Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael ; Lord Peter, all of Dorothy Sayers' mystery novels ... Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries

Read 'em all! We must be book-soul-mates!
As for Corelli's Mandolin, I do believe I mentioned that book way back last year sometime. Got my copy when it came out in England. Nice to have a friend that flies to London for American Airlines!

You all are dealing with an Old lady and an omniverous reader.

Re : Really dark books -- the series by Andrew Vachss. Heavy subject matter - child abuse - but well done.
http://www.vachss.com/