SLCLS Genre Study discussion

Police Procedural

Usually a recurring character who is the investigator
More clinical in tone

Sometimes little or no mystery – focus on solving the crime

May include more details on violence

Professional investigator – police detective or a team of officers and technicians

Sub-genres – forensic, serial killer, stalkers

The only procedural series I follow is the In Death series--which is not a completely typical procedural.

Though sometimes I think that because they follow the same characters through the series there can also be a focus on relationships and character development. I read a couple of the Faye Kellerman series--I loved Ritual Bath, but thought that the series was less interesting as it went on.

I like the Jo Nesbo Harry Hole books, though I have to skip some of the gorey descriptions. However, I can't stop wondering why Nesbo didn't have some kind of translator or editor that would convince him to pick a different name for his character! I know it's silly, but it can be hard to take Harry seriously sometimes because of name.

Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. I like the military angle, and the one-man-taking-down-everybody-single-handed part. I love the clinical angle and the detailed descriptions of guns/ammunition, stalking suspects, and beating up 6 guys all by yourself. Mostly I'm intrigued by the multi-novel character arc of Jack. None of my friends like this stuff, so please, you guys, be my murder friends!

I just finished City of Saints and it is both a police procedural and a private eye, because the detective gets fired half way through the book and then he goes it on his own to discover what really happened.

Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles novels come to mind. Nothing like the TV show but have become a little predictable. However, I do love the character of Gabriel and wish he had a larger role in the books.

I liked Stefanie Pintoff's In the Shadow of Gotham. It's a police procedural, but it takes place at the turn of the 20th century when forensics were just beginning. It's part police procedural, part historical fiction.

Let me introduce you to a new police procedural: Walking in the Ocean, by David Whellams. Takes place along the Jurassic Coast of England/Wales. Peter Cammon is a 67 yr old semi-retired Scotland Yard detective send to solve they murder or suicide of a woman who's husband (and the main suspect) has disappeared by "walking into the ocean" sans clothing. The novel has wit, Holmesian deductive reasoning, and an interesting main character. Now I want to read the next one!

I just finished The Last Policeman. Very much a police procedural but with a cross-over twist. Just not sure what the cross-over is. Any thoughts?

Carolyn wrote: "I just finished The Last Policeman. Very much a police procedural but with a cross-over twist. Just not sure what the cross-over is. Any thoughts?"

I just finished it, too. I guess if you want to call it a cross-over, I would say it's science fiction (post-apocalyptic stories are usually sf, so why not pre-apocalyptic?) Anyway, I really enjoyed it.

Stephanie wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I just finished The Last Policeman. Very much a police procedural but with a cross-over twist. Just not sure what the cross-over is. Any thoughts?"

I just finished it, too. I gues..."

I'm about 2/3 of the way done, and am really enjoying it. Given the premise, I'm surprised there is a sequel coming out. Steve and I ordered it with bestseller funds. The title is Disasterland.

I also read The Last Policeman. I was most of the way through it before I really believed it was a mystery. I do like apocalyptic novels, which is what attracted me to the book. I may have to look for the sequels! (It is a trilogy)

I just read City of Saints. It was interesting that Andrew Hunt included historical places around Utah and that he took a real murder case from SLC history to as his inspiration. He creates two very contrasting characters, one very religious and one character that uses the f* word pretty much every time he speaks.

Even though the Jefferson Bass "Body Farm" novels are not exactly police forensics, Dr. Brockton is usually working with or for the police. With the real-life background of Dr. Bill Bass, these books are some of my favorite mystery's that have accurate background research.

A few years ago we had a title in Reader's Choice called Still-Life. I loved the serene quaint-looking village cover, but it turned out to be a Police Procedural mystery with a chief inspector, murders, deep dark secrets, and fear instilled into the community. I usually stick with cozies but I enjoyed this one.