Can you help me find some good crime/murder/thriller books please?

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My MIL has just come out of hospital after a hysterectomy, now off work for 6 weeks possibly longer. I know she will go insane as she loves to be 'doing' stuff and won't be able to for a while. I'm putting together a hamper of bits and pieces to try and cheer her up and give her something to think about.

Anyway, I'm going to put in some books but am not sure where to start! She is into a (fairly crap lol, even she admits it!) tv program called Criminal Minds at the moment which is a mix of murder investigation and criminal psychology so I was thinking about something along those lines. I know she likes historic murder investigation stuff too, her bookshelf has lots of those medieval detective things on it, all from one series but I can't remember what its called. I know she doesn't like Patricia Cromwell. Its a bit out of my genre and I don't know what is good and what's not. The only thing I have thought of so far is The Interpretation of Murder, which is a fictional murder story involving Freud.

So, is there anything anyone can think of that might fit the bill? Would be very grateful for any suggestions or a nudge in the right direction

My parents described the "Suspicions of Mr Whicher" as "unputdownable". Bought it for my dad but my mum loved it too and she NEVER does crime (until now that is). Its a richard and Judy book nad the story of a real victorian murder that gripped the nation...

If she has historical murder mysteries has she tried the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters, set in Shrewsbury? They are medieval ones. Also look out for a book called The Queen's Man by Sharon Penman (there are a couple of others in that series too), set in a similar time to the Cadfael. More up to date but not too gory and gruesome is of course the Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter. Criminal psychology features heavily in the Val McDermid novels about Tony Hill (starting with The Mermaids Singing) but they are very gruesome.

Agree with those suggesting CJ Sansom Shardlake series (Dissolution, the first in the series, and Sovereign, the third were particularly good)

I HATED Interpretation of Murder, really wound me up. It is a bit of a Marmite book really, so a risky purchase if you're not sure she'll go for it.

You could throw in a £1 edition of Sherlock Holmes too? I reread them recently for the first time since I was at school, and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable they still were. And the short stories in particular may be good for early days of recovery when she may need more bite-sized reading iyswim?

Agree with treacletart, "mr whicher" is a brilliant book. Also Peter Robinson, Susan Hill, Andrew Taylor (the Lydmouth books are great), Ian Rankin of course. Depends if she likes British fiction or US - if US then there are loads - possibly Jeffrey Deaver (the Lincoln Rhyme books) if she likes forensics but not necessarily bodies.

Oh i love CJ Sansom, you feel as though you are learning at the same time!!

Go round to some charity shops, you'll get some bargains, do some good and then get an idea of what she likes.

Not a crime book as such, but definately thrilling is one called "The Thirteen Tale/Story" (sorry can't remember which!) also can't remember who it is by and DD is asleep in my bookself room!

Jeffery Deaver (wrote "The Bone Collector" - film with Denzel Washington) is good although not historical, modern day forensic type writer.

Or Teresa Gerritsen, although I have found she tends to get a bit same-y after a while for my taste.

Will check book shelves tomorrow, when DD has vacated her bed, and report back.....

Mark Billingham Inspector Thorne novels are really good, also try Karin Slaughters grant county series. Stuart Macbride books and I have to say I loved Ian Rankins Rebus books.

It is "The Thirteen Tale". What about some classic crime? Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, some of Daphne du Maurier etc? Does she enjoy those? You could also pick those up fairly cheaply in the charity shops.

I read a couple of crime books set in Australia about a dectective called Napolean Bonaparte, and can't think for the life of me who they were by, or what they were called! Not very helpful I know, but will ask my Mum tomorrow, she'll remember!

Reality just hit! I am on the internet, dur! They are by Arthur W Upfield, one is Murder Down Under, and another is The Bone is Pointed, although he has written others.

Kate Atkinson's 'When Will there be Good News' had had good reviews.

Nooo - not Minette Walters;

Try Karen Rose (as a fellow Criminal Minds watcher).

Interpretation of Murder is not bad - but can be a bit turgid if she is expecting Criminal Psych & murder as provided in Criminal Minds

ALso try "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & The Girl who played with Fire" both by Stieg Larsson

I can't belive no one's recommended Harlan Coben yet, he's SOOO readable. I have a fancy she'd like the one about Miss Smilla and Snow as well. Hold on a sec while I Google the proper title & author, because somehow, in a fit of madness, I passed my copy on...

"Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow" by Peter Hoeg, translated from the original Danish by Felicity David.

I loved the Tess Gerritsen books too.
Who wrote The Blood Doctor?
I also like Martina Cole but thats more criminal underworld.

Oh i just LOVE Martina Cole and Tess Gerritsen... I love James Patterson too

Recently I've started to read non-fiction books.

There is one (cant remember the name now) where a young student writes to John Wayne Gacy and ends up visiting him in prison!! He also gets in touch with some other proper pyscho serial killers and meets some of them... Its Brilliant!!! I'll have a search and try and find the name of the author...

BRB

I second treacletart. That Mr Whicher book is fab! It's based on a true Victorian murder that scandalised society so there's lots of factual stuff and pictures - nothing gory though, no dead bodies!

It's very good! I couldn't put it down. I think I got it for about £3 in Asda. Worth every penny.

Yes, I was about to say Harlan Coben. Although not strictly law enforcement, there's always an FBI involvement.
Karin Slaughter's Grant County very good too, and I've just enjoyed her Fracture, her new detective is growing on me.
Lots of this genre in Tesco's at the moment - 2 for £6 and 2 for £7 range.

James Patterson is good. I love Harlen Coben. I have just taken a Nikki French book out of the library - is she any good?

Donna Leon, Anne Perry or Candace Robb might fit your bill. Also how nice that you want to do this for your MIL v rare. Hope she is recovering well.

She couldn't dislike Dorothy L Sayers, I don't think....Lord Peter Wimseys are such a good read, I'd recommend the ones with the love story threading through - Strong Poison, Have His Carcase and Busman's Honeymoon....all brilliant IMO.

What about Elizabeth George - the Linley books, Donna Leon if you like Italy and food, and mistress of all, PD James!

Try 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino.

On a slight tangent, has anyone read anything by tom grace?
i have just come across him & it's not the sort of thing i like, but wondered if anyone here likes his books/is interested?

I've recently enjoyed lots of books by Walter Mosley - very much in the classic noir theme set in LA but really gripping and intriguing. I was also recently given a couple of the Martin Beck series by Mag Sjowell and Per Wahloo, a couple of Swedes. I think the series is mainly set in the late 60's early 70's and apparently has been inspiration for the Rebus character amongst others