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Original poster

Going to library...recommendations needed....like crime and private investigator stuff

68 replies

SlightlyMadSweet · 30/05/2008 14:03

OOK, after decades of not reading I have just started again.

Have been reading a series of Sue GGrafton novels about a private investigator.

Recommend me an author to look out for at library please. Gpoing about 3pm.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 31/05/2008 00:57

i'm tellin' ya, Kate Atkinson's 'One Good Turn'. Set in Edinburgh.

A corkin' read.

Also her 'Case Histories' - same sleuth.

A sort of who-dunnit/murder with an incredible ending, Joseph O'Connor 'Star of the Sea' set on a ship bound for America carrying mostly Irish potato famine victims.

scottishmummy · 31/05/2008 00:36

thanks know 2,3,4 i love recommendation's.

probablyaslytherin · 31/05/2008 00:05

Tartan Noir:

www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-guide-to-Tartan-Noir/lm/R262QZNHRQQ1E/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_1_rsrsrs0

scottishmummy · 31/05/2008 00:05

oh must go and investigate. tartan noir how intriguing. thanks

probablyaslytherin · 31/05/2008 00:01

OK, here is my guide to Tartan Noir:
(starting with some authors whom no-one has mentioned yet.)

Stuart MacBride (set in Aberdeen)
Quintine Jardine (set in Edinburgh)
Christopher Brookmyre (funny and clever)
Louise Welsh (The Cutting Room)
Manda Scott
Denise Mina

Val McDermid
Ian Rankine

You need a strong stomach for Stuart MacBride, but unputdownable.

Sidge · 30/05/2008 23:21

I forgot about Robert Crais!! I really liked his Elvis Cole series.

And Jonathan Kellerman is good, but I agree that his puke-inducing girlfriend (Robin?) is too good to be true.

You MUST try Janet Evanovich, laugh out loud funny but also a stonking good read.

littleboyblue · 30/05/2008 23:13

OMG! I wrote massive reply to this and it not come up! Here we go again...
Patricia Cornwell
Lee Child
James Patterson
Martina Cole
Jane Green
Marian Keyes
Barbara Erskine

All very good. Lee Child is the best, me and my friend will finish his books in about 4 days!! You can always tell I'm reading Lee Child coz I walk around like a zombie not getting any sleep!!

PictureThis · 30/05/2008 23:10

He's been mentioned before but Jeffrey Deaver is excellent and has a couple of series of books running, something to get your teeth into.

elkiedee · 30/05/2008 23:10

I like lots of those recommended here but if you enjoy Sue Grafton but would like a UK set PI series, Liz Evans' books about Grace Smith, starting with Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? are a lot of fun (and MM by the way is a donkey).

jingleyjen · 30/05/2008 23:07

OOhh I forgot about Michael Connolly -

scottishmummy · 30/05/2008 23:02

i love crime books!another Ian Rankin and try Mark Billingham.off to read rest off recommendations

pepperrabbit · 30/05/2008 22:47

My current favourite is Peter Robinson and his detective Banks, but I thoroughly enjoyed all the Henning Mankells - don't be put off by the fact he's set in Sweden.
Never heard of Janet Evanovich so I'll keep an eye out to try her next.
This is my kind of thread!

pooka · 30/05/2008 22:45

Lee Child - Jack Reacher books. They're pretty good.

James Lee Burke - Dave Robicheaux books set in Louisiana. Very very good.

Michael Connolly - Harry Bosch books

Robert Crais - Elvis Cole (and Joe Pike). Good PI books set mostly in LA.

MarmadukeScarlet · 30/05/2008 22:43

I've just read my first Nicci French, Killing Me Softly - bought the evening standard as they were giving them out free.

I had to read the last few pages when I was only half way through as I was so desperate to know what happened!

Happy reading the VMcD, have read a few of hers, good stuff generally.

expatinscotland · 30/05/2008 22:41

Another vote for Ian Rankin and his alter-ego, John Rebus.

A hat into the ring for Kate Atkinson and her sleuth, Jackson Brodie.

Countingthegreyhairs · 30/05/2008 22:41

(Digression alert: LOL Wily W - it's Jonathan Kellerman's depiction of his main character's girlfriend that gets me - the perfect-in-every-way guitar repair woman - deeepllyyy annnoyyyinggg)

Another vote for Donna Leon here!

RustyBear · 30/05/2008 22:40

Next time you go,how about Michael Gilbert (English), or Ed McBain (American)

jingleyjen · 30/05/2008 22:37

I have read all of these
I also like david baldacci books

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 30/05/2008 22:34

I almost icked up a Janet Evanovich actually, but didn't cos it wasn't on my MN list!!!

OP posts:
Sidge · 30/05/2008 22:17

Probably too late now but I recommend:

Lee Child
Janet Evanovich
Harlan Coben
Jeffery Deaver
Kathy Reichs
Patricia Cornwell (only the first 10 or so then they are crap)
Linda Fairstein
Dennis Lehane
Peter Robinson
Mark Billingham

That should keep you going for a while!

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 30/05/2008 17:06

I looked at tsome of the synposis' and plumped for a Val McDermid in the end. Decided to go for a UK based for the time being.

I have the list with my library card for next time...

It is a tiny tiny library so I was a bit limited in choice.

OP posts:
pofaced · 30/05/2008 15:17

Just finished the Steff Penney's Kindness of Wolves (Cost winner a few years ago)- fab and a bit detecetivey (ie involves murder and finding out whodunnit) but much more than that

WilyWombat · 30/05/2008 15:09

Honestly the Kathy Reichs books are completly different to the series...the "bones" character isnt really even that similar.

I like Martina Cole...I always think I wont then get drawn in.

madamez · 30/05/2008 15:08

If you like Sue Grafton you will like Sara Paretsky - similar but tougher feminism an very very readable. Minette Walters is very good as well if you want a UK setting, and you might like some of Val McDermid's Kate Brannigan series (less revolting than the Wire in the Blood stuff and with a cool and smart private-eye heroine working in the Manchester area).
If you want a book with a tough female lead, but like supernatural elements and magic fantasy stuff, try Laurel K Hamillton (though the later books are very VERY rude, not saying that as a criticism, just as information).

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 30/05/2008 15:06

Right I have a list.

I think there is enough there to keep me going for about 20years at the rate I read!!!

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