I read Water For Elephants and quite liked it. I didn't find it soppy. I actually wondered if I was even going to like it, as it's not my normal reading material. But I ended up really enjoying it. I've not seen the movie, so I don't know how it compares, if at all.

I like mysteries too, although I lean towards the more tame ones. Have you read any Margaret Maron? I love her. And Nevada Barr. Diane Mott Davidson. Joann Fluke. Carolyn Haines. Donna Andrews. Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series.

OK, I'll stop now. But all of those are series writers, so if you end up liking any of them, you'll have stuff to read.