Crime Writers

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:29pm #1

Only recently introduced to this genre. Do you read any crime / thriller books? Having read books by the following: Val McDermid / Jo Nesbo / Michael Connelly / John Connelly etc. Am always suitably disturbed by their story - creeps me out

What makes them write this stuff? Are they talented, or are they physcos?

Pushtrak · 23-06-2012 7:31pm

I'm a big fan of Lee Child novels. Have read them all. One of them will actually be made in to a movie starring Tom Cruise later this year or early next. Really not expecting it to do the book it is based on justice.

As for why the writers do it, because they want to, they can, and they make a living out of it.

Mr.Crinklewood · 23-06-2012 7:32pm

Lee Child, had forgotten about him.

Which book is being made into a film?

Cheers.

El Guapo! · 23-06-2012 7:34pm

John Connolly is very good.
You should check out the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. They're really good and a few have been turned into movies with Morgan Freeman in the lead role.

Pushtrak · 23-06-2012 7:35pm

One Shot*. So, not his best work in my opinion by a good way. Not his worst though. His worst, IMO would be The Visitor. Not bad, just the weakest he has done.

Other than Lee Child, the Dexter novels are great. The first novel is similar to the first season of the show, but is different enough one must read it if they intend to go on with the others. And it definitely is worth going on reading the others. Very different than the show itself. The show itself is great. Just read the books too.

Edit: It is being released as Jack Reacher not One Shot it seems - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790724/

Where To · 23-06-2012 7:35pm

The Bible is a good read.

I don't know who it's by though.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:35pm

Dean09 wrote: »

John Connolly is very good.
You should check out the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. They're really good and a few have been turned into movies with Morgan Freeman in the lead role.

Compared to John Connolly I find Cross' books very wishy washy, ditto Patterson

Shryke · 23-06-2012 7:35pm

A lot of crime is by the numbers stuff that doesn't appeal to me. Patterson and Grisham and the like.
James Ellroy is the best crime writer i've read. Just fantastic.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:36pm

Pushtrak wrote: »

One Shot.

Other than Lee Child, the Dexter novels are great. The first novel is similar to the first season of the show, but is different enough one must read it if they intend to go on with the others. And it definitely is worth going on reading the others. Very different than the show itself.

Spot on

Mr.Crinklewood · 23-06-2012 7:38pm

Pushtrak wrote: »

One Shot. So, not his best work in my opinion by a good way. Not his worst though. His worst, IMO would be The Visitor. Not bad, just the weakest he has done.

Other than Lee Child, the Dexter novels are great. The first novel is similar to the first season of the show, but is different enough one must read it if they intend to go on with the others. And it definitely is worth going on reading the others. Very different than the show itself.

Read 61 hours enjoyed it, but was disappointed by the end of it.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:38pm

Shryke wrote: »

A lot of crime is by the numbers stuff that doesn't appeal to me. Patterson and Grisham and the like.
James Ellroy is the best crime writer i've read. Just fantastic.

Ta, will check out Ellroy

Jay D · 23-06-2012 7:39pm

Not into the fiction and read one book from Lee Child and thought it was very far fetched and predictable. Storyline wasn't great either, but being on long cross Asia bus journeys I had no choice

I'm more into the likes of Master Detective, True Crime, Murder most foul etc. They are horrible stories sometimes, well I suppose always but very interesting at the same time. Don't read them too much but if i'm getting on a plane that would be a good choice for me.

toexpress · 23-06-2012 7:39pm

Try some PD James.

James has a unique experience in the Home Office and a generally sharp eye so the focus on detail in the books is fairly good

babyfratelli_x · 23-06-2012 7:40pm

I love Crime novels, Michael Connelly being my favourite author, but I also read a lot of John Grisham. Karen Rose and Karin Slaughter are alright aswell. And I really enjoyed the Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson.

Must read some Lee Child books this summer.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:40pm

Linwood Barclay is a fantastic writer, I would highly recommend his work to anyone - not gorey, but he will fcuk with your head

mattjack · 23-06-2012 7:41pm

A serious literature conversation in AH ?

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:43pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

I love Crime novels, Michael Connelly being my favourite author, but I also read a lot of John Grisham. Karen Rose and Karin Slaughter are alright aswell. And I really enjoyed the Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson.

Must read some Lee Child books this summer.

Baby, you gotta get your Val McDermid hat on, from reading your post, you'd like her, am Karin Slaughter fan too

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:44pm

mattjack wrote: »

A serious literature conversation in AH ?

books being discussed ain't no serious literature!

theoneeyedman · 23-06-2012 7:44pm

Pantsface wrote: »

Pushtrak wrote: »

One Shot.

Other than Lee Child, the Dexter novels are great. The first novel is similar to the first season of the show, but is different enough one must read it if they intend to go on with the others. And it definitely is worth going on reading the others. Very different than the show itself.

Spot on

Couldnt warm to dexter at all....one of the few books i left half way tru and didnt finish. Its ironic that Childs Jack Reacher is going to be played by cruise....Reacher is noted in the novels as being very tall (6'7"?) while Cruise ......isnt!!
John connolly is excellent, im not usually into supernatural type stuff but he is excellent, especially the Charlie Parker stuff

Tipsy McSwagger · 23-06-2012 7:45pm

All of the above are fiction writers. When you read one of their novels you always know in the back of your head that it's just made up. True crime books are the best to read and Ann Rule is the best writer of true crime.

Pushtrak · 23-06-2012 7:45pm

Mr.Crinklewood wrote: »

Read 61 hours enjoyed it, but was disappointed by the end of it.

My favourites by him would be Killing Floor, Echo Burning, Tripwire and The Enemy. Might be others, but I'd have to re-read them to give a definite on that, and don't want to be listing every one of his books, anyway. You can get excerpts from all his novels here. The Affair is the last one that has been released at the moment, with A Wanted Man next. The Affair wasn't written in a very Hollywoodized feel, but a couple of the ones preceeding it certainly do in comparison to how his novels were when he started out. That isn't to say they're bad, still find the plot of them entertaining and entertain me enough that I buy the new one fairly sharpish when it is released.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:46pm

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Couldnt warm to dexter at all....one of the few books i left half way tru and didnt finish. Its ironic that Childs Jack Reacher is going to be played by cruise....Reacher is noted in the novels as being very tall (6'7"?) while Cruise ......cant.!!
John connolly is excellent, im not usually into supernatural type stuff but he is excellent, especially the Charlie Parker stuff

Charlie Parker is best character ever - love him. Glad I haven't come across him on screen yet.

El Guapo! · 23-06-2012 7:47pm

Pantsface wrote: »

Dean09 wrote: »

John Connolly is very good.
You should check out the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. They're really good and a few have been turned into movies with Morgan Freeman in the lead role.

Compared to John Connolly I find Cross' books very wishy washy, ditto Patterson

I agree, the standard of writing just isn't as good but they're good stories so worth a read in my opinion.
Can't beat Connolly though.

tommyboy2222 · 23-06-2012 7:49pm

James Ellroy - "American Tabloid".

Absolutely fantastic !!

DEFTLEFTHAND · 23-06-2012 7:53pm

I read Michael Connolly quite often, the Harry Bosch series mostly.

I also enjoy Legal thrillers from the likes of John Grisham.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 7:55pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I read Michael Connolly quite often, the Harry Bosch series mostly.

I also enjoy Legal thrillers from the likes of John Grisham.

John Grisham was my first introduction to the genre, and as I discover more and more writers, I have ended up avoiding him. John Connolly is your only man for proper scary fooked up crime books, I think he'd be my favourite

DEFTLEFTHAND · 23-06-2012 8:00pm

Pantsface wrote: »

John Grisham was my first introduction to the genre, and as I discover more and more writers, I have ended up avoiding him. John Connolly is your only man for proper scary fooked up crime books, I think he'd be my favourite

I've heard he's excellent alright. What would you recommend as a good book to start with?

Heckler · 23-06-2012 8:02pm

Pushtrak wrote: »

My favourites by him would be Killing Floor, Echo Burning, Tripwire and The Enemy. Might be others, but I'd have to re-read them to give a definite on that, and don't want to be listing every one of his books, anyway. You can get excerpts from all his novels here. The Affair is the last one that has been released at the moment, with A Wanted Man next. The Affair wasn't written in a very Hollywoodized feel, but a couple of the ones preceeding it certainly do in comparison to how his novels were when he started out. That isn't to say they're bad, still find the plot of them entertaining and entertain me enough that I buy the new one fairly sharpish when it is released.

Reacher books are great in general but the last 3 or so were pretty ****e. The Affair in particular was crap. Even got nominated for a worst sex scene in a book. Earlier ones were the best, Killing Floor etc.

Tom Cruise playing Reacher is going to be a stretch. Gonna be like a mission impossible film i reckon.

John Connellys Charlie Parker novels are fantastic.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 8:10pm

Heckler wrote: »

Reacher books are great in general but the last 3 or so were pretty ****e. The Affair in particular was crap. Even got nominated for a worst sex scene in a book. Earlier ones were the best, Killing Floor etc.

Tom Cruise playing Reacher is going to be a stretch. Gonna be like a mission impossible film i reckon.

John Connellys Charlie Parker novels are fantastic.

they really are

Dangerous Man · 23-06-2012 8:11pm

Raymond Chandler is great craic altogether.

Heckler · 23-06-2012 8:14pm

Pantsface wrote: »

[/B]

they really are

New one The Wrath of Angels coming in August. Really like the Louis and Angel characters as well. Hope they feature in this one.

El Guapo! · 23-06-2012 8:14pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Pantsface wrote: »

John Grisham was my first introduction to the genre, and as I discover more and more writers, I have ended up avoiding him. John Connolly is your only man for proper scary fooked up crime books, I think he'd be my favourite

I've heard he's excellent alright. What would you recommend as a good book to start with?

I read The Reapers first and thought that was very good.
Also if you check out Michael Connelly, have a look at The Scarecrow. Loved that book.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 8:16pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I've heard he's excellent alright. What would you recommend as a good book to start with?

Every Dead Thing - first in the Charlie Parker series. I only wish I knew this before reading his work. You're in for such a treat, I'm so jealous.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 8:17pm

Dean09 wrote: »

I read The Reapers first and thought that was very good.
Also if you check out Michael Connelly, have a look at The Scarecrow. Loved that book.

hallaa!

loved the scarecrow

thomasm · 23-06-2012 8:17pm

James Lee Burke is head and shoulders above most crime writers IMHO.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 8:20pm

Heckler wrote: »

New one The Wrath of Angels coming in August. Really like the Louis and Angel characters as well. Hope they feature in this one.

ahhh Louis and Angel are my favourite reoccuring characters in any series good call

thomasm · 23-06-2012 8:21pm

Some good recommendation here also

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056381212?page=5#post_79301409

El Tarangu · 23-06-2012 8:22pm

A big +1 for James Ellroy.

And Thomas Harris, who wrote the Hannibal Lecter novels (Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, etc) - excellent

Heckler · 23-06-2012 9:04pm

thomasm wrote: »

James Lee Burke is head and shoulders above most crime writers IMHO.

Robicheaux is a fantastic character and Cletus Purcel isn't far behind. Outstanding books.

Denis Lehanes books with Patrick Kenzie and Bubba Rogowski are up there as well.

thomasm · 23-06-2012 9:26pm

Heckler wrote: »

thomasm wrote: »

James Lee Burke is head and shoulders above most crime writers IMHO.

Robicheaux is a fantastic character and Cletus Purcel isn't far behind. Outstanding books.

Denis Lehanes books with Patrick Kenzie and Bubba Rogowski are up there as well.

Must look out for the Kenzie and Rogowski books, not heard of them before

Heckler · 23-06-2012 9:53pm

thomasm wrote: »

Must look out for the Kenzie and Rogowski books, not heard of them before

Read them in order for best effect. You might have seen the movies Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 9:56pm

Heckler wrote: »

Read them in order for best effect. You might have seen the movies Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone.

Not read the book, but thought affleck did a decent movie out of it - his follow up, The Town, was proof he isn't a one stop wonder

Blondini · 23-06-2012 9:59pm

Michael Connolly - Excellent

Linwood Barclay - Exceptional Writer

Karin Slaughter - Excellent but read her novels in the correct order for maximum enjoyment

Jester252 · 23-06-2012 10:06pm

Need to finish reading all the crime books I got during my last crime kick

Lisha · 23-06-2012 10:08pm

Excellent thread got some good additions for my library list.
Thanks all

I loved Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta book, was so disappointed when they finished, Southern Cross and the following were so crap. I was disgusted.

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 10:15pm

Lisha wrote: »

Excellent thread got some good additions for my library list.
Thanks all

I loved Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta book, was so disappointed when they finished, Southern Creoss and the following were so crap. I was disgusted.

Honestly, Patricia Cornwall is like the yellow pack of crime writers, don't mean that in a bad way, have read her & enjoyed the books, then i discovered the likes of John Connolly, never looked back!

Lisha · 23-06-2012 10:29pm

Pantsface wrote: »

Honestly, Patricia Cornwall is like the yellow pack of crime writers, don't mean that in a bad way, have read her & enjoyed the books, then i discovered the likes of John Connolly, never looked back!

In my defence it was in my early 20s, they did have a formula-feel to them alright.
John Connolly is excelent, I like both Kellermans, Karin Slaughter, I read Jodi Compton's Haileys WAr last week it was very good
I must try Linwood Barclay, and get the scarecrow book

Lalaloca · 23-06-2012 10:31pm

I love the Ian Rankin Rebus books. The Dalziel and Pascoe recent books are an enjoyable read. I have read everything from PD James to Mo Hayder and once the book romps along at a reasonable pace without glaringly stupid plot twists you can have a lovely read. Far better than facing bleak house of an evening

Pantsface · 23-06-2012 10:35pm

Lalaloca wrote: »

I love the Ian Rankin Rebus books. The Dalziel and Pascoe recent books are an enjoyable read. I have read everything from PD James to Mo Hayder and once the book romps along at a reasonable pace without glaringly stupid plot twists you can have a lovely read. Far better than facing bleak house of an evening

Have you read Pig Island?

Pugins · 23-06-2012 10:55pm

Really like Ian Rankin Rebus series, not so keen on new Complaints books with Malcolm Fox. Also like both Kellerman writers. Loved Bosch books by Michael Connolly except for that one set in Hong Kong. Reacher (Lee Child) are usually readable, have to suspend disbelief a little!

Don't like John Connolly at all.

Heckler · 23-06-2012 11:06pm

Pugins wrote: »

Really like Ian Rankin Rebus series, not so keen on new Complaints books with Malcolm Fox. Also like both Kellerman writers. Loved Bosch books by Michael Connolly except for that one set in Hong Kong. Reacher (Lee Child) are usually readable, have to suspend disbelief a little!

Don't like John Connolly at all.

What !!!????!!!!

Crime Writers

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