I love Steven King, Dean Koontz and Neil Gaiman (“American Gods” and “Anansi Boys” are amazing). Terry Pratchett is a real favourite not only a humourist, but a really underrated satirist. The two Rankins - Ian (“Rebus”) and Robert (“The Brentford Trilogy”) are also must read authors for me. I met Robert Rankin at a St. Georges Day event in Brentford recently and he came across as a really genuine person. Humble too - when I thanked him for all the pleasure his books had given me over the years, he was really taken aback and genuinely moved.
I am currently re-reading the (non SF) books of Dan Simmons - I have read “The Terror” and “Drood” twice so far and am about to read them again - always a sign of a good book when you can re-read it and it still seems fresh and new.
Just reading ‘Crisis’ by Robin Cook wow a real nail biter and very good. Picked up a James Patterson from the library ‘Daniel X’ and a Michael Connelly ‘The Brass Verdict’ also picked up a writer haven’t read before Quintin Jardine ‘Aftershock’ wonder if anyone knows about him.
Jardine is one I’ve not heard of. Presently reading Susan Hills “The Vows of Silence”, the latest in her excellent series about a British police Superintendant. A mix of psychological suspense and police procedural; good read.
If they have hers, start with the earliest. Each is a stand-alone story, but she develops the characters as they go on; makes for a more enjoyable read.
One writer that I never grow tired of is Wilbur Smith. He must be getting quite old now and he writes historical adventure fiction.
For those new to him I would recommend to start with his first book “When the Lion Feeds”. This is the first in a trilogy about the Courtney twin boys, growing up in South Africa before the Boer War. Wilbur Smith is a Rhodesian (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) and he writes beautifully, in such wonderfully descriptive way about the African continent, ancient an modern - warts and all. I have copies of every book he has written, but prefer the earlier ones. I can highly recommend him although his writing can get a bit violent and shocking sometimes.
This author was recommended to me by a friend.
M.C.Beaton, she writes the Agatha Raisin series which I believe have been read on the Radio 4 by Penelope Keith.
I Got the 1st in the series- Quiche of Death as an into to the character.
She is a qwerky female just retired, settles in a Cotswold village, which she thinks is now a mistake.
It is well written and funny. A cross between Agatha Christy and Midsummer Murders. I am thoroughly enjoying it and intend to read the whole series.
Makes a nice change from all the deep dark thrillers I usually read.
I have read all of Agatha Raisin books they are good and I was sorry when I had read the whole series. I could imagine a 'Miss Marple’type television series.
I will also be looking for Wilbur Smith he sounds good. It is a good point to start at the begining of a authors books as the characters do grow and their background becomes important.
Finished Crisis by Robin Cook it was very very good. although it is about a malpractice court case it really puts over the authors feelings about concierge medicine which is growing in America and is particularly highlighted in the death’s of welknown entertainers such as Michael Jackson.
I am now in the limbo state of having just finished one book and about to start another. This time it’s going to be Lyn Andrews whose heroins are usually hardworking and gutsy lasses from Liverpoor and Ireland.
Glad you found one - there are a few about Egypt and Taita. The Egyptian ones are a bit of a departure from his earlier works and are more into the realms of fantasy. I tend to prefer his earlier works on S.Africa, but Taita is an interesting character - hope you enjoy it.
There are others in the system; this was the only one available at my branch. If I enjoy it (I like that period of Egyptian history), will put a hold on some of the others, especially the South African ones.
For those who love crime novels I recommend Mari Jungstedt. Her plots are set in Gotland - a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. ‘Unspoken’, ‘Unseen’ and ‘The inner circle’ are books by her translated into english.
I’ll check the library for Jungstedt, Anna; I do like a good crime novel. I’m enjoying the Smith “Quest”, not what I thought it would be (somehow I had thought it was in the Ankenaten era). but a thoroughly good read do far.
J D Robbs In Death series. I think Ive read about 30 of then now and enjoyed them all. The characters are like old friends. You can`t beat a steamy serial killer book.
