Each of these three series offers a very different style in solving murders in settings as varied as the expansive wildlife areas to the upper class parlors of early 19th century England.
Nevada Barr and the Magnificent National Parks
Anna Pigeon works for the United States National Park Service and murder is far from her primary interest. Still, she seems to find horrific crimes no matter where she goes and resolutely works to solve them, no matter the personal or professional cost.
Barr wisely sets the mysteries at different national parts, allowing for both a wider range in environment and introducing new characters in addition to the continuing cast. Anna explores her own fears, such as claustrophobia while miles underground in a New Mexico cavern in Blind Descent, while proving her loyalty to the NPS and to the truth.
Other Anna Pigeon novels include Deep South details the extensive Natchez Trace Parkway known for its beauty and historic sites and Liberty Falling takes place in the urban world of New York City’s Ellis Island and the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Laurie R. King Creates a Female Better Half Sherlock HolmesAs the author of several worthwhile books, Laurie R. King has captured popular interest with her Mary Russell series featuring a young orphan who befriends the aging Sherlock Holmes in The Beekeeper’s Apprentice and serves as an investigator on their adventures. As the books progress, so does their relationship, and the mature Russell marries Holmes and becomes a full partner in their investigations in The Language of Bees.
True to the Holmes form, the formal tone indicates both their British character and the age in which they live. The stories are narrated by the unsentimental Russell, who proves less awed by Holmes’ observations than his previous biographer, Dr. Watson. Holmes would clearly rather tend to his beloved bees than to uncovering murderers but lends his services as needed, leaving Mary Russell to handle much of the details herself.
Agatha Christie and the Private Detectives
Agatha Christie became known as a master of the British upper-class mystery during the first half of the twentieth century. Although some of her phrases may appear dated, Christie’s penchant for details and her dedication to surprising her reader keep many of her books on the list of pleasure reading.
While Miss Marple retains her position as one of Agatha Christie’s major protagonists, the characters of Tommy and Tuppence Beresford have their own charm as spouses who uncover secrets in England, first while in their twenties during the Jazz Age in Secret Adversary and ending after they’ve raised three children and are pleasantly enjoying retirement in Postern of Fate, which also proved to be Christie’s last work.
Women as Main Characters in Mysteries
While books can be entertaining no matter the gender of the major characters, sometimes women can offer special insight or acquire access to details that might be more difficult for their fictional male counterparts.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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