Top Five British Mystery Writers
Like most people, my daily life can sometimes run at a frenetic pace. To unwind in my leisure moments, there is nothing I like better to do than curl up and read a good mystery novel.
While there are many modern mystery novelists whose works I enjoy, I find myself turning again and again to classic “whodunnits”. Penned by authors who knew how to plot a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, these books have provided entertainment while engaging my intellect and interest. Check out my top five British mystery novelists when you get a moment to yourself.
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Agatha Christie
This most prolific writer has to be tops on anyone’s list. Often imitated but never equaled, Dame Christie’s mystery’s always played fair providing enough clues to help the reader guess “whodunnit” before the end of the book. Of course, no reader was ever as good at finding the killer as Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. Her most well-know work, repeated again and again in film and literature is probably Ten Little Indians ( also know as And Then There Were None), although many are familiar with The Mystery on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Her books are a must read for anyone who enjoys mystery novels.
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Dorothy Sayers
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A young teen when I first started reading this author, I fell in love with her fictional detective, the dashing, debonair Lord Peter Wimsey. The monocled amateur sleuth rode around in his Daimler solving mysteries with the help of his butler, Bunter, his friend, Inspector Charles Parker and his future bride, Harriet Vane. Sayers novels are intelligent and well-plotted and provide an interesting look at the lives of the British upper class subsequent to World War I.
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P. D. James
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Although at times I find James’ detective, Inspector Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard to be a bit too morose, I have always immensely enjoyed her writing . Her books are methodically plotted, contain a wealth of information about British life and institutions and well-defined characters.
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Martha Grimes
Ok, I am cheating a little, here. Ms. Grimes is actually an American, but I have included her on this list because her novels are set in England. Her mysteries feature the dynamic duo, Inspector Richard Jury of Scotland Yard and Melrose Plant, a member of the British peerage who gave up his title. These two sleuths are always surrounded by a recurring eccentric cast of characters while they go about solving mysteries. The titles to the books are always the name of a British pub or inn. Highly enjoyable works.
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Ngaio Marsh
Not as well-known today as the other authors on my list, Dame Marsh was a native New Zealander whose main character was Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard. Her works contained intricate mysteries, highly developed, colorful characters and vivid, sparkling dialogue. Any of her books is a treat to read.
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Good list. I personally love Christie. Interesting to note that they are all women.
Good point. Note also that, with the exception of Christie’s Miss Marple, all of the women authors have male protagonists.