Karen White is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, including the Tradd Street series, including The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street.At CrimeReads, White tagged six series for "fans of [Nancy Drew] who might want to read books with a similar vein without raiding their tween’s bookshelves." One entry on the list:
Penn Cage, created by Greg IslesRead about the other entries on the list.
We move across the Atlantic to the southern United States (Mississippi) for my next recommendation. There’s something about the Deep South that lends itself well to a book about murder in a gothic setting. Maybe it’s the sultry heat that keeps tempers and old resentments hopping, or perhaps the layers of history thatcontinue to intrude into the present. Regardless, Isles does a remarkable job of plopping his readers right into the middle of uncomfortable situations, making them sweat alongside his characters.
Although Iles introduces prosecutor/novelist/Natchez mayor Penn Cage in previous books, the trilogy starting with Natchez Burning is the first where he plays the main protagonist. The story centers around his beloved physician father who has been harboring a dangerous secret—a secret worth killing for. Penn must wrestle between revealing the unearthed truths, and duty to his father.
These are big books, with luscious writing, intricate plot lines, and richly drawn characters. These aren’t for casual, quick reading—but for those times readers are lucky enough to find extended periods of time to devote to an immersive read.
--Marshal Zeringue