Checking through my Goodreads books yesterday, I realised how deeply entrenched my book tastes have become. Everything I enjoy most is set in England and involves a good old-fashioned murder, preferably not too graphic. Not surprising really since I was bought up on a diet of Agatha Christie & P G Wodehouse.
This intransigent reading habit was one of several reasons I joined a book club. I thought it would be good to expose myself to other genres. In the last six months I have read A history of Lonliness, The Cellist of Sarajevo, Rebecca, The Life of a Banana, Tuesdays with Morrie and The Boy that Never was. And a depressing bunch of books they are, let me tell you. Rebecca is the shining star amongst them (although I enjoyed The Cellist of Sarajevo). But if there’s one thing I have learned from the book club experience, it’s that I like what I like. It may not be highbrow literature, it’s not Booker prize winning stuff, but the books I love have a beginning, a middle and an end – and above all else, they have a plot!
So it’s English murder mysteries all the way for me, particularly anything with a family history or genealogical twist. My top six of all time, in no particular order, are:
Agatha Christie – Crooked House
Robert Goddard – Past Caring
Val McDermid – The Wire in the Blood
Susan Hill – The Various Haunts of Men
James Ruddick – Death at the Priory
Dan Waddell – The Blood Detective
I’m sure there are many deserving English murder mysteries that should be on the list. There are several up and coming genealogy writers (Nathan Dylan Goodwin springs to mind) and some debut authors (Paula Hawkins – The Girl on the Train) who have captured my attention. Who are the best all time English murder mystery writers? Your suggestions would be appreciated.
Jacqueline Beard Writer 