Recommendations

[katiemac]

I'm looking for some mystery recommendations. I realized it's been a long time since I read one, and also I'd like to do it as a bit of research for my own novel as well.

I'm not looking for the hardboiled cop/investigative journalist angle, but more like the everyday/average joe solving a crime, murder, disappearance, etc. But someone with a limited (but perhaps specialized) skill set. I'd like to get an idea of plotting and pacing of mysteries.

Thanks!

[alleycat]

There are two or three great anthologies of mystery stories, including the one edited by Dorothy L. Sayers.

Or are you just interested in novels?

[katiemac]

You know, I hadn't even considered short stories because I tend not to read them (for shame!). Outside of Sherlock Holmes. But I'd like something with a more contemporary setting.

What are the anthology titles?

[gothicangel]

Have you ever tried any of Val McDermid's Tony Hill novels? I think the psychologist's angle is a good one.

[alleycat]

You know, I hadn't even considered short stories because I tend not to read them (for shame!). Outside of Sherlock Holmes. But I'd like something with a more contemporary setting.

What are the anthology titles?
One that is contemporary is The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, edited by Ed Gorman (I think there's three collections now; I just have the first one).

But since you reminded me . . . I just went and ordered collection two from Amazon.

[katiemac]

Have you ever tried any of Val McDermid's Tony Hill novels? I think the psychologist's angle is a good one.

If you recommend it, there's an excellent chance I have not tried it. It's been ages since I read a proper mystery. Looking it up -- thanks!

[OneWriter]

If you like the noir detective genre from the forties or the fifties, then Raymond Chandler is the master. Read The Long Goodbye or The Big Sleep. I'm a big fan! :D

Oh, and he's a private eye, so it's not about police procedural...

[scarletpeaches]

Anything by Nicci French.

[Stanmiller]

Specialized skill set? Jonathon Kellerman's Alex Delaware (psychologist who solves crimes along with a hardboiled (but gay) homicide detective. Kellerman is a degreed psychologist so he gets the details right.

[Exile87]

Stan: Hmm....I like the sound of that, especially the gay detective. Must look into it!

And I hate to start a new thread that's so similar, so I'll just do a little hijacking! (Sorry, katiemac! hehe)

I need recommendations for some good thrillers! Thriller/sci-fi is good, too. And a few gay characters tossed in there? Even better! But anything you can recommend is much appreciated. I'm in a reading mood, and I'm totally lost as to what I should pick up!

[heyjude]

Make sure you have a look at the What we're reading, the MTS edition thread. Lots of good stuff there, and people generally say whether they like it or not.

[Exile87]

Thanks, HJ! I always overlook that thread o_O