Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

any good recommendations, i have store credit and I'm in the mood for mystery.

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

That's such a broad area -- any specific types of books or authors you enjoy?

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

Every answer needs to be Mickey Spillane and or Mike Hammer.

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

I like the older stuff, Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe, Agatha Christie and Poirot.

For the newer stuff I still like Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch though honestly the last two Bosch books have been very mediocre. The early Bosch though was fantastic.

One of my favorite mystery/detective stories is Stuart Woods' book Chiefs. Love that story and it really sucks it has never been released as an ebook.

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

dashiell hammet, i like a lot. I've read some hcc and chandler, but I am always underwhelmed by the endings. I'd love to read a detective story or mystery with a good surprise ending. Maybe it's because I've seen too many detective movies, read too many books, but I can always tell whats coming. Hammet I don't mind because the characters and grittyness is the enjoyable part to me.

not a fan of westlake, collins, or block.

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

Have you read Block other than the HCC stuff? His best work is in the Matthew Scudder series. Great books.

The surprise ending is more typical of older detective novels, so you might try someone like Rex Stout. The books aren't gritty, but they're very entertaining and well written.

Re: Favorite Mystery/Detective Novel?
 

Elizabeth George: A Great Deliverance