crime fiction

[Ian b]

Can anyone tell me of an author who writes really well thought out crime stories? I do not like American detectives, they are far too slick and often foul mouthed. I just want to find a good English writer, like Peter Robinson or good old Francis Durbridge. If anyone needs a good read for Christmas try The Tenderness of Wolves or The Island.

[REDHEAD24]

THIS MAY HELP U
http://www.xs4all.nl/~embden11/Engels/List.htm

[stewey]

Elizabeth George writes excellent crime novels and they are very, very, British, although she was actually born in the States.

[stewey]

You can look her up on the site that Red posted.

[tickledtrout]

I have enjoyed Stephen Booth and Peter James. Currently reading Gerald Seymour's 'The Walking Dead' which is good

[Louisa 69]

Martina Cole is excellent, also enjoyed Anthea Fraser, both British.

[Ian b]

Thank you, will look into authors mentioned, not a fan of Martina Cole, too much bad language for the sake of it, have enjoyed the skillful writing of Peter James.

[shaneystar2]

Take a look at Edward Marston ..The Railway Detective
Christopher Fowler ..the Bryant and May series
Mark Billingham.
C J Sansom ..The Shardlake Mysteries (historical)
Donna Leon .set in Venice ..Inspector Brunetti ...
Robert Goddard
Peter Turnbull
Peter Lovesey ...Detective Inspector Peter Diamond
And of course Ian Rankin (Rebus) and Dalziel and Pascoe by Reginald Hill
Ruth Rendell ....Inspector Wexford
Henning Mankell ..Inspector Wallender
Lee Child .
J M Gregson...Lambert and Hook
Graham Hurley ...DI Joe Faraday
John Harvey ...brilliant ..Charlie Resnick.
Lee Jackson ( Victorian derring do )


You may not like American crime novels but have you tried James Lee Burke ? Wonderful writer ..brings the deep south to life and has a wonderful way with words. He knocks your average American crime writer into a cocked hat.But you have to start at the beginning with Purple Cane Road .His latest novel Tin Roof Blow Down was brilliant .


Have a look at
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/
Gives you all the latest books and a synopsis .

if you like "Cosy crime " Veronica Heley . M.C. Beaton (Agatha Raisin) or period type stuff set between the wars by Carola Dunn and Catherine McPherson..or you could fall back on Agatha Christie .Dorothy L Sayers and Patricia Wentworth.

[saxy_jag]

I have recently discovered Jim Kelly, a journalist who has written five novels to date about a character called Philip Dryden. Dryden is a journalist on the Ely local rag who has a taxi-driver sidekick and picks up on decades old crimes with links to the present. Both Dryden and his sidekick are very loveable, gentle, if slightly unorthodox characters and, five books down the line I love them both. You'll also find his descriptions of the Fens settings absolutely captivating.

Start with 'The Water Clock' and read the books in order, because there's a small sub-plot that carries through all of them (although it's not vital to have read them all).

Another writer I've picked up on is Kevin Lewis, he of 'The Kid' fame. He's written two novels to date, both set in gangland London. He's a very promising crime/thriller writer.

[jessiedog]

I have read all of the books by Minette Walters and have enjoyed them, though some more than others. The early ones like 'the ice house' are great and so is 'the shape of snakes', but the middle ones are not so enthralling, eg 'the breaker'. Might just be my taste though.

Just finished her latest 'the chameleon's shadow' and would recommend it without hesitation.

Also recommend Adam Baron.