Yesterday I wanted to sit back and chill out and read a fun, engaging, and light mystery. I read The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters and it was okay; it fit the bill of light and fun, but it was not particularly engaging and it was predictable, both in terms of plot and of relationships.  I knew Vicky Bliss would be hungry all the time and get at least one new outfit; I knew her lover John would show emotion at the proper time but stay cool at all other times; I knew Schmidt would come through. I won’t give away the plot but no big twists there either: a simple case of similarities and mistaken identity.

I should have stuck to one of my favorite authors in the light, fun, and engaging category but I’ve read everything written so far by M.C. Beaton (the very funny Agatha Raisin series and the charming Hamish Macbeth series), Aaron Elkins (the Gideon Oliver, Bone Detective mysteries which are GREAT), and Aaron Elkins with his wife Charlotte (the thoroughly entertaining golf mysteries featuring  young golf pro and sleuth Lee Ofsted).

Another favorite of mine in the light, engaging, and fun category is the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton.  There is a new Aunt Dimity mystery, Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon, and I will read it soon and review it here.