SandMan

Just discovered Barry Eisler by chance this weekend whilst raiding my dad's collection. Very rewarding, will definitely continue with the series. Indeed, it was the second Jeffery Deaver novel I've read, alongside "The Blue Nowhere". Top drawer. Thanks for the suggestions everyone, they have been noted!

Good suggestions, added them to my master "to buy" list.

Well, I really got started on crime novels when I first read Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series. Since then I've kind of been hooked on crime books which go into the nitty gritty forensic aspect of death. However, I also have a penchant for books orientated around the actual killer, hence my thread on hitmen. What attracts me to such books is the fact that I'll probably never (hopefully) have to experience events like those described, and it grounds me I guess into the harsher reality of existence: that as long as there are two people left on the planet, someone is going to want someone dead.

I know I shouldn't really be starting new threads as a newbie, but I was wondering if anyone can suggest some thrillers about hitmen? I've read the Matthew Keller series by Laurence Block, and I own "The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth, but apart from that I haven't come across a whole lot. Any suggestions?

1. 1984 - George Orwell 2. The Man Who Was Thursday - G.K. Chesterton 3. Collected Short Stories - Anton Chekhov

Constantine. I'm just in love with Keanu Reeves

Sushi and a nice cup of tea.

Currently engrossed in Stephen King's The Dome. I kind of like what he's done with it, less spooky gory, more a staunch rebuke of human behaviour under trying circumstances. Or so I think.

The first sci-fi book I read was Devil on my Back by Monica Hughes. Kind of a nice introduction to the Brave New World scenario.

I've never read any of Stephen King's works, but I picked up "Under the Dome" today for

I generally try to finish what I start, but some books are just to awful to carry on. If it feels like someone's grating fingernails down the chalkboard of my brain, then I might even throw the book away. Which is a shame, because I usually got excited to begin with. Recently, I tried reading Vathek by William Beckford and Roger Lonsdale, but it just didn't compute.

I just leave it to fate, look at the spines and see what catches my eye. Although I usually end up with a well-thumbed X-files novel

Steak and grilled cheese sandwich, with a cold mexican beer

It's a bit difficult to locate, and might not be your cup of tea, but by far the creepiest factual (possibly) book I've read is The Uninvited by Clive Harold. Written in the 70's, a farming family in Wales are the focus of extraterrestrial contact. I slept with the light on for a week after reading it

Its kind of trashy, by Laurence Block's Hitman. It portrays Keller not just as an efficient contract killer, but also as an everyday joe who discovers the joys of philately! Chilling yet cheering.

Lord of the Rings. I'd love to hang out with the elves in Rivendell. And then get trolleyed with the hobbits in the Shire

It's a bit of a catch 22 isn't it? They're expensive because the publishers know they're catering to a select audience, but if they were cheaper then that wouldn't put people off trying them to begin with. I don't see the harm in lowering the prices, considering the publicity the popular comics get in films these days.

I've had the pleasure of reading the Historian, and yes, the two in my mind work well together, although I found the Historian to be a little less swash-buckling in tone, but then again the Historian compensates with a more reflective style. Dracula was an immense delight to read, one of those books you can settle down with, only to discover an hour has gone by and your undrunk hot cup of tea has turned cold! I think you'll really enjoy Dracula, you might get a little bit impatient with it to begin with after Jonathan Harker's initial diary entries, as I did, but trust me, Stoker's working up to something rewarding! Thanks for the friendly welcomes everyone!

I sympathise Vanwa on the cost side of things. You pay roughly twice the amount of money for a paperback, and you can pretty much finish reading one in a day. I never did get into Batman, X-men, or any of the popular hero-orientated ones either. Poppyshake, you sound like you'd really enjoy the Sand Man series, it's Gaiman at his best (well, apart from American Gods, but that goes without saying ).

Ta muchly! P.S. Heads up, theres an interview with Neil Gaiman on bbc news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10502324.stm

Morte D'Arthur - Alfred Tennyson. I've just dug out a late 19th century edition of his collected works - my pride and joy!

Good review, looking forward to reading the book, its on my pile. I really enjoyed American Gods by the same author, anyone else read it?