Book Recommendations

Lucky Girl · Jan 20, 2014

Hello, everyone! I'm looking for some cool books to read in the mystery genre. Noir, hard-boiled, classic, old hollywood themed, etc. Any suggestions?

penates · Jan 20, 2014

If you want noir, Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler. For hard-boiled pulp, try Jim Thompson or Horace McCoy.

Two Types · Jan 20, 2014

I'm a fan of James M. Cain (Double Indemnity, Mildred Pierce).

If you want weird try Black Lace Drag by Ed Wood - the story of a transvestite hitman on the run.

If you want European, rather than American, Georges Simenon's novels (both the Maigret books and Simenon's roman durs - hard novels) are good reads.

Stormy · Jan 20, 2014

James Ellroy's novels are pretty good.
Walter Mosely's earlier novels are some of my favorites.

Vera Godfrey · Jan 21, 2014

I enjoy the Toby Peters mysteries by Stuart Kaminsky. They take place in 1940's Hollywood. Not hard boiled, but a fun read and the mystery is fairly good (I can usually figure them out!)

Captain Nemo · Jan 21, 2014

I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot stories.

1mach1 · Jan 23, 2014

Don't shrug this off.... "Hard Boiled" by Frank Miller.

Smithy · Jan 23, 2014

I'll put in a plug for Barbara Cleverly's novels, especially her Detective Joe Sandilands series set in 1920s India during the British Raj. Very evocative in terms of the period and place and written in the classic British crime tradition. I love them.

skydog757 · Jan 23, 2014

penates said:
If you want noir, Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler. For hard-boiled pulp, try Jim Thompson or Horace McCoy.

I agree; I'm reading The Long Goodbye right now. Good stuff.

Locrian · Jan 30, 2014

Cornell Woolrich — anything by him. For e.g. The Black Angel, or I Married a Dead Man.

sal · Jan 31, 2014

While I like a good novel sometimes I just don't have the time for a long read so I subscribe to the Ellery Queen magazine. Great authors, short novella's. Worth a look.

tuco1963 · Jan 31, 2014

stephen kings 11 22 63 it has everything youve asked for and more

Old Rogue · Jan 31, 2014

I've always been a big fan of John MacDonald's Travis McGee series. You often read that The Lonely Silver Rain (his last novel) is the best of the series. I can't argue with that but in my opinion all of the Travis McGee novels (21 in all) are a great read.

Taz-man · Feb 3, 2014

I like any of the books by Alistair McLean, the Swagger series by Stephen Hunter, and the Honor series by W.E.B. Griffin. All of these books are good. Most are set in the30s/40s and there are a few that are set nowadays.

Stormy · Feb 15, 2014

sal said:
While I like a good novel sometimes I just don't have the time for a long read so I subscribe to the Ellery Queen magazine. Great authors, short novella's. Worth a look.

Thanks for posting this! I asked my daughter and son-in-law to get me a subscription (I was kidding at the time). Yesterday, they gave me the order confirmation as a Valentine's Day gift. I can't wait to get my first copy! Again, thanks... this is why I LOVE the Lounge so much. Any more noir recommendations? Please do share.

Touchofevil · Mar 3, 2014

Anything by Ross MacDonald or David Goodis.

Stanley Doble · Mar 3, 2014

The Great Gatsby. Not exactly a mystery although there are a couple of murders in it. Not everybody gets it, but if you do, you will never forget it.

Two Types · Mar 3, 2014

Touchofevil said:
Anything by Ross MacDonald or David Goodis.

Not certain on Mac Donald yet - I'm still reading my first one (The Way Some People Die).

But Goodis is amazing - absolutely bloody amazing. One of the best. I'm amazed he isn't more famous.

Two Types · Mar 3, 2014

Locrian said:
Cornell Woolrich — anything by him. For e.g. The Black Angel, or I Married a Dead Man.

An often overlooked writer. I've only just started reading him - and I'm most impressed.

Touchofevil · Mar 4, 2014

Two Types said:
Not certain on Mac Donald yet - I'm still reading my first one (The Way Some People Die).

But Goodis is amazing - absolutely bloody amazing. One of the best. I'm amazed he isn't more famous.

Keep reading, he is pretty good. His Lew Archer stuff is his best. I too am surprised that Goodis has yet to find more fame.

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