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Old 08-08-07, 08:48 AM
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Mystery & Detective Novels

One of my favorite genres of fiction. I'm a huge fan of:

Robert B. Parker (nobody does hard boiled detective stories better)
Stuart Woods
James W. Hall
F. Paul Wilson
John Sanford
Raymond Chandler
Elmore Leonard

They may never be considered great literature but they are fun to read.
Old 08-08-07, 09:14 AM
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Um...agreed?
Old 08-08-07, 09:26 AM
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Old 08-08-07, 10:00 AM
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I love me a good mystery novel. The authors that(for me) turn out the best are:

Michael Connelly
George Pelecanos
Richard Price(although he's only written a couple, but dammmmn are they good)
Kathy Reichs(early stuff, not so much her new material)
James Ellroy
Old 08-08-07, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by mlemmond
Discuss
Now I remember why I didn't like high school!

Old 08-08-07, 01:39 PM
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Lawrence Block!!!!
Old 08-13-07, 01:08 AM
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In addition to what's already been mentioned, I've also enjoyed Harlan Corben's Myron Bolitar series.
Old 08-13-07, 08:59 AM
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I haven't read "mystery / detective" novels in a long time but I always enjoyed the "Cat Who" books and Agatha Christie. Although Agatha Christie must've been the Shyamalan of her time... Every book had to have a twist and after a while I was more concerned about finding the twist than caring about the story.
Old 08-13-07, 01:05 PM
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can't go wrong with Ian Rankin and Detective Rebus.

Last edited by Jazzbutcher; 08-13-07 at 08:07 PM.
Old 08-13-07, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by The Bus
Although Agatha Christie must've been the Shyamalan of her time
Except talented.

Originally Posted by The Bus
Every book had to have a twist and after a while I was more concerned about finding the twist than caring about the story.
That's pretty much the point of her stories. There isn't a great deal of depth or character development, nor was that ever her goal. It's all about figuring out the puzzle, and some of the puzzles are really good ones. I've read almost all of her books and short stories.
Old 08-13-07, 07:15 PM
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Not necessarily detective (but close), but Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series is my personal favorite.
Old 08-15-07, 02:25 PM
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Love me some Mickey Spillane and just gotten into Jack Kerley.
Old 08-15-07, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by djmont
Now I remember why I didn't like high school!


You!

Yes, you in the back are you ready to make your presentation to the class.
Old 08-15-07, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by antennaball
Not necessarily detective (but close), but Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series is my personal favorite.
Same here.

I'm wrapping up "Obsession" and trying to find a new author that is somewhat similar. I've read all his old stuff, except for "The Web" so I might go with that next. "Compulsion" doesn't come out till March '08.
Old 08-15-07, 02:53 PM
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If you like Jonathan Kellerman, try Stephen White. His books are similar, but better.
Old 08-15-07, 03:14 PM
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Who is on par with Robert B. Parker?
Old 08-15-07, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by djmont
If you like Jonathan Kellerman, try Stephen White. His books are similar, but better.
I went to his website and looked at some of his titles. Sounds interesting. I'll give him a try.
Old 08-15-07, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mlemmond
Who is on par with Robert B. Parker?
If you're looking for detective novels, the field is endless. Try Michael Connelly, Lawrence Block, George Pelecanos, Robert Crais, Walter Mosley, Joe Gores, James Crumley, Laura Lippman, Michael Collins, Ken Bruen, Dennis Lehane... For the classics, everyone should read Hammett, Chandler, John D. MacDonald, Rex Stout... Really, the recommendations would fill pages.
Old 08-15-07, 11:04 PM
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I'll admit I was never a big mystery reader. Then I read Leonard's Rum Punch around the theatrical release of Jackie Brown.

I was hooked; now I have mysteries stacked everywhere.

Recently, I read Swierczynski's The Blonde. It was an ARC copy that he sent me not to long ago. He even signed it. Told me to avoid blondes at the airport.

Bucking the trend of more well-known mystery writers, here's some authors to look out for:

Brian Wiprud
Charlie Huston
Jason Starr
Victor Gischler
Harry Hunsicker
Sean Doolittle
J.D. Rhoades

If you have never been to http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/, it's really an invaluable resource. If only to have the freedom of searching for both authors and characters, as well as by location, type of profession, or diversity.
Old 08-16-07, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by djmont
If you're looking for detective novels, the field is endless. Try Michael Connelly, Lawrence Block, George Pelecanos, Robert Crais, Walter Mosley, Joe Gores, James Crumley, Laura Lippman, Michael Collins, Ken Bruen, Dennis Lehane... For the classics, everyone should read Hammett, Chandler, John D. MacDonald, Rex Stout... Really, the recommendations would fill pages.

Not just detective but the wisecracking, tough guy with a strong moral code.

The knight errant.

Last edited by mlemmond; 08-16-07 at 07:11 AM.
Old 08-16-07, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mlemmond
Not just detective but the wisecracking, tough guy with a strong moral code.

The knight errant.
In that case, your two go-to authors are: Robert Crais (Elvis Cole series) and Harlan Coben (Myron Bolitar series; not the standalones). You also might try Jeremiah Healy's John Francis Cuddy books.

If you're willing to try something in the same vein, but a little more serious, go for the Travis McGee books by John D. MacDonald.
Old 08-16-07, 09:22 AM
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Thanks
Old 08-23-07, 09:28 AM
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I just finished Robert Crais's Lullaby Town and while I liked it, he seemed to steal heavily from Parker. Not only does he have a heart of gold detective but a silent invincible partner. Also the case in general and the events in it seemed to have have from several different Parker novels.

That being said it was an entertaining read and I don't regret it. I may even give a few more of his books a try.
Old 08-23-07, 12:58 PM
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The early Elvis Cole books are derivative of Parker, but they get better as the series goes on.
Old 09-06-07, 12:17 PM
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Just read The Watchman and I really liked it. I loved that he told the story from Pike's point of view. It's something I've always wished Parker would do with Hawk. I'll keep reading Crais.

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