Mysteries in Paradise hosts a weekly meme on mystery authors and books, highlighting a different letter each week. Beginning February 22, 2010, posts with the letter S, for author first or last name or book title are being collected here.This week I am highlighting a wonderful series of books which all start with the letter S.
S is for Shakespeare, Arkansas where Lily Bard lives.Charlaine Harris , of Sookie Stackhouse fame, has a darker, and I think better, series here with Lily Bard. She isn't a typical detective, actually isn't one at all. Lily is a housecleaner, new to Shakespeare, Arkansas, trying to rebuild her life after a horrible and violent crime. There are quirky Southern characters, a broken lead character, a love interest, and great atmosphere.
I liked that the series was finite, and the reader can watch Lily's growth and recovery, slowly, but it eventually gets there. I like that Harris doesn't kill everyone in this small town and lets the series run a natural course.
Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Champion by Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Trollop - Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Counsellor - Charlaine Harris
Now here is an author I've never read! I must remedy that. Thanks for your support again Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI have read all the Sookie books, and all the Harper Connelly books, but this and the Aurora Teagarden books haven't yet made it into my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI wondered which Shakespeare play you'd written about!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a place called Shakespeare - it doesn't sound like a safe place to live, a bit like Midsomer.
kerrie - I love a big list. Harris has a pile of books she's written, 4 different series I believe, and she's still writing! I liked that this was finite, instead of finding a new series with 15 books already written.
ReplyDeletemarg - I like to try the Harper Connolly ones next. Sookie didn't grab me at all. It was ok, but that's all.
booksplease - it's kind of deceiving isn't it? when I hear Shakespeare mystery, I think of Cue for Treason, sort of like the movie Shakespeare in Love.
She's Lily Bard and she lives in Shakespeare, Arkansas. Nice hook.
I too am yet to read this author!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Crime Fiction Alphabet: S post!
I didn't like the one Sookie Stackhouse book I read but I didn't realise Harris had other series - I'll check into these when next I'm at the libary - I do love the idea of a finite series :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I've never read Charlaine Harris. I saw a paperback of her work when I was at the Naples airport this weekend, but I didn't pick it up. Thanks for reminding me I should.
ReplyDeleteI've got to get back to this, I've only read the first one (at your recommendation, I believe!). A finite series sounds good to me, too, I'm easily daunted by already-existing huge series.
ReplyDelete