Thriller/Crime rec for 18yo DS

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

DS has just finished A-levels and has asked for some books to read for pleasure as opposed to text books. He’s after thrillers or crime. He’s too old for “young adult” genre, so proper grown-up is what we’re after 😀. He wasn’t keen on Stephen King. Any suggestions?? Thank you.

In no particular order for crime: Alex Gray, Peter Robinson, Ann Cleeves, Ben Aaronovitch (with added magic), SR Garrae (some romance), Helen Cox, Janet Evanovitch (slapsticky), JD Robb (some romance, a little futuristic), Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series (half thriller), Kerry Greenwood (1920's Australia), LJ Ross (Northumberland), Richard Castle (spin off from TV series Castle, first three are good easy reading), Robert Galbraith, Ruth Dudley Edwards (satirising all aspects of the Establishment, and definitely funny), Simon McCleave, and then the more old-fashioned Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Patricia Wentworth, Agatha Christie, Edmund Crispin, Minette Walters.

Thriller: David Baldacci, Lee Child (Jack Reacher).

Enjoy! (can also recommend various sci-fi/fantasy)

Ian rankin

Also Christopher Brookmyre

Do you have a library locally? I tended to find out what I liked by going and borrowing random books from the thriller / crime sections there - no cost involved so no pressure to finish anything you really dislike.

Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series is good, as is Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole sequence. I also like Val McDermid's Carol Jordan/Tony Hill series.

Agree with pp on Ann Cleeves, Ben Aaronovitch and Robert Galbraith.

Ditto Agatha Christie for classic — and still fiendishly clever — mysteries. P.D. James is very good too.

Wow! Brilliant, thank you so much 😀

Wow! Brilliant, thank you so much MN 😀

Christopher Brookmyre
Val McDermid
Ian Rankin
Denise Mina
Ken Bruen
John Harvey
Peter Robinson
Sara Paretsky
Linda Barnes
Dennis Lehane
George Pelecanos
Barbara Nadel
Peter Lovesey

Police, PI or amateur sleuth? Historical? Would he like to read fiction set in particular places?

Libraries are a good place to start, but can be a bit frustrating if looking for the first book in a long running series.

Jeffery Archer - may suit him.

Robert Harris - not strictly crime or horror, but may suit a young male reader.

I’d forgotten about Christopher Brookmyre - I’ve read quite a few of his, years ago. Good suggestions, thank you 😊

Gregg Hurwitz Orphan X books are fab. 19 yr old DS devours them.

Not already given
Harlan Coben
John Le Carre
Martin Sixsmith
Scott Turow