I watch a lot of crime drama but have never read a crime book. Can you recommend one?

[IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou]

Thanks!

I tell a lie, I've read some Agatha Christie. There is an awful lot of crime fiction authors and they are very prolific. I like Wire in the Blood so I though maybe Val McDermid but even if I narrow it down that much there is still a lot of choice, plus I don't want to read something I know the plot to from TV.

Can someone tell me hat to do? I'm very grateful.

Ian Rankin
Michael Connolly
John Connolly -very dark but compelling read
Tess Gerritsen
Kathy Reichs is a particular favourite

Ian Rankin
Michael Connelly
Robert Crais
Pd James
Ruth Rendell
elly Griffiths
Peter Robinson

All good.

I don't read crime fiction, but I really enjoyed Gone Girl and my DH liked it too.

It's very, very clever. And readable.

Martian Cole is very good. Gritty and violent and tends to follow the 'bad guy' instead of the 'good guy' although a couple of her books follow a female detective investigating crimes. I'll pre warn that some of the themes can be a bit upsetting, there is no sugar coating with Martina Cole!

I'm watching one of hers on TV at the moment called The Take and it makes me want to re read the book!

My favourites of hers are
The ladykiller
Goodnight Lady
Two Women

Jesse Keane is along the same lines but not as violent but still looks at the criminal underworld.

Honestly, Anything by ValMcDermid will be good! I started reading her books after enjoying WITB on tv and have loved every single one I have read so far! If you do want to read the Tony Hill ones, start with 'Mermaids singing' as its the first - I can't remember the rest of the order offhand, but I'd you want to know PM me and I'll send it to you. :)

Ann Cleeves is very good. Her books have been dramatized as Vera and Shetland though the first of the Shetland books is a lot better than the tv adaptation.
Peter May - Lewis trilogy and his China books too
Jo Nesbo - the Harry Hole books, definitely not Headhunters which I think is one of the worst books I've read I a long time.
Louise Penny - her books are set in Quebec
Barbara Nadel - her books have the rather exotic locations of Istanbul and Turkey

Do you like history stuff? The CJ Sansom books are crime in the 16th C and then there are the Falco books set in Ancient Rome.

And then there's always the first ever detective book The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins which is a thundering good read.

I was going to say Denise Mina and wordfactory beat me to it.

Honestly, Mina is bloody brilliant. I've also just finished 'The End of the Wasp Season', coincidentally, and then polished off her next one, Gods and Beasts, in about a day. There's a new one out and I'm trying to stop myself buying it in hardcover, but I'm not sure I can wait for the paperback.

OP, start with her Paddy Meehan books, or the 'Garnethill' trilogy.

The Peter Robinson books are good, the DI Banks series. Always in charity shops and there's loads of them in the series so should keep you going for a few years!!

It depends on whether you like American crime TV or the more dark gritty english crime tv. Basically an english crime novel tends to be darker and grimier, it always rains, character you like die, etc. American crime is often glossier and prettier but not as dark.

Dorothy Sayers
P.D. James
Ian Rankin
Ruth Rendell
Susan Hill
Denise Mina
Ann Cleeves
Elizabeth George (earlier books)
Patricia Cornwell (earlier books)