M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series Readalikes.

Lillian Jackson Braun- The Cat Who series takes place in fictional Moose County, United States “400 miles north of everywhere” and the main character Qwilleran is like-able from the moment you “meet” him. However, you will find this series to have the same mood of tranquility. The quirkiness in the series comes from Qwill’s cats KoKo and YumYum and his relationship with them while he solves crimes with their indirect help.

Ann Granger’s Markby and Mitchell’s series have a similar flavor since the mysteries also take place in the Cotswold’s of England. The 35 year old amateur sleuth named Meridith Mitchell is not teamed with Chief Inspector Alan Markby therefore causing the often humorous conflict between the two while they both solve the same crimes. They also happen to be oddly attracted to each other.

Finally one can not forget the classic mystery writer Agatha Christie with her enigmatic protagonist Miss Marple. Miss Marple, living in an English village has many quirks and appears to be somewhat dimwitted or “fluffy” however, she in fact possesses a sharp logical mind. Although Ms. Marple is not as verbally sharp (in the negative sense) than Agatha Raisin, the reader will enjoy the subtlety of her sense of humor.

The Hamish MacBeth series written by M.C. Beaton take place in the Scottish Highlands and features an under achiever/lazy Hamish who solves crimes because of his natural “Highland curiosity.” This series is so popular they have made it into a BBC television series.

Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby series is similar to Hamish since he appears to be slow moving and yet is extremely perceptive of the smallest of clues. The stories are usually set in the English villages that are under his county jurisdiction. These novels have also been made into a television series named “Midsomer Murders.”

Catherine Aird’s Inspector Sloan series is set against a British backdrop featuring Detective Chief Inspector Sloan and his slow-thinking helper Detective Constable Crosby. The humorous tension in these novels is found between Sloan’s cranky but driven superior, Superintendent Leeyes and himself. Sloan likes to tend to his roses, when he has time, to relieve his stress; reminding the reader of the under achieving Hamish Macbeth.