Around the world in 80 sleuths

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/crime-fiction-aro...

Here is another list that I have been eyeing up :>

I've recently started to read quite a bit of crime fiction.. I think the fact that crime books tend to be written in series satisfies my need to 'tick' books off after I have finished them.

I also like the way this list could tie into a 'read around the world' challenge. One of the reasons I love reading is that it gives me a window onto other places in the world

Ooh! Very tempting list!! I've been hearing about the Scandinavian writers; maybe now is time to try them.

I'm glad I came upon this list, even if it is 2-3 years old!

Fun! Thanks! Several I now want to try.

Well, I've read a few now:

1. I saw the film adaptation of Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow - good, if a bit weird.

2. Gave Arnaldur Indridason's Jar City to a friend and we both liked it and will read more.

5. I discovered Ian Rankin while on holiday a couple of years ago - a great series, with a very real main character.

7. I bought Three Bags Full after reading about it on LT. Its a very clever book, and very readable; truly amazing that Leonie Swann is a German writer.

11. Of course I watched Inspector Morse on the TV, so now I must try Colin Dexter's books.

33. I started reading Henning Mankell after being completely wowed by Stieg Larsson. Great books from both authors, and if you get the chance to see the original films (Larsson) and TV series (Mankell) you will enjoy the scenery and excellent casting.

47. I've been reading every V I Warshawski novel by Sara Paretsky as soon as I can get hold of it. Nice to have a woman PI for a change, and VI and her dogs are great.

51. I've never read any of Robert B Parker's Spenser novels, but the Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall ones are great.

55. Just read a couple of James Lee Burke's books this summer - good, very readable and I will be looking out for more.

67. I kept being told to read Alexander McCall Smith's series about Precious Ramotswe, the 'traditionally-built' PI, and I kept putting it off, as i was sure I would hate them. How wrong I was! These are cozies, and all the better for that, as your mum will love them too!

They missed at least a couple that I know of:

Germany/Russia. Fatherland by Robert Harris is set in a slightly alternate time (the nazis win WWII), but its a good crime thriller. I have a copy of Archangel (sorry, bad touchstone) but haven't yet read it.

India. The Inspector Ghote series by H R F Keating. I haven't yet acquired one, but they are on my wishlist.

Does anyone else have some to add?

I've decided to do the entire list in order and have Smilla's Sense of Snow ordered from the library.

I've read a few of them myself now too:

1. Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow
Loved it, evoked the landscape of Greenland perfectly
Gave a copy to my sister as we went on holiday to Copenhagen; it was beautiful in spring (April) but part of me wished for SNOW!
Caught the film late at night on TV years ago, will have to track it down again *Not available on Lovefilm

2. Tainted Blood aka Jar City
Read this quite recently, very good- infact DH read this before me and went on to get the rest of the series. Terribly sad subject (I'm a new mother)

3. Raven Black
Another cold, snowy setting- great book but have yet to check out the rest of the series

4. The Moonstone
Found the inclusion of this on the list a bit flimsy as I don't feel "Yorkshire" was really a presence in the novel

5. Dead Simple
Quite enjoyed this, but then read the next in the series and was turned-off by the cringey sex-scene

6. Cabal
Was ok, secret clandestine plot was a bit convoluted for me - or was this typically representative of Italy/ Rome? Might stick my neck out and say I 'prefer' the trash written by Donna Leon - set in Venice

7. The Winter Queen
Read this some time ago for a Book group, but didn't enjoy it. My comments were along the lines of 'lots of dashing between locations in order to make it seem fast-paced'

And I have a fair few more waiting TBR. ( I also have 'Fatherland' TBR!)

As if I needed yet another list....

Oh well - yes I did :)

1/80

Read Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg and really enjoyed reading about the Greenland and Danish cultures. Dark mood like the Girl Who series. Hard a harder time relating to the main character though.

Jar City on order from the library.

2/80

Read Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason. Decent story about an Icelandic murder.

I'm in Sweden with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Very enjoyable. For a slow reader I'm flying through it.