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Books/book club

Crime books

(177 Posts)
Anya Mon 16-Jan-17 08:31:54

Just been reading through the wonderful thread called 'What are you reading now' which is where I go to find my next read, but....it's getting rather long!

So thought I'd start one where crime books could be specifically recommended.

I've just finished the series of (5) by Tana French set in Dublin. Each book picks out a character from the previous one and builds a story around him or her.

I've read all the Shetland series, Vera, Ella Griffiths, a series set in Brighton, one in Cambridge. So any recommendations please? I love it when I discover a 'new' author.

MargaretX Sat 11-Feb-17 15:43:46

I'm sorry if I'm mentioning someone who has aleady been mentioned but my favourite is Peter Lovesy. He created the detctive Peter Diamond, although he has written many others. My favourite is 'The Reaper'about a bogus vicar.

Cherrytree59 Sat 11-Feb-17 14:59:26

Having a twitchy day at al loss what to do with myself.
I do have plenty boring jobs but CBA.
It must be the snowy weather
I have been in the conservatory most of the day watching the birds on the feeders or on GN.
Trying not to think about cake (no snack Feb).
Came across Anya's crime book thread.
I am usually a Rebus fan but I'm up to date on all the books.
So thanks to this thread I have just purchased my first Robert Galbraith book.
Now maybe I can chill.

Alima Mon 06-Feb-17 19:02:39

I have just finished my second Andrew Taylor novel, The Scent of Death. It is set in New York at the time of the American War of Independence. A real page turner.
Currently reading another new author to me, Stephen Dunne. He has written six novels so far which are set in my home town of Derby, brilliant reading about places I know, had no idea Derby was such a criminal hotbed! Very good so far.

gretel Tue 31-Jan-17 11:17:50

I've almost finished reading 'Gone the Next (Roy Ballard Mysteries 1' by Ben Rehder). Really enjoying it. Free on Kindle but very expensive as a paperback.

teifi Mon 30-Jan-17 19:26:03

A previous poster mentioned Hazel Holt. This author wrote quietly witty mysteries set on Exmoor, in the style of Barbara Pym. I recently realised that Hazel was a great friend and work colleague of Barbara Pym, and co-authored her biography. I think the series has now come to an end but is worth looking out for if you are a fan of BP. M C Beaton's irreverent Agatha Raisin stories, though nonsense, always cheer me up if I'm feeling down!

callgirl1 Mon 30-Jan-17 16:51:56

Anno, I`ve also read all the Simon Serailler books, but am wondering if there are going to be any more, it`s quite a while since the last one.

BBbevan Mon 30-Jan-17 16:48:29

I like Peter Robinson and Elizabeth George as crime writers.

PoshGran Mon 30-Jan-17 16:33:58

I enjoy Billingham, Rankin, Sayers, Cleeves & other authors that have already been listed. May I bring to your attention the following:

The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill, (famous for Dalziel & Pascoe). This stand-alone is a wide ranging psychological whodunnit with a lot of the action taking place in the Lake District
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Medieval Italian setting, Sean Connery in film version, descriptive language is beautiful.
and the daddy of them all.....
The Woman in White -or- The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Lay in a good stock of brew orcupcake or wine!
wink

annodomini Mon 30-Jan-17 13:30:58

Should have added that Michael Connelly also includes Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer in The Wrong Side of Goodbye.
Has anyone mentioned Susan Hill's crime novels featuring the handsome and eligible detective Simon Serrailler and his relatives. I've read all of them starting with The Various Haunts of Men.

annodomini Mon 30-Jan-17 13:16:20

I couldn't put I am Pilgrim down! There are so many strands to the plot that if you do put it down, it's quite difficult to pick it up again! I've just finished The Wrong Side of Goodbye, the latest Harry Bosch crime novel by Michael Connelly - another book I couldn't put down.

Anya Mon 30-Jan-17 12:52:38

Just to feed back...loved I am Pilgrim and just finished the latest Shetland book and one called Lie with Me by a new author Sabine Durant.

So about to scour this thread for my next read.

HurdyGurdy Fri 20-Jan-17 10:36:15

Also - Adam Croft. Crime stories. Sometimes a little bit gorey, but always a good read. If nothing else, read Her Last Tomorrow. A real page turner.

JackieBee1 Thu 19-Jan-17 22:09:54

Freeman Wills Crofts for rattling good yarns smile

callgirl1 Thu 19-Jan-17 17:42:13

She`ll have to pop her clogs sometime Balini, be patient!

Balini Thu 19-Jan-17 11:13:30

I like Alex Cross books, but the last couple weren't so good. All that Nanamama rubbish, gets up my nose.hmm

callgirl1 Wed 18-Jan-17 23:35:52

I like all James Patterson apart from the Private series. I love the Alex Cross books especially.

MagicWriter2016 Wed 18-Jan-17 22:43:08

For an easy but usually captivating read I like James Patterson. He also writes in conjunction with other authors.

Deedaa Wed 18-Jan-17 21:43:58

I think Paola's hours have been mentioned in one of the books and she doesn't work what we would consider full time. And of course there is the three hour luch break. After all not many British police officers would be nipping home for lunch. Italians do work to live rather than live to work.

Wheniwasyourage Wed 18-Jan-17 17:41:04

annodomini, I'm on my way through "The Hanging Tree" just now, and enjoying it. I agree with you, it's best to start at the beginning of the series (as with most series really).

HildaW, I love the Brunetti books too, but I always wonder how his wife manages to hold down a job at the University and cook a delicious-sounding lunch with several courses for the family every day. She must be a super-woman type!

HildaW Wed 18-Jan-17 16:47:05

A more gentle form of 'Who done it' if you need a break from the Scandi Noir is Donna Leon's Venetian detective Brunetti.
They are especially enjoyable if you have wandered around this amazing city as she recreates the atmosphere beautifully.

Charleygirl Wed 18-Jan-17 14:21:28

Lupin I looked up William Brodrick's books on Amazon and they are so expensive to buy- even Kindle and also some of the much older paperbacks which I found amazing.

Waveney Wed 18-Jan-17 14:17:38

Nichola Upson has written a series of novels imaging Josphine Tey as a detective. They are excellent! 'Angel with two faces', 'An expert in murder' are among the titles.I also enjoy Ann Cleves Shetland series.

ruraldweller Wed 18-Jan-17 14:08:06

Am enjoying this. Reminded me of writers had forgotten and introducing me to new ones. Has anyone mentioned Phil Rickman? Both his Merrily Watkins series and the John Dee books.

Lupin Wed 18-Jan-17 13:21:17

They keep coming to mind. I've enjoyed William Brodrick's Father Anselm books. The author was a monk who became a barrister, and Father Anselm is a barrister who becomes a monk.They have deeply involving themes - he investigates dilemmas/isues that people bring to the monastery and is given dispensations to travel and get to the bottom of things. They are thought provoking.

Balini Wed 18-Jan-17 12:12:47

I have yet to read, a bad David Baldacchi book, he is excellent. I'm surprised,so few people have mentioned him. Michael Connolly is one of my favourites, especially Harry Bosch.