response 30 of 53:

Jul 17 16:37 UTC 1998

Jan's Guide to Mystery:

  I'm really more of a Science Fiction fan than a mystery fan, so I like
  really good world-building.  Most mystery seems like just yet another
  detective and yet another dead body.  Basically grim stuff.  I want an
  expertly guided tour though a new world, with likable characters showing
  the way, a plot that is more than a throwaway, and not too much
  shear nastiness.

  - Dick Francis - I'm not sure if I really like his characters - they seem
    a bit inhumane to me, like Ayn Rand characters.  Otherwise, high scores
    on all points.

  - Arthur Upfield - Written in the 1930s through 1950s, these have a half-
    aborigine police detective solving mysteries in Austrialia's outback.
    The hero operates by completely immersing himself in the community where
    the crime occurred and observing in detail, looking for the ripples
    that must spread from a murder, building up a case from nothing.  A
    wonderful character, great plots, and an amazing background. 

  - Ellis Peters - Brother Caedfal is a 13th century monk in a time of war
    and intrigue.  A loving recreation of a time I didn't previously know
    was interesting.  Though the stories might appear to be murder mysteries,
    they are usually really love stories in disguise.

  - Joan Hess - An apathetic police chief watches over her tiny home town
    of Maggody, Arkansas, which is populated by numerous eccentrics.  The
    plots can be a bit contrived, but the humor makes up for it.

Curiously Joan Hess and Ellis Peters each have other series of books which
I find perfectly tedious.  Peters and Upfield are sadly deceased, so there
will be no more from my two favorite authors.  Too bad.