Know any DECENT crime writers?

BillG · Nov 9, 2007

most of the true crime books are written by hacks. ann rule and joe mcguiness are the exceptions IMHO.

all the rest seem to be awful writers.

have i missed some good ones?

any suggestions?

Bill

mudman cj · Nov 9, 2007

My wife is the household book expert. She suggests John Glatt and Aphrodite Jones. She also says Jack Olsen is not the best but she likes his work.

gorn · Nov 10, 2007

Joseph Wambaugh has written some good true crime books. His police fiction is generally good too.

chmsam · Nov 10, 2007

As for fiction, try Walter Mosley, Tony Hillerman, John Sandford, and **** Francis, but for a nice mystery with a healthy dose of bizarre humor, the should have been governor of Texas, Kinky Friedman.

As for nonfiction, find a copy of Homicide: a Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon.

DM51 · Nov 11, 2007

Michael Connolly. He has written ~16 books, with not a dud among them. Very good indeed.

mudman cj · Nov 11, 2007

Hi again. She wants me to add some more for fiction (she thought you were asking about non-fiction).

They are: Robert B. Parker, Harlan Coben, Randy Wayne White, and +1 to both Kinky Friedman and Michael Connolly.

Sub_Umbra · Nov 13, 2007

I'm another who likes John Sandford. His "Prey" series and "Kidde" series are great.

paulr · Nov 13, 2007

Robert Graysmith?

Dirty Bob · Nov 27, 2007

Elmore Leonard is tops on my list!

Regards,
Dirty Bob

jnj1033 · Nov 28, 2007

DM51 said:
Michael Connolly. He has written ~16 books, with not a dud among them. Very good indeed.

+1 on Michael Connelly. I've thoroughly enjoyed several of his, especially the Harry Bosch novels. I also suggest Robert Crais. I reviewed his book, The Two Minute Rule here:
http://www.sneakyreader.com/index.php?s=two+minute+rule.

Edit: I just reread your post and saw that you are looking for true crime. I can't help you there, but I stand by my earlier suggestions for crime and detective fiction.

shakeylegs · Nov 28, 2007

For fiction, Dennis Lehane is tops in my book. Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, A Drink Before The War, are good starters.

Non-fiction must reads,
Maury Terry's Ultimate Evil about the Son of Sam murders

Penny Lernoux's In Banks We Trust - this cast of thousands will have you banking from your mattress

Walter Bowart's Operation Mind Control is now difficult to find - occasionally available on amazon for quite a price, it's an unbelievable read about real government research and operations - criminal? read it an you judge

PlayboyJoeShmoe · Dec 3, 2007

I don't know from "True" crime, but I do know that Sanford, Deavers, Coben and Hillerman are some good writers!

Crime on a much grander scale (such as treason) by Clancy, Flynn and others.

NA8 · Dec 7, 2007

I enjoyed James Ellroy. Not exactly true crime, but an interesting experience.

I'd start with his L.A. Quartet:

1987 The Black Dahlia
1988 The Big Nowhere
1990 L.A. Confidential
1992 White Jazz

MedusaOblongata · Dec 7, 2007

I can't name any books or authors, but there's a great article (NSFW) posted here: http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/street/smokecamel.html

Know any DECENT crime writers?

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