When an author ends a long-running series . . .
I can’t remember whether I discussed it here, but when I read the most recent Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson book, and got to the end, I screamed because I knew she’d ended the series. She’d bundled up any possible loose threads in the series and cauterized every one. I knew immediately that this would be the last book in the series, and I was right. She explained her reasons here.
Crime writer JD Kirk did much the same. And again, I screamed. But he must have had heaps of reader emails about it, and he listened, and so the series continues.
Series can be tricky. If it’s popular, readers will never want to see it finish. They bond with the characters and the setting and the authors’ voice, and they wait for the next book, and the next, and the next
Some authors are happy to go along with that, and add book after book to their series. Stephanie Laurens is one — I’ve lost count of how many Cynster books and Cynster spin-offs she’s written, and there’s no sign of her stopping any time soon, which pleases her fans greatly.
But some authors get sick of writing in the same setting or world and with some of the same characters. I presume that’s how Elly Griffiths felt. As a fan, I wish she’d just taken a sabbatical, and come back to that series a year or two down the road with a refreshed mind, but as a writer, I can understand her decision.
In a Joni Mitchel concert once, the audience was clamoring for a song — I forget which one it was, though obviously it was a huge favorite. And she didn’t want to sing it. She said something like, “People don’t say to Van Gough, ‘Hey man, paint A Starry Night again, will ya?’”
She’d written the song, recorded it, performed it hundreds of times and wanted to move on. She had new songs to play.
It’s the creative spirit. It needs fresh input. For some writers that can happen within a long series, for others they need something completely fresh.
Publishers also play a part in series. My first editor (for Harlequin) was emphatic that she did not want a series from me, even though I wanted to write it and I’d had readers writing and asking for a book about Francis, the best friend of the hero in the first book. But no, it wasn’t to be.
My next editor (for Berkley) assumed that my first book for them was set up for a series. She asked me which sister was next, and I had no idea. It was panic stations at first until I worked out what to do. And I’ve written in series ever since.
Publishers in Australia aren’t keen on writers writing series — at least not romance writers. Partly that’s because there is such a long time between books, that they think people will forget, and because of that, in general, the numbers drop. The longer a series runs, the lower the numbers are.
Crime, however is a different story. Most of the crime writers I follow write in series. Michael Robotham is a bestselling and award-winning Australian author who has just launched his 18th crime novel. 
But when I was clearing out my study a few years ago, I came across an old writers’ magazine a friend had passed on years before, and in it I found an interview with Michael Robotham, about the publication of his very first book.
The interviewer asked him whether he was going to continue with the same characters etc, and he said something like, “No, I think that would be a bit boring, don’t you?” But that first book did so well that he continued the series and it has brought him a huge, world-wide international audience.
Romance however is a different matter. Most romance authors write in short series — three, four or five books, generally. There are exceptions, of course, several Word Wenches among them. But I’ve generally stopped at four books in a series, and one that grew to five. (And if you’re interested
Partly I think that’s because each romance in a series generally stars a new couple, whereas crime series will develop the central character or characters over the series, and readers love returning to their lives, whereas with romance people aren’t always sure they want the next person’s story. I well remember two friends of mine asking who was next in my seasonal brides series. I said “Jane” (from the Spring Bride) and they screwed up their noses and said, “Oh, she’s boring.” She wasn’t (I think) but because she’d had to be in the background in the previous two books, readers didn’t know her very well. Luckily, when it got to her story, and readers understood her, they really did like her. (Phew)
I’ve also come to the end of a series (The Brides of Bellaire Gardens) — the last book comes out on Christmas Eve — and am wondering what to do next. I’ve been tossing ideas around, and waiting for one to stick. And in the meantime, I’m working on another book that will extend my five book series to six. (And if you’re interested in how the other wenches go about coming up with a series, here’s a joint post we wrote some years ago.)
So, what about you? Do you prefer to read in series, and is there a limit to the number of books you prefer in a series? Do you have any favorite series — romance or crime?
Mostly I prefer standalones. I’d rather have that than a series in which the first book has all the energy and the sixth feels kinda tired. Also I groan at those series scenes where couples from a previous book make some token appearance that has nothing to do with anything, and we get told that they have several children and still have the hots for each other, etc. Bor-ing 🙂
I have got so that if I read a series, I have to start with #1; I can’t start in the middle. It’s not the author’s fault, it’s me; I can’t deal with missing information. I will read a series completely – unless it stalls out and becomes boring (as I believe the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books did after the first few).
I guess my all time favorite series (if you want to call it a series) would be the Harriet Vane/Peter Wimsey stories; I’ve reread Dorothy Sayers novels many times, but those are particular favorites, as Harriet’s place in her society, as an educated woman encountering the rigid attitudes of her culture, and with relationship disappointments in her past, still resonates.
Right now I am partway through Patricia’s The Question of the Wedding Pearls, which I am enjoying – and I’m glad she put some notes in with it so I can hope to keep all these people straight. The manor house sounds like a fascinating place!
Thanks for that thoughtful response, Janice. Yes, it’s hard to keep the freshness happening over a long series. I envy those authors who can.
As for the gathering of various characters from the previous books in the series, that’s something that a lot of readers love. I suppose the trick is to make sure their appearance in the scene has a purpose beyond having them there.
I also prefer to start with the first book in a series. I will even often reread the previous books in a series before starting on the newest books, but generally no more than three books before the new fourth.
Anne I love your series and have read every one at least twice
Please keep going and roll on New Year’s Eve
Grace Burrows is another very firm favourite and her characters intertwine which I love… reread them also
Can one go past J D Robb with her main cast developing over 50 crime books , truely an incredible imagination… I reread them all every 2-3 years … I read a great deal 😁
It’s my fav pastime and I knit at same time
D
Thanks Merrilyn, for that kind comment about my own series. Grace Burrowes is both fast and prolific — skills that I envy. *g* And yes, that JD Robb series is very long, and she keeps engaging readers so well.
I am very impressed that you can read and knit at the same time! If you saw me knitting, you would laugh out loud.
If i really get into the characters in a book, i want to continue reading about them and thejr friends and their lives,so i am thrilled when i discover it is part of a series. And i love it when a secondary character in a book becomes the primary one in the next book and involves the characters from the previous one. It’s like greeting old friends and reading about their lives. Sometimes i pick up a book that i don’t know is part of a series and if i really enjoy it am thrilled to discover there are more books about the characters and that i don’t have to wait for the next one to appear!
I really enjoyed the Veils of Silk trilogy by Mary Jo Putney for example. I also enjoyed the series by Stella Riley and the various series by Mary Balogh, especially the one with the titles beginning “someone to…”.
As for mysteries, I love the St Cyr series by C.S. Harris, the Wrexford and Sloane/Lady Arianna series by Andrea Penrose, Donna Leon’s mystery series set in Venice, cara Black’s mystery series set in Paris and the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series by Anne Perry to name a few!
What i like about a series is that you know what you are getting in the sense that it will be a good story, good characters, a sarisfying ending and unlikely to be a disappointment. It’s dependable and enjoyable
Thanks, Jane. I do agree with you about finding that a new-to-you author has a backlist. That series by Mary Jo was actually my “gateway drug” into her books, and Veils of Silk (which I read first) was the one that inspired me to set my books in lands far from the UK. Alas my editor(s) have always preferred me to set my stories in London or Bath, but I do love to slip into some exotic setting from time to time.
The CS Harris series is wonderful I agree. Did you know she also wrote historical romance as Candice Proctor. Well worth reading.
Thanks for your series suggestions, and for your thoughtful answer.
I am a fan of some series. Mary Balogh has written some series that are amazing. I enjoyed the earliest Stephanie Plum books, but then they felt repetitive. I am into Ms Rice’s present wonderful series. And Ms Gracie, you have given me several which drew me right into the stories.
But, I know that after a certain point, things can become a burden to the artist or writer.
I am a huge fan of Ricky Nelson’s music…. He was a terrific guitarist and for a time he was the larges competition to Elvis. But, he wrote a song that says it all – Garden Party. And one of the lines, “nothing stays the same”. His audience wanted him to stay in the same place and he did not feel he could.
May each of us find the perfect series for ourselves and then recognize when it is time to move on to a new place.
Annette that line from Nelson,s song is sooo true! There is a later song by Mary Hopkin, “those were the days my friend. We thought they’d never end…”
If you are enjoying something you hope it never ends but unfortunately, eventually it runs out of steam even thought you wish i t would go on forever.
Thanks for that comment, Annette. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some of my series. And Mary Balogh has written some brilliant series, I agree. I didn’t know about that Ricky Nelson song —thanks for sharing it. And I expect that songwriters probably feel much the same about endless repeating of old songs and old styles. Love your final comment.
I love series. As I was reading Pat’s latest Gravesyde Priory mystery/romance, I thought how much I enjoyed the whole cast of characters. What a romp! I know some series can get a little stale or the reader just loses interest. That happened to me with the futuristic J.D. Robb books – lost interest. I agree the Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich) series got a bit stale although the last few have been pretty good. I love C.S. Harris Sebastian St. Cyr & Lincoln & Child Pendergast books. Also Tasha Alexander Lady Emily. There’s not enough time in the day!
Thanks, Jeanne — yes Pat’s current series is wonderful, I agree. I also lost interest in the Stephanie Plum series after book 6 I think, and I never really got into the JD Robb series, even though I know lots of people adore them. But there are so many, and the thought of starting at Book #1 (which I always prefer to do) and having so many to catch up was a bit too much for me. I did read one — no idea what number it was, but it made me realize I needed to go back to the first book — and decided no, not for me.
You’re in good company with the C.S. Harris books. I don;’t know Tasha Alexander — might have to try her. Thanks.
I usually prefer standalone books, very rarely do I read all of the books in any particular series. Perhaps it is because I like the journey to the HEA, and am not terribly interested in them after they have reached it.
An exception would be Jennifer Ashley’s Below Stairs series. Each book has a standalone mystery but has an overarching romance that is still not totally fulfilled.
Thanks, Stephanie. I think that’s why Romance books start with a new couple every time. But it’s a balancing act. As for Jennifer Ashley, I am a big fan of hers — in all the subgenres she writes.
I usually do get tired of a long series at some point. I gave up the JD Robb books after about 8 or 10. Sue Grafton’s alphabet mystery series(it starts with “A is for Alibi”) I got to around the letter “M”. One exception so far is C.S. Harris. The Sebastian St. Cyr books continue to enthrall me. Generally I’ll stick with mystery series longer than romances. Probably the longest romance series I’ve finished is Bridgerton. Mary Balogh’s Westcott series I think went on a bit too long but I read it anyway, because hey, Mary Balogh! I very much enjoy romance series that are 3 to 6 books long. By that time, we’ve covered a reasonable number of siblings, or group of friends, whatever is tying the series together.
Thanks, Karin. I never finished the Sue Grafton series either, though I did enjoy it. Not sure why I stopped reading it. And yes the CS Harris books are solid. And I’m not sure if I ever finished the Bridgerton series, either. If at some stage I lose track and forget to buy a book in a longer series, that’s a danger point for me, and I will often not get back to that series. But Mary Balogh is an auto-buy for me, I agree.
I’m a natural series writer since no sooner did I start my second Regency than I realized that the hero of my first Regency was the perfect best friend. Interesting secondary characters have a tendency to wave one hand in the air and say, “I’m next!” So most of my series are about families of choice and characters can wander in and out, but my rule of thumb is to NEVER bring in characters from an earlier book unless they have a genuine, organic role to play. Although at the end of the last book in a series, I often bring the characters together for a last hurrah. I think some writers don’t quit their series when the should. When that happens, they lose me as a reader.
Thanks, Mary Jo. I totally agree with you about bringing in characters from a previous book unless they have a good plot reason to be there. But I also try to bring the main characters from a series in the last book — it’s a way of rounding off the series, and enables readers to see where they are now.
I have mixed feelings about series. I don’t like them to go on too long – 4 or 5 at most seems right. I don’t like to have to pull out an organizational chart to keep track of who everybody is. And the very best are the ones that could stand alone.
When I retired and started reading romances again I picked up a book in the library by Mary Balogh. I didn’t realize it was a book from the middle of a series (Simply) that had characters from previous books and another series (Slightly). Because it was Mary Balogh I loved the book from the get-go, but I kept wondering who a lot of the characters were.
Great post Anne.
Thanks, Mary — yes some of Mary Balogh’s books do have a lot of characters in them. I will sometimes put down a new book of hers and reread the others in the series, just to feel comfortable with the cast of characters. But as you say, no matter what, it’s a Mary Balogh book, which is a guaranteed good read.
I love reading a series. I don’t care how many books continue to add to it.
Some favorites: Julie McElwain, “In Time” series: “A Murder in Time”; “A Twist in Time”; “Caught in Time”; “Betrayal in Time”; “Shadows in Time”; “Ripple in Time.” There is a book seven coming in the fall. It’s a timeslip series about an FBI agent, Kendra Donovan, going rogue after her team is killed to assassinate the thug who killed them. Chasing him in a castle, she falls through a vortex to end up in 1816. She solves murders in the past as she grapples with the manners and strictures of the Regency. I listed the books, because the series is more satisfying to read in sequence.
Deanna Raybourn: Lady Julia series and Veronica Speedwell series. Also, “Killers of a Certain Age” has a sequel next spring, “Kills Well with Others.”
Tasha Alexander: Lady Emily series.
Mary Balogh: All series.
Thanks, Patricia, for those recommendations. I’m very familiar with the Deanna Raybourne books and I think I’ve read every book Mary Balogh has written, but Julie McElwain and Tasha Alexander are new to me. Shall investigate. Thanks.
I love Julie McElwain’s Kendra Donovan series too. Can’t wait for the next book!
Coming late to this, because I’ve been buried in the latest Donna Leon mystery, A Refiner’s Fire, the 33rd in the series featuring Venetian police detective Guido Brunetti, and an ever-developing (and aging) cast of characters. I was gifted a couple of the early books in the series years ago, liked them so much I had to go back and start at the beginning, read them all in a couple of weeks, and was quite frustrated to realize I’d have to wait for 2 years for the next. But I have waited, and will continue to as long as Ms. Leon writes them! Other mystery series I love are
– Maisie Dobbs, which Jacqueline Winspear ended this year
– the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron, also ended this year
– Wench Andrea’s Lady Arianna series
– Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen, light, fun, and still going!
– Catriona MacPherson’s Dandy Gilver series, which started with After the Armistice Ball and seems to have ended as WWII started (she’s on to a contemporary series now)
– Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series, although I did prefer the earlier books
– Ann Cleeves’s Shetland series, also apparently ended
– Deborah Crombie’s Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series – new ones of which just seem to get further and further apart
– and all the Lord Peter Wimseys, Campions, Roderick Alleyns from the Golden Age
Since we’re all romance fans here, I’ll just say any series by: Jennifer Ashley; Mary Balogh; Jo Beverly; Joanna Bourne; Sarina Bowen; Grace Burrowes; Christina Courtenay; Anne Gracie; Eloisa James; Susan King; Sarah MacLean; Mimi Matthews; Lucy Parker; Mary Jo Putney!
As you can tell, I don’t read many standalones!
Thanks so much for that list of series books, Constance. I’m sure others will be very glad of your recommendations. I’ve read a number of them. Interesting that so many have finished recently.
I ran a workshop at a local library last night and several of the participants were quite bemused by the idea of reading and writing romance in series. (Most Australian traditional publishers only do crime novels in series.) I told them they had a wonderful experience waiting for them. *g*