Anyone love crime fiction but hate the gory bits?

[inthesticks]

I read all sorts but crime fiction is an old favourite. I like Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson, John Harvey (prob my favourite), Peter James and Graham Hurley.

Sounds contradictory to say I don't like violence but most of these writers are not too gratuitous. I can't read Mark Billingham who is too gory for me.

I've just had to abandon a book called Flesh House by Stuart McBride because of some of the most gruesome, graphic bloodthirsty descriptions I've ever read. Such a shame because his writng is otherwise great. Witty, pacy and good characters.

Stuart McBride is very gory, I didn't mind it but my mum won't read him anymore. I read one in the summer, I can't remember the authour, but the character is Smokey Barrett or something. I'd read one before and enjoyed it but this was vile. Too much sexual violence in it. It made me just reading it.

I like all the ones you mention Inthesticks (although I haven't tried Graham Hurley, will look out for him). I do like Stuart McBride and Mark Billingham, - great characters- but you are right, very gory in parts. Strangely I can cope with it in a book (although I struggle with very graphic sexual crime), but I can't watch that kind of stuff in films/TV.

Have you tried Quintin Jardine, or Pauline Rowson? Enjoyable especially if you like to follow characters through a series, and not too gory.

PD James is fab, she is so good I don't really care who killed whom iyswim...

KurriKurri , I don't like Jardine but haven't tried Pauline Rowson. Will add her to my list.
I recently discovered Stuart Pawson. A little like Peter Robinson but more humour.

Having problems with Karen Slaughter () books ATM. She writes so well and it is really gripping but the poor murdered lass has been electrocuted, had 11 bin bags shoved up her fanjo, been raped anally and vaginally, had a rib removed without anaesthetic and maggots had laid eggs in the wound...

It is a bit much TBH and dont know how much more I can read.

I can see Jardine wouldn't be to everyone's taste, I got given some books of his to read when I was ill. Hero is a bit of an alpha-male/bastard at times.

Meant to say Pauline Rowson's character is called Andy Horton, she hasn't written a huge number though.

RainRain - I'm not sure I could handle that, - not just before I fall asleep anyway!

It is not condusive to great sleeping it must be said! The main problem is, I really like the characters, the style, most of it. They are well thought out and intriguing. But, I may have to call it a day on this one! And this is me who can't even watch Nightmare on Elm street...

I'm sorry, but I am going to have to disagree with you all. I like the gore (dunno what that says about me?) Or maybe I should say it doesn't bother me.

I really, really liked The Flesh House by Stuart MacBride I have read all of his books because I liked that one so much.

I have always loved Patricia Cornwell though, her books are not gory and more about the medical procedures and crime solving. There is also Tess Gerritsen - also medical, although sometimes there is a bit of gore.

hohoholepew - not that you will be reading any of the other books by that author, but the book you read with Smoky Barrett in was by Cody McFadyen (who I really enjoy reading aswell)

I hate the gore as well. Can't read Val McDermid, Mark Billingham or Karin Slaughter. Its a shame with KS though as I do like her characters!

I tend to stick to Kathy Reichs, Robert Crais, Harlen Coben etc as I like a continuous character. Though I am always on the lookout for new suggestions so pass them on

Im not a big crime reader but when dh was working nights I started to read one and it was horrid but I felt compelled to read .....hence several nights later reading the bit where the murder victim was hidden inside the hot water tank and slowly her body swelled and disintegrated leaving behind the smell of pig .....so vivid was it written that Dh ended up having to go in the loft and check the hot water tank for me ........

Antdamn - the shame is that I like everything about Stuart McBride's writing apart from the gore. I was really enjoying the Flesh House in spite of the fact that there were dismembered bodies being sold to butchers shops. It was the graphic description of when the murderer killed and butchered (literally) the man in front of his wife who was being held prisoner and then served her up freshly cooked black pudding......I quit.

Tess Gerritson is another one I can't read. I loved one of her books set in the far East (can't remember title). Then I tried her other stuff and it was very violent.

Inthesticks - I love that book, and although the scenes were graphic and a little disturbing they were excellently written. My DP and my BF used to think I was mad for reading all the gory books. I'm sure I can't be the only one? Right?

I found that Tess Gerritsen can do a large range of genres. All based around medical fact (think she used to be a doctor??) There's usually a big romance going on in her books aswell, which most folk I know like .

I think I have become desensitised by all the gore/horror in books. Probably from reading unsuitable books and watching unsuitable films from an early age.

I only read two types of books - crime/trillers and chick lit

I am very high brow

I don't seek out books for gore but wouldn't abandon a novel as too gory. Have you tried Denise Mina?

This year I've read a reprinted series of 60s/70s crime novels in translation from Swedish, the Martin Beck books by Per Sjowall and Maj Wahloo.

I like Stuart Pawson's work too.

If you can find her books, you might like Patricia Hall's books set in Yorkshire. Like Pawson, she's published by Allison & Busby.

elkiedee,

I have enjoyed your crime book recommendations before, so I will chase up Patricia Hall and Stuart Pawson with interest. (Thanks also to KurriKurri).

I have been meaning to track down Sjowall and Wahloo for ages.

I'm in Australia, but I have found these pamphlets from the Shetland library useful: Death by Tartan and Eurocrime.

I am currently reading the latest Peter Temple book, "Truth". My favorite Australian crime books are the Hal Challis series by Garry Disher.

The last time I discussed crime books I enjoyed on Mumsnet, unquietdad accused me of 'astroturfing' (which I had to Google) because the author joined the discussion. So you never know who might be reading this thread!

Sidonie, there's a website called Eurocrime wtih book reviews - can't remember if it's Eurocrime.com or Eurocrime.co.uk but it's run by a crime fiction reading friend of mine.

elkiedee - I will look out for Patricia Hall and Denise Mina. I have read Peter Temple.

Anyone who likes Stuart Pawson might also like Ken McCoy's "Mad Carew" series. Quite funny Yorkshire PI. He's also written some pretty awful soppy historical romances which I wouldn't recommend.

Antdamn - I might go back and try the McBride again. See whether I can read it with one eye shut or skip the nasty bits! I'm nearly finished with the latest Stella Rimmington (spooks fiction).

I read a simple act of violence by r j ellory after I'd recently been given a couple of john harvey books, and enjoyed it. Hoping to get some more for christmas!I also have quite a few books by george pelecanos, and comedy crime stuff by kinky friedman.