Sometimes we all can use a little help. We read all we can by the authors we know and love, we check the bestsellers lists to see what everyone else has been reading, and we occasionally take the advice from a friend we trust about the last thing they read. I have spent a lot of time at the library gazing at book spines, hoping for divine guidance. Sometimes I have gotten lucky and discovered really wonderful books like the Terence Faherty series with Owen Keane. But more often than not I've wasted valuable time and energy taking home duds.

This list is a little advice based on the experience we've accumulated over the years as mystery book lovers. We hope it will steer you in directions you may not have taken on your own. As always, these are polite suggestions. We never insist that you do anything you're uncomfortable with.

If you like Janet Evanovich, try Katy Munger and Kathy Hogan Trochek.

If you like Robert Parker, try Robert Crais and Harlan Coben.

If you like Michael Connelly, try Dennis Lehane and John Wessel.

If you like James Lee Burke, try Lee Child

If you like Sue Grafton, try Virginia Lanier and Mary Willis Walker.

If you like Thomas Harris, try John Connolly

If you like Erle Stanley Gardener/Sherlock Holmes, try Laurie King's Mary Russell series.

If you like Robert Crais, try Tim Cockey.

If you like Laurie King, try Kerry Tucker.

If you like Travis McGee, try G.M.Ford.

If you like Patricia Cornwell, try Kathy Reichs.

If you like Joan Hess, try Sarah Shaber

If you like Katy Munger, try Sparkle Hayter