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.

Currently working through the Dr Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths.
Really enjoying them

You can't really beat Raymond Chandler for noir detective stories.

Christopher Fowler Bryant and May series

Agree with the recommendations for Kate Atkinson and Tana French for well written detective novels. In the same quality, an author I’ve not seen mentioned yet is Jane Harper, especially the Aaron Falk series, starting with The Dry.

Also I’d recommend Peter May, The Lewis Trilogy is brilliant and I’ve just seen that he has a 4th novel in the series coming out in September, which I’m delighted about.

Oh yes, Jane Harper's books are excellent.

Jane Harper is brilliant, but I found The Dry very harrowing.

Nell Buchanan, who features in Chris Hammer's three latest Aussie noir novels, is an engaging character with a good back story. My gore tolerance is fairly high; also my ability to engage with procedure, but the stories tend to be quite multi-layered and wide-ranging so could appeal to readers who enjoy complexities. Agreeing that this thread is throwing up lots of new to me authors.

Love many of those already suggested.

I like Gladys Mitchell. Weird but entertaining

Michael Innes, also quirky and literary

Dorothy Dunnet's Johnson Johnson books are out of print now but are detective novels set in the 60s and 70s.

@Artus, I had completely forgotten Dolly and Johnson Johnson. I loved those. And Gladys Mitchell. I must look for Michael Innes... you are clearly part of my tribe.

Some may enjoy Ann Bridge's Julia Probyn detective novels from the late 50s and 60s. She had a wonderful ability to conjure landscapes. Out of print in general, but still a lovely Golden Era feel to them.

Tim Weaver
Harlen Coben
Peter James

Two no longer living UK authors I have enjoyed are Margaret Yorke and Jill McGowan.

VerlynWebbe, I see that you have identified Aline Templeton.

Garry Disher is my favourite Australian crime writer. I like Laura Lippman and her books set in Baltimore.

Stephen booth writes some very good murder mysteries....he follows two police officers and their professional relationship. Its very good in my humble opinion!!

Oh and Marion Todd, set in St Andrew’s. The author also reads her own audiobooks.

Better than cormoran strike! sacriledge!

Sophie Hannah - Culver Valley Crime series but start from the beginning (Little face)

Nicci French - Frieda Klein series, again start from the beginning (Blue Monday)

Ann Bridge - Julia Probyn; Johnson Johnson - Dorothy Dunnett; are both available on kindle.

I enjoyed revisiting both, but some attitiudes are very much of their time.

following :)

Seconded! Also Lynn McEwan, her DI Shona Oliver, set in Dumfries and Galloway.

For something completely different, Abir Mukherjee books, English Captain Sam Wyndham and Indian Sergeant Surendranath Bannerjee are based in Calcutta just after WW1.

You might want to look at the Crime Writers Association awards.
https://thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-competitions/the-daggers/

Dorothy L. Sayers is great. In contrast to PP, I would start with the ones without Harriet Vane, which all work as standalone stories - maybe Clouds of Witness first (though I do think Murder Must Advertise is my favourite). IMO the ones with Harriet Vane are better read in the order Strong Poison - Have his Carcase - Gaudy Night - Busman's Honeymoon. The murder mystery of each book is standalone, but the Harriet Vane story runs through them.

I also second Ngaio Marsh and, tor something more modern, P. D. James.

I think my favourite detective story is still The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. I love 19th-century literature but don't often find it unputdownable - this was an exception.

I just wanted to vote for Rivers of London. It is a mash up magical realism and police detective but o my gosh it is fantastic writing. Ben Aaronovitch the writer has such a good grasp of creating characters and place.
And it's funny and light. And there are lots in the series.
Sue Grafton F is for Fugitive is one of my favourite books of all time. Great story great sense of location and quite light.

How about Father Brown? I haven’t read them, but I have read some of G K Chestertons other work, and it’s superb. Fantastic writer.

I add a vote for Dorothy L Sayers. And you can’t beat Sherlock Holmes. Listening to Stephen Fry read Holmes is pure bliss.

Thank you to whoever recommended Janice Hallett! I've been ill in bed trying not to move more than the occasional wavering thumb and I've just Kindled my way through The Appeal and The Twyford Code.

Louise Penny is glorious, and there are so many of them as well. I wish I was reading them again for the first time

Mark Billingham and Peter James are two of my favourites.