Recommendations

katiemac · Aug 2, 2010

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 · Aug 2, 2010

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 · Aug 2, 2010

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 · Aug 2, 2010

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

alleycat · Aug 2, 2010

katiemac said:
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 · Aug 2, 2010

gothicangel said:
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 · Aug 2, 2010

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!

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

scarletpeaches · Aug 2, 2010

Anything by Nicci French.

Stanmiller · Aug 3, 2010

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 · Aug 3, 2010

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 · Aug 3, 2010

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 · Aug 3, 2010

Thanks, HJ! I always overlook that thread

Recommendations

katiemac

Five by Five

alleycat

Still around

katiemac

Five by Five

gothicangel

Toughen up.

alleycat

Still around

katiemac

Five by Five

OneWriter

Ubi dubium ibi libertas

scarletpeaches

Stanmiller

Exile87

New kid, be gentle!

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

Exile87

New kid, be gentle!