The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I love to share recommendations on Foreign Literature, especially in the genre of crime. The first author I would like to recommend is Henning Mankell, author of the Wallander series, which was made into a television series with Kenneth Branagh. I love his pacing and the intricacies of his plots.

Many fans of Henning Mankell in the group and in international crime fiction as well. I've enjoyed visits to Brazil with Leighton Gage, Australia with Garry Disher, and Sweden with Maj Sjöwall to name just a few.

I read all the Wallander books and at least one of Mankell's other books. While I think they were good I prefer books with somewhat happier main characters.

Georges Simenon is one of my all time favorite foreign detective fiction authors. His books feature Commissaire Maigret.

I'm interested in learning about other good foreign mystery writers. I've already added a few that have been mentioned here. I did find a list on this site:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

Thanks and please post more recommendations. :)

Here are a few more for you Daisy. Donna Leon Insp Brunetti books set in Venice, Andrea Camilleri Ins. Montalbano books set in southern Italy, and Cara Black Aimee Leduc books set in Paris.

I'm not a fan of English mysteries but I have gotten hooked on Deborah Crombie's Kincaid and James series.

... I have gotten hooked on Deborah Crombie's Kincaid and James series."

I think they are excellent although I thought the most recent one, The Sound of Broken Glass, wasn't anything special. I recommend reading them from the beginning.

Donna wrote: "Here are a few more . . . "

These authors look great and I look forwarding to reading these books. Thanks.

Quillracer wrote: ". . . hooked on Deborah Crombie's Kincaid and James series."

Sometimes grabbing an audio mystery from the library doesn't always guarantee that it will be the first in the series. I read And Justice There Is None, number 8 in this Kincaid and James series. It was a good book but I could tell it would have been better had I started at the beginning. I will go back and read the first of the series.

There is a book I intend to read which is set in China, Death of a Red Heroine.

Also, while I was looking around at the above recommendations I discovered this detective novel set in Spain: Death Rites

The above two novels look pretty good also.

Death of a Red Heroine is the first book in the excellent Detective Chen Series by Qiu Xiaolong. However, I would only recommend it to those with a strong interest in the modern political history of China. The author has altered reality a bit (China in the early 1990s but with mobile phones) to tell the stories his way.

thanks for the great recommendations.... I recently listened to one of Karin Fossum's Inspector Seyer books and really enjoyed it, set in Norway. Have also enoyed Johan Theorin, The Darkest Room, (Sweden), which has a supernatural/psychological element.

oops just realised the darkest room is a mystery chiller rathwr than detective fiction.

Daisy wrote: "Georges Simenon is one of my all time favorite foreign detective fiction authors. His books feature Commissaire Maigret.

I'm interested in learning about other good foreign mystery w..."

Arnaldur Indridason and Jo Nesbo are two of my favorite foreign authors.

Robert wrote: "Arnaldur Indridason and Jo Nesbo are two of my favorite foreign authors."

Jo Nesbo sounds familiar to me. I haven't read either of them but I will now. Thanks!

I've enjoyed many of the authors you've mentioned so far. I've also enjoyed the Inspector Zhang Fong mysteries set in China, written by David Rotenberg.

Anne Zouroudi has written a series of detective novels set in Greece and featuring a Greek protaganist. Well written and entertaining.

Thank you to everyone who has posted here for some recommendations that I am sure to enjoy.

I am going to check out Anne Zouroudi as well. I just began Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo, the second book in his Harry Hole series. I look forward to more recommendations from fellow readers.

Loved Stieg Larsson's "The Girl" series. Although, I have yet to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. It is on my To-Read list, though.

Have read a couple of Henning Mankell's Wallander series and I really like those, also. Same for Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series. Just read The Redbreast, but, am currently reading The Bat. So far, only about 50 pages into it, but, I like it.

Not sure which of those Scandinavian authors I'd say I like best, though. They all are very good and I've liked all of the books I've read by them. And, will continue, as each of them has books on my To-Read list.

Think I've delayed reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, though, as it is the last of the trilogy and the last of the author's work. Wish there was more, but, not to be.

On the other hand, recently discovering Mankell and Nesbo, I've got several books there to read. Also, recently discovered Maj Sjöwall'a Martin Beck series and want to get into that one more. So far, I've just read 1 of his, Roseanna and liked it very much.

Ron wrote: "Loved Stieg Larsson's "The Girl" series. Although, I have yet to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. It is on my To-Read list, though.

Have read a couple of..."

The final installment in the "Girl" series I was impressed with. It is sad that he passed away before he could have enjoyed the success. That series is what led me to read other foreign thrillers. Just finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo. The Snowman is my favorite of all his Harry Hole novels.

Robert wrote: "The final installment in the "Girl" series I was impressed with. It is sad that he passed away before he could have enjoyed the success. That series is what led me to read other foreign thrillers. Just finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo. The Snowman is my favorite of all his Harry Hole novels..."

I agree with you on Stieg Larrson. The series is good, and we can only speculate where he might have continued to take it. Or, what other direction he might have gone on.

That series also led me to the other authors that I've mentioned. I've only read The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø, so far. Although I've just started The Bat. So far, I like the Harry Hole series and intend to continue with it.

Just finished my first Alec Blume story, The Dogs Of Rome by Conor Fitzgerald. Irish but lives in Rome.

Great addition to Andrea Camilleri, Donna Leon and Michael Dibdin.

They all write about different cities but keep alive the corruption that is rampant, apparently, throughout Italy. That's okay, all the former governors of my state seem to go to jail.

loving the jo nesbo books, I started reading the girl with the dragon tattoo and gave up after 50 pages, I'm definitely going to try it again because I bought the trilogy lol

Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun.

Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I have at least one Vargas book on my shelves. Haven't gotten to it yet despite having had it for quite some time.

Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I looked into those books and now have 1 on my to-read list that is also on my list to get from my local library. Thanks for the tip.

One of the great features of Goodreads, is the recommendations of other books that I might not find on my own. I've only been on here a couple years and have found quite a few that way. Including Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series.

Of course, the other side of that coin, is that I now have a list of books to-read that is rapidly approaching 400 books. I should live so long...

Ron wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I looked into those books and now have 1 on my to-read list that is also on my list to get from my local library...."

You must be a bookaholic like me! And yet, even with my tbr that will outlive me, I still buy books!

Jan C wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I have at least one Vargas book on my shelves. Haven't gotten to it yet despite having had it for quite some time."

I have lots of books still on my shelves for quite some time, unread. It's a disease.

Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I have at least one Vargas book on my shelves. Haven't gotten to it yet despite having had it for q..."

I think I have something like 1700 unread/unfinished books ... and still I buy.

Jan C wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Have you tried the novels by Fred Vargas from France? They're fun."

I have at least one Vargas book on my shelves. Haven't gotten to it yet despite havin..."

I'm so happy to hear that! I'll tell my husband I'm not the only one.

Nancy wrote: "You must be a bookaholic like me! And yet, even with my tbr that will outlive me, I still buy books!"

I resemble that! Well, except that I don't buy many books. I'm a library-aholic. Get books from the library rather than buying them. I seldom re-read books, so, I don't keep them. If not keeping them, why buy them? So, logical solution, use the library. I've been using the library system wherever I've lived for roughly 60 years. Well, didn't for a bunch of years in the middle of those years, but, don't remember how old I was when I would walk to the library and carry a bag of books both ways. I know I was in elementary school when I started. Now, I'm in retirement and still use the library.

Also, today's libraries also have books on CD, movie DVDs and music CDs. I use all of them. And, read magazines while I'm there.

I agree. We have a good library system here and I get books using inter library loan when necessary. I can do it all online and have them delivered to the nearest branch. I also can get a few books to borrow free for kindle through our library. As a last resort I buy books for kindle and rarely in hardcopy. I have also purchased a few books from the UK that aren't (or haven't as yet) been published in the US.

I buy a lot of paperback books. A friend and I swap books all the time. Some I want back, the others she passes on to others.

I get books from the library that I want to read but don't care to keep. And for authors or series I want to try before I buy any of their books. And for the latest releases I can't wait until the paperback comes out to read.

I use my Kindle mainly for books I can't find in hard copy. I've also picked up some bargain books for Kindle that lead me to several new authors who are very good.

Ron wrote: "Nancy wrote: "You must be a bookaholic like me! And yet, even with my tbr that will outlive me, I still buy books!"

I resemble that! Well, except that I don't buy many books. I'm a library-aholi..."

I would use the library, but if you've seen my crime fiction shelves, I trend toward newish crime fiction from all over the world. I live in a very small town where if it's not on the New York Times best seller list, it's probably not available. It's hell on my book group. Plus, I buy books, but may not feel like reading them at the time they arrive, so I have my own stock when I'm feeling like reading them.

Try inter library loan. It is a good way to find books your library doesn't have. The books in Goodreads have a Library button that goes to WorldCat which gives me all the information I need to make the ILL request.

Quillracer wrote: "I buy a lot of paperback books. A friend and I swap books all the time. Some I want back, the others she passes on to others.

I get books from the library that I want to read but don't care to k..."

Swapping is way cool -- when I'm done with a book I don't want, it either goes on my give away shelf here on goodreads or onpaperback swap.

Nancy said: Swapping is way cool -- when I'm done with a book I don't want, it either goes on my give away shelf here on goodreads or onpaperback swap.

I have 4 people I swap books with on the regular basis, so I've got books coming and going in several directions.

I have a similar problem as you with my local library, but in my case they have 5 copies of everything Danielle Steele has written and less than 20 of the 50+ books in Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series.

Quillracer wrote: "Nancy said: Swapping is way cool -- when I'm done with a book I don't want, it either goes on my give away shelf here on goodreads or onpaperback swap.

I have 4 people I swap books with on the reg..."


LOL!! That's it exactly!

Ron wrote: "Loved Stieg Larsson's "The Girl" series. Although, I have yet to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. It is on my To-Read list, though.

Have read a couple of..."
Ron: Is that a U of O symbol for your profile?

Håkan Nesser is a Swedish writer who has had 8 or 9 of his books translated into English. The main character is called Inspector Van Veeteren, a detective in the early novels and later the owner of an antique books shop.

Also worth checking out is Arnaldur Indriðason, from Iceland. I reckon his crime mysteries are as good as anything by Mankell. The main protagonist in his books is Detective Erlendur and I would especially recommend "Jar City" and "The Draining Lake".

French writer Pierre Lemaitre has a trilogy (The Verhœven Trilogy)which has recently been translated into English. The first of these - "Alex" - is a stunning thriller, but definitely not for the nervous.

With reference to Mankell's "Wallander" on TV. I much prefer the original Swedish TV series (with subtitles) which was shown on BBC4.The BBC screened all 26 episodes of the series which stars Krister Henriksson as Kurt Wallander. I thought he really captured the character of Wallander and the whole series is brilliantly acted by a superb Swedish cast.

If you're wary of subtitled films, don't be - this is a terrific TV series.

I have enjoyed Hakan Nesser as well. I'll add Jeffrey Siger for books set in Greece.

David Hewson has a good series set in Rome.

Deon Meyer is excellent. There are two series, both set in South Africa.

Botswana features in series by Michael Stanley and Unity Dow. She's a Supreme Court judge in Botswana.

Other South African options are Margie Orford and Mike Nicol. If you appreciate some fantasy with your detective fiction, Lauren Beukes is different and very good. Malla Nunn has some detective books set in the 1950's in South Africa.

Donato Carrisi has two Italian books. The translation is excellent. Michele Giuttari is as authentic as it can be, he is the former head of Florence's police force.

Martin O'Brien has a series set near Marseilles in France. If you like historical detectives, The Chatelet Apprentice is set in Paris just before the French Revolution. Very well translated and researched.

Peter Temple is very good. Books set in Australia and a few in South Africa.

Ann Cleeves has books set on the Scottish islands. Caroline Ramsay is also in Scotland as is Ian Rankin

You can add Shamini Flint for Indonesia, Colin Cotterill for Laos, Timothy Hallinan for Thailand and Michael Pearce for more Greece.

Vikas Swarup who wrote Slumdog millionaire wrote two detective novels set in India.

Lee wrote: "Is that a U of O symbol for your profile? "

Yes, Lee, it is. I'm a proud Duck graduate!
Go Ducks!!!

Ron wrote: "Lee wrote: "Is that a U of O symbol for your profile? "

Yes, Lee, it is. I'm a proud Duck graduate!

Go Ducks!!!
"
Me too; BS '65, MS '67 Now I'm writing crime thriller novels. This is an excellent discussion site and I've found many "foreign" authors here that I now read regularly: Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, Colin Dexter. I've been a huge Ian Rankin fan for many years and am looking forward to reading ANOTHER MAN'S GRAVE next.

Lee wrote: "Me too; BS '65, MS '67 Now I'm writing crime thriller novels. This is an excellent discussion site and I've found many "foreign" authors here that I now read regularly: Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, Colin Dexter. I've been a huge Ian Rankin fan for many years and am looking forward to reading ANOTHER MAN'S GRAVE next."

Always glad to meet another Duck fan. It was '80 for me, but, I got my degree late in life. Got it about 2-3 weeks before I turned 40.

I've read from all those authors you mentioned, except for Ian Rankin. I'll look into him, though.

Ian Rankin is excellent. I just read one of his earliest books Watchman. He is best known for his series featuring Detective John Rebus.

Gary wrote: "Ian Rankin is excellent. I just read one of his earliest books Watchman. He is best known for his series featuring Detective John Rebus."

Thanks. Just placed Knots and Crosses on my to-read list. It is the 1st of the Inspector Rebus books. And, I prefer to begin a series with the initial book, if possible.

Gary wrote: "Ian Rankin is excellent. I just read one of his earliest books Watchman. He is best known for his series featuring Detective John Rebus."

I like Rankin's John Rebus books. Always good.

If you like the Rebus books I would recommend the DS/DI Logan McRae series by Stuart MacBride. These are set in Aberdeen. They are grittier than the Rebus books. McRae is slightly more of a team player than Rebus.

Thank you everyone for some of the authors noted here that I was not familiar with.

Caroline Ramsay is also in Scotland

I am confused by this. The only Caroline Ramsay I found is the narrator of some YA fantasy books.

Just finished Death in Breslau: An Eberhard Mock Investigation by Marek Krajewski, a Polish author. Found the book fascinating. About a crime committed in Gestapo occupied Breslau. Probably, Breslau, Poland, but, there is a Breslau in both Poland and Germany. The crime is solved despite political interferences from both local politics and the Gestapo. Will read more by Mr. Krajewski. Already have 2 other Eberhard Mock series books in my to-read list.

It was a little difficult to read, as with any "foreign" author, the setting is in where he is comfortable. Nothing wrong with that, but, for me, the pronunciation of many of the names in the book, were difficult. Both names of people and places. Same with the Scandinavian authors I've read. More my problem than their's, but, still, a difficult read for me. Just was worth it.