The greatest crime writer in the world

[George Wilder Jr.]

And that is Robert Ludlum. That is just my opinion. Obvious there are a billion of great writers around even those who have not been discovered. And I just love a good story no matter who the writer may be. There is a November release for my latest book. Derrick Sweat, Midweat Deep Freeze. I'm among the undiscovered. But maybe that would change. However, I do like Ludlum, he is my favorite writer. Every crime writer may know about Ludlum's work. I have read just about everyone out there. There will always be super authors that no one will never hear about. No matter how much publicity. I'm not one of them.

[I. J. Parker]

Don't read Ludlum. Won't read Ludlum. It's a free country. :)

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Hmm... this is probably a toss up for me between James Ellroy and Max Allan Collins. Of course, there are a number of greats out there, so picking just one is difficult.

[J.D. Rhoades]

He's entertaining, for sure. But best in the world? Not even close. I don't even know that I'd strictly call him a crime writer.

[terry bowman]

I'm stuck with my big Three:

Andrew Vachss (noir of Burke)
Michael Connelly (hardboiled Harry Bosch)
James Lee Burke (beautifully written, uncompromising Dave Robicheaux)

Ellroy's LA quartet is a close 4th (not a fan of his later work)

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Ah yes, Vachss and Connelly definitely can't be left out!

[ed goldberg]

Ruth Rendell. Not the police procedurals. She is the greatest novelist writing crime fiction. She torques people out of shape with the English class/social system, then adds a touch of insanity. Very dark, very well written.
Michael Connelly, T. Jefferson Parker, Bob Crais, Laura Lippman, Harlan Coben.
Have you read Vachss' latest? Been over that ground too many times.
James Lee Burke, George Pellecanos, Ridley Pearson. These are the ones I look forward to.

[terry bowman]

Hey Ed, I don't dispute that Vachss is covering the same ground. That is his campaign. I just read his first book, A Bomb Built in Hell, written in 1973, rejected, and shelved until 2000. It's available for free download. It's the original story of Wesley, and Burke is called the Kid. Great read.

[Karen from AustCrime]

Nothing like a seriously brave statement to get a discussion off the ground.

I like Ludlum - no two ways about it - but if we're going to play in that style of book (possibly more Thriller than Crime - who knows - definitions give me heartburn) personally I'd probably nominate Le Carre first.

Having said that what about Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, Frederich Glauser, Ruth Rendell, Georges Simenon...