Here are some books I've read recently that I recommend. All are worth checking out.
Harlan Coben: Long Lost - Great characters, entertaining premise, lots of suspense. (Out now.)
Walter Mosley: The Long Fall - Mosley does New York for the first time, with great results. (Out now.)
Jack Kilborn: Afraid - Very violent, very bloody, very good. Couldn't put it down. (Out now.)
Lisa Scottoline: Look Again - Tense and unsettling, but tasteful thriller. A real page-turner. (Out April 14)
George Pelecanos: The Way Home - Pelecanos is the best; this one is no different. (Out May 12)
Michael Connelly: The Scarecrow - Interesting protagonist, good plot and a lot of suspense. (Out May 26)
Joseph Finder: Vanish - A real kick-ass thriller. Finder is always a must-read. (Out August 18)
Some oldies, but goodies, which you may or may not have read:
All of Charles Willeford's Hoke Moseley novels, including The Way We Die Now, Miami Blues and New Hope for the Dead because, 'No one writes a better crime novel than Charles Willeford.' Elmore Leonard
Clockers by Richard Price. Utterly brilliant.
Slow Motion Riot by Peter Blauner. The greatest Hollywood crime movie never made.
Posted by: Ian | April 12, 2009 at 03:40 PM
PS There's a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar just waiting out there for anybody who gets Slow Motion Riot on screen.
Posted by: Ian | April 12, 2009 at 03:42 PM
If you liked Clockers, read Lush Life. It's even better.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | April 12, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I sincerely heop this means the blog is back. I've missed it quite a bit.
Posted by: Wayman | April 16, 2009 at 04:17 PM
Summer is coming, so let's get some more recommendations happening!
Posted by: frank sales | April 20, 2009 at 10:27 AM
A fine list, but these are all well-established writers. It would be nice to hear about some new talent.
Posted by: Roddy Reta | April 29, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Bryan Gruley's Starvation Lake showed a lot of promise (although it would help if you like hockey, which I don't).
Alan Bradley's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is excellent -- very charming debut.
I'd also recommend Travis Thrasher's Ghostwriter, an entertaining Stephen King-esque ghost story.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | April 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Have you tried the new Stacy Cochran?
Posted by: loretta mansfield | May 06, 2009 at 08:17 AM