Crime fiction (not mystery)

[Milestones]

Although I have read my share of mysteries over the years, my preference really is for crime fiction that does not feature the overworked "who done it" formula. 

In my younger days I liked the James Bond novels, early Forsyth, early Ludlum, etc.   That was more espionage stuff, but I think these days I would prefer more "noirish" works--James M. Cain and work in that vein.  I also like Elmore Leonard, though I have not read much of his work. 

I am looking for atmosphere and suspense--not so much mystery.    

[jlhoots]

Don Winslow

[Rabshakeh]

I'm a big fan of Savage Night by James Thompson. 

[jazzbo]

I love Jim Thompson!

I re-read a Raymond Chandler recently (Lady in the Lake). I'm crazy about his writing.

I've grown to really like the Quarry series by Max Alan Collins, and the Parker series by Richard Stark (Donald E. Westlake). Anti-hero stuff for sure. And I LOVE the B.Cool and Lam series by A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner).

Edited 4 hours ago by jazzbo

[medjuck]

Thomas Perry

[Jason Bivins]

George Pelecanos, Charlie Huston.

[Rabshakeh]

1 hour ago, jazzbo said:

I love Jim Thompson!

Sorry: Jim!!!

[Milestones]

Raymond Chandler is an absolute great, though I've wondered if he would have been even better without the restrictions of the "whodunit" format.

I have to say, I haven't heard of several of these writers. I'm guessing most of them are living and active. 

 

[Niko]

A lot of crime ficition has been moved to the second row in the bookcase by now, but, besides Chandler and Hammett, Ross Thomas is still displayed with all his 25 novels in the front row... somewhere between thriller and crime I'd say... I also love Lawrence Block, especially but not only, the Bernie Rhodenbarr series and Charles Willeford... incidentally, Ethan Iverson has written loads of great posts about people like Thomas, Block and Willeford... (I discovered Thomas via Jörg Fauser and then the other two via Iverson)

for example, this is the Thomas post

https://ethaniverson.com/newgate-callendar/ah-treachery-ross-thomas/