A to Z Challenge: “M”ystery authors

There are many types of mystery novels – amateur or professional sleuth, police procedural, thriller, suspense or romantic suspense, historical, private eye, noir, crime, caper, etc. I grew up reading Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt mysteries (a mix of romantic/historical suspense) and would check them out of the library as soon as they arrived, in hardback!

I like a wide variety of authors and genres, but I’m highlighting some of my favorite cozy/amateur sleuth mystery writers in today’s blog. Cozies were made popular by Agatha Christie, usually contain a bloodless crime and a victim that won’t be missed. And, they are usually as much character as plot driven, especially if they lend themselves to a series. The hero/heroine is usually an unwitting participant in solving the murder, at least at first.

Nancy Pickard – I discovered her at a writer’s conference in Nebraska. I got to chat with Pickard for a few minutes in line as she signed my copy of “Say No to Murder,” the second in the Jenny Cain series (the first is “Generous Death”). She has gone on to write other novels that are based more on families, relationships, love, betrayal and the eroding power of secrets. Her book “The Scent of Rain and Lightning” is coming this year to a theater near you (staring Maika Monroe, Will Patton, Bonnie Bedelia and Maggie Grace). I can’t wait! She is a wonderfully warm person and was very encouraging about all things related to fellow writers.

Diane Mott Davidson – I discovered her at my first writer’s conference when her Goldy Bear mystery series had just taken off. Goldy is a caterer who becomes an amateur sleuth in solving murders that happen around her, her family and friends. Her books are written in Aspen Meadows, Colorado, which resembles Evergreen where the author lives with her family. Davidson has created very likeable characters in Goldy, her husband, Tom Schulz, a homicide detective and her son. The author includes recipes throughout the book, which are tasty and usually easy to prepare.

Janet Evanovich – Janet’s books are humorous, include colorful characters and they are set in Trenton, New Jersey. The heroine is Stephanie Plum, an unemployed lingerie sales clerk turned bounty hunter. One of my favorite scenes is where Stephanie’s grandmother mistakenly shoots the whole chicken displayed on a dinner platter with a loaded pistol that she carries in her purse. The author allows readers to suggest ideas for names for future books and she chooses a winner for each. Katherine Heigl played Stephanie Plum in the movie based on the first book, “One for the Money.”

Sally Goldenbaum – I read “Death by Cashmere,” the first in the seaside knitters series on my iPad, and I was hooked. I enjoy the characters, the seaside town in Massachusetts, and I’m also an occasional knitter so it encourages me to try new yarns and patterns. There is a pattern at the end of the book if the reader is so inclined.

Of course there are so many other mystery authors who write engaging stories and are enjoyable to read.

Which mystery authors do you recommend? Are there any new books that you’ve read lately that kept you entertained?