Well-written detective fiction

[StalkerEx]

I've been reading the Cormoran Strike books and enjoying them, but I'd like something written slightly better. Apart from Agatha Christie, which detective stories would you recommend? I've never really read much of this genre, but need something fairly light to get me through a tough few months.

Can't believe I didn't mention Josephine Tey and Christianna Brand!

Also Cyril Hare.

I need a large bastion of Harriet before I have the smallest patience with Lord Peter!.

I can't tolerate him at all. Same with Gervase Fen - the affectations are unbearable.

Confidence by Denise Mina is brilliant

The Lord Peter Wimsey books by Dorothy L Sayers are BRILLIANT

For a trip down memory lane and a softer 'thriller' there's MM Kaye's Death in... books which I loved as a teenager.

Love this thread thanks @StalkerEx thought it was just me that thinks some crime novels are just not that great.

Another vote for Mick Herron Slow Horses series and Kate Atkinson Jackson Brodie, plus Shardlake.

I also like Andrew Taylor Ashes of London series for historical crime. And more contemporary Sharon Bolton - Lacey somebody series is gritty and well written. (Sorry it has been a while since I read the latter so can't quite remember the details. Just remember they were very good).

Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club is well written cosy crime.

And the Axeman's Jazz quartet is very different. Writing style takes a bit of getting used to but might be worth trying.

Bookmarking this thread to come back to.

Jean Luc Bannalec
Martin Walker
Mark Harrison
Daniel Leicester
M L Longworth
(Non-UK detectives.)

Ooh, the Axeman’s Jazz is one I’ve had on my kindle for aaaaaages. I need to read that.

Ngaio Marsh or PD James .

Ruth Rendell for sure! Barbara Vine for reads with some serious psychological twists
Love Kate Atkinson- and Jackson Brodie
(Currently on catch-up tv)
Anthony Horowitz- Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders
can’t remember the name of another one- Sentence is Death??? Liked that too

Yes, it stays with you. I read it again a few years ago and enjoyed it just as much will undoubtedly read it again at some point.

Just remembered another I love - unusual but fabulous . Ben Aaronovitch and the Rivers of London series .

Hahahaha.. I'm a quarter of the way through Ink black Heart and my goodness my wrists ache!
I actually buy the Kindle version of some books because of the weight...

Oh and Steve Higgs always makes me laugh- him and his dog on a culinary murder tour .

I love Claire Askew's DI Birch series, based in Edinburgh. Also Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series was a total joy, quite twisty but told from a female cop's pov so there's a level of respect, it's not just a creepy slasher thing.

I second Denise Mina, have read a couple of hers which were great. Based in Birmingham so I really enjoyed reading about my home town!

Another vote for Mick Herron. Lee Child. Jo Nesbø.

Agree with loads of the above suggestions. If you're looking for something a bit different, I love the Tony Hillerman books set on an Indian reservation (I read these years ago but recently watched the new TV series - excellent) and also the Burglar series by Lawrence Block set in NY, a bookseller by the name of Bernie also does a bit of burgling and inevitably complications ensue...

Joanne Harris’s trio of crime books: Different Class; Gentlemen and Players; and A Narrow Door

Deborah Crombie’s Kincaid & James series

For comfort reading, definitely Ellis Peters' Cadfael books.
And I'm another fan of Dorothy L Sayers, although can see why some people aren't. The setting and dialogue in Murder Must Advertise is wonderful, though you can see her already falling in love with her detective. And the Harriet Vane books, which you have to read in order to properly appreciate Gaudy Night which is one of my favourite books.

Oh yes! Joanne Harris writes beautifully, and this particular series is compelling, meaty and satisfying.

Some fantastic recommendations here!

I would second Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan which is think is glorious.

For atmosphere, Donna Leon. Dorothy L Sayers is perhaps my all time fave. And actually the whole Agatha Christie canon would be escapist and wonderful and take ages to get through.

can also recommend the Shedunnit podcast, which is all about the golden age detective stories (it’s niche but I love it!)

Karin Fossum Inspector Sejer series is an absolutely brilliant series

I actually miss him (and his dog) 😂

https://www.penguin.co.uk/series/INSSEJ/inspector-sejer

This is a great thread. Thanks for everyone’s recommendations. I don’t get on with detective novels that are too procedural, and I do like ones that lean towards thriller more. Would anyone be able to let me know where to start from this list?