Post by: Thomas S. England on May 02, 2009, 05:51:25 PM
Other than espionage thrillers, I like to read detective novels, especially when there's a series of books.
For example, I love Stuart Kaminsky's Toby Peters series, when all of his clients are movie stars of the 1940's.
And I've also devoured all of Donna Leon novels, set in Venice with her compassionate Commissario Brunetti.
Then, of course, there's Kinky Friedman's work and Robert Parker.
I prefer there to be some humor, interesting settings and characters that will hold my interest for multiple books.
So, anybody got any favorites among the genre I should consider?
Post by: kimmer on May 02, 2009, 11:35:44 PM
Espionage thrillers: I like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor.
Chris Grabenstein's Ceepak series has humor, mystery and good protagonists.
http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/
For slightly bizarre, off the wall humor try the Spellmens series by Lisa Lutz.
The only other detective series that I read that are humorous are light-hearted cozies. Likely not your cup of tea, but if you want recommendations I'll post them.
Here's some other authors I like, in no particular order:
J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas series: A touch of futuristic cop stuff, can be a bit steamy at times. The protagonist is Lt. Eve Dallas, and her husband is always in the middle of everything. (Robb is the pseudonym for Nora Roberts who writes romance novels.)
I've just started reading the stand alone books from Harlan Coben, and I enjoyed 2 out of the 3. Folks I trust tell me that his detective series books are terrific -- but I can't say there's any humor in them. Coben is credited with starting "the family thriller".
James Rollins has several stand alone books, as well as a Sigma Force series. I like his books and his writing style. Had a chance to meet him and he's a nice guy as well. Really personable.
http://jamesrollins.com/
Andrew Gross has 3 books out. I've read 2 and enjoyed them.
David Baldacci is a good writer. My favorite of his is "Absolute Power", which was made into movie with Clint Eastwood. The movie and book are totally different.
James Grippando's Swyteck series is good.
http://www.jamesgrippando.com/
J.A. Jance has a couple of series. I prefer the JP Beaumont series.
Robert Crais is a good writer. He started by writing scripts for television shows such as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Quincy, Miami Vice and L.A. Law.
Post by: kimmer on May 03, 2009, 03:07:28 AM
Andrews, Donna
Apodaca, Jennifer
Avocato, Lori
Berenson, Laurien
Byerrum, Ellen
Chittenden, Meg
Churchill, Jill
Cohen, Nancy J.
Colley, Barbara
Daheim, Mary
Davidson, Diane Mott
Dietz, Denise
Durham, Laura
Farmer, Jerrilyn
Fitzwater, Judy
Fluke, Joanne
Francis, Dorothy
Grilley, Kate
Harris, Charlaine
Holliday, Alesia
Hunter, Maddy
Hyzy, Julie
Isenberg ,Jane
Kelner, Toni
Kozak, Harley Jane
Marshall, Evan
Martin, Nancy
McBride, Susan
McCoy, Judi
Meier, Leslie
Sholes, Joe Moore/Lynn
Myers, Tamar
Myers, Tim
Pollero, Rhonda
Pence, Joanne
Rosett, Sara
Scott, Michele
Sharp, Deborah
Short, Sharon
Star, April
Strohmeyer, Sarah
Swanson, Denise
Viets, Elaine
Post by: gunug on May 03, 2009, 06:32:58 AM
I can recommend books by Dave Barry:
Big Trouble
Tricky Business
Science Fair: A Story of Mystery, Danger, International Suspense, and a Very Nervous Frog < kind of a kids thing but I enjoyed it!
Naked Came the Manatee < Chapters written by a number of writers!
I also enjoyed "Where is Joe Merchant" by Jimmy Buffett and while it's not "exactly" a mystery it is pretty funny.
I've also enjoyed Tom Dorsey's Serge A. Storms and Coleman series but you have to get by the fact that the major character is a serial killer to get to the funny! Kind of dark!
Post by: Thomas S. England on May 05, 2009, 06:47:18 AM
I forgot to add another important criteria: I really don't care for "heroes" who have to constantly fight or shoot their way out of trouble.
Post by: jcarter on May 05, 2009, 07:27:47 AM
My brother just gave us a huge box full of Vince Flynn nd Brad Thor books, though we havent started them yet, will do soon.
I do love Dave Barry too.
Here is a nice book the whole family loved,
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
I also enjoy all books that Alexander McCall Smith has written. Love the ones about Botswana.
There are so many wonderful books out there to read, just need more time,,,,,,
Jane
Post by: Paddy on May 05, 2009, 10:17:35 PM
Detective/mystery/thriller authors I've enjoyed in recent years:
Elizabeth George - all of hers. She has some great recurring characters, so start at the beginning, with "A Great Deliverance"
http://www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com/books.htm (BTW - if you look at Amazon, you'll no doubt come across the other Elizabeth George, who writes religious books! Just be sure which one you've got!)
PD James - again, recurring characters, though I jumped around a lot reading her books, so don't worry about that too much.
Patricia Cornwell - though avoid the 3 books or so preceding the most recent (Scarpetta) which saw her back in good form after a rather bad patch. The early ones, with Kay Scarpetta are very good.
Tami Hoag (the mysteries, NOT the romances!)
I've really enjoyed Jillianne Hoffman's "Retribution" and "Last Witness" and am looking forward to reading the just-released Plea of Insanity.
I like Harlan Coben too - have read some of his, though have a bunch more from garage sales/used book stores on the shelf that I haven't gotten to yet.
As Jane says - too many books, not enough time!
Post by: kimmer on May 05, 2009, 10:57:58 PM
Donald Westlake (especially his Trust Me On This).
David A. Crossman (especially his Murder in a Minor Key).
Oh, and have you ever read any of Ken Follett's earlier works?
Post by: jcarter on May 06, 2009, 06:43:49 AM
Another one the whole family enjoyed was "Modoc",
http://www.amazon.com/Modoc-Story-Greatest...0078&sr=1-1
Its not a mystery, and does get a bit far fetched, but its a nice read.
Jane
Post by: Frances144 on May 06, 2009, 08:22:54 AM
Lindsey Davis website with book list
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 06, 2009, 09:27:30 AM
Head First PHP & MySQL, actually quite humorously presented, supposed to make things easier to learn, engage all the brain and such.
iPhone SDK Application Development
Both are from <O'Reilly>. Of course, the plots are fairly obvious, but there are fewer characters to keep track of...
Post by: sandyman on May 07, 2009, 02:46:34 PM
Sandy
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 07, 2009, 05:18:27 PM
QUOTE
which may make it a bit difficult for you to visualize things
Ah! But isn't that the great advantage of a book (and even radio or spoken word, IMHO)? You are not told what something/someplace/somebody has too look like. One actually gets to use the brain to imagine things! 
Post by: jcarter on May 07, 2009, 06:47:14 PM
Never see a movie before a book, well yes sometimes,,,,,, but its far better to read the book first.
Jane
Post by: Thomas S. England on May 07, 2009, 08:00:40 PM
QUOTE(sandyman @ May 7 2009, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They are mainly set in Edinburgh which may make it a bit difficult for you to visualize things. A very good writer, and Rebus is definitely NOT a "hero".
Sandy
Sandy
Ah, but I have been to Edinburgh, although spent more of my time in Glascow during that trip.