Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Who is your favorite leading character in a series? Why are they your favorite? Can't get enough Stephenie Plum? Love Kay Scarpetta? Some of my favorites included: Arly Hanks (Joan Hess), Sherlock Holmes, Lucas Davenport(John Sandford), Goldy Bear (Diane Mott Davidson), and Thomas Llewellyn (Will Thomas). What characteristics do find appealing in your lead characters? What turns you off?

I like KateShugak in the Dana Stabenow series. For those of you who don't know the series, its set in the outback of Alaska. Kate Shugak is of native descent and was raised by her uncle. She is a master at investigating and all the outdoor skills needed to survive the harsh conditions in the bush.Her sidekick is a 140 pound wolf. I like her because she is tough and just does what needs to be done. She has a high sense of justice and looks after those she cares about.

Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her job itself, I discovered, is unique in a society where women are marginalized and watched by the religious police.

I still love Columbo reruns! I like the bumbling/genius detective who makes me laugh at his cunning.

Laura wrote: "Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her job itself, I ..."

I � Columbo! And Rockford Files. James Garner is a great Jim Rockford.

One of my all-time favorite detectives is Lew Archer (Ross Macdonald), a private detective in southern California. His dialogue is brilliant.

Some of my other favorite leading characters are Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly), John Rebus (Ian Rankin), Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton), and Armando Gamache (Louise Penny).

I think Elvis Cole and Pike from the Robrt Crais mysteries are excellent. Pike is quite, tough, loyal to Elvis. Elvis is funny, has a grat sense of humor and is a brilliant investigator, and sems to have a knack for knowing what people want most.

I'll have to check out Dana Stabenow and Ross Macdonald.

Another classic detective writer who's full of surprises and wild similes is Raymond Chandler. I find myself laughing out loud!

Laura wrote: "I'll have to check out Dana Stabenow and Ross Macdonald.

Another classic detective writer who's full of surprises and wild similes is Raymond Chandler. I find myself laughing out loud!"

If you like Raymond Chandler, then you will definitely enjoy the Archer books by Macdonald!

I love Eve Dallas in J.D. Robb's In Death series. Great detective, funny sidekick, and a hunky husband. What's not to love. And it's set in the future. As a lover of both mysteries and science fiction I couldn't ask for more.
There are really too many to list. Love Dana Stabenow, Anne Perry(both Pitt and Monk), James Patterson's Alex Cross, Elizabeth Peters egyptologist Amelia Peabody. I'm sure there are more but can't think of them right now. I think sometimes the setting is what attracts me and if the main character is interesting that is a bonus.

I'm rather fond of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie (detective turned PI) just because he seems very realistic, not pompous and flamboyant like lost of 'detectives.' He gets his butt kicked quite a bit - for everything he gets right he probably messes up twice! And, like Mike remarked above, I think he'd be good company in the pub like Rebus.

Telling my age, but I have to say that Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple by Agatha Christie are my all time favorites and my first mystery loves. He's pompous and arrogant but cunning. She's nosy and fluffy but intuitive. Next would be Sister Fidelma by Peter Tremayne. She's cunning and arrogant but ruthless and tough.

One of my all time favorite TV characters has always been private detective Harry Orwell (played by the late David Janssen) from the '70s TV series Harry O. Harry O was a cop who had been forced into early retirement because of an on the job injury (he was shot in the back) and he just sort of dropped out of society and lived at the beach where, in between cases, he would be working on his boat "The Answer". A big part of the reason I like the show is Janssen himself, there was just something about the gravel voiced actor that epitomized the hard-boiled type of detective who lived by his own code of conduct.

In book series I would have to say Lawrence Block's detective Matthew Scudder is my favorite. Why? It's a thoughtful series - hard-boiled, at times mean and dark but very thoughtful - with reoccurring themes on things like mortality, and morality and the compromises a person makes in the course of their day to day life. It also features a character (Matt Scudder) who ages as the series goes on.

Some of my favourites:

Mary Russell Laurie R. King (love that she is intelligent, bookish, and no-nonsense)
Armand Gamache Louise Penny (he's thoughtful, kind, able to see all sides of people including their bad sides)
Amelia Peabody Elizabeth Peters (funny, she's just so funny and game for anything)
Flavia de Luce Alan Bradley (her scientific mind, fierce intelligence, humour, sense of adventure and fun, combined with a child's wish to be loved)
and (of course) Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock.

I am with Susan Jo. Being an Agatha Christie fan, Hercules Poirot is my favorite. One of the main characters of my novel Chainsaw Jane is actually a parody (as in homage) of Poirot.

Jenni wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I like KateShugak in the Dana Stabenow series. For those of you who don't know the series, its set in the outback of Alaska. Kate Shugak is of native descent and was raised by her uncl..."Alaska is known for very heavy snowfall and wild mountainous terrain. I've been to Australia and although Australia is just as harsh, it is harsh in a different way. The outback in Australia is desert and at least when I was there really hot and dry.

Loved Lisbeth Salander in the Stieg Larsson books. Such a pity he didn't live long enough to see the incredible success of his books and to finish the other 7 that he had been commissioned to write

I agree with Lauren and Linnette. Flavia de Luce is one of my favorite characters too. She seems like she would be good company for a cup of tea. I have added a few new titles to my list from all these great characters you guys have mentioned. Thank you.

There are so many books I already have to read and now ye are telling me about more? Help

Katherine wrote: "There are so many books I already have to read and now ye are telling me about more? Help"yes, well see, that's the downside of being a member at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and participating in the discussions....too many great book ideas! I think my To Be Read pile is at about 150!

Valerie--Which Ross MacDonald book should I read first?

like a few of you, miss marple and poirot are favourites, but also hamish mcbeth - i think i'd marry him if he was real ;-)

No-one's yet mentioned Alex McKnight an ex Detroit Cop by Steve Hamilton, excellent series certainly one of my favourites, as is the series featuring LAPD Detective Shane Scully by Stephen J. Cannell.

BOOKS
Sherlock Holmes: my favorite character of all. He is crazy in a good way, my favorite type of people. Quick-witted, unconventional, and I absolutely love how he observes everything and notices the obscure. Because of him, I love the rest of my list. I also love all movies starring Sherlock Holmes. Yes, all the old ones especially.
Lindsay Boxer in Women's Murder Club: She is a strong woman who loves her job and her close-knit friends. My favorite part is when they get together and hash out the cases and help her solve them over margaritas and wings. I wish I were a member.

TV SERIES
Columbo: they don't see him coming, well they do driving that car, wearing that old trenchcoat lol, but not his keen wit. I love the moment when they realize that he is more clever than a cheshire cat; Gotcha!
Jessica Lansbury in Murder She Wrote: I love that a woman was the leading character and was just as smart and clever as the men in this field. I also loved that her character was a writer that wrote mysteries.
Perry Mason: I've watched him since he was in black and white. Love his style and confidence.
Matlock: He reminds me of Columbo, wearing the same suit because he's comfortable in it no matter the style, Columbo was unaffected like that, but it didn't matter, because their brains were sexy.
Monk: I miss this show, I looove that they mixed up murder and mystery with comedy, once again, Columbo and Sherlock Holmes made me laugh while they were in pursuit of the bad guy, so I love that combo, which leads me to my favorite series at the moment.
Shawn plus Gus in Psych: although some may not take them seriously, but Shawn still does what Sherlock and Columbo did back in the day; he just observes, but it's the best combo of comedy and murder to me, it's like murder? what murder? there was a murder? I was laughing so hard, I hardly noticed as I stepped over that dead body. No seriously, it's deadly funny.

Lucas Davenport (John Sandford books)
Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly books)
Kinsey Milhone (Sue Grafton books)

Those are a few that stand out right now.

I have found that I prefer series rather than stand alone books because I like watching the characters evolve and change. Sometimes when I read a stand alone book I wonder what happened to the characters after the story ends. In this way series are like television shows while stand alone books are like movies.

Laura wrote: "Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her job itself, I ..."

Sounds fascinating! Putting them on my tbr list.

I LOVE Easy Rawlins, Walter Mosely's series character. Not only are the books beautifully written, he's a black guy with a huge chip on his shoulder, having come out of the segregated south and found things not much better in the (1940's-1950's) north. His anger, and the underground world of his friends who don't trust or turn to the police, add a lot to the books.

Also a huge fan of Dennis Lehane and his series characters.

But there are so many...where do you start?

Barbara wrote: "Laura wrote: "Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her ..."

It's a great read, Barbara.

My tbr list is exploding :/
These all look so great!

Laura wrote: "Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her job itself, I ..."

The Zoe Ferraris series is unfamiliar to me. Thanks for the nudge. I am always on the look-out for something new, so thank you.

Ok here is one that noone has brought up-Jane Whitefield-in the THomas Perry series. Jane Whitefield will get you a new life, make you disappear, teach you how to stay safe-when the system has failed to do so. Jane Whitefield is native American and is very tough. She considers it important to help people that can't help themselves and would be killed or stuck in terrible situations if she didn't step in. Often with criminals trailing her and her charges....interesting series.

One series character I am fond of, in spite of his flawed nature, is Charlie "Bird" Parker(who you can introduce yourself to in the first novel Every Dead Thing), a tormented man whose wife and daughter were viciously murdered. Charlie is a P.I. who often has help from his best friends, a criminal gay couple by the names of Louis and Angel. The stories are gritty and real, but at times swirls of the supernatural permeate the plot. Very cool.
Another damaged but favourite character of mine is Kathleen Mallory, first novel in series Mallory's Oracle. She was a wild street child, foster-parented by a police officer. She eventually becomes a cop herself, but she never warms up as a human and is often more comfortable as a computer hacker. I await each book eagerly and have not tired of either of these series like I have so many others.

VickiLee wrote: "One series character I am fond of, in spite of his flawed nature, is Charlie "Bird" Parker(who you can introduce yourself to in the first novel Every Dead Thing), a tormented man whose wife and dau..."Thanks for these suggestions!

Michael Connelly's Harrry Bosch and Mickey Haller.
Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Jesse Stone.
James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux.
Cleo Coyle's Clare Cosi.
Lee Child's Jack Reacher.
Will Thomas's Llewelllyn & Barker.
John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers.
David Baldacci's Maxwell & King.
Linda Barnes's Carlotta Carlyle.
C. J. Box's Joe Pickett.
Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy.
Stephen J. Cannell's Shane Scully.
Deborah Crombie's Kincaid & James
And A host of others.

VickiLee wrote: "Laura wrote: "Right now I like fearless Katya in Zoe Ferraris' series of literary mysteries. (Finding Nouf, City of Veils, etc.) She's a medical examiner in a coroner's office in Saudi Arabia. Her ..."

You're welcome, Vicki Lee. I haven't read her 3rd book yet, but I will eventually.

I LOVE Andy Dialzel (sp?)in Reginald Hills' Dialzel and Pascoe series. He might be a bit gross and ugly, but that man is such a great creation. I love characters with 'attitude' and, in these po-faced times, Andy D is so politically-incorrect it's great. The dialogue Hill puts in his mouth is so clever and witty, too.

I like Harry Bosch from the Michael Connelly books. A strong character driven story that delves into the seamier side of L.A..

Agent Pendergast from the books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Jaz Parks in series by Jennifer Rardin.

Lisa wrote: "I think Elvis Cole and Pike from the Robrt Crais mysteries are excellent. Pike is quite, tough, loyal to Elvis. Elvis is funny, has a grat sense of humor and is a brilliant investigator, and sems t..."

I agree, Lisa. I devoured those books.

Martin wrote: "I like Harry Bosch from the Michael Connelly books. A strong character driven story that delves into the seamier side of L.A.."

Martin: I love the Harry Bosch books too but then again, there hasn't been a Michael Connelly book yet that I haven't liked.

J.A. Jance - J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady series - love the settings of these novels in Seattle and Arizona

Michael Connelly - Harrry Bosch and Mickey Haller - great writer

Alex Kava - Maggie O'Dell series

Robert B. Parker - Spenser - quick, witty dialog

George D. Shuman - Sherry Moore series

Lee Child - Jack Reacher

Iris Johanson - Eve Duncan series - early books were great

John Sandford - Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers

Vince Flynn - Mitch Rapp

C. J. Box - Joe Pickett

Ace Atkins - Quinn Colson series

Daniel Silva - Gabriel Allon series - probably my favorite series of all

Linwood Barclay - Zack Walker

Stephen Frey - Christian Gillette - finance

Stephen White - Alan Gregory - psychological

Keith Ablow - Frank Clevenger - forensic psychiatrist series - great one too!


If you need more, I have them. My husband was in a terrible accident in 2009 and bedridden for six months with most of the bones in his body broken. I scoured all bookshops, libraries, websites looking for series that would appeal to him. He probably read a book a day so I know most series, especially those most appealing to men.

Patricia wrote: "Agent Pendergast from the books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Jaz Parks in series by Jennifer Rardin."

Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast is a delicious pleasure to know. He is original, brilliant and almost undefeatable. It took me a while to adjust to the series and the open-ended questions Preston and Child leave in each book. In fact, some questions are not, as of yet, fully answered. And therefore, I will continue to return to each new book with eagerness! It really is a series that should be read in order of its publication.

Just to add some more names to the list:
Mike Hammer, how can you not like him a 45 in one had and a red hot dame in the other,
Murdock by Maureen jennings
Morse
Gibbs for NCIS I could go on.

My favorite detectives:
1. Philip Marlow, naturally.
2. Kurt Wallender, the middle-aged, alcoholic, depressed Swedish detective, always outsmarting his bosses even as they try to fire him. By Henning Mankell. Go out and buy one if you haven't read them already.

1. Lew Archer
2. Virgil Flowers
3. Lucas Davenport
4. Amos Walker

Just to name few.

1. Hamish McBeth from MC Beaton
2. Agatha Raisin from MC Beaton
3. Odelia Grey from Sue Ann Jaffarian
4. Corinna Chapman from Kerry Greenwood
5. Goldy from Diane Mott Davidson
6. Lacey Smithsonian from Ellen Byerrum
7. Carole Seddon from Simon Brett

Most of my favorite characters are ones that I can relate to in some way - either due to age, life circumstances, struggles, etc. Probably with the exception of Hamish, I just really like MC Beaton's work. Very well written and engaging.

My all time favorite lead characters are from Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series. Amelia and her husband Emerson.

Some others are:
Sherlock Holmes
Adrian Monk
Molly Murphy and Lady Georgie from Rhys Bowen
Charles Lenox

Susan Jo wrote: "Telling my age, but I have to say that Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple by Agatha Christie are my all time favorites and my first mystery loves. He's pompous and arrogant but cunning. She's nosy and ..."

Mine to. Agatha Christie got me hooked on reading they are my all time favorite books and the one set of books that I will never get rid of.

All-time favorite leads:

SHERLOCK HOLMES by Arthur Conan Doyle. Obviously.
FELUDA (from The Complete Adventures of Feluda, Vol. 1) by Satyajit Ray. Any Indian/Bangladeshi reader will know whom I'm talking about.

Contemporary favorite leads:

Numero Uno: JOHN COREY by Nelson DeMille. LOVE this wisecracking thoroughly "politically incorrect" detective!
PATRICK KENZIE & ANGIE GENNARO by Dennis Lehane. My favorite detective couple.
& offcourse, JACK REACHER by Lee Child

Although not in mystery-crime series, but my other two favorite series leads are:
MONK KOKKALIS & GREYSON PIERCE (maybe Painter Crowe, Kowalski and Tucker Wayne too, actually most members of the Sigma Force are awesome!) by James Rollins and
DIRK PITT by Clive Cussler

Leigh wrote: "I have found that I prefer series rather than stand alone books because I like watching the characters evolve and change. Sometimes when I read a stand alone book I wonder what happened to the cha..."

I completely agree. Unfortunately my reading of series is limited to those translated in italian, but I've read some anyway.
My fav list:
Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch (plus Mickey Haller and Jack McEvoy)
Jo Nesbo - Harry Hole
Stieg Larsson - Salander/Blomquist
Dennis Lehane - Kenzie/Gennaro
Brian Freeman - Stride/Dial
Joe Lansdale - Hap/Leonard
Greg Iles - Penn Cage
Karen Slaughter - Grant County
Tess Gerritsen - Rizzoli/Isles
Arnaldur Indridason - Erlunder
Cody McFadyen - Smokey Barrett
George Pelecanos - Strange/Quinn
Richard Monatanari - Byrne/Balzano

Missing to read Burkes' Robichaux, Crais' Cole/Pike, Henning's Walander, Deaver's Rhyme. Unfortunately not translated in Italian Louise Penny, Steve Hamilton, Craig Johnson, Chelsea Cain.

Harry Bosch, Elvis Cole, Rebus and Reacher all do it for me.