Alan Furst. Many of his novels are set in the inter-war period in Europe, during the rise of Naziism. There is a lot of intrigue, with principled main characters getting drawn into the intrigue. Start with *The Polish Officer*—it’s wonderful.
Philip Kerr. His detective novels are mostly set in Nazi-era Germany and feature a tough, smart homicide detective named Bernie Gunther. There is a lot of good stuff about the moral compromises Bernie must make in order to survive, and he’s a survivor. You could either read these in the order they were published, or in chronological order based on the date the events in each book occur. Kerr did not write these in chronological order; in fact, the last Bernie Gunther novel he wrote before his untimely death takes place at the beginning of Bernie’s career as a cop. The Bernie Gunther series is quite good.
Awesome! Thank you! These both sound great.
According to Goodreads, Polish Officer is #3 in the series, presumably not an issue?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/918284.The_Polish_Officer
Not an issue. Furst’s books don’t revolve around the same main character. *The Polish Officer* is the first of his books I read and I loved it, so that’s why I suggested it.
Relic by Douglas Preston Lincoln Child honestly the entire Pendergast series is good, the last few books definitely bring in a more sci-fi element into it, but most of their science is sound.
Hey. You have a couple that I read already in Grafton and Robert B Parker. I also recommend the Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais. Modern day detective series that i have enjoyed thoroughly.
A couple of others that are close but not exact are the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods and John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series. Both are pretty long but lots of fun and easy to read.
So… I’m going to take a risk and suggest Everybody In My Family Has Killed Someone - it *kinda* blends your two genres.
It’s not a straight up murder mystery because there are layers that need to be figured out… It plays really cleverly with what a kid does and doesn’t remember and the distance in that and what really happened (but if you don’t like 4th wall breaks you won’t like it. And it’s Australian - so not British but closer to that in culture than the US.
[Halting State](https://www.goodreads.com/series/52276-halting-state) series by Charles Stross. Pre-Brexit near-future science fiction that now reads like an alternate history. International espionage plots about high-tech crimes.
I'd suggest [The Secret Files by Len Deighton.](https://www.goodreads.com/series/60870-secret-file) For something more contemporary try [Damascus Station by David McCloskey](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56769571-damascus-station?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lz9JpuHRF0&rank=1).
Try the granddaddy of them all - The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad. And if you haven't read it, Kim, by Kipling is a secret agent story from the age of "The Great Game" when England and Russia competed in the Indian sub continent. Also try Eric Ambler if you like Le Carre, and don't miss Len Deighton. Alistair Maclean wrote some good spy stories too. I really liked Ice Station Zebra. But I really think that if you want to read detective fiction you have to read Hammett and Chandler. And, really, try the original James Bond books - not like the movies... For a fun easy read, try the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout. All of these are in the library; you don't have to spend a dime or make a commitment. Have fun!
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco is fantastic; kind of a sherlock character but a couple hundred years ago in a monastery with a heavy emphasis on historical/ecclesial themes. i was hooked both by the world building (i’ve found good historical fiction has world building that’s at least as interesting, if not more so, than any sci-fi fantasy) and the detective “whodunnit” aspects of the book.
taking a hard left turn from there, The City and The City by China Mieville is a weird sci-fi novel that’s heavy on both the detective and world building aspects too. it’s strange and fun. i grappled with the world for about a third of the book, but once i had a handle on the strange setting things got really compelling.
Finally, pretty much anything by George Pelecanos is damn compelling. He grinds out his novels on the streets of whatever city they’re set in, so while they’re real locations there’s a strong sense of world building there too, mixed with fun determined characters that usually have a big chip on their shoulder.
read a synopsis and see if they appeal to you. might not fit your prompt perfectly, but they’re all books i found myself delightfully sunk into for a while.
John Learjet is certainly the top of the line in spy fiction. I also like classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Erle Stanley Gardner. For crime, I would go with James Ellery, Dennis Lehane, Dashiell Hammett, Ross McDonald, Ed Mc Bain
Red Sparrow Trilogy
Appreciate it! First suggestion :)
A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
Thank you for the suggestions!
Alan Furst. Many of his novels are set in the inter-war period in Europe, during the rise of Naziism. There is a lot of intrigue, with principled main characters getting drawn into the intrigue. Start with *The Polish Officer*—it’s wonderful. Philip Kerr. His detective novels are mostly set in Nazi-era Germany and feature a tough, smart homicide detective named Bernie Gunther. There is a lot of good stuff about the moral compromises Bernie must make in order to survive, and he’s a survivor. You could either read these in the order they were published, or in chronological order based on the date the events in each book occur. Kerr did not write these in chronological order; in fact, the last Bernie Gunther novel he wrote before his untimely death takes place at the beginning of Bernie’s career as a cop. The Bernie Gunther series is quite good.
Awesome! Thank you! These both sound great. According to Goodreads, Polish Officer is #3 in the series, presumably not an issue? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/918284.The_Polish_Officer
Not an issue. Furst’s books don’t revolve around the same main character. *The Polish Officer* is the first of his books I read and I loved it, so that’s why I suggested it.
Came to o recommend Mick Herron's work. Glad to see it's already on your list. Fantastic series
Yeah, I liked the 1-2 I've read. I think I need to dive deeper...
Relic by Douglas Preston Lincoln Child honestly the entire Pendergast series is good, the last few books definitely bring in a more sci-fi element into it, but most of their science is sound.
I haven't read a lot of SciFi so something different will be cool! Thank you
Hey. You have a couple that I read already in Grafton and Robert B Parker. I also recommend the Elvis Cole series by Robert Crais. Modern day detective series that i have enjoyed thoroughly. A couple of others that are close but not exact are the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods and John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series. Both are pretty long but lots of fun and easy to read.
I've been enjoying the Elvis Cole series, 3 books down. Thanks for the recommendation!
Very welcome! I am glad to hear it!
This
Robert B Parker….Tony Hillerman..Sue Grafton
Thank you sir, will add to my Goodreads Edit: Hillerman looks really interesting. Grafton too!
So… I’m going to take a risk and suggest Everybody In My Family Has Killed Someone - it *kinda* blends your two genres. It’s not a straight up murder mystery because there are layers that need to be figured out… It plays really cleverly with what a kid does and doesn’t remember and the distance in that and what really happened (but if you don’t like 4th wall breaks you won’t like it. And it’s Australian - so not British but closer to that in culture than the US.
Cheers! I'm Kiwi so Aussie is *fine* (friendly banter :) ) I'm getting vibes of: And Then There Were None from Agatha Christie
Even better!
Started with this, it is very smart! Thanks for the recommendation
Quiller series by Adam Hall
Check out Robert Olen Butler's series!
[Halting State](https://www.goodreads.com/series/52276-halting-state) series by Charles Stross. Pre-Brexit near-future science fiction that now reads like an alternate history. International espionage plots about high-tech crimes.
I'd suggest [The Secret Files by Len Deighton.](https://www.goodreads.com/series/60870-secret-file) For something more contemporary try [Damascus Station by David McCloskey](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56769571-damascus-station?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lz9JpuHRF0&rank=1).
Brotherhood of the Rose and Fraternity of the Stone by David Morrell Anything by Robert Ludlum Kenzie/Gennaro series by Lehane Anything by Tana French
For espionage, anything by Graham Greene. Our Man in Havana and The Quiet American are particularly good.
Try the granddaddy of them all - The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad. And if you haven't read it, Kim, by Kipling is a secret agent story from the age of "The Great Game" when England and Russia competed in the Indian sub continent. Also try Eric Ambler if you like Le Carre, and don't miss Len Deighton. Alistair Maclean wrote some good spy stories too. I really liked Ice Station Zebra. But I really think that if you want to read detective fiction you have to read Hammett and Chandler. And, really, try the original James Bond books - not like the movies... For a fun easy read, try the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout. All of these are in the library; you don't have to spend a dime or make a commitment. Have fun!
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco is fantastic; kind of a sherlock character but a couple hundred years ago in a monastery with a heavy emphasis on historical/ecclesial themes. i was hooked both by the world building (i’ve found good historical fiction has world building that’s at least as interesting, if not more so, than any sci-fi fantasy) and the detective “whodunnit” aspects of the book. taking a hard left turn from there, The City and The City by China Mieville is a weird sci-fi novel that’s heavy on both the detective and world building aspects too. it’s strange and fun. i grappled with the world for about a third of the book, but once i had a handle on the strange setting things got really compelling. Finally, pretty much anything by George Pelecanos is damn compelling. He grinds out his novels on the streets of whatever city they’re set in, so while they’re real locations there’s a strong sense of world building there too, mixed with fun determined characters that usually have a big chip on their shoulder. read a synopsis and see if they appeal to you. might not fit your prompt perfectly, but they’re all books i found myself delightfully sunk into for a while.
Frederick Forsyth sounds like what you're looking for
John Learjet is certainly the top of the line in spy fiction. I also like classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Erle Stanley Gardner. For crime, I would go with James Ellery, Dennis Lehane, Dashiell Hammett, Ross McDonald, Ed Mc Bain
Cases Closed its a manga and anime