If I like Ian Rankin who else should I try?
Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 13 April 2004
Buying up a few books for a holiday coming up and I found myself staring at the shelf of Ian Rankin books and wishing he had a new one.
I've never really read detective novels much but I have enjoyed the grim wit and style of his Insp. Rebus stories and have now read pretty much all of them.
Who else might I try as a bit of variety then?
Bruce
I've never really read detective novels much but I have enjoyed the grim wit and style of his Insp. Rebus stories and have now read pretty much all of them.
Who else might I try as a bit of variety then?
Bruce
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Top Cat
Hmmmm... try Christopher Brookmyer - "Quite ugly one morning" to start with, failing that "One fine day in the middle of the night".
John
John
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Brian OReilly
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
Quite Ugly is being filmed at the moment with James Nesbitt as Jack Parlane
That's interesting. I like Brookmyre, but he seems to write with one eye on a potential film deal. The one about the oil rig read like a sub "Die Hard" screenplay.
But then again, why not?
Brian OReilly
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by matthewr
James Ellroy, Raymond Chandler, Elmore Leonard. Then some Carl Hiassen for light relief.
Although bear in mind I found Rankin exceptionally dull and only made it through one and half of his novels before deciding he was not for me.
Matthew
Although bear in mind I found Rankin exceptionally dull and only made it through one and half of his novels before deciding he was not for me.
Matthew
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
I have looked at Raymond Chandler books several times and never actually bought one. Which to try first?
Bruce
Bruce
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by matthewr
Bruce,
The obvious place to start is "The Big Sleep" which is the first Philip Marlowe novel. The other Marlowe books in chronological order are "Farewell, My Lovely", "The High Window", "The Lady in the Lake", "The Little Sister", "The Long Goodbye" and "Playback".
Then I'd definitely try some James Ellroy and read the LA Quartet which, in order, are "Black Dahlia", "The Big Nowhere", "LA Confidential" and "White Jazz" which are all excellent. Not only does Ellroy follow firmly in Chandler's footsteps but he is a genius himself and the best living crime writer by a country mile.
Matthew
The obvious place to start is "The Big Sleep" which is the first Philip Marlowe novel. The other Marlowe books in chronological order are "Farewell, My Lovely", "The High Window", "The Lady in the Lake", "The Little Sister", "The Long Goodbye" and "Playback".
Then I'd definitely try some James Ellroy and read the LA Quartet which, in order, are "Black Dahlia", "The Big Nowhere", "LA Confidential" and "White Jazz" which are all excellent. Not only does Ellroy follow firmly in Chandler's footsteps but he is a genius himself and the best living crime writer by a country mile.
Matthew
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Geoff P
If you want to be really grim the Hannibal Lector novels of Thomas harris will chill you.
I know it has all been overdone by the hype and the films but the most recent book "Hannibal" is particularly terrifying and somehow the reading process makes it more so than watching a it as a film which of course is not exactly true to the book.
regards
GEOFF
I know it has all been overdone by the hype and the films but the most recent book "Hannibal" is particularly terrifying and somehow the reading process makes it more so than watching a it as a film which of course is not exactly true to the book.
regards
GEOFF
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Rockingdoc
Bruce
I too have read all the Rankins (including writing as Jack Harvey), and would also suggest the Chandler/Marlowe books. Dasheill Hammett's are also favourites of mine.
Mid-period Elmore Leonard are pretty good too.
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Wed 14 April 2004 at 9:22.]
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Wed 14 April 2004 at 9:22.]
I too have read all the Rankins (including writing as Jack Harvey), and would also suggest the Chandler/Marlowe books. Dasheill Hammett's are also favourites of mine.
Mid-period Elmore Leonard are pretty good too.
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Wed 14 April 2004 at 9:22.]
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Wed 14 April 2004 at 9:22.]
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by cunningplan
Bruce
The wife is also a big Ian Rankin fan and has read all the books, she thinks that you might enjoy Peter Robinson. Apparently Tesco do them on their special offers from time to time as long as your not too fussy where you get your books from
Regards
Clive
The wife is also a big Ian Rankin fan and has read all the books, she thinks that you might enjoy Peter Robinson. Apparently Tesco do them on their special offers from time to time as long as your not too fussy where you get your books from
Regards
Clive
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Simon Perry
I would second the Ellroy recommendations. He's a fantastic writer (one of the best imo) although he is a complete right wing nutter which sort of adds to the fun.
If you like his novels check out My Dark Places, a sort of autobiography come investigation into the real life murder of his mother.
Simon
If you like his novels check out My Dark Places, a sort of autobiography come investigation into the real life murder of his mother.
Simon
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by Simon Perry:
Ellroy he is a complete right wing nutter .
Simon
I agree, and couldn't get on with his work at all.
BTW I was on holiday last year with a couple of real-life murder detectives, and they both found Rankin "too dark and disturbing"!!
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Brian OReilly
One of the Jack Harveys might be worth a read. I don't like them myself, but it's interesting to see the complete difference in style between the Harvey and Rankin personas.
Brian OReilly
Brian OReilly
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by matthewr
"I agree, and couldn't get on with his work at all"
I must admit I wasn't aware of his political views but, either way, I'm not sure why they should affect one's enjoyment of his novels. It's not like his alleged views are apparent in his writing.
"real-life murder detectives, and they both found Rankin "too dark and disturbing"!!"
Lord knows what they would have made of Elroy then.
Matthew
I must admit I wasn't aware of his political views but, either way, I'm not sure why they should affect one's enjoyment of his novels. It's not like his alleged views are apparent in his writing.
"real-life murder detectives, and they both found Rankin "too dark and disturbing"!!"
Lord knows what they would have made of Elroy then.
Matthew
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by nodrog
Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen series, for a bit a Italian flavouring. Also a fairly grim read.
Ellmore Leonard - anything really.
Georges Simenon's Maigret books (there's loads of them) psychological detective stories. Wonderful reading. You can come back time and again to them.
Ellmore Leonard - anything really.
Georges Simenon's Maigret books (there's loads of them) psychological detective stories. Wonderful reading. You can come back time and again to them.
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
Thanks for all the tips, I've picked up a Raymond Chandler compendium and looking forward to this.
Bruce
Bruce
Posted on: 15 April 2004 by Simon Perry
re. Ellroy's politics
Matthew,
There was a fantastic documentary on Ellroy a couple of years ago on BBC2 or Channel 4. They were following him around on a reading tour he was doing. Not suprisingly, when he reads aloud from his own books they sound amazing. His wife is a liberal, and there was a great scene in which she derides his political views as "so right wing and extreme as to be impossible to take seriously".
He came across as incredibly aggressive, confused, contradictory, and immensely likeable all at the same time.
If its ever repeated its well worth catching.
Simon
Matthew,
There was a fantastic documentary on Ellroy a couple of years ago on BBC2 or Channel 4. They were following him around on a reading tour he was doing. Not suprisingly, when he reads aloud from his own books they sound amazing. His wife is a liberal, and there was a great scene in which she derides his political views as "so right wing and extreme as to be impossible to take seriously".
He came across as incredibly aggressive, confused, contradictory, and immensely likeable all at the same time.
If its ever repeated its well worth catching.
Simon