If I like Rendell, Vine.....

I forgot about James Oswald his Inspector McLean books are set in Edinburgh and not too graphic but most enjoyable. I have just finished The Damage Done and there are 5 others about this inspector.

I agree with the recommendation of Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway mysteries. Set in North Norfolk there is tension, history and personal entanglements. Just up my street!

If you like your thrillers a bit on the gruesome side, I can heartily recommend the Katie McGuire stories by Graham Masterton. They do have to be read, preferably, in the correct order. White Bones is the first one, then Broken Angels, Red Light, Taken for Dead. I can`t remember the order of the others, so won`t list them. I think there are 2 or 3 more.

I'm not sure what it is about PD James-I just don't like her stuff. Find her dated and unrealistic somehow.

Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell novels are quite unique, I think P D James is probably closest to her style.

I still read the Barbara Vine novels occasionally. I would recommend Peter Lovesey. I'm not a fan of Rankin.

So many fab suggestions....thanks.

Have you tried Ian Rankin? The books are set in Edinburgh and most, but not all, feature the detective John Rebus. Rendell/Vine is probably my favourite author but Rankin is a close second.

I agree about Peter May. I loved the Enzo McLeod series and the China books.
(I think the Roy Grace series is actually Peter James and I found them a bit too violent).

How about the Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths? They are better read in order though.

Try Dorothy Dunnett for historical fiction, she was the most accomplished writer that I've ever read.

Also try Phil Rickman, his books are great.

Or if you want home grown authors , sorry if they have been mentioned and again best read in sequence
Linda Farstein
Deborah Crombie
Peter Robinson
Anne Holt
W. J. Burley ...Wycliffe
Peter Janes
Graham Hurley
Natasha Cooper
|Quinton Jardine
Mark Billingham
Andrea Camilleri
Jo Nesbo ...Scandinavian
Tess Geritson
Priscilla Masters...loads of them
Gillian Galbraith
Linda Castillo
Donna Leon set in Venice and really good

I have got through two books in two days this weekend and luckily have 22 on order at the library all free to order and read , wonderful.

Do try the Scandinavial murder mysteries

Mari Jungstedt
Arnaldur /indridason
Kristna Ohlsson
Asa Larsson
Yrs Sigurdardottir
Jussi Adler-Olsen
Henning Mankell he sadly died this year they have been on TV but are great reads I would say the best of them all
Hakan Nesser
Camilla Lackberg
Most of these best read in the right order but al cracking authors.

Why not try Louise Penny. Start with the first one Still Life and work your way through. I promise you that Inspector Gamache and the residents of ThreePines will weave their way into your thoughts and will you on for more!! Set in Canada with beautiful local colour, but also characters that you want to follow! Lots of awards and really good reads,

Try P D James especially the Adam Dalgelish novels set in Suffolk. I was very surprised by the three detective novels written by JK Rowling under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. She has a strong private detective with an interesting secretary. Not a lot of blood, sex or violence - just a good read.

Gladys Mitchell is old fashioned but I enjoy them. Ngaio marsh ,ann Granger all old writers but I'm enjoying ordering them.

Yes I agree with others, Simon Serailler, Peter May his Roy Grace series is good.. Barbara Erskine for historical fiction also Amanda Quick if you want something lighter.
Val McDermid and my favourite author Diana Gabaldon 's Outlander series which is an historical time slip series. Enjoy.

Thanks. Meant to say I've read all the Serrailers. And I'm partway through the Anne Cleves books.

I'm tempted by Tom Thorne. I'll give those a try.

I used to love a Rendell too. Such dark humour. Some weren't so great. I've read all George, I think, and I find her florid style a bit irritating on times. And as to her main characters....although she does develop them well, I suppose. Big fan of Havers, though.

I prefer Hill' s style of writing-much tighter-but I find Serrailer a tad irritating too.

I'm a great fan of Rendell/Vine books, very sorry when she died, although like many authors, amongst her finest works were a few duds. I don't feel quite the same about Elizabeth George, although haven't read all of hers but thought "This Body of Death" excellent. Quite like the Simon Serrallier's. Have you tried Peter May? particularly "Entry Island". Also of late have been reading Anne Cleaves she's pretty good as far as crime is concerned. J K Rowling has made a very good foray into this genre writing under the name of Robert Galbraith.

Susan Hill. The Simon Serrailler series. She's written eight so far, I think.

Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne novels are very good. Saying that, he seems to have written six books without telling me - I've a lot of catching up to do!