the must-reads... - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T11:24:36Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:3732?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A3750&feed=yes&xn_auth=noNoir--
DOMINICK STANSBERRY &…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-07:537324:Comment:197022007-04-07T12:54:19.165ZJackBludishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
Noir--<br />
DOMINICK STANSBERRY & VICKI HENDRICKS, both for the sheer grittiness, and the twists<br />
<br />
Hardboied PI--<br />
REED FARREL COLEMAN, for moving the story along with ultra-smooth prose<br />
JAMES LEE BURKE--a little more flowery than I usually like, but he makes up for it with a hard story. He could do with less poetry late in the book when things are really happening at a break-neck pace.<br />
<br />
Suspense--<br />
CORMACK MCCARTHY Just one book, I haven't read his others, but THE ROAD, is the best book…
Noir-- <br />
DOMINICK STANSBERRY & VICKI HENDRICKS, both for the sheer grittiness, and the twists <br />
<br />
Hardboied PI-- <br />
REED FARREL COLEMAN, for moving the story along with ultra-smooth prose <br />
JAMES LEE BURKE--a little more flowery than I usually like, but he makes up for it with a hard story. He could do with less poetry late in the book when things are really happening at a break-neck pace. <br />
<br />
Suspense-- <br />
CORMACK MCCARTHY Just one book, I haven't read his others, but THE ROAD, is the best book I've read in years. <br />
<br />
Cozy-- <br />
Only one, and he's a puzzle classic, REX STOUT I love a quest, too. It's why…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:127242007-03-26T01:10:36.558Zprhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PeterBeyondBorders
I love a quest, too. It's why I am sometimes disappointed when the quest comes to an end, and I have found all the books in a series (now I'm doing it with the Wyatt novels.) . When that happens, it's time to start re-reading -- the cycle begins anew, and all.<br/>===================<br/>Detectives Beyond Borders<br/>"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<br/><a href="http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/">http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a>
I love a quest, too. It's why I am sometimes disappointed when the quest comes to an end, and I have found all the books in a series (now I'm doing it with the Wyatt novels.) . When that happens, it's time to start re-reading -- the cycle begins anew, and all.<br/>===================<br/>Detectives Beyond Borders<br/>"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<br/><a href="http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/">http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a> Since you asked for "contempo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-19:537324:Comment:83682007-03-19T01:58:35.505ZBrian Thorntonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianThornton
Since you asked for "contemporary" authors, here's my list: <br />
<br />
Mystery: BASKET CASE by Carl Hiassen <br />
<br />
Thriller: THE JANISSARY TREE by Jason Goodwin <br />
<br />
Noir: (What does this even mean anymore? The phrase has been so utterly diluted as to be nearly ubiquitous) THE SONG IS YOU by Megan Abbott <br />
<br />
YMMV- <br />
<br />
Brian
Since you asked for "contemporary" authors, here's my list: <br />
<br />
Mystery: BASKET CASE by Carl Hiassen <br />
<br />
Thriller: THE JANISSARY TREE by Jason Goodwin <br />
<br />
Noir: (What does this even mean anymore? The phrase has been so utterly diluted as to be nearly ubiquitous) THE SONG IS YOU by Megan Abbott <br />
<br />
YMMV- <br />
<br />
Brian I suspect it's just lack of c…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-19:537324:Comment:83012007-03-19T00:12:34.747ZKaren from AustCrimehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
I suspect it's just lack of chat / publicity about the books. <br />
<br />
I have no idea how I found the first book of his that I read, but I suspect it was just in a haul from a Secondhand Bookstore, picked up on the basis that something in the blurb sort of appealed. I know it sat on my shelves here for quite a while until I happened upon it again and from then, I was hooked and thus began the quest to acquire his books (I love a quest) :)
I suspect it's just lack of chat / publicity about the books. <br />
<br />
I have no idea how I found the first book of his that I read, but I suspect it was just in a haul from a Secondhand Bookstore, picked up on the basis that something in the blurb sort of appealed. I know it sat on my shelves here for quite a while until I happened upon it again and from then, I was hooked and thus began the quest to acquire his books (I love a quest) :) And let's not forget the ever…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-16:537324:Comment:64292007-03-16T11:21:23.005ZSunnie Gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/sunniefromoz
And let's not forget the ever-tardy Shane Maloney's Murray Whelan series. It looks as though he might actually have another one out before the end of the year.<br />
<br />
I'll second you with Peter Temple - particularly THE BROKEN SHORE which was a group read on 4 Mystery Addicts group and really polarised opnions. There seemed to be no half way with that one. You either loved it or hated it.<br />
<br />
I'm currently reading a book by a new-to-me author - Adrian Hyland . The book's called DIAMOND DOVE and is told…
And let's not forget the ever-tardy Shane Maloney's Murray Whelan series. It looks as though he might actually have another one out before the end of the year.<br />
<br />
I'll second you with Peter Temple - particularly THE BROKEN SHORE which was a group read on 4 Mystery Addicts group and really polarised opnions. There seemed to be no half way with that one. You either loved it or hated it.<br />
<br />
I'm currently reading a book by a new-to-me author - Adrian Hyland . The book's called DIAMOND DOVE and is told through the eyes of an aboriginal woman returning to her tribe after a number of years living in the big city and overseas. Wonderful witty writing with a matter-of-fact depiction of the problems of aboriginal people without being beaten over the head with a political agenda. Karen: The series has been go…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-16:537324:Comment:63652007-03-16T06:44:31.789Zprhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PeterBeyondBorders
Karen: The series has been going on long enough (23 novels, one collection of stories) that "middle" can mean different things to different people. I think of the middle of the series as numbers 7 though 16, <i>Astride a Grave</i> through <i>Eton Crop</i> (I've read most of those several times each), and I think of them as high points in crime fiction and in social comedy. James is also the best prose stylist I have ever read in crime fiction. He is just such a pleasure to read that I can well…
Karen: The series has been going on long enough (23 novels, one collection of stories) that "middle" can mean different things to different people. I think of the middle of the series as numbers 7 though 16, <i>Astride a Grave</i> through <i>Eton Crop</i> (I've read most of those several times each), and I think of them as high points in crime fiction and in social comedy. James is also the best prose stylist I have ever read in crime fiction. He is just such a pleasure to read that I can well imagine someone who does not otherwise read crime fiction enjoying him on stylistic grounds alone. <br />
<br />
I was forced to read the series out of order. A friendly bookshop proprietor suggested <i>Roses, Roses</i> (yes, I remember what I was doing when I was introduced to Billl James about five years ago, and then I read whichever books I could get my hands on until about three or four years ago, when I started reading new ones as they appeared. But yes, the development of Ralph Ember, say, and of Sarah Iles' affairs may come across better with consecutive reading. <br />
<br />
It has been a puzzle to me why James is not more widely read than he is. <br />
<br />
Peter <br />
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======================== <br />
<br />
Detectives Beyond Borders <br />
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home" <br />
<a href="http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/">http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a> Somebody else, somewhere, onc…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-16:537324:Comment:62802007-03-16T01:38:19.848ZKaren from AustCrimehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
Somebody else, somewhere, once in my vague memory, mentioned that the middle of the series had slumped a bit, and I have to agree, they seemed to lose a bit of focus or something.<br />
<br />
I think it's a series that does benefit from reading in order though - dipping in can lead to a wild albeit enjoyable ride, but some of the character development is better in context.
Somebody else, somewhere, once in my vague memory, mentioned that the middle of the series had slumped a bit, and I have to agree, they seemed to lose a bit of focus or something.<br />
<br />
I think it's a series that does benefit from reading in order though - dipping in can lead to a wild albeit enjoyable ride, but some of the character development is better in context. Well, Iles is weird. The rest…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-15:537324:Comment:59352007-03-15T07:12:13.968Zprhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PeterBeyondBorders
Well, Iles is weird. The rest are, at most, eccentric. Lindqvist sounds worth checking out. I mean, if you like Bill James, you have good taste. And if Lindqvist is weird like Bill James is weird, than I'kk have high expectations of Lindqvist. OK, the psychologist in <i>Kill Me</i> is also weird.<br />
<br />
In re James, I am happy to see he appears to be making a comeback. I thought the series slumped a bit after <i>Naked at the WIndow</i>, but each of the novels since <i>The Girl WIth the Long…</i>
Well, Iles is weird. The rest are, at most, eccentric. Lindqvist sounds worth checking out. I mean, if you like Bill James, you have good taste. And if Lindqvist is weird like Bill James is weird, than I'kk have high expectations of Lindqvist. OK, the psychologist in <i>Kill Me</i> is also weird. <br />
<br />
In re James, I am happy to see he appears to be making a comeback. I thought the series slumped a bit after <i>Naked at the WIndow</i>, but each of the novels since <i>The Girl WIth the Long Back</i> has been a bit better than the one before, I thought. I haven't yet read <i>Girls</i>, but I have a feeling that a couple of the selections in <i>The Sixth Man and Other Stories</i> are really excerpts from <i>Girls</i>, and they are quite good. <br />
<br />
Peter <br />
<br />
======================== <br />
<br />
Detectives Beyond Borders <br />
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home" <br />
<a href="http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/">http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a> I oppose "must reads" on prin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-15:537324:Comment:59342007-03-15T06:58:04.061Zprhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PeterBeyondBorders
I oppose "must reads" on principle. I prefer wisely directed suggestions.<br></br><br></br>In any case, has anyone got around to mentioning Ruth Rendell? I've read just one of her novels, <i>The Veiled One</i>, and, while its brand of psychological crime story is not generally my cup o'blood, its opening chapter has one of the most daring and surprising extended pieces of descriptive writing I have ever read.<br></br><br></br>Peter<br></br><br></br>========================<br></br><br></br>Detectives Beyond…
I oppose "must reads" on principle. I prefer wisely directed suggestions.<br/><br/>In any case, has anyone got around to mentioning Ruth Rendell? I've read just one of her novels, <i>The Veiled One</i>, and, while its brand of psychological crime story is not generally my cup o'blood, its opening chapter has one of the most daring and surprising extended pieces of descriptive writing I have ever read.<br/><br/>Peter<br/><br/>========================<br/><br/>Detectives Beyond Borders<br/>"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<br/><a href="http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/">http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a> Mr Harvey forgot to add "weir…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-15:537324:Comment:58792007-03-15T04:17:34.489ZKaren from AustCrimehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
Mr Harvey forgot to add "weird". <br />
<br />
I think I'm developing a speciality in weird recently (John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In was truly really utterly magnificently hypnotically weird).<br />
<br />
So I love Harpur and Iles - thanks for mentioning Bill James here.
Mr Harvey forgot to add "weird". <br />
<br />
I think I'm developing a speciality in weird recently (John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In was truly really utterly magnificently hypnotically weird).<br />
<br />
So I love Harpur and Iles - thanks for mentioning Bill James here.