the next one.
I am gradually catching up with a few series. I think I am up to book 7 in the Phryne Fisher series, and I am up to book 11 in the Amelia Peabody series and book 15 in the In Death series by J D Robb. Of course, the fact that Nora/J D writes faster than I can read them because I read other books in between means that I might not ever catch up on that series!
I recently read The Golden Compass and so need to read 2nd & 3rd of the Dark Trilogy. I really haven’t gotten into “series” since The Chronicles of Narnia 20 years ago! I read most of the Janet Evanovich’s stuff in the 90s? and am considering trying Sue Grafton. I jump around too much in my reading and enjoy the randomness of whatever falls into my lap.
I’d like to read Christine Falls, to get caught up with that series, and I’d also like to go back and read more Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, and, of course, I need to check out the latest Maisie Dobbs!
Hmm, I’m not into very many series since Harry Potter is over. Of course I’m anxiously awaiting Stephenie Meyer’s next book, but other than that…nope, no series. I have the first in George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire in my TBR (for YEARS), but I haven’t taken the plunge just yet.
I’m in the mood to get back to those Daisy Dalrymple books. I’ve only read the first Kerry Greenwood book, too. I’m looking forward to the next Elizabeth George (out this spring–I can’t wait) and the next Jo Nesbo (that I have on hand already). And then I have Amelia Peabody, Lady Emily Ashton, and Joe Sandilands that I want to try….so many to keep track of!
I love series. I just don’t find many series I love. Maybe I need to look harder.
I plan on hosting the Seconds Challenge again this year. It’ll begin in October and go through December. It’s a great way to encourage or give us an excuse to read the second in a series or just another book by a new author we discovered during the year. I hope you’ll join us. 🙂
Olson and Fossum would be possibilities for me as well. Happy Reading!
I don’t read very many series because I get overwhelmed trying to keep up with them as well as all the other books that I want to read. The exception to this is when I get in on a series in the beginning. That way it’s easier to keep up when you’re not already 20 behind! Some of these writers are so prolific, I don’t know how they find time to sleep.
I’m not in the midst of a series right now, and I rather miss it. I really enjoy the mystery series genre – Elizabeth George, Deborah Crombie, Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie are some of my favorites.
These three you’ve mentioned sound like some to go looking for.
I’m a big fan of series. I love the comfort of returning again and again to a familiar fictional world and to characters you come to regard as old friends. At the same time, though, I hesitate to start new ones, because I know that if I get hooked I will have to add who knows how many books to my wishlist. So sometimes I’d just rather revisit old favourites, like Discworld or Sandman or Earthsea.
I think I can’t help getting hooked on Shannon Hale’s Bayern series, though, which starts with The Goose Girl. I’ve already ordered the second book, and I suspect that as soon as I finish it I’ll order the third. Fortunately, she is writing a fourth!
I picked up Berlin Noir, a trilogy of mysteries set in Nazi Berlin, by Philip Kerr. The first one, March Violets, is great so far! Also read Maisie Dobbs, which was pretty good.
Melody – I had such a hard time finding the second book. I thought Vinny was a great character in the book too wasn’t he? Can’t wait to see what happens in book two.
Ann Darnton – I love getting to know a character more through a series too. Isn’t Rebus great. I am only on book seven I think. Of course you’ve just reminded me that I need to visit with him again 🙂
Marg – I know J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts must never sleep right? I really liked Phryne so I look forward to those books. Oh and you just reminded me of the Peabody books. It’s been such a long time since I checked out one of those.
Care – I was a big Evanovich fan. The earlier Plum books were great. You know I’ve only tried a couple of the Grafton books. I like series but I’m almost always behind 🙂
Dorothy W. – I think it was because of your post that I read another Dalgliesh book this past winter. It was such a good story. That’s another series I’d like to continue with.
Andi – Ok, I’m going to wait until you read the Meyer book and let us know. I was so disappointed with Eclipse. But, I am kind of looking forward to the film 🙂
Danielle – I know, there are so many more to check out right? I definitely want to read a Nesbo book and you know I’ll be reading more from Elizabeth George. Loved that first book.
aka_Nik – I find way too many to get involved in 🙂 But, I do give up on a series if it’s starting to be too much of the same.
Joy – I thought I remembered something about seconds series! Oh you know I’ll be watching out for it 🙂
Lisa – I know what you mean. What I always try to pay attention to as well is to read them in order. It bugs me to read them out of order.
ravenous reader – Ooh Deborah Crombie. I like her too. I was going great with that series until one of the members from my mystery reading group spoiled a couple of the books for us. The nerve. I should check those out again.
Nymeth – That’s what’s so great about a series – the characters you love will be back for more adventures. I only follow mystery series for now but the more I learn about fantasy via Carl’s challenge, well, I’m sure I’ll be adding some other series to my mix 🙂
LK – I’ve heard lots of good things about Berlin Noir. I should check it out especially as Berlin happens to be one of my favorite cities! And, Maisie Dobbs is wonderful isn’t she.
Glad you found SECONDHAND SMOKE. It is actually now out of print, so unless you’re looking at the library or on eBay, you won’t be able to buy it. (the publisher for some inexplicable reason nixed the paperback edition only six weeks before it was supposed to come out, much to my chagrin.) That said, DEAD OF THE DAY is out there, and I just got the cover for SHOT GIRL, which will be out this fall and it’s fantastic!
Karen – Ah, that explains why I could never find at the bookstore! I can’t wait to see the cover of Shot Girl! 🙂