Serial Anticipations for 2011

February

08 - A Red Herring without Mustard (Flavia de Luce 3) - Alan Bradley

Still haven't started on this series but the first book got mostly favourable reviews by bloggers. 

22 - One of Our Thursdays is Missing (Thursday Next 6) - Jasper Fforde

I really enjoyed Fforde's first novel in this series (The Eyre Affair) when I read it last year so I am glad that there are now another five waiting to be read.  Witty sci-fi with a bit of mystery and lots of literary references thrown in, this is certainly worth reading.

March

03 - The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party (No. 1 Ladies' 12) - Alexander McCall Smith

I enjoyed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency TV series and loved playing 'Spot the South African actors'.  The African backdrop was breath-taking and the series really took off after the pilot (the pilot had a few cringe-worthy moments!).  I am still not sure if this is an AMS that I'll enjoy or not as I have yet to dive in... but I'll take the plunge soon.  Any fans out there?

04 - Bones Under the Beach Hut (Fethering Mysteries 12) - Simon Brett

This is a light and breezy mystery series set in the South Downs in West Sussex (one of my favourite places) and I am glad that Brett continues with it, especially since he seems to be quite busy with talks and writing another series (Blotto, Twinks and...).  Looking forward to getting my hands on this one as I have exhausted all of the Fethering novels.

April

01 - A Lesson in Secrets (Maisie Dobbs 7) - Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs is truely a treasure and an exemplarary female protagonist.  I have read up to book 5 so far but can't help gazing at this cover.  If you have not yet met Maisie, you're in for a treat.  The first novel is more psychological than mystery and deals with back stories and establishing her character but the books thereafter get better and better.  If you enjoy strong, independent heroines as well as reading and learning about the inter-war years, this is for you.

15 - The Complete Mapp & Lucia Volume One and Two - E. F. Benson [Wordsworth Classics]

What can I say about the Mapp and Lucia series that hasn't already been said by so many?  Please read them... they're great and this edition is attractive and very generously priced.




May

01 - A Conspiracy of Friends (Corduroy Mansions 3) - Alexander McCall Smith
Book 3 of McCall Smith's online serial novel from the Telegraph.  I tend not to read these online anymore as I like to go through it in book form.  It's still online if you'd like to read it here - plus Andrew Sachs also narrates these on the same site - available for download or as a podcast.

26 - A Bedlam of Bones (Francis Oughterard 5) - Suzette A. Hill
The latest exploits of the Rev. Francis Oughterard, Maurice the cat and Bouncer the dog.  This is an unusual mystery (although there isn't always one) that is very well written and witty.  Set in a 1950's Surrey, it has a very cosy feel to it despite the reverend's unexpected shenanigans.





June

09 - Rack, Ruin and Murder (Campbell and Carter 2) - Ann Granger
The first book in this series following two Cotswolds police officers was promising and it's taken two years for its sequel to appear.  It's a good read and fans of Ann Granger's other series should hopefully agree.





July

01 - The Herring on The Nile (Elsie and Ethelred 4) - L. C. Tyler
These are brilliant!  Light spoofs of golden age crime with wit, fun and quite a lot of deceit thrown in as you follow crime and romantic writer Ethelred Tressider and his opinionated agent Elsie Thirkettle.  I have enjoyed these immensely and look forward to this very Christie-like title.  The covers are always a delight!

01 - Heartless (Parasol Protectorate 4) - Gail Carriger
Ah... the Parasol Protectorate... this is a truly escapist, laugh-out-loud and grin from ear-to-ear read.  If you haven't read this series - please avoid reading any blurbs, reviews or write-ups on book sites as each book after book 1 contains big spoilers.  If you're looking for an entertaining read, pick this up.  It has paranormal elements and a parallel Victorian London but the prose is good and the author's humour is refreshing.



September

06 Sep - Pirate King (Mary Russell 11) - Laurie R. King
I've only read the first book so I have quite a few to look forward to.  This series has been growing from strength to strength and gathering a lot of fans.  It follows Holmes' apprentice and how their relationship and equal partnership develops.  Again, another series to be savoured in order.




October

06 - Unusual Uses of Olive Oil (von Igelfeld 4) - Alexander McCall Smith
Another AMS!  The advent of this book has been announced by the author and his publishers for years now and the publication date keeps getting pushed back.  Fingers crossed this will be the year.  I've listened to the first two instalments of the wacky Prof. von Igelfeld's adventures narrated superbly by the multi-talented Hugh Laurie.  Highly recommended in audiobook form!  Laurie's various foreign accents are side-splitting if sometimes a little wonky.  His English, though, is smooth and silky.

11 - The Forgotten Affairs of Youth (Isabel Dalhousie 8) - Alexander McCall Smith
Isabel Dalhousie - sleuth or nosy parker?  Set in a beautifully-evoked Edinburgh, this is not really a crime mystery but AMS' philosophical ramblings and love-letters to Edinburgh keep me coming back for more.




What series books do you follow and what are you looking forward to in 2011?

Serial Anticipations for Summer 2010

May 2010

1 The Importance of Being Seven (44 Scotland Street 6) - Alexander McCall Smith
At long last!  The latest book instalment of the charming 44 Scotland Street serial.  The last book was published in 2008 (eek!).  This is my favourite McCall Smith series so I have been bereft for a while.  I am really looking forward to reading this in the (hopefully) sunny May days ahead.

June 2010

10 Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse 10) - Charlaine Harris
I am a little ashamed to admit that I actually enjoyed the popular American TV series True Blood, which were based on these novels.  I say ashamed as I was quite shocked at the excessive and gratuitous sex scenes and constant profanity used (which annoys me greatly), however the storyline was highly addictive and I persevered through all two seasons of the series.  I have been informed by fans of the novels that there are great differences between the TV series and the books themselves so last year I purchased the first book... but gave up reading it after 60 or so pages.  Somehow the first-person narrative did not click with me and I get bored if I am aware of the story line in advance.  However, I will try again as the TV series will take a while to spin out 10 books and it has already strayed from the originals (not to mention that I can only stand so much use of the F-word before my ears rust and my brain explodes!). 

Did anyone else watch the TV series or read the novels?


July 2010

1 A Colourful Death (Cornish Mystery 2) - Carola Dunn
The second instalment in Carola Dunn's newest mystery series set in a Cornwall reminiscent of the 60s.  I have added this to the list to see how the series develops... A short review of the first book will be up soon.

5 The God of the Hive (Mary Russell 10) - Laurie R. King
I became interested in the premise of this series a couple of years ago and have the first three instalments sitting on my shelves.  Sherlock Holmes... retired and married to a young lady who is his equal in intelligence and in the art of detection... and she is the hero of the piece... sounded promising.   I was thrilled to see that Laurie R. King has continued adding to this series (she writes at least one other mystery series) as these books have received very enthusiastic reviews.

29 Blotto, Twinks and the Dead Dowager Duchess (Blotto and Twinks 2) - Simon Brett
The second in a new comical mystery series by Sussex-based author Simon Brett.  I am a fan of his Fethering mysteries and love the Mrs Pargeter series too so thought I might look into this one.  Simon Brett likes to add dollops of humour and wit to his mysteries and this one promises to have a more liberal dose.


September 2010

2 Blameless (Parasol Protectorate 3) - Gail Carriger
Ah, those pesky vampires again!  I have just finished the first in the Parasol Protectorate series (love that name!) and have ordered the second so very happy to see that a third is not far away.  Like the Sooky Stackhouse/True Blood series, this involves vampires and werewolves who live openly among mortals but it is set in an alternate version of the Victorian era.  It is funny, fantastic, clever and has sprinklings of romance thrown in.  I hope the sequels hold the momentum and originality that I enjoyed in the first novel.

2 The Charming Quirks of Others (Isabel Dalhousie 7) - Alexander McCall Smith
As usual, Mr McCall Smith continues to conjure up three or four novels a year to the delight of his fans.  This is the next instalment in the Isabel Dalhousie novels that are sent in Edinburgh and have a large philosophical bent.  Indeed, a great part of these novels engage us in the moral musings and philosophical pontificating that Isabel (philosopher and editor) is prone to... all executed in a charming and gracious, gentle manner.  I have a couple of books to read in this series before I am up to date.

Are there any series that you follow and are anticipating reading this Summer (or Winter if you're in the Southern hemisphere)?  Please let me know as I always like to add promising series to my TBR list.  I find that there is something warm, comforting and a little exciting about looking forward to a new book release and immersing myself once again in the company of well-loved characters and settings.

Serial Anticipations for Winter/Spring 2010

A few years ago, I fell into a reading routine that included seeking out book series, particularly British cosy mysteries.  I read blogs and reviews of such books and got into the habit of following a set of characters through a series of novels.  This can be quite a comforting exercise if you enjoy the style of writing and the world created by the writer and you are always (more or less) assured of another instalment in a year or so (once you've binged on the whole available oeuvre).

This year, I am looking forward to the publication of quite a few novels.  Some of these authors publish an instalment in a series annually, whilst the amazing Alexander McCall Smith manages to publish four or more books a year!

There are other anticipated novels that are due to be published later in the year, and I shall place those on the blog as the cover art becomes available.

Are you a series reader?  What series novels do you look forward to reading each year?


February 2010

25   Precious and the Puggies: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case - Alexander McCall Smith
This is a children's book about Mma Ramotswe and is published in Scots, ahead of an English publication in 2011. A glossary is provided and I am sure that adult fans will find it a thrilling enterprise.



March 2010

4   The Double Comfort Safari Club (No. 1 Ladies' 11) - Alexander McCall Smith
I have tried to get into The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency but have had to put it on hold as the prose does not click with me.  I have, however, enjoyed the film series and still enjoy discovering the lyrical and whimsical titles of each new novel.  I will attempt the first book soon...

5   The Shooting in the Shop (Fethering Mysteries 11)- Simon Brett
Ah... one of my favourites.  I devoured the whole series in less than a year and love the Sussex setting.  I had to take a break from it two years ago to let the instalments accumulate.  I hope to reacquaint myself with the village of Fethering and its inhabitants again this year.




April 2010

6   The Mapping of Love and Death - Jacqueline Winspear
An excellent series set between the wars that is written beautifully and with great psychological and historical insight.  The first novel, Maisie Dobbs, was less of a mystery novel and more of a psychological one as it sketches out Maisie's war-linked history and lays the foundations for future novels.  The sequels are more crime focused and have been clever and highly enjoyable.  I learnt a lot about Britain between the wars from this inspiring work of fiction.  Highly recommended!

15   The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (Flavia De Luce Mystery 2) - Alan Bradley
I have read promising reviews about the first in this series, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, so look forward to embarking on this series.




May 2010

1   The Dog Who Came in from the Cold (Corduroy Mansions 2)- Alexander McCall Smith
I love this cover!  This book, and the first instalment, was written as daily chapters that were published online with the ability for readers to comment on the story as it unfolded.  Fans (and newcomers) can still read this book on the Telegraph website here.  There are 78 chapters in total and also access to an audio version read by the wonderful Andrew Sachs.  Hurry as these are likely to be removed from the website shortly before the book's publication.