It’s always a little sad for me when the beautiful orange, gold, and red leaves fall from the trees at the beginning of winter. Yes, I know that’s why we call it Fall here in the U.S. when everyone else in the world calls it Autumn. But there’s still a shock when the skeleton-like branch-fingers point at everything after the loss of their colorful foliage. Every year, I remind myself that just as the forest animals need their hibernation, so do the trees need a break from their warm-weather loveliness for their rebirth in Spring. One good thing is that the Southern Nevada weather has cooled considerably, always a plus for me, and pumpkin pie has given way to gingerbread and other warm-spiced goodies.  

My Favorite Mysteries So Far

I’ve loved to watch mysteries for years. If you happen to be in my house, you’re likely to find a mystery on TV (right now, if you were standing over my shoulder, you’d see me rewatching Endeavour for the umpteenth time). Even though I’ve always loved to watch mysteries, I’ve never made much of a point of reading them until recently, which seems odd, I guess. I was perfectly happy to watch these wonderful adaptations and never felt much of a pull to read the books they were based on. Now that I’m writing a murder mystery, I was compelled to see how the mysteries are pieced together on the page, which is a different process than how they are pieced together for the screen. 

Queen Agatha

Most of my favorite mystery novels have been from Agatha Christie. Christie is the master of plotting a mystery, so when I get to the whodunnit at the end, sometimes I guess, but most of the time, I don’t. Christie’s books beg to be reread because once you know whodunnit, the second read shows how the clues were really there all along. I’m not a huge fan of mysteries where suddenly something is revealed in the end that is the solution to the mystery, or when the detective, out of nowhere it seems, straightens it all out in their minds without any hints for the rest of us. Instead, there’s a “Surprise! This is how it happened!” Even if I can’t see the whodunnit, I like to know that the clues were there for me to find. 

Christie’s style is fairly bare bones, and when I first started reading her I wasn’t a fan for that reason. Once I realized that you read Christie for perfectly plotted mysteries instead of characterization or description, then I started to love her work. I think that’s why Christie’s books are so easily adapted for the screen: her books are already basically written in a screenplay format that is heavy on plot and dialogue and thin on characterization and setting. 

I haven’t read all of Christie’s works, but of the ones I’ve read, here are my favorites.

1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The first time I read this book I was as surprised as I’ve ever been by any book I’ve read. I finished reading it and then turned right back to page one to see how the clues were there but I missed them because I was looking in the wrong place for the murderer.

2. And Then There Were None

I watched the excellent all-star adaptation from the BBC in 2015 with Charles Dance as the judge before I read the book, but having watched it first didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. There are a few differences between the book and the 2015 adaptation, particularly in the way the ending plays out, but the terror that the guests on the island feel is palpable. 

3. Murder on the Orient Express

I watched the David Suchet version since there is no other Poirot for me besides Suchet. I read this one first before I watched it. I managed to guess whodunnit here, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of reading or watching. 

4. Death on the Nile

This was one of those stories that I thought I knew whodunnit. I was close, but no cigar. I loved the setting of Egypt for this story, and I loved how each of the travelers seemed guilty. I have nothing against Miss Marple, but I always prefer Poirot. 

5. Hallowe’en Party

This isn’t my favorite Poirot story, but it has great autumn and Halloween vibes because of the Halloween party at the heart of the story. There are a few twists, and while I wasn’t certain of the murderer, that person was on my list of suspects. You’ll never look at apple bobbing the same after reading this one. 

Favorite Mysteries Not by Agatha Christie

1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Michaelides is very inspired by Agatha Christie. That’s all I can say about this book without spoilers! I was as surprised by this book as I have been by almost any other book, but again, spoilers!

2. Last Bus to Woodstock (Inspector Morse #1) by Colin Dexter

I love Morse both books and TV show. I love all Morses. I love the original with John Thaw. I love Lewis. I love Endeavour, which I think might be my favorite of the three. I love reading the books that inspired it all, so I’m always good for an Inspector Morse novel. 

3. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

This is one of those novels I had on my shelf for years, and when I was ready to start reading mystery novels I finally gave it a go and I’m so glad I did. This is a solid five star book for me. In 1327, Friar William of Baskerville (I’m sure that name is not an accident since William uses deduction to solve the crimes like Sherlock Holmes) and his “Watson” Adso arrive at an abbey in Northern Italy which has been shaken by mysterious deaths. The fact that an impressive library plays an important role in the story wins points with me. The history is vibrant and brought to life so that you feel you are living amongst the monks. William of Baskerville feels like a 14th century Sherlock Holmes. The story is a bit slow at first and it took me two attempts to make it past the beginning, but if you love historical mysteries hang in there because the story is worth it. 

4. The Crow Trap (Vera Stanhope #1) by Ann Cleeves

I’ve loved the TV version with Brenda Blethyn for years, and I’m glad I finally gave the book a try. So far, I’ve only read the first book, but I liked it, and I’ll be reading some more. Be prepared because Vera herself doesn’t appear until about 40% of the way through the story. Cleeves does a wonderful job setting up the characterizations, the setting, and the murder. 

5. The Adam Dalgliesh Series (Books 1-14) by PD James

I watched the latest TV version of Dalgliesh on Acorn recently and enjoyed the episodes so I decided to read the novels they were based on. I loved the first Dalgliesh book so much I ended up binging on all of the books in the series (there’s 14 of them, plus two short Christmas stories about Dalgliesh when he’s a DS) in two months. That’s not a joke. I started Cover Her Face (Book #1) on August 15 and I finished The Private Patient (Book #14) on October 12. I didn’t love all 14 books equally. Some I adored, and some were just okay. I enjoyed watching the character of Commander Dalgliesh develop through the novels, so that kept me going when I thought the novel itself wasn’t as strong.

I think the reason I love the Dalgliesh books so much is because of PD James’ writing style. She has a more literary style, which I love, and she’s brilliant with description, setting, and characterization. Sometimes, with Christie there’s a feeling of cardboard cutout characters being pushed around the game board to get from plot points to the ending. With James, these are honest to goodness people with personalities, wants, and desires who seem so real they could walk off the page. Dalgliesh himself is a fascinating character. On the one hand he keeps himself distant from everyone and everything, yet underneath it all is an empathy that keeps him aware of the humanity of the murder victims, the suspects, and everyone affected by the murder investigation. On a personal note, I love that Dalgliesh is a poet and a police officer. Most of us have our art and we have our living. Sometimes the two meet; more often, they don’t.

I’m so glad I started reading the books that my favorite mysteries were based on. There’s much more character development on the page than there is time for in a screen adaptation. I’m looking forward to finding more mysteries to read, but for now, I’m taking a break and enjoying my favorite Winter reads. I’m starting with Little Women this year.