14 October 2006

Happy birthday, Frank

Bookshelvesthumb

Happy birthday to my very good friend, Frank --

enjoy your day, and many more like them.

14 Oct 2006 19:19:26 | Friends

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Ten favourite detective authors To return to "that" list of 10 "greatest" detective novels. David Montgomery's criteria: "A novel featuring a detective (or perhaps a pair of detectives) as the protagonist, who spends the bulk of the story investigating a crime. Could be an amateur detective or pro, could be private or police." He also excludes authors on the grounds of "a body of work", preferring to give one great work. However, at least three authors on his list don't meet this criterion -- Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and Dashiell Hammett. I've read every book those three authors wrote, and I don't think there is an obvious standout in any one of them (though they all wrote some books that are better than others). So, here's "ten favourite detective authors" that I would nominate as my own major influences the genre, that meet DM's criteria: Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple novel) Dorothy L Sayers (Gaudy Night?) Ngaio Marsh (pick one of Inspector Alleyn series) P D James (Unsuitable Job for a Woman is my favourite) Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr Ripley) Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone series, some are better than others) Ruth Rendell (Inspector Wexford series) Sarah Paretsky (V I Warhsawski series--...
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Involuntary witness I am fairly sure by Crimescraps out of Eurocrime, or vice versa, I recently came across a book so highly recommended that I could do nothing but read it. Involuntary Witness is by an Italian author, Gianrico Carofiglio, who according to the blurb is "an anti-mafia judge in the southern Italian city of Bari". First published in 2002, the book has been translated into English by Patrick Creagh, and was published in the UK in 2005. Guido Guerrieri's marriage is on the rocks and he's a corrupt lawyer, representing people whom he despises for the money. From the Sartre-like pit of existential despair when it all goes wrong, Guerrieri's life begins to turn around when he is finessed into taking on the defence of a Sengalese man, a beach-peddler accused of murdering a small boy. The "Mockingbird" court case plays out in parallel with Guerrieri's spiritual rehabilitation and redemption. I loved this fast-paced and compelling story. Not only for all the above reasons, but because of its sense of place. I've written before about placeism, and in that context of how John Grisham, although usually weak on plot, excels at conveying it. Carofiglio's Bari is in the same mould ---...

Maxine

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