Mumsnet Talk

Sorry, Nicolas Freeling (not Nicloas!)

Oh, it's got to be Philip Marlowe.

Love Thursday Next and Stephanie Plum. Can't believe nobody's mentioned Frost!!! Haven't warmed to the TV show, but the books are fantastic, gritty and hilarious.

Also love Hannasyde and Hemingway from many of Georgette Heyer's murder mysteries.

Concur also with Columbo and Alex Cross.

Chief Inspector Wexford
Simon Waterhouse

FiftyShades, my local secondhand bookshop has a whole collection of Nicholas Freeling books, which I've never picked up as they don't seem very interesting. What do you like about them? I should try one.

Hi literary, oh they are interesting (and hard to find nowadays) - pick them up quick!! What I love about them is that they have loads of subtle psychological insight into the characters/criminals and detectives (and their families), and into human nature generally. Freeling is a compassionate, quirky writer and often unusually non-judgemental in his approach. I found myself getting really attached to his detectives (Van der Valk and Castang) and their way of looking at the world (in all its worst forms sometimes). Freeling used to be a chef in various European countries, and he also had (I think) a Dutch wife, so for an Englishman he has a real depth of insight into other cultures and outlooks which I also found very refreshing. Plus, I adored the frequent insertion of tantalising 'foodie' passages into his novels (where his highly intelligent, worldly-wise - but not highly-educated - detectives take a break from their pursuit of some dire felon to enjoy some fine cuisine, which is described with insider knowledge..! His very last few books weren't quite so good, I felt as all his others. He himself was I think largely self-educated, but he has an amazingly wide and deep knowledge of literature and culture. He may be an acquired taste....a Canadian post-grad at my university put me on to him many years ago, and I was quickly hooked. There was a TV series with Van der Valk a long time ago, but I never saw it as I was then growing up abroad - so don't know whether that did justice to the novels.

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but..

on television, Sherlock, as played by the scrummy Benedict and Inspector Montalbano
in books, Alex Cross

I've been looking for some new authors as I'm bored with the books I have. Have managed to get a few from here to have a look at, but sadly some people have only mentioned the detective and not the author.

Who writes about Montalbano? Sounds interesting.

Seeker! I love Gervase Fen too! Kind of books you could read out loud to dh at bedtime and laugh your head off. Funny romantic thrillers, why were they never made into a television series? Would be awesome.

Martin Beck
Peter Wimsey
Miss Marple

in no particular order.

Don't warm to Dalgeish though the stories are good. He's a bit wet; mind you, if I knew someone in rl like him, I would probably like him immensely.

Can't believe no one has mentioned Dave Robicheaux (by James Lee Burke). He's fabulous. As is his sidekick Clete.

I also love 'that fucking Flowers' (but I think Lucas Daveport is a bit boring) and, of course, Rebus.

And I like Faith whatsit in the Karin Slaughter books.

Hercule Poirot and Cetin Ikmen

Baring into the Wimsey queue. YY Gervase Fen, too.

I hate Adam Dalgleish. I was ok with him till James printed one of his godawful poems. I had to go and have a shower. Blech. And not Shardlake either. Sansom is so tickbox about making him Likeable.

MrsGuyOfGisbourne (love your name more than I can tell you) I think you were the first (and the last) to mention Morse!

I've been IN LOVE with Morse since I was a teenager - more so on TV but love the books too. So condescending & clever - yum

In books, I also like Banks and Rebus. I like Dalziel & Pascoe too.