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Get into crime fiction as library members from Sutton-in-Ashfield and Hucknall chat with author Jo Middleton and share their top picks to get you started.
We’re a nation of crime and thriller readers. With sub-genres from traditional detective stories to cosy mysteries and police procedurals, the category caters to the broadest range of tastes. Often written in series, and with a back catalogue penned over centuries, there’s more than enough crime fiction to satisfy the appetites of even the biggest bookworms.
Jo Middleton, author of cosy crime novels Happy Bloody Christmas, Not Another Bloody Christmas and Bah Bloody Humbug visited Sutton-in-Ashfield Library and Hucknall Library to ask borrowers, “why do we love crime fiction?” Through lively discussions, library members shared what they enjoyed most highlighting the importance of a sense of place, strong characters, realism and the satisfaction of solving a puzzle.
For newcomers, the group were quick to suggest titles with humour and a gripping plot to keep the pages turning. Browse their recommendations below offering a friendly introduction to the genre, helping you discover the authors, titles and series that might appeal to you.
Books Our Readers Love
Library catalogue: Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bettany, The Last Dance by Mark Billingham, The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves and Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
Jane Bettany
"She bases it around here, her books are mostly based in Derby, all around that
area. And hers are easy to read. They're easy to pick up on. They're not hard
going, if you know what I mean.”
Detective Miller series by Mark Billingham
“[D.C. Miller] is certainly unusual. And people either really love him or hate him, so
he's really kind of Marmite.”
Vera Stanhope series or Shetland series by Ann Cleeves
“It's got a bit of atmospheric in Northumberland or the wildness of Shetland and it might take them on that journey.”
Library catalogue: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths, The Pyramid by Henning Mankell and Silent Scream by Angela Marsons
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
“I love that, as you say, the confinement of the suspects on the ship and trying to work out who's actually done the murder. I just think she's got such a good mind and the
way she's able to do that.”
The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries series by Ellie Griffiths
“It's clearly championing Norfolk and the coastline. [O]nce you've read one or two of them, you really do get a feel for the place, particularly the place where she lives, which is quite a remote area.”
Kurt Wallander series by Henning Mankell
“There was something about them that really clicked with me and I think it's because the characters have all got really good back stories.”
D.I. Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons
“The minute I open that book of hers, I cannot put it down. I get it here from the library on a Friday perhaps, and it's back here the next Friday.”
Library catalogue: Macbeth by Jo Nesbo and William Shakespeare, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Still Life by Louise Penny and Knots & Crosses by Ian Rankin
Macbeth by Jo Nesbo and William Shakespeare
“It is a modern take on the Shakespeare play with characters, basically, are all detectives, are all involved with the police department, and it plays out a very similar story to Macbeth, and it's a fascinating read.”
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
“They've got all the elements. They remind me of Agatha Christie. That's why I don't like them. But it would be a good introduction.”
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
“It also has everything in it […] a bit of humour, brilliant characters, a bit of the
police come into it. So, I think that would be a really good introduction to
crime to read.”
Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny
“She also writes about the characters who seem to have weight to them, and everything is done in such a way that it's logical.”
Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny
“Quirky characters, unusual crimes to solve with an important detective in Canada.”
Rebus series by Ian Rankin
“It gives you an insight into police procedures and also the politics of police and how you sometimes have to develop relationship with criminals as well if you're going to really be a good policeman.”
Rebus series by Ian Rankin
“I know Edinburgh quite well, very well, and it's got a historical setting and an
ambience about it that lends itself to crime fiction, I think, because there's
been skullduggery and murders and all the rest of it for many years.”
Library catalogue: The Wine of Angels by Philip Rickman, We Tell Lies by K. L.Slater, It's Always the Husband by C L Taylor and The Windermere Witness by Rebecca Tope
Merrily Watkins series by Philip Rickman
“She's a really strong character, female character, in a male dominated field, shall we say. It's set on the English-Welsh border and she gets involved in all sorts of weird and bizarre happenings in her role as the vicar.”
K. L. Slater or C. L. Taylor
“Something which you can just romp through, a page turner.”
Lake District Mysteries series by Rebecca Tope
“All of it is, to me, felt quite sort of plausible, you know, like I could probably be the
main character, really.”
Head over to the Inspire library catalogue to find these reads available through your library or visit the Inspire eLibrary for eBooks and eAudiobooks to enjoy wherever you are.
Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery
This booklist was created following workshops In Conversation with Jo Middleton, bringing readers together to explore what makes crime fiction so compelling and share their favourite reads. The sessions formed part of a programme celebrating Agatha Christie’s enduring legacy and the appeal of the genre. Visit Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery to find out more.
