What Kind of Mysteries are your Favorites?

Lately I've been receiving free books from Simon and Schusters--and I'm not sure why.

The last two--and the ones I'm reading now--are by Swedish female authors. Frankly, they aren't books I would've picked out on my own. I am enjoying them, but the big thing I've noticed about both is that include way more back story about each character--even insignificant ones that don't make another appearance in the story. Of course this makes for a "big" book.

I've received others that are odd and full of language--not the kind I usually read, but with an intriguing story.

Because I feel obligated because I'm receiving the books free, I not only read them, I write reviews--reviews I put on Amazon and on my own blog. I only write positive reviews, though I might say that because of the language or on stage violence etc. I wouldn't have picked that particular book myself.

Right now I have another I'm half way through and have two more on my TBR pile.

So, you might ask, what type mysteries are your favorites?

First, I'll say I don't care much for silly cozies. I like animals in books, but I don't like to know what they are thinking and saying or how they solved the crime. I like a cozy if it's not contrived. By that, I mean reaching too hard to make it funny or a particular hobby to fit.

I also don't like books that describe violence or sex crimes done to children or women. That doesn't mean a book about either--I just don't want to read all the gory details. I feel the same about horror movies--I do like scary, I don't like slash and gushing blood.

A story that drags--if the events don't move along, I may stop reading.

Okay, so here's what I do like:

A good puzzle.

A hero or heroine I can like. A few flaws are okay, but I'm not fond of drunken sleuths, or ones who can't speak without uttering a cuss word.

Books set in different places, places I've never been including made-up locations that still reflect the area where they are supposed to be located. Or another way of saying it--a place that has the "flavor" of the part of the country where the fictional setting is located.

Suspense. It doesn't have to have non-stop action, but there is enough suspense to keep me turning the pages.

Enough clues that I can follow along and even make some educated guesses as to who the perpetrator is--but I don't have to be right, though sometimes I am.

Surprise endings are fun--but there doesn't have to be one.

An ending that ties up the crime. The bad guy found out. If it's a series, it's okay to have some of the minor threads still untied--but they better be picked up in the next book.

I also like thrillers--ones that keep me turning pages.

In fact, there are few mysteries that I don't like.

What are your favorites?

Marilyn