Question for Mary Russel/Laurie King fans
I am renewing my old acquaintance with the mystery genre by way of Nero Wolf, P.D. James and, of course, our boy Holmes (no, not you, Darby). I gather that there's some excellent Sherlockian reading to be had from Laurie King's Mary Russel series, so my question is this:
Does it matter particularly where I start in the series, or am I required to read the first book first? I tend to be kind of fanatical about always starting a series at the beginning, but that's because of long years reading mostly sci-fi/fantasy, which is a completely different bird from old school detective fiction, as I know from previous experience. In any case, I already know the main premise/conceit of the Mary Russel series, so it's not like I need an introduction to that, but I was wondering if I'd be spoiling myself for anything big if I started on, say, the second book of the series.
Not that I accidentally already purchased the second book, thinking it was the first book, or anything. *cough* Just wondering.
Any other good recommendations for mystery novels are also welcome; the used bookstore where Mr. Bill helps out has a fantastic paperback mystery section.
Does it matter particularly where I start in the series, or am I required to read the first book first? I tend to be kind of fanatical about always starting a series at the beginning, but that's because of long years reading mostly sci-fi/fantasy, which is a completely different bird from old school detective fiction, as I know from previous experience. In any case, I already know the main premise/conceit of the Mary Russel series, so it's not like I need an introduction to that, but I was wondering if I'd be spoiling myself for anything big if I started on, say, the second book of the series.
Not that I accidentally already purchased the second book, thinking it was the first book, or anything. *cough* Just wondering.
Any other good recommendations for mystery novels are also welcome; the used bookstore where Mr. Bill helps out has a fantastic paperback mystery section.