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Original poster

crime fiction recommendations please!

37 replies

TempusFuckit · 14/11/2012 20:00

Hoping someone can help. Every year I buy my dad some crime fiction, it's become a bit of a tradition. So far, I've done Michael Connelly, most of the main Scandi-crime writers, Peter James and last year it was CJ Samson. Any ideas for this year? Before I started supplying him, he was into Ellis Peters, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Cornwell, PD James, Elizabeth George, Ruth Rendell, Sara Paretsky.

What else might he like, do you think?

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muscatbabe · 05/02/2013 20:18

Robert B Parker's Spenser books (too many to list), also his Sunny Randell and eeek can't remember the third character he has - set in Boston and East coast of US. Donna Leon set in venice, Michael Dibdin - the Aurelio Zen books set in Italy -Rufus Sewell was in the TV series and as handsome as he is, the TV series bore little resemblance to any of the books.

HipHopOpotomus · 20/11/2012 12:33

Just checking you're covered Jo Nesbo!?

phoebus · 20/11/2012 10:53

Nicolas Freeling!!!! (who died a few years ago to my great sorrow). He is my all-time favourite crime writer - quirky, cosy, eminently readable (and lots of lovely foodie-asides in his novels too). European settings generally. Full of subtle psychological wisdom and non-judgemental knowledge/understanding of human nature. I don't know why he isn't better known. His books are quite hard to find, and most may now be out of print but you may get them in a library or 2nd hand. He's probably better known for his Dutch detective Van der Valk, who was in a TV series a good few years ago, I believe (never saw it). He has another French detective called Henri Castang who is also very good value. I can re-read these books as no others.

rosy71 · 16/11/2012 20:53

Definitely Lee Child - Jack Reacher is great! Also, Simon Kernick or Simon Beckett.

elkiedee · 16/11/2012 20:41

Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May series is a bit different but quite fun, featuring two older detectives (as in 80+).

Denise Mina is another excellent Scottish crime writer.

If he likes crime in translation/set in other countries, Bitter Lemon Press specialises in that. I've been meaning to catch up with Gianrico Carofiglio's work for ages, so far I've got to one or two of his books.

Donna Leon is an American who has lived in Italy for ages, and writes about a Venetian policeman, Death at Le Fenice is #1,

bimblebee · 15/11/2012 09:25

Yes, I bought my dad some of the Stephen Booth books last year and he loved them, so another vote for him from me!

Narked · 14/11/2012 23:59

Ariana Franklin.

tigerdriverII · 14/11/2012 23:50

golemmings. There is a whole other possible thread as to who should be Jack. It's not Tom cruise.

golemmings · 14/11/2012 23:47

Another vote for Stephen booth here. Set in the peak district, locations are accurately described and atmospheric.

Also Lee Child is good, his Jack Teacher series is being filmed at the moment. Sadly the casting may let it down... Reacher, who is 6'5 is being played by Tom Cruise...

tigerdriverII · 14/11/2012 23:46

Yep, he has cheek bones. Obviously b ferry circa 1984 would be good for this one but not gonna happen.

FeckOffWithYourXmasBollocks · 14/11/2012 23:42

Nah, still not spanish looking enough.

tigerdriverII · 14/11/2012 23:34

Douglas henshall is not jimmy. He's a young Denis lawson if he's anyone. Bonkers.

FeckOffWithYourXmasBollocks · 14/11/2012 23:32

Red Bones (shetland quartet) is being made into tv this year. Its being called Shetland. Douglas Henshall is playing Jimmy Perez! Confused Im not holding out much hope, based on that fact alone! Sad

Original poster
TempusFuckit · 14/11/2012 22:27

And I think the Shetland quartet - or quintet - will be the choice for 2013 Smile

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Original poster
TempusFuckit · 14/11/2012 22:26

And you're still going! I went with Ben Aaranovitch in the end, as I always end up borrowing them and liked the sound of magic Grin so thanks Lula

hanahsaunt - it's become a lovely tradition, completely by accident ... Will be keeping a copy of this thread for Christmases to come too.

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TheMysteryCat · 14/11/2012 22:19

Kathy reichs, the bones series is based on her books, but the books are much better. Cross between Rendell and McDermid.

FeckOffWithYourXmasBollocks · 14/11/2012 22:18

Yes, its a Shetland Quartet! Blush Ive just finished the fourth! Doh! The finale was good!

tigerdriverII · 14/11/2012 22:14

Ellie Griffiths - forensic archaeology in East Anglia with a heroine who is an older mother, likes cats and Bruce Springsteen
I'd second Anne Cleeves and the Shetland books (actually a quartet and no 5 is coming out in the NY)
Stephen Booth - the Cooper and Fry books are really good reads, quite a few of them
Lin Anderson - scottish forensic scientist, interesting stories so far

hanahsaunt · 14/11/2012 22:10

Do you know, I did this with my dad too. I gave him the first of the Shetland trilogy for Christmas last year with a view to giving him the others later in the year for his birthday. He died before we got to that. It was very sudden, completely out of the blue. I miss being able to do that sort of thing, the shared thing. I'm glad that someone else does it too.

hanahsaunt · 14/11/2012 22:08

Anne Cleeves is amazing - love her Shetland trilogy; she also does the Vera Stanhope ones.

Johann Thorein (sp) is a fab Scandic one to get into. Also like Camilla Lackberg.

shechameleon · 14/11/2012 21:53

Liza Marklund - really good scandinavian writer
And another vote for Christopher Brookmyre

DuchessofMalfi · 14/11/2012 21:43

Belinda Bauer. She's written three novels so far, set on Exmoor. I liked them very much. Blacklands, Dark Side and Finders Keepers. Must be read in that order.

Mimulet · 14/11/2012 20:49

My dear old grandmother loved Ellery Queen. Old fashioned I think but a really good read!

maclover · 14/11/2012 20:47

I'd second Harlan Coben, Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman. Enough titles between them to keep him going for aaaages!

Leonas · 14/11/2012 20:43

RJ Ellory - different take on 'crime fiction' but a fabulous writer.
Ian Rankin
Christopher Brookmyre - hilarious
Jeffery Deaver

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