Back to my reading list project and I am onto the police. Over the past decade I have become familiar with numerous books that share several characteristics: crime novels as part of an ongoing series featuring British police. I have read more widely than that in the crime genre, and discovered some excellent work (like Alexander McCall Smith’s novels about Precious Ramotswe), but cannot ignore that notable subset.

Why am I drawn to them? I like the blend of familiar places and customs with the spice of the investigation. I like the chance the older novels give to reflect on what has changed and what has stayed the same in British society. I like the fact that I can generally rely on the case being satisfactorily resolved and justice being done. Most of all, I enjoy my own investigations, piecing together a picture of the leading characters as I encounter them in various tales often (through the vagaries of library shelves) read out of sequence; my own chance to do some detective work.

But which should I pick? I will ponder that for tomorrow. What fun is a mystery if it is resolved too soon?

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