I primarily enjoy reading the classics and new novels of high literary
merit. But every so often I want to read a thriller or murder mystery
or other popular, best-seller type. But so many times I buy a book at
the airport rack and then toss my selection after 50 pages or so --
they're poorly written with preposterous plot twists and
hard-to-believe scenarios.

I'd like recommendations on thrillers or murder mysteries or similar
popular fiction that are engaging, particularly well written, and have
some literary merit. I'd like to know not only authors but specific
recommendations on their best books. And is there a site where I can
find trustworthy reviews of current fiction so that I can continue to
find this kind of book when I'm ready for a respite from my usual diet
of more demanding fare?

---

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 21 Oct 2004 16:23 PDT

Here are links to a lot of sources for mystery reviews:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Literature/Genres/Mystery/Reviews/

I don't put too much stock in reviews. I've always found word of mouth
to be one of the best ways to find good books. For several years I
worked in a used book store, and it was always great to talk to
customers, making and receiving suggestions about books. If it had not
been for a recommendation from a customer, I might never have
discovered Caleb Carr's "The Alienist," one of the finest pieces of
writing in the mystery genre that I've come across in a long time.

If you could list some books and authors that you've enjoyed, I'm sure
you'll get some good suggestions from Google Answers Researchers and
other helpful site users.

Hi dickgrote,

John Dunning series:
1. Booked To Die (1992)
2. The Bookman's Wake (1995)
3. The Bookman's Promise (2004)
[4. The Sign of the Book (2005)]

Enjoy,
hummer

My wife enjoys the alphabet series by Sue Grafton (A is for Alibi, B
is for Burglar, etc.).  They all center around a private investigator
named Kinsey Milhone.  For a long time I thought they were too silly
for me, but after reading a couple of them I found that they were
pretty good.  I enjoy the fact that the books work well individually,
but can be even more enjoyable as a series.

Individual tastes can differ greatly, of course, but I recently
enjoyed for the first time that classic of detective fiction, "The Big
Sleep," by Raymond Chandler:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0394758285/103-9982516-2009458?v=glance

Dickgrote --

The Raymond Chandler recommendation is excellent.  See also Dashiell
Hammett and John McDonald's "Travis McGee" series.

Dan Brown's contemporary book, "The DaVinci Code" isn't at the top of
the best-seller lists for nothing.

Another stunningly good author is John Le Carre, the British spy novelist:
http://www.johnlecarre.com/

For some historically-reliable camp, try a different McDonald, the
Canadian author George McDonald and his Flashman novels.  They're
delightfully fresh and sophomoric at the same time, dealing with a
perennial coward (Harry Paget Flashman) who ends up the hero in major
historical events.  Why Fox hasn't made him into a serial is beyond
me, as he's the historical Homer Simpson:
http://www.pangloss.ca/flashman/

The good news is that you can find all of these at used book sales,
whether on e-Bay or at your local public library.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

I'm not a fan of thrillers, but I do enjoy mysteries.  The 2 best
writers I have found in this genre are S.J. Rozan and Steve Hamilton. 
Both have a series of mystery novels.  I recommend that you start with
the first in each series:

China Trade by S.J. Rozan 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0312955901/104-6441404-7053543

A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/284/paperback/ref=pd_serl_books/104-6441404-7053543

Both writers tell an absorbing story that stays with you and makes you think.

Do Ellroy's books classify as thrillers?

I'm not sure what the category of his books would be, but they are
great, and they're certainly something of "thriller or murder mystery
or other popular, best-seller type", as you describe what you'd like
to learn about in your question.

If you have never read any of James Ellroy's books, I would suggest
you read "American Tabloid", one I've recently read and found really
exciting.