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I tend to follow characters through series and I'm looking for someone new who's got at least a couple of books that I can get my teeth into.

Rather than say which authors I like, to be a bit different, I thought I'd score a few characters so you can get an idea of what kind of thing I'm looking for (and not looking for!) and maybe make a suggestion or two....

Joe Pike - 10
Elvis Cole - 9
Jack Reacher - early - 9, recent - 4
Lou Boldt - 4
Jane Rizzoli - 6
Alan Gregory - 4
Justin Westwood - 7
Myron Bolitar - 9
Jesse Stone - 6
Mark Beamon - 9
Harry Bosch - early - 8, after rejoining dept - 6
Frank Corso - 8
Oliver Stone - 5
Kay Scarpetta - early - 8, recent - 2

So... based on those, where should I be looking next....?

Here are some ideas:

The Carson Ryder series by Jack Kerley, starting with The Hundredth Man

The Lincoln Perry series by Michael Koryta, starting with Tonight I Said Goodbye

I also see you like the ones with a touch of humor, so I'll add the Lomax & Biggs series by Marshall Karp, starting with The Rabbit Factory

Happy reading! I hope you find a new series you like.

Thanks very much!

I've got three of the Carson Ryder but didn't think of him when writing the original post!
I'd put him at a 5, prefer his brother as a character, not enough humour or ass kicking (can I say ass in here??)

I do like a bit of humour (Leo Waterman could have gone on the list as a 7) so The Rabbit Factory sounds like a great starter, added to list (as well as the Koryta one!

Thanks again :)
Chris

I don't know very many of the characters you listed, so you should probably take my recs with a grain of salt.

Harry Bosch--The Lincoln Lawyer is by the same author and features Mickey Haller. There's a second one that I think links him with Bosch, so you might have already read it. I enjoyed the Lincoln Lawyer.

Kay Scarpetta--Author Kathy Reichs (Sorry, I can't get the linky thing to work now.) I would put Tempe Brennan somewhere between early Scarpetta and recent Scarpetta, so she might just be okay for you. It might be worth a try though. There are tons of that series out.

Kathy ReichsKathy ReichsKathy ReichsKathy Reichs

Okay, the link was working. I just couldn't see it!

Thanks JG.

I think I read a Kathy Reichs years ago but it didn't make a lasting impression on me so maybe time to try again, it's on the list.

As for Micky Haller, I've read The Lincoln Lawyer and enjoyed it so you're spot on with the tip but I'm holding off getting the next one for a very bizarre reason - in the UK, there's a trend to publish the latest titles in a slightly larger size with a stupidly large typeface so you get a book that doesn't sit in a pocket, is over an inch thick and if your reading speed is anywhere near that of an eight year old, your turning pages constantly, and they don't line up on the bookshelves! I don't really get where they're coming from as they're not proper large type books so not for the visually impaired and the resources used for the manufacture and shipping much be huge.

And off my soapbox now, I forgot about my absolute favourite when listing and that's Lucas Davenport who'd get an 11 so if anyone has anyone similar to recommend, let's hear it :)

I love following characters too. My all time favorite series is the "In Death" Series by J.D. Robb. Eve Dallas is a tough NYC cop and I love her. She's complex and every one of the other main characters are great too. Since J.D. Robb is really Nora Roberts, some people might be put off, but these books are really different from her other ones.

Jane Rizzoli became a much better character in the later books and I really came to like her.

Thanks Vanessa, tough is how I like them!

The last Rizzoli I read, I thought both the female leads where a lot less strong than usual and that put me off. Again, maybe time to revisit and try the later ones.
I'm looking forward to see how the TV show works out as well, hopefully we'll get it over here.

Alex Delaware series Jonathan Kellerman

Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Faye Kellerman

Alex Cross James Patterson

Hey Joeyjoejo,

The first in the Series is called "Naked in Death." You can read them out of order, but the development of the characters is part of the fun and starting from the beginning is definitely recommended.

As far as Rizzoli is concerned, she did mellow in the later ones, so maybe for you it would be backwards from me. She was a little too mean for me in the earlier ones - I liked it better after she got married. You may prefer the tougher persona she had in the beginning. Eve Dallas is a whole different kind of character. She's grew up in foster homes and always wanted to be a cop. She's very good at her job and so runs the homicide squad in Manhattan. A lot of the humor comes from the fact that she is not girlie and doesn't understand the female need to primp, go out to parties, etc. The murder mysteries are also great and a lot are quite clever. It's set in the year 2058 and has a little futuristic stuff, but doesn't get too carried away with it as to make it strange or unbelievable.

Thanks all for the suggestions, should be enough of a selection to at least try. :)

@Fiona - I read a James Patterson years ago and the crime was wrapped up and the culprit was in custody about half way through the book and the rest was analysis and that put me off, are they still similar?

@Vanessa - I was liking the sound of that till 2058 came in to it!! I'm not sure I'd get on with that at all, is the fact it's in the future important to the plot?

I read the Eve Dallas stories. I don't read futuristic books and I would never think of reading the books done under her name as Nora Roberts.

But as soon as I see a new Eve Dallas - I'm there. I find them interesting. I find Eve and Roarke an interesting. The ever-expanding cast of characters hold my interest.

Joeyjoejo:

The futuristic aspect plays a very small role in the stories, compared to the character development and plot. The first novel probably has the most exposure to it so it can establish some of the background. Prostitution has been legalized, licensed and taxed. Guns have been banned except for collectors, police use stunners which have setting from mild to lethal. Real coffee and meat are hard to come by or too expensive, stuff like that. Of course, our male hero doesn't have that problem, being rich and all. New York is still basically the same with subways, carts on the streets, etc. One of the points made in these books is that circumstances may change but people still murder each other. After I started reading them, I just accepted the future time line as part of the story and it didn't take away from the plot or the characters. In fact, it provides humor and interest.

So no jet packs, flying cars and teleportation?

No teleportation, jet packs, or food replicators. There is a contraption called an auto chef but you have to put actual food in it to get any out. There is no matter reformation or aliens. Like I said, it doesn't take away from the plot or even seem really odd as you read the story.

Vince Flynn has several books out with Mitch Rapp a CIA operative. I believe Flynn's books are great. Have read all.

What was your favorite VInce Flynn book to start with???

Joeyjoejo wrote: "I tend to follow characters through series and I'm looking for someone new who's got at least a couple of books that I can get my teeth into.

Rather than say which authors I like, to be a bit di..."

Try Lincoln Rhyme...

Thanks Larry, sounds like my kinda thing but the description on here of the first book says "long political thriller" which isn't my thing at all, how political would you say it is?

Westbankmama, thanks for the suggestion. I do like Deaver but I've read a few Rhymes and I just don't find him credible or even likeable as a character, I much prefer Deaver's John Pellham but they seem to have dried up.

Joeyjoejo wrote: "I tend to follow characters through series and I'm looking for someone new who's got at least a couple of books that I can get my teeth into.

Rather than say which authors I like, to be a bit di..."

Joe-
Try a Charlie Huston book. He has a character that is very interesting named Henry Thompson. It is more of a noir type novel and steers away from the detective mystery. Still very much a mystery though.

The author has posted some of his work online for free viewing. you can read it here to see if it your style---


Authors Website-

Dorie wrote: "I also see you like the ones with a touch of humor, so I'll add the Lomax & Biggs series by Marshall Karp, starting with The Rabbit Factory "

Dorie, I put some of the suggestions on my amazon wish list and was lucky enough to get The Rabbit Factory for Christmas and it was fantastic! Thanks very much for the tip :)

So glad you liked it! The subsequent books were just as good.

Joeyjoejo,

You mentioned Lucas Davenport, so I'm guessing you've also discovered his "successor" Virgil Flowers. Sandford has three in the series I think. The first is Dark Of The Moon.

Have you tried Lynda LaPlante? She wrote the Prime Suspect TV series starring Helen Mirren. She has a trilogy featuring Lorraine Page which pulled me right in. The first in the series is Cold Shoulder.

I didn't see James Lee Burke on your list, whose protagonist Dave Robicheaux is one of the greats. Not much humor there but really rich in plot and local (New Orleans) flavor. Dave does have his issues, though. The Neon Rain.

You've probably read Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series. Bolitar is a sports agent/private eye. Lots of humor, and the plots are pretty good. They seem to be compared a lot to the Elvis Cole series, and one similarity is that they get better as you go along in the series, a little deeper. Deal Breaker.

How about the John Baker series starring protagonist Sam Turner. Poet in the Gutter is the first. Poet in the Gutter.

And finally, Brian Freeman has a series starring a Minnesota police officer, Jonathan Stride. The first one in the series blew me away... it's called Immoral. Immoral

I better quit while I still have typing fingers left, but didn't want toend without mentioning Elizabeth George's Thomas Lynley series or Jonathan Nassaw's E.L.Pender.

Great topic!

Hey Carol/Bonadie

Thanks for the response! I am indeed a Myron Fan and he's in the list at a 9 ;)
I've read the first Virgil book and while I enjoyed the character, I didn't really enjoy the story which was unusual for a John Sandford.

Immoral will definitely go on the list but I've never really enjoyed a British crime novel, probably not as escapist for my limited imagination, so they'll stay on the back burner, my wife has a few Lynda LaPlant and Martina Cole but they're just not my thing I'm afraid!

I'll also look closer at James Lee Burke, I do like a bit of humour but an ass kicking lead can do the job as well, does Robicheaux have that in his repertoire?

Joeyjoejo wrote: "
I'll also look closer at James Lee Burke, I do like a bit of humour but an ass kicking lead can do the job as well, does Robicheaux have that in his repertoire?..."

Joeyjoejo, you have NO idea! Not only is he a major asskicker, but he has a best friend Clete who operates outside the law and goes him one better.

Let us know how you do. So funny that you are not a fan of British crime novels, but I get your point about it not being escapist enough for you. I love them, but probably in part for the very reason you don't.

Yeah, I didn't even like the Jack Reacher one that moved here. I read three Insp. Rebus stories before Christmas but they did absolutely nothing for me. The only "local" one I've enjoyed is The Whole Truth which only had a small part set in Edinburgh so doesn't really count!

Robicheaux is going on the list!

Re james patterson-maybe the one you read was over halfway and analysis rest but normally that is noy the case

You should try Deaver and the Kathyrn dance series (only 2 though at moment)

or Alex kava and Maggie o'dell

Mark Billingham and Thorne

IN reading back throught the posts I noticed the info on JD Robb's "in death" series. I agree, the time period is very secondary to the characters and plot. I never would have read anything by Nora Roberts either, but writing as JD Robb, she has me hooked. They stand alone, but read from the beginning the character development helps.
Also, if you want a good mystery, try Michael Slade. The RCMP Special X group is fabulous! ONe of my all time favorites.

Given your list, I'd recommend C. J. Box's Joe Pickett character, a Wyoming game warden. His series is a favorite of mine.

VI Warshawski and John Rain

so far as JD Robb's Dallas series Dallas needs to divorce this Orouke character and keep him from mucking around in her cases. But I'm afraid Robb won't.

linton

Wow I love this thread. Thanks for starting it! I also love following characters. I see Harry Bosch has made your list - he is one of my all-time favourites, but I also love:

Sarah Linton & Jeffrey Tolliver - there is a long series of books with these characters by
Karen Slaughter.
She also has another series with a character called Will Trent, but I've only read one of them and not from the start of the series either. So I want to get started on that.

I also like Charlie Parker, in a detective series by John Connolly. Its a bit dark though, not for the squeamish - some people have referred to it as being in the horror genre, but I don't know too much about how to determine these things.

I have also started reading about a character called John Rain by Barry Eisler. I have only read the first book, so I look forward to finding more of them.

I also love the Eve Dallas series.

I love it when these different characters get to meet up with each other too. Like Harry Bosch and Micky Haller or Harry Bosch and Rachel Walling.

Great thread, thanks!

Tammi said: "I love it when these different characters get to meet up with each other too. Like Harry Bosch and Micky Haller or Harry Bosch and Rachel Walling."

At the risk of a little BSP, I have done the same thing in my most recent thriller, DOUBLEBACK. The 2 protagonists of my series, video producer Ellie Foreman and PI Georgia Davis, are thrown together in a story that starts in Chicago but ends in an Arizona border town.

Here's a review by Dick Adler on that very subject:
(Scroll way down...)

I would be "thrilled" if you took a look.

I love Joe Pike and Reacher because of their "ass-kicking" abilities, so I think you would really like the John Rain Series by Barry Eisler.Rain Fall

This is fun! I don't think Steve Berry has been mentioned. The first in the Cotton Malone series is The Templar Legacy: A Novel. The goodreads blurb is "Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind."
What drew me to this first book was the Templar theme and Cotton dealing in old books was a bonus. There are 5 in the series so far, which should be enough for a few great reads :)

You should also try the Lucas Davenport "prey" Series, Eyes Of Prey by John Sandford.

Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne-first is SLEEPYHEAD
Brett Battles's Jonathon Quinn-first is THE CLEANER
Brian Freeman's Jonathan Stride-first is IMMORAL
William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor-first IRON LAKE

also check a site called which shows series books by an author in order, read-a-likes, books by profession and location indexes...it's an amazing (non-profit) resource that I (am not affiliated with) use every day.

Happy reading.

You're troubles will seem insignificant once you start to follow Jack Taylor in Guards byKen Bruen. Pretty bleak stuff, but a real ass-kicker of a series.

A friend turned me on to Carol O'Connell's Mallory series. Mallory is a bit of an oddball--brilliant, with virtually no people skills.

I don't think I've seen these two series here, and I've really enjoyed both:

Robert Crais is the author of the Elvis Cole series. Elvis is cool. I believe he lives in L.A.

Randy Wayne White writes about Doc Ford, a complicated, interesting man. He lives on the east coast of Florida.

I'd suggest going online and finding the first book in each series and going from there, as they build on each other and you'll enjoy them more that way.

I like this thread because it's given me some good ideas. I enjoy series books, too.

I'm sure it has already been mentioned, but the SYKM website is a great place to find series.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Jeffery Deaver Lincoln Rhyme series starting with the The Bone Collector which was made into a film starring Angelina Jolie and Denzel Washington.

Thanks for this group...I was starting to wonder what would be my next series to get my teeth into as I'm getting fed up already of the Ian Rankin Rebus series after only 4 books.

oh, i really like the rankin books. did you get to the black book? that was one of my faves.

I have a book containing the the 2nd 3 rebus books including black book so I will get to that one which is number 5 or 6 in the series. I must admit that I am enjoying strip jack more than the first 3 but I just prefer other characters with my favorite being Harry Bosch.

It's always been my impression that there is a distinct similarity between Bosch and Rebus. Or, maybe most police detectives have the same personality problems ... especially with their co-workers.

I think we're all suckers for the middle-aged male detective who drinks too much, disregards authority, and never quits. There seem to be dozens of them out there, but we love 'em. Or at least I do. I also love the female version. And I love any smart detective of any age, with or without addiction or authority issues, but I hate dingbat detectives who, oops, stumble on the right answer. I just want to smack 'em!

K.B. wrote: "I think we're all suckers for the middle-aged male detective who drinks too much, disregards authority, and never quits. There seem to be dozens of them out there, but we love 'em. Or at least I do. I also love the female version. ..."

This made me think of two of my favorite examples of the genre, D.C.I. Jane Tennison, and former cop Lorraine Page, both written by the incomparable Lynda LaPlante.

Well I am a fan of a lot of the same characters but my favorite is Lincoln Rhyme from Jeffery Deaver. The first book with this character is The Bone Collector and if I knew how to include the links I would to both Jeffery Deaver and The Bone Collector. If you like Kay Scarpetta, you might also enjoy the Kathrin Dance novels from Jeffery Deaver and she is introduced in the Cold Moon with Lincoln Rhyme but her first Stand alone book is The Sleeping Doll.

I also Enjoy Kathy Reichs as well and would recommend her books too. Especially if you have seen the Television show Bones, you will enjoy the books. The show is much much different from the books but same basic idea. All I can say is enjoy if you decided to pick up any of these books. They are all great. I also like everything from Michael Connelly so if you haven’t read them all do. Chasing the Dime is one of the best and so is The Poet by Connelly.

Hi Chris, Somehow I missed a bunch of great writers who started writing in the 90s (raising kids takes up lots of time I guess) so I am catching up on alot of them now. I just discovered the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke. I really enjoyed Black Cherry Blues.

By the way, to add the link when you are writing a comment click on the add book/author that is just above the box. Another box will show up and you can search for the book or author. You can add the link in text or if you scroll to the bottom you can change it to the book cover.

Donna wrote: "Hi Chris, Somehow I missed a bunch of great writers who started writing in the 90s (raising kids takes up lots of time I guess) so I am catching up on alot of them now. I just discovered the Dave R..."

Even without raising kids, how can anyone keep up with them all? So many interesting books and there are only so many hours available to read them all.

Thanks guys and gals, I'll be sure to check a few of these out.