Crime Detective Mystery Thriller Group discussion

This thread is for the discussion of your favorite thrillers. What makes a thriller? Well, at times these lines get a little blurred. But, when I think of the word "Thiller" I guess I'm thinking along the lines of Ludlam and Lee Child. What are your thoughts and suggestions ?

I have to put Greg Iles in this category. He's an author I discovered this year and I've read two of his books that just chilled me.

Jonetta wrote: "I have to put Greg Iles in this category. He's an author I discovered this year and I've read two of his books that just chilled me."

I would agree with that. I love Greg Iles. What two books did you read?

I started with the Mississippi series, in which the stories only connection is the setting. The two I've read are Mortal Fear and 24 Hours. Greg Iles knows how to create the chill and tell a compelling story.

To answer your initial question posed for this topic, for me a thriller is one where the suspense is taut, the bad guys are REALLY scary and the pace moves almost at breakneck speed. You get very nervous as you move through the story, not knowing who's going to make it to the end. When you're done, you feel like you've had an emotional workout.

Jonetta wrote: "I started with the Mississippi series, in which the stories only connection is the setting. The two I've read are Mortal Fear and 24 Hours. Gr..."I don't know if I've read 24 hours. But, I do remember Mortal Fear vividly. I almost had a panic attack at one point while reading that one. I don't think you can go wrong with any of his books. The Penn Cage books are a favorite of mine.

I plan to tackle that series when I finish this one.

I thought I would bring this back since thrillers are one of my favorite topics. 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross is a great thriller. My review is there.

Any Linwood Barclay fans out there? Read three of his books. Still like Trust Your Eyes the best.

One of the best books I read this year. Love books about amnesia.

Another great psychological thriller from Gregg Hurwitz. One of my favorites. Also enjoyed They're Watching.

James Grippando is known for legal thrillers but this was a great psychological thriller. It's hard to like any of the characters in this book and that's what makes it even better to me. My review is here on Goodreads.

You can check out my review on Goodreads for Fletcher Flora's book, The Seducer.

This was probably one of the best books I read this year. Great stand alone psychological thriller with characters that seem to be out of an Elmore Leonard novel. My review is on Goodreads.

Oh man... this is my favorite type of book to read!! I will be taking notes from all of the suggestions in this thread. So far, my favorites are Gregg Hurwitz, Linwood Barclay, and yes... I loved "Before I Go To Sleep". I've not read Greg Isles or Andrew Gross though.

Aiesha wrote: "Oh man... this is my favorite type of book to read!! I will be taking notes from all of the suggestions in this thread. So far, my favorites are Gregg Hurwitz, Linwood Barclay, and yes... I loved..."

I'm sure you'll like 15 Seconds. I believe one of his other books is $1.99 right now.

I like Greg Isles but I think he is the scariest of them all at times. One of his books is a movie. I forgot the name of it. I can look it up and post it there later.

One of my favorite psychological thrillers. Non stop action and suspense from start to finish.

One of the best books I have read in awhile. Very talented writer.First Night of Summer A chilling, emotional thriller never lacking in nail-biting suspense. It reads as though you are watching a movie reel in your mind. Disturbing and vivid, he dives deep into the mind of a sadistic killer and the father that must overcome the unthinkable when his twin girls become his next target. You have got to read this if you are into crime murder mysteries. WOW, have your tissues ready. This book brought my husband to tears.

Shirley wrote: "One of the best books I have read in awhile. Very talented writer.First Night of Summer A chilling, emotional thriller never lacking in nai..."

I've heard a lot of things about this book. Seems a little scary for me. I guess I don't want to read stories about people who are kidnapped anymore. I read Creep a long time ago. A woman was kidnapped in that book and I was upset about it after finishing it. I think it would be hard for me to get into this book for that reason.
Another reason I'm not sure that I want to read this book was because there was a movie that I saw on DVD. I thought I reviewed it but I can't find it. It had a similar them of kids being kidnapped but it didn't go into the mind of the killer. I had a lot of trouble watching it. I'll post a review on the movie if I remember the name of it.
It's interesting to talk about this. I know a lot of people who liked this book. Nothing wrong with that. Might be good to post a topic and see how other people feel about this.
I appreciate the post. It is thought provoking and could bring up a lot of questions in my case anyway.

Ron wrote: "Shirley wrote: "One of the best books I have read in awhile. Very talented writer.First Night of Summer A chilling, emotional thriller neve..."

Hi Ron.

I felt much the same way after reading by John Fowles, some years ago. It unsettled me, but was really my introduction into psychological thrillers. It's still one of my favourites, despite the fact i found it unsettling.

First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say that I couldn't read The Collector. Maybe when I was younger I would have read these books. I guess that over the years, I just moved away from them after Misery.

Ron wrote: "First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say that I couldn't read The Co..."

I moved away from horror for much the same reason Ron. I don't mind being unsettled, so i like psychological thrillers for that reason. I recently read by Jim Thompson, which although i found unsettling, didn't put me off Thompson. Quite the opposite. I also recently read by John Katzenbach, which had much the same effect on me. I had to read something a little 'tamer' after reading both of these. I like being taken out of my comfort zone, but i'd rather be shaken than stirred uncomfortably, long term.

Paul wrote: "Ron wrote: "First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say that I couldn't..."

Not familiar with Katzenbach. I'll check him out. I read one Thompson book a few years ago. Not sure if it's the same book you're referring to. Let me know what it is.

Ron wrote: "Paul wrote: "Ron wrote: "First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say th..."

Here's my review of the Thompson novel Ron:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Katzenbach, judging by that one book i mentioned, is an excellent writer. Definitely worth checking out.

Seems interesting. I'll consider this one. Thanks.

Ron wrote: "I thought I would bring this back since thrillers are one of my favorite topics. 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross is a great thriller. My review is there. "
I have read all of his books and I do enjoy them, they are definitely thrillers.

Jonetta wrote: "I started with the Mississippi series, in which the stories only connection is the setting. The two I've read are Mortal Fear and [bookcover:24 Hours|80634..."

I will need to check him out, I have heard a lot of good things about his books.

Ron wrote: "

James Grippando is known for legal thrillers but this was a great psychological thriller. It's hard to like any of the characters in this book and that's w..."

Another author that I love,I have read all of his as well.

Those are great books. I enjoyed reading them. Haven't read Greg Isles in a while. Will look into those books. Thanks.

Ron, here is my review of , if you are interested:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ron wrote: "Shirley wrote: "One of the best books I have read in awhile. Very talented writer.First Night of Summer A chilling, emotional thriller neve..."

I felt the same way after reading Still Missing. It was good but was VERY disturbing. I don't think I'd want to read another book like that. I have Creep on my TBR list but I'm now second guessing it.

Ron wrote: "First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say that I couldn't read The Co..."

The serial killer Leonard Lake was inspired by the book THE COLLECTOR.

Kirsten wrote: "Ron wrote: "First, it's something that this book was written in 1963. I just looked up John Fowles. He wrote The French Lieutenant's Woman also.
In any case, I would have to say that I couldn't..."

Interesting. I didn't know that either.

Yes. He also wrote a book called 'The Magus'. I read both that & 'The Collector' in my late teens, early 20's. I found 'The Magus' almost impenetrable, but will probably give it another try at some point. I find you often grow into books, with maturity, as one gets older.

DianeAlice wrote: "I also read The Magus in my early twenties. I know it was pretty weird and made quite an impression on me at the time. I have thought about rereading it to see what I make of it now."

I've read it three times, and still find myself drawl to the book. I actually given it away each time, and have to buy another copy.

This seems like a great debut book as a psychological thriller. The Guilty Ones by Lisa Ballantyne. Maybe have to consider this for a group read in Showcase if there is some demand here.

Ron wrote: "

One of the best books I read this year. Love books about amnesia."

I have this one at the top of my "to read" list. Looking forward to starting it soon!

I really enjoyed .

John Rector Already Gone

One of the best psychological thrillers that I read this year since I finished it in one day. I said it before but I thought it was appropriate to mention this book here since it is a great psychological thriller.

I've read two psychological thrillers by Michael Robotham. Both were excellent stories.

I've read two psychological by Gail Matelson. Both are excellent stories. They are 'Hidden Deep Within, A Dark Psychological Murder Mystery' and 'Private World: A Romantic Murder Mystery.' I received 'Hidden Deep Within' from Gail as a 'contest' winner gift, however, 'Private World' is somewhat related and is dated first.
Private WorldHidden Deep Within, A Dark Psychological Murder Mystery

Lynde wrote: "Ron wrote: "

One of the best books I read this year. Love books about amnesia."

I have this one at the top of my "to read" list. Looking forward to starti..."

LOVED IT!!!!!

It's a great book. I should put the book up The Dark Room by Minette Waters.

Ron wrote: "It's a great book. I should put the book up The Dark Room by Minette Waters.

"

I've not heard of this book but it's on my "to read" list now. Thanks for that! Sounds good!!

About 60% through Broken and it's great! I don't have a clue who could have done this so it'll be a shock! After that, I'm going to read The Silent Wife since I've seen so many good things about it here on Goodreads and it's got some slight comparisons to Gone Girl, which I loved.

Ron wrote: "It's a great book. I should put the book up The Dark Room by Minette Waters.

"

Minette Walters is one of the finest, if not thee best, psychological thriller writer of our age. Her first, The Ice House won the CWA Dagger award for best first; her second, The Sculptress, won the top Edgar Allan Poe Award; her third, The Scold's Bridle, won the CWA Gold Dagger; The Dark Room was a finalist for the Gold Dagger Award, Acid Row was also a Gold Dagger finalist; Fox Evil won the Gold Dagger. She has written twelve books plus two novellas from 1992-2007. WOW! This impresses me. The last I read was The Devil's Feather (2005).

I'll have to check it out. Thanks Harriet. Might be time to add her to the showcase folder.

Gail wrote: "Harriet wrote: "Ron wrote: "It's a great book. I should put the book up The Dark Room by Minette Waters.

"

Minette Walters is one of the finest, if not thee bes..."

I've not read all of her books because of time constraints. I need to remedy that. I was the publisher of Mystery News for ten years, plus working full time. Reviewers read them. At times Walters incorporates a mix of messy murders by psychologically deranged murderers. Her stories are not tidy such as those by Charles Todd or Agatha Christie, for instance, nor are they close to those of Thomas Harris. I think there is a balance acceptable to most mystery readers except those who only read cozies or for the humor. Goes without saying, her writing is impeccable.

Gail wrote: "Harriet wrote: "Gail wrote: "Harriet wrote: "Ron wrote: "It's a great book. I should put the book up The Dark Room by Minette Waters.

"

Minette Walters is one o..."

Not sure I miss all the work. It was exhausting. Hubby and I took over the periodical just as Ventura was born as the first desk-top publishing venue. We had to type, print, paste, and drive two hours to a printers. By the time we passed it on to one of our reviewers, she had the capability of sending everything remote. The couple before us had been using a typewriter. Progress. On the plus side, I met and interviewed many authors, attended most of the mystery conventions, including those in England and Toronto. My book reading consisted mostly of all the books of the authors I interviewed. On top of this activity and what came first was writing and producing murder mystery weekends. Now that was fun.

My feeling is that if there is a mystery and someone is investigating the murder such as a detective or a homicide detective, then it would be a mystery. Otherwise, it would be a psychological thriller.