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 yesterday at 04:43 PM 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/

[GA Russell]

Regarding atmosphere and suspense, a favorite of mine is the Quiller spy series by Adam Hall.  The Ninth Directive in particular.

I also have read a little of the Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor which I have enjoyed.

[Stompin at the Savoy]

Rogue Male (1939) by Geoffrey Household.  Len Deighton and Eric Ambler if you haven't read them.

If you like the occasional mystery with classy, brassy, humorous protagonist try Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert (1950).

You might also enjoy John D. MacDonald.  He has the Travis McGee series and a lot of good non-series stuff.

Edited 20 hours ago by Stompin at the Savoy

[jlhoots]

Mick Herron

[ejp626]

Chester Himes has a whole series of detective novels, starting with A Rage in Harlem.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If you want detective series with a twist, try the first Glen Cook Garrett P.I. book, "Sweet Silver Blues". Garrett is a human detective living in a world populated by gnomes. I read them (there are 14 of them) a long time ago and remember enjoying them.

[mr jazz]

Add Michael Connelly and Robert Crais.

[Rabshakeh]

21 minutes ago, mr jazz said:

Add Michael Connelly and Robert Crais.

My neighbour is a retired dustman with a "colourful" past. He reads crime novels and then gives them to me. They're a varied bunch quality-wise. Michael Connelly was the one that absolutely blew me away. Literary level writing, good plots, and, as a special treat, lots of jazz. I gifted them on to my dad who got similarly obsessed. 

[jlhoots]

2 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

My neighbour is a retired dustman with a "colourful" past. He reads crime novels and then gives them to me. They're a varied bunch quality-wise. Michael Connelly was the one that absolutely blew me away. Literary level writing, good plots, and, as a special treat, lots of jazz. I gifted them on to my dad who got similarly obsessed. 

I'm a Connelly fan too - both the Bosch & Lincoln Lawyer novels.