The main character is a formerly-Amish female chief of police in a small town in Ohio’s Amish country. Have only listened to audio versions. . I’m such a fan of of the Maisie Dobbs series. The first one is called “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.” They are popular with my book club girls and at my local library. I was coming on here to suggest Jane Harper (loves her first two books) and had no idea she has a new book out! James and Ngaio Marsh. As a side note, I am currently living in Spain so I recently read Death at La Fenice simultaneously in Spanish and English. I am reading the first Gregor Demarkian mystery now and loving it – thank you for the recommendation, I hadn’t heard of this mystery series! At age 13, Maisie became a maid in London, but when her employer notices Maisie keeps sneaking into the library at night to read philosophy, her employer puts her on the path to Cambridge. She writes about Clare Fergusson, an Episcopal priest with a military background. This is the first of French's popular Dublin Murder Squad, although the series need not be read in order. These books are just delightful. With this latest book, George seems to be again embracing those elements that made her career - a wealthy, dysfunctional family; an interesting setting; Lynley somewhat recovered from grief and therefore functional; and Barbara Havers getting a new hair cut on the orders of her new boss (this completes a makeover begun in the last book). At the time, she had a devoted but smallish fan base; these days her new releases are instant New York Times bestsellers. I read the first two Galbraith, and those were… really engrossing, but then the second was really engrossing and really gross. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George, a stunning mystery featuring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley that explores the perfect crime. It’s free to use. Really good. Not as gritty as Louise Penny but definitely Good Reads. The Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow has 21 books of very entertaining mysteries in Alaska. George has a few themes she touches on in this book, but the two front and center ones are addiction and infertility. I have read most of the books recommended, with the exception of Elizabeth George. So many good ones – Hercules Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie and The Mistletoe Murder & Other Stories by PD James. When I began reading the books, there were 5 or 6 published already. I’ll keep for future reference because I just started the Louise Penny series and am only on Book 4. Initially, the two leads are the biggest draw, but the secondary characters also really start to take on a life of their own. This might be my most recommended series for Louise Penny fans; I especially love how, as the series progresses, the Scotland Yard police work is only half the content: in addition to their cases, Crombie devotes considerable ink to her detectives' personal dramas and romantic entanglements. I too hate waiting for the new Gamache book each year, and am excited everytime my pre-order drops into my Kindle. The local detective rules suicide, but Kincaid is certain there's more to the story. I’m surprised that no-one has so far mentioned Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series, set in Sicily. I just discovered Nicci French and really enjoying the series. Other Louise Penny fans may like her books too! I’m just not a fan, even though I love J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. They are not as long or as intense as Penny’s novels, though I appreciate Alexander’s character development through the series. Several of the Inspector Lynley novels have been adapted for the BBC series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. James “Exceptional. In this first-rate murder mystery, British detective Cormoran Strike and his trusty sidekick Robin Ellacott investigate a supermodel's suspicious suicide. Three other series that I absolutely love: Some others I might recommend: Angela Marsons If you have not listened to the audio of Louise Penny, the guy who reads them is a master! Some authors of series book I have enjoyed: I was hoping to see a list like this! I would recommend reading these in order though I started with book 12 on accident. His town and the friendships he’s made have the warmth of Three Pines.