Who is your favorite detective/crime fighter?

[Echo]

I'm a huge fan of thrillers, mysteries, and horror novels. There are many heroes who have become favorites of mine, but there is one that has always stood out for me...luckily, he's featured in a series, so there's always new books coming out!

So, my favorite crime fighter is FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast from the series that started with The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They've decided to focus the entire series on him, but many of the other characters from the first book pop up quite often, including the gruff New York detective Vincent D'Agosta. There are so many things about Pendergast that are unusual, and these are the things that make him special: he's brilliant (of course), polite (he's from an old, Southern family), willing to break rules, wealthy (he does his crime fighting in a vintage Rolls Royce), and a master of all martial arts, weapons, philosophies, and has an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind. After all, his brother Diogenes is a dangerous psychopath!

So, who is your favorite detective or crime fighter? Or, do you prefer the villains?

[Kell]

I tend to like the villains a fair old bit myself. But, as crime-fighters go, I rather like Logan "Lazarus" McRae frmo the series of books by Stuart Macbride (starting with Cold Granite). He's one of those perfectly flawed guys who has a million and one problems of his own and still has to deal with the day-to-day grind of being a police detective. Great stuff.

[O's]

Pendergast is my favourate as well!

[supergran71]

My favourite crime fighters are Inspector Dalgleish (Ruth Rendall)
Rebus
Morse

Names of the authors escapes me ofthe last two and I cant be bothered to get out of my chair to go and look lol:lol:

[poppy]

I like Miss Marple :)

[burghead lass]

Rebus

[Purple Princess]

I like Lincoln Rhyme from some of Jeffery Deaver's books. He is an expert crime scene analyst that has become paralysed after an accident on a crime scene.

But my all time favourite is chief of police Jeffery Tolliver from Karin Slaughter's series of books based in Grant County. Well until....(don't read this unless you're planning on never reading this series of books!) she killed him off in her last book! :motz:

[NiceguyEddie]

Only a couple or three/four really. Rebus, Banks, Dalgleish, Davenport (Prey series).

[prospero]

Rebus seems pretty popular; I'd go along with that.

[Rishikesh]

Miss Marple for me!

[Echo]

Only a couple or three/four really. Rebus, Banks, Dalgleish, Davenport (Prey series).

Lucas Davenport was my runner-up for the top spot. I love how he's not totally a nice person, although he's certainly mellowed out lately, huh? I haven't read the last two in the series yet...Invisible Prey has been on my TBR list for months, after I got it for my birthday last year.

[scottishbookworm]

Rebus

[NiceguyEddie]

Invisible Prey has been on my TBR list for months, after I got it for my birthday last year.

I prefer to listen to his books read by Richard Ferrone, although I have read a couple. I see you are in the US. John Sandford is relatively little known here, but he's one of the best crime writers in my opinion. The last one I listened to was Broken Prey. A sub plot is that Lucas Davenport is given an iPod by his wife with a voucher for 100 songs. So he debates with his colleagues what should go onto it. He wants the 100 greatest rock songs of the modern era. Here's his list:

Lucas Davenport’s "Best Songs of the Rock Era"
In no particular order, except that, as any intelligent person knows, any decent road trip will start with ZZ Top.
1. ZZ Top, "Sharp-Dressed Man"
2. ZZ Top, "Legs"
3. Wilson Pickett, "Mustang Sally"
4. Crash Test Dummies, "Superman’s Song"
5. David Essex, "Rock On"
6. Golden Earring, "Radar Love"
7. Blondie, "Heart of Glass"
8. Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit"
9. Jefferson Airplane, "Somebody to Love"
10. Derek and the Dominoes, "Layla"
11. Doors, "Roadhouse Blues"
12. Animals, "House of the Rising Sun"
13. Aerosmith, "Sweet Emotion"
14. Aerosmith, "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)";
Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven"

15. Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing in the Dark"
16. Bruce Springsteen, "Born to Run"
17. Bruce Springsteen, "Thunder Road"
18. Police, "Every Breath You Take"
19. Tom Waits, "Heart of Saturday Night"
20. Van Halen, "Hot for Teacher"
21. Who, "Won’t Get Fooled Again"
22. Gipsy Kings, "Hotel California"
23. Tracy Chapman, "Give Me One Reason"
24. Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Down on the Corner"
25. Eagles, "Lyin’ Eyes"
26. Eagles, "Life in the Fast Lane"
27. Dire Straits, "Skateaway"
28. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Mary Jane’s Last Dance"
29. Janis Joplin, "Me 'n Bobby McGee"
30. The Doobie Brothers, "Black Water"
31. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "I Love Rock ‘n Roll"
32. John Mellencamp, "Jack and Diane"
33. Pink Floyd, "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)"
34. Pink Floyd, "Money"
35. Billy Joel, "Piano Man"
36. Eric Clapton, "After Midnight"
37. Eric Clapton, "Lay Down Sally"
38. AC/DC, "You Shook Me All Night Long"
39. AC/DC, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
40. The Hollies, "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)"
41. Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone"
42. Bob Dylan, "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door"
43. Bob Dylan, "Subterranean Homesick Blues"
44. The Rolling Stones, "Satisfaction"
45. The Rolling Stones, "Brown Sugar"
46. The Rolling Stones, "Sympathy for the Devil"
47. Sex Pistols, "Anarchy in the UK";
Social Distortion, "Story of My Life"

48. Grateful Dead, "Sugar Magnolia"
49. The Pointer Sisters, "Slow Hand"
50. Eurythmics, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
51. Elvis Presley, "Jailhouse Rock"
52. David Bowie, "Ziggy Stardust"
53. Bob Seger, "Night Moves"
54. The Everly Brothers, "Bye Bye Love"
55. Jimi Hendrix, "Purple Haze"
56. The Kinks, "Lola"
57. Jackson Browne, "Tender is the Night"
58. The Kingsmen, "Louie Louie"
59. George Thorogood and the Destroyers, "Bad to the Bone"
60. Metallica, "Turn the Page"
61. Lynryd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama"
62. Queen, "We Will Rock You"
63. The Allman Brothers Band, "Ramblin’ Man"
64. Led Zeppelin, "Rock ‘n Roll"
65. Tina Turner, "What’s Love Got to Do With It"
66. Steppenwolf, "Born to Be Wild"
67. U2, "With or Without You"
68. Black Sabbath, "Paranoid"
69. Foreigner, "Blue Morning, Blue Day"
70. Billy Idol, "White Wedding"
71. Guns ’n Roses, "Sweet Child o’ Mine"
72. Guns ‘n Roses, "Paradise City"
73. Guns ‘n Roses, " Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door"*
74. Lou Reed, "Walk on the Wild Side"
75. Bad Company, "Feel Like Makin’ Love"
76. Def Leppard, "Rock of Ages"
77. Van Morrison, "Brown Eyed Girl"
78. Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, "Devil With a Blue Dress On"
79. Aretha Franklin, "Respect"
80. John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt, "I’m in the Mood"
81. James Brown, "I Got You (I Feel Good)"
82. The Righteous Brothers, "Unchained Melody"
83. Prince, "Little Red Corvette"
84. Chuck Berry, "Roll Over Beethoven"
85. The Byrds, "Mr. Tambourine Man"
86. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Ohio"
87. Buddy Holly, "Peggy Sue"
88. Jerry Lee Lewis, "Great Balls of Fire"
89. Roy Orbison, "Oh, Pretty Woman"
90. Del Shannon, "Runaway"
91. Run-DMC, "Walk This Way"
92. Otis Redding, " (Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay"
93. Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
94. Paul Simon, "Still Crazy After All These Years"
95. Bo Diddley, "Who Do You Love? "
96. Brewer and Shipley, "One Toke Over the Line";
Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Gimme Three Steps"

97. Ramones, "I Wanna Be Sedated"
98. The Clash, "Should I Stay or Should I Go"
99. Talking Heads, "Burning Down the House"
100. Dmitri Shostakovich, "Jazz Suite No. 2: Waltz 2"

* Yeah, yeah, I know it’s on the list twice.

[Echo]

LOL! Davenport has some interesting taste in music! I had no idea there was anything like that.

I think John Sandford (his real name is John Camp) started out as a crime reporter for a major Minneapolis newspaper. I'll be that gave him some amazing insights into the true crime atmosphere of his city, which he brings to life so well! :)

[NiceguyEddie]

I think John Sandford (his real name is John Camp) started out as a crime reporter for a major Minneapolis newspaper. I'll be that gave him some amazing insights into the true crime atmosphere of his city, which he brings to life so well! :)

A Pulitzer prize winning journalist no less. The iPod thing was very funny & a welcome relief from the crime. Sandford can be quite graphic.

[Louiseog]

Thursday Next is another good one, all my favourites are mentioned, Tomk Thorne from the Mark Billingham books is good too and Jim Kelly wries about Philip Dryden and they're good too.

[Spooncat]

has to be Miss Marple:mrgreen:

[NiceguyEddie]

Thursday Next is another good one, all my favourites are mentioned, Tomk Thorne from the Mark Billingham books is good too and Jim Kelly wries about Philip Dryden and they're good too.
I've often wondered what Jasper Fforde's books are like. The Eyre Affair was the first one wasn't it?

Although he doesn't count because he's certainly not a crime fighter, but he is the main character in a crime series - Tom Ripley. For me, perhaps the best crime series of all time. A murdering, thieving, swindling monster; but you can't help but love him.

Partly to mention one that people may not have heard of, but also because they are intelligent books, though quite dark; Charlie Mortdecai is a great character. An antique dealer who's a bit of a rogue. Again, not really a detective, but the main figure in a crime series. Kyril Bonfiglioli is the author.

[Louiseog]

I've often wondered what Jasper Fforde's books are like. The Eyre Affair was the first one wasn't it?

Yes, I really like them very clever and I think they work on all sorts of levels, worth a try. his other series the Nursery Crimes Division ones are good too.

[Kylie]

Partly to mention one that people may not have heard of, but also because they are intelligent books, though quite dark; Charlie Mortdecai is a great character. An antique dealer who's a bit of a rogue. Again, not really a detective, but the main figure in a crime series. Kyril Bonfiglioli is the author.

I've heard of this trilogy but haven't read it. The books have been on my wishlist for a little while. I heard about them from a book club TV show here a few months ago. It's good to get another recommendation.

[Maureen]

Oh, what's her name? The one in Kathy Reich's books? It's on the tip of my tongue! grr

[Janet]

Oh, what's her name? The one in Kathy Reich's books? It's on the tip of my tongue! grr

Temperance "Tempe" Brennan?

[Angel]

Has to be Morse for me!

Also injoy Dalgleish, (especially when played by the delectable Matin Shaw) , Cadfael and Wycliffe

[Louiseog]

Also Matthew Bartholomew Susanna Gregory

[Angel]

How could I forget Shardlake (by C. J. Sansom)

[prospero]

Inspector Gadget!

[Louiseog]

How could I forget Shardlake (by C. J. Sansom)
Well I couldn't remember his name!

[jenmck]

Inspector Alleyn (Ngaio Marsh)
and Mallory (Carol O'Connor)

[thelastwatcher33]

I love the John Rebus series, also Hercule Piorot and Miss Marple, they re old school but I like them. I ve never read any of the Inspector Morse series but I watched the tv series. I tried to read Cadfael once but read the first page and put it straight back down. I must go and root out one and give it another go.

[Severnlad]

Alex Cross a James Patterson creation I would say is my favourite but I do wonder whether this is because how he has been portrayed in the films starring Morgan Freeman. :readingtwo:

[burghead lass]

I also like Patrica Cornwell and Robert Wilson

[Maureen]

Temperance "Tempe" Brennan?


Yep! Thanks Jane. That's the one. Quite cool IMO. I also like Alex Delaware of Jonathan Kellerman, and Milo the policeman - his friend.

[niranjan]

Nobody for Sherlock Holmes? I like him a lot. Hercule Poirot is also very good.

[radjack]

I like Miss Marple :)

I like miss marple too;)

[grammyva]

I love Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus, Robert Crais and his Elvis Cole, and Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. (Elvis hangs out in LA and the others in the British Isles.) I've read everyone of their books featuring these characters plus most of their stand alones.


Grammyva

[KW]

Penn WIlliamson's man of all men in Wages of Sin and Mortal Sins.

[whispering_pines]

I like Hercule Poirot a lot...and also Miss Marple. But I like Poirot better and the way he solves the cases.:smile2:

[grammyva]

I am so excited today! I posted yesterday that the characters in Deborah Crombie's mysteries are some of my all time favorites and......just today I received a notice that her newest book is waiting for me to pickup at my local library! I must be psychic or something... ;)

Grammyva

[bookends73]

Hi readers,
Well, I used to love AC Doyle's works, you know, the great Sherlock Holmes and good old Dr. Watson as crime fighters, but I came across a new book just out called The Polyandrist Murders. The bad guy is actually a woman. Now, she fights crime a little different from the police. If you cross her or one of her friends, she just kills you. Simple, huh? That kind of makes her a crime fighter even though she is on the other side of the law. She has three husbands (at the same time) and wants their money, so she kills them, too. I loved her way of taking care of her enemies. I don't get actually read all that much, have to sleep sometime, but this book really kept me interested. It's wild. Check it out.:readingtwo:

[grammyva]

My favorite person, after Rebus, is Elvis Cole in Robert Crais' series. He is so cool! (His Mother named him for her favorite singer and mine, Elvis!!) The stories take place in LA. I just got the latest book in the series from my library today so may have to put other books aside for this one!


First book - The Monkey's Raincoat
Latest book - Chasing Darkness


Grammyva
www.bookclubdujour.com

[Roger53]

While PD James is one of my favourite mystery writers, I can't really get into Dalgliesh. But then I think that is the way he is supposed to be. A bit distant, aloof. I am sure his subordinates have said that about him in the books. But then, that is probably what makes him and the books so good.

Not like some cops, for instance Rebus or Harry Bosch. They can be quite obnoxious, particularly Rebus, but you come to really like them anyway, in spite of their faults.

[mandapanda]

I love, love Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell). I have been trying to find another author like her and have had no luck yet!

[grammyva]

Well, I have to say one of my favorite characters in mysteries happens to be Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's series. Stephanie is a bounty hunter and these books are humorous and a little raunchy!

Our local library has classified this series as mystery so guess this would work. I'm reading Fearless Fourteen now.

grammyva

[kelly2008]

Well, I have to say one of my favorite characters in mysteries happens to be Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's series. Stephanie is a bounty hunter and these books are humorous and a little raunchy!

Our local library has classified this series as mystery so guess this would work. I'm reading Fearless Fourteen now.

grammyva

I have recently read Hard Eight and I loved it :D Heather Wells from Meg Cabot's Size 12, 14 and big boned is similar. :)

Miss Marple is one of my favourites, shes just too clever :lol:

[Louiseog]

I love, love Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell). I have been trying to find another author like her and have had no luck yet!
Kathy Reichs, Alex Kava, Karin Slaughter, Kathryn Fox?

[elizabeth Chadwick]

Stephanie Plum and Inspector Frost!
Oh, and John Harvey's Inspector Resnick. I'm always fascinated by his sandwiches!

[shelbel]

I find Stephanie Plum is always great when I'm in the mood for something light and fun!

[Loopyloo100]

I have yet to enter the world of Stephanie Plum, but have one on my TBR - am I likely to be come addicted to them. What makes them so good/bad?

[scottishbookworm]

my favourite detective is John rebus!

I read a lot of Ian Rankin books and I love the rebus novels:D

I forgot to add that I love taggart too!

:readingtwo:

[Roland Butter]

I have yet to enter the world of Stephanie Plum, but have one on my TBR - am I likely to be come addicted to them. What makes them so good/bad?

I'm a fan of the Stephanie Plum series, too, although there have been times when, as with the most recent one, I've felt they're getting a bit stale. That's the problem with most fiction series, I guess - in fact, I seem to recall that was the debate that was going on when I first joined the Forum many moons ago.

I think what really makes them attractive is that the characters are very likeable. Stephanie Plum is the world's worst bounty hunter, who often brings in the bad guys because of, rather than despite, her incompetence, and the supporting cast of characters is equally quirky.

They're an easy read, too. I'm probably one of the slowest readers on this Forum, but even I get through one in two or three days. They're ideal if you just want a slice of untaxing and humorous crime fiction without having to worry too much about the meaning of life.

Enjoy!

[Loopyloo100]

Thank you Roland Butter! I am certainly on the market for light reading and quirky is most definitely up my street. I may just make it the next in my TBR to see what I think.

[Kylie]

Wow, I really need to get a hold of these books after seeing you all talking them up!

[Sedge]

There aren't many detectives in my collection, but my favourite has to be Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently.

[grammyva]

When I read the first book in the Stephanie Plum series I thought "how crude" but funny, too! But when the second one came out, I read it and by then I was hooked. Think they are getting a little stale but......I keep on reading!

I met Janet Evanovich at a book signing one time and she's as funny in person as her books!

Grammyva

[Ruth]

My favourite is definitely Salvo Montalbano, in the series by Andrea Camilleri. The books are set in Sicily, and are full of quirky characters. Montalbano is a promotion avoiding inspector; he's grumpy with a sour taste of humour, and loves good food and wine. He's a very moral man, although some of his methods are a bit unorthodox. Anyway, I discovered the series earlier this year, and love the ones I have read so far. The thing about Montalbano is that he is the kind of guy I know I shouldn't really like, but I can't help thinking he's great. He's very funny too!

[sloth]

Some of the more obscure 'Golden Age' detectives are entertaining. Max Carrados, (Ernest Bramagh) for example, who is blind but seemingly omniscient, and John Dickson Carr's characters Dr Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale. I also like Nigel Strangeways - created by Cecil Day-Lewis (writing as Nicholas Blake) and in his first outing based on the young W H Auden. My favourite of the classic ones, though, is Lord Peter Wimsey.

Of more recent ones, I am a recent Pendergast convert too.

[Ruth]

Philip Marlowe anyone?;)

[sloth]

Philip Marlowe anyone?;)

Definitely! Also Dashiell Hammett's creations, too.

[Tiresias]

Father Brown. Then Auguste Dupin.

[burghead lass]

i also love jack frost and taggart although i.ve never read any of the books

[checkoe]

Hi,

Another Rebus fan here... and upset to hear that he is not going to be the lead character in any further Rankin novels. I love his cynicism which sadly wasn`t really portrayed in the television adaptations.

Heather :)

[petitephoto]

John Rebus and Alan Banks without a doubt.

Hi,

Another Rebus fan here... and upset to hear that he is not going to be the lead character in any further Rankin novels. I love his cynicism which sadly wasn`t really portrayed in the television adaptations.

Heather :)


Hi Heather
I'm sad Rankin has "finished" his saga of Rebus too; but I've heard rumours of a sequel, and that Siobhan Clarke is taking over as the lead character.
I also read on Wikipedia that the Dramatizations this year have been axed because Ken Stott doesn't want to play the role of Rebus.

[scottishbookworm]

we all are heather that there's going to be no more rebus novels!

[SaraPepparkaka]

Dirk Gently is good. But my favourite detective is Mma Ramotswe, by Alexander McCall Smith. I guess my liking her says a lot about me, a lady of traditional build who likes to drink red tea..

[The Green Fairy]

My favourite fictional detectives are Morse and Dalgliesh but I have just recently started to read some of Deborah Crombie's books and am liking her detective, Duncan Kincaid, too.

[Jo-Bridge]

Gosh! There are loads. Kinsey Millhone is ace, I love Brunetti in Donna Leons books, Arkady Renko in Martin cruz Smith Books (although cant imagine head be fun to go for a pint with!) and Matthew Shardlake in C J Sansoms books

[petitephoto]

My favourite fictional detectives are Morse and Dalgliesh but I have just recently started to read some of Deborah Crombie's books and am liking her detective, Duncan Kincaid, too.

Definitely Morse, Green Fairy; I haven't read any Colin Dexter, but I did get some audio tapes from the library last Summer, narrated by the actor who plays Lewis.
They're so good - it sounds like Morse and everything.

You can watch an episode of Morse starring Sean Bean on Youtube. :)

we all are heather that there's going to be no more rebus novels!

Hi Scottishbookworm
You're a Rebus fan too, that's cool. :)
I remember reading Knots and Crosses when I was about fourteen, and I rented it out from the school library. My Nan got a bit, shall we say, worried about me reading his novels because I was fourteen and they were adult books.
Anyway, I sent an email to Ian Rankin asking what he thought. :) Lol.
He replied in his newsletter and said books are all part of growing up, and he read A Clockwork Orange when he was twelve!
Do you like books by Irvine Welsh? He's good too.

[scottishbookworm]

hiya petitephoto, I'm a huge fan of ian rankin especially the rebus novels, I've never e-mailed him but going to your question on irving welsh, I've never read any of his books it's mostly Tess Gerritsen books I read and also Jackie collins and marion Keyes that grace my book case.

[petitephoto]

Cool. :)
Read Irvine Welsh's new novel, 'Crime', it's really good.

[scottishbookworm]

I've never read any of irvine welsh's work!

[frankie]

I quite liked Angua and Cheery Littlebottom in Terry Pratchett's Feet of Clay. Actually I liked just about everyone of the Watchmen in that book.
Thursday Next is also very, very cool.

[petitephoto]

I've never read any of irvine welsh's work!

Some of it is good; like the obvious - Trainspotting. :)

Scottishbookworm, have you got Sky Digitial? Rebus the TV series is going to be on all week, at 9pm/10pm! They also showed a documentry about Ian Rankin on Monday night. It might be repeated, so watch out for it. :)

[The Green Fairy]

[quote=petitephoto;163948]Definitely Morse, Green Fairy; I haven't read any Colin Dexter, but I did get some audio tapes from the library last Summer, narrated by the actor who plays Lewis.
They're so good - it sounds like Morse and everything.

You can watch an episode of Morse starring Sean Bean on Youtube. :)

quote]

Thank you for that, Petitephoto, I will definitely pay a visit to Youtube. I love Sean Bean :mrgreen:

[Ceinwenn]

For me, it's Rebus (Ian Rankin), but I also love Tempe Brennan (Kathy Reichs), Alex Delaware & Milo (Jonathan Kellerman), Alexandra Cooper & Mike & Mercer (Linda Fairstein) & Linclon Rhyme & Amelia (Jeffery Deaver)

[rupup nelah]

Inspector Banks for me.

[kernow_reader]

I confess to only ever having read *one* crime novel in my lifetime :blush:. That was Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express read eons ago when I was a teenager!
If it's of any help/interest to anyone, my favourite TV Detective is Ken Stott, though I can't remember what in :lol:

[JoannaM]

Inspector Banks for me.
Agree with that one - read Friend of the Devil on holiday and was completely absorbed!

[magicstar]

Another vote for Stephanie Plum, I like the whole family they're so funny. Also like Ruth Rendells Wexford and number one is Rebus, havent read the final one yet.

[Loopyloo100]

Another vote for Stephanie Plum, I like the whole family they're so funny. Also like Ruth Rendells Wexford and number one is Rebus, havent read the final one yet.

I enjoyed the one Stephanie Plum book I've read, but I can't get into Rebus, although my OH is a big fan.

[Pilgrim]

Tess Monaghan

[beef]

Rorschach.

also Jack Spratt, in the book "the big over easy" where jack spratt overseas the nursery crimes unit, some of the lines are just fantastic. for example upon finding humpty dumpty at the bottom of a wall in pieces "humpty sat on walls..that had always been his way, he has even had a mock wall installed in the classroom he taught in at the university" also "humpty was the least monogomous person he had ever met" Was quite disturbing I felt.

[pastelpanda]

nither have I! it sounds like I'm missing out.Anyway I don't think anyone can go wrong with Sherlock Holms.(sorry I spelled that wrong.)

[scottishbookworm]

Some of it is good; like the obvious - Trainspotting. :)

Scottishbookworm, have you got Sky Digitial? Rebus the TV series is going to be on all week, at 9pm/10pm! They also showed a documentry about Ian Rankin on Monday night. It might be repeated, so watch out for it. :)I've seen "Trainspotting" that was with Ewan mcGregor

[Raven]

I love, love Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell). I have been trying to find another author like her and have had no luck yet!

Kathy Reichs, Alex Kava, Karin Slaughter, Kathryn Fox?

I read all the Scarpetta novels up to Black Notice, which is when I threw in the towel.

I liked the early books, the forensic detail in the stories was interesting and the characters were good as well, but with each book the plots seemed to get more and more sensational and at the same time implausible - (if the helicopter chase at the end of Point of Origin(?) wasn't written with an eye to a movie adaptation in mind I'll eat my hat!).

I tried reading one of Karin Slaughter's novels a few years back, on the recommendation of a co-worker*, and didn't get very far with it because I found that to be too over-blown as well.

I've not read a lot of crime books on the whole, but I have read a few of the Morse novels, and the first two Louie Knight/Aberystwyth novels by Malcolm Payne. I think the best crime novel I've read though has to be The Hound of the Baskervilles - hair-raising stuff on a windy winter's night!

*She still owes me a fiver for that . . .

[Jo-Bridge]

[quote=Raven;174941]I read all the Scarpetta novels up to Black Notice, which is when I threw in the towel.

I liked the early books, the forensic detail in the stories was interesting and the characters were good as well, but with each book the plots seemed to get more and more sensational and at the same time implausible - (if the helicopter chase at the end of Point of Origin(?) wasn't written with an eye to a movie adaptation in mind I'll eat my hat!).

I agree! And surely not everyone can be conspiring against her all the time! I also think she has created some women characters such as Lamont in "The Front" (ie- the beautiful bitch type) in her later novels which would be considered sexist if written by a man!

[Bellatrix]

I've also got bored with Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) much prefer Tempe Brennan (Kathy Reichs), mandapanda you might like Tempe Brennan she's also a forensic pathologist who 'sleuths'.

As to my favourites
Philip Marlowe (Raymond Chandler)
Sherlock Holmes(Conan-Doyle)
Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith) - did anyone see the tv adaptation of the first novel by Anthony Minghella - utterly gorgeous, and just how I imagined it!

[Raven]

I agree! And surely not everyone can be conspiring against her all the time!

I think Cornwell is pretty much the same herself - she certainly seems to have a lot in common with Scarpetta.

[burghead lass]

I have now all the Scarpetta books [Patrica Cornwell] and only have 4 to read in the series. I love these books. :mrgreen:

[frankie]

I have now all the Scarpetta books [Patrica Cornwell] and only have 4 to read in the series. I love these books. :mrgreen:


I sensed there was another Scarpetta collector when I noticed your purchases in Which books came to your home today -thread! I've been collecting those books too, which has been quite tricky at times, but last Monday I found the missing four books from the beginning of the series. Goody! Enjoy your collection! :)

[Charm]

I sensed there was another Scarpetta collector when I noticed your purchases in Which books came to your home today -thread! I've been collecting those books too, which has been quite tricky at times, but last Monday I found the missing four books from the beginning of the series. Goody! Enjoy your collection! :)

I have read all the Scarpetta books too and enjoyed them all :D (nice one btw on realising theres more - lucky you). I'm not that keen on Cornwell's other fiction though. I've also read all the Tempe Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and they are just as good, in fact I would be hard pushed to pick a favourite out of the two authors. Kathy's new novel Devil Bones is out and I can't wait to get a hold of a copy! :exc:

[frankie]

I have read all the Scarpetta books too and enjoyed them all :D (nice one btw on realising theres more - lucky you). I'm not that keen on Cornwell's other fiction though. I've also read all the Tempe Brennan series by Kathy Reichs and they are just as good, in fact I would be hard pushed to pick a favourite out of the two authors. Kathy's new novel Devil Bones is out and I can't wait to get a hold of a copy! :exc:

I've read a couple of Scarpetta books before but it was so many years ago that I don't remember anything about them - just that they were good! I'm so glad I've managed to find those books and can start reading them in chronological order :) I haven't tried Cornwell's other fiction either and probably won't even try.

I've heard so many great things about Kathy Reichs's books too that I'm checking them out as soon as possible! I'm next in line for "Deja Dead" in our local library so it won't be long until I get the chance. Actually I've been quite anxious these few weeks to get it! Why won't the current borrower hurry with the reading :motz:

[Charm]

I've heard so many great things about Kathy Reichs's books too that I'm checking them out as soon as possible! I'm next in line for "Deja Dead" in our local library so it won't be long until I get the chance. Actually I've been quite anxious these few weeks to get it! Why won't the current borrower hurry with the reading :motz:

:lol:


It might be an idea to check out her website. She's also like Cornwell in that they are in chronological order although they are still a good read in on their own. :D

[The Green Fairy]

Is anyone else a fan of Simon Brett's novels? He has written quite a bit of detective fiction and his books are an easy read, with a generous dollop of humour in them. I would recommend them to anyone who likes an old-fashioned murder mystery.

The 'Fethering' novels are set in West Sussex and feature a couple of amateur detectives, Carole and Jude, two ladies in their fifties, one a retired civil servant and the other an 'alternative therapist'. These yarns have titles like 'The Stabbing in the Stables' and 'Death on the Downs'. I think the first in the series is entitled 'The Body on the Beach'.

Charles Paris is another of his creations. A struggling actor with a bit of a drink problem who gets himself caught up in various murders. The first book in this series is 'Cast in order of Disappearance'.

Quite a few of his novels have been adapted for radio and I believe the lovely Bill Nighy has played 'Charles Paris'.

[Janet]

I've read all bar one of his 'Mrs Pargeter' books. I gather from discussing them with someone else here that they're a little like the 'Agatha Raisin' books in style.

I read them when the children were babies and I couldn't concentrate on anything too heavy - they're quite simple and very similar to each other, but quite enjoyable.

I've read a couple of the Feathering books too, but not for years. I've sort of meandered away from crime having read it solidly with nothing else for several years. I might go back to them one day.

[The Green Fairy]

Hello Janet. I've not read any of the 'Mrs Pargeter' novels but hope to give them a go eventually!

[qoquaq]

Currently Charlie Parker..John Connolly's creation (as I'm reading The Black Angel) but I have more than an affection for Chief Inspector Morse both in the TV creation and the written word,though The Remorseful Day was a great TV adaption and brilliantly,as ever,played by John Thaw,I enjoyed the book more.

[SueK]

Has to be Sherlock:readingtwo: I have read and re-read the SH stories and still find new and interesting things in them. I particularly love the the fact that the books are contemporary and you are reading exactly how life was in late Victorian times.

My other fav is probably Brother Cadfael - another set of books that I love to re-read when I feel like it. His herbal knowledge and medieval "forensic" work is quite fascinating.

There are plenty of others I could mention but will have to give it a bit more thought.

Love

[poppy]

I have just become addicted to Stephanie Plum :blush:

[Inver]

Not really my thing...but I have read Stuart McBride (Cold Granite)...but gruesome but funny with it.

[Fluffyblue]

I've just finished reading "The Rabbit Factory" by Marshall Karp, and I have to say that I really liked the characters - particularly the main one, Detective Mike Lomax. I've read a lot of detective/crime novels over the years - Rebus, Scarpetta, Brennan et al and I found Lomax to be refreshing, a bit quirky and very amusing. I would have to say that he's currently, therefore, my favourite detective.

[Jo-Bridge]

I've just finished reading "The Rabbit Factory" by Marshall Karp, and I have to say that I really liked the characters - particularly the main one, Detective Mike Lomax. I've read a lot of detective/crime novels over the years - Rebus, Scarpetta, Brennan et al and I found Lomax to be refreshing, a bit quirky and very amusing. I would have to say that he's currently, therefore, my favourite detective.

Always on the look out for a new crime writer! will add this to my bookmooch list!

[Colin Jacobs]

Morse.
Rebus
Frost
Daizel and Pasco
and the inspectors in the Shaun Hutson novels

[pipread]

I've just finished reading "The Rabbit Factory" by Marshall Karp, and I have to say that I really liked the characters - particularly the main one, Detective Mike Lomax. I've read a lot of detective/crime novels over the years - Rebus, Scarpetta, Brennan et al and I found Lomax to be refreshing, a bit quirky and very amusing. I would have to say that he's currently, therefore, my favourite detective.

Sounds good, I`ll have to look out for it. Another new author for me to try, the list has got longer since joining the BCF! :yes:

[lexi]

Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner from books by Patricia Cornwell. She uses her mind (as in thinking, not anything supernatural :mrgreen:)to track down serial killers, with her niece Lucy, friend Pete Marino and boyfriend Benton. Cornwell wrote a whole bunch of books about her and her cases and I just can't wait for the next one :D

[opalwhite]

Robert Crais balances his stories perfectly. Even if you dont usually read crime, TRY IT. Hostage is a good one to get you started.:readingtwo:

[Ben Mines]

Father Brown, Lonnrot, Auguste Dupin.

[phoenix]

Also Miss Marple!

[Ummm]

Lincoln Rhyme & Amelia Sachs (Jeffrey Deaver). I enjoy the forensic details.

I like the old Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) but haven't been impressed with the latest books (can't remember which one started going downhill...).

Others I enjoy that is similar to Cornwell are Kathy Reichs and Tess Gerritsen (detective Jane Rizzoli & medical examiner Maura Isles).

[Iagegu]

Morse
Kay Scarpetta
Lincoln Rhyme
Jane Rizzoli
Dalziel and Pascoe
Frost

And probably loads more that are not springing to mind as I type this. I read a lot of this sort of fiction.