h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, Tartaronne!

I am interested in crime fiction generally, not just one or two authors like John Creasey. (Actually, I hadn't read any Creasey for years before I saw the project entry here).

I like a whole range of authors, English and American, and a range of styles from the fairly light kind that Americans call 'cozy' to the out-and-out serial killer kind of thing. I have books by Marcia Muller, Val McDermid, Steven Saylor, Jonathan Kellerman, John Connolly, Janet Dawson, JA Jance, Margaret Maron, Janet Neel, Mike Ripley, John Malcolm and Robert Barnard - to give some names in random order.

I'm happy to discuss any of these, or any other auhtors I've read. How about you?


Azara

Hi Azara.
I'm very pleased. I know a few of the authors you mention but not very well off-hand. I've just re-read the novels of Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton and Dick Francis - taking a closer look at the language, the litterature in them and the "social indignation". John le Carré - another angle of crime and human behaviour have moved on from spies to complex political insight. I enjoyed The Constant Gardner just before Christmas.
I would very much like to state my views and points and discuss them with you. But it have to be later. It's dinner-cooking time.

Tartaronne

Hi, Tartaronne!

I haven't read any books by sue Grafton or Sara Paretsky for a while, but I really like Dick Francis' books - I have quite a lot of them, and re-read them occasionally. I find the whole view of the world of horse-racing fascinating - though the couple of times I've actually gone to the races I didn't enjoy it so much: I got very cold and I lost all my bets!

Azara

Hi Azara.
You are right. The horses, the stables, the races come alive in Dick Francis’ novels. With the smells, textures and the almost telephatic understanding between man and horse. I never liked horses before I read his books. Had only encountered a mean, old animal who bit me and stepped on my toes
At the only race I went to - half-working - I won a small bet at first (with the help of somebody in the know) - and ended up with a big minus
Although Dick Francis' novels seem like light litterature in coposition and story, I’m amazed of how much research is put into them - whether it is painting, photography or banking the main character earns his living by. I at least learn a lot, when I read, re-read og re-read again.
Do you have an explanation as to why it is good to re-read crime fiction? Is it because it is a world with well-known rules and with characters you “like”? A bit like a fairy-story told innumerable
times?

Tartaronne

Hi Azara

I've decided to take a good look at all my conversations. I've just been to your 'My space' and discovered that you are a very busy researcher. Are you Irish - or living in Ireland? I spent a year in Dublin as an au-pair when I was very young, and my eldest daugther has an Irish father. She graduated from Queens University with a master in Irish politics three years ago. I'm currently reading Cole Moreton's Hungry for Home - A journey from the edge of Ireland. It's very good.

In the passing I saw, that you are subscribed to a conversation asking 'which book are you burning now?' Have you read the Spanish crime fiction writer (a long name which escapes me right now)whose detective lights his fires with books?

tartaronne