Best murder mystery writer?

Question

Whom do you like best? Jonathan Kellerman? Lisa Gardner? Denise Swanson? Someone else? Telling why and what you like about them would be appreciated....

Answer 1

I'm an author, which means I read a ton as well! I have several favorites. I've most recently discovered Steve Hamilton, who has a series centering around the male character Alex McKnight. The series is set in Paradise, Michigan and the latest book, 'A Stolen Season' was excellent.

Patricia Cornwell--while still a favorite--has lost some steam. I've read everything she's written, but I get the sense she's not so enamored with her character Kay Scarpetta since those books seem to be on the decline.

James Patterson is a good writer, too. His Alex Cross series is tautly written and usually a good read. It's also good that he's so diverse and has written other things.

Sue Grafton is one of my favorites. Her alphabet series is still going strong, though I'm wondering what she'll do once she runs out of letters!

Sheryl Anderson is a brand new writer. Her book, 'Killer Heels' is worth the time to read. I look forward to seeing more on the market from her.

But my all time favorite has to be Poe! No one writes chills the way he did!

I can't pick just one writer because if a jacket flap interests me, I read the book. Good question! :o)

Answer 2

While there are many good modern mystery writers including Sue Grafton, and P.D. James, I think you have to go back to the old English writers, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers.

When you compare their works with what is written today, you get a much richer profile of the characters and the motivations behind their actions. Writers in those days relied on the psychology of the characters and the reader, to create a truly successful book. There was no need to slash, bash and bloody half the city to make a story horrific. Your imagination could do it for you. And the mystery was the thing. Not the death, but how it came about, what mechanics went into it, and how it is revealed.

One of my favorites is Dorothy Sayers "Five Red Herrings" which was written around 1938. This is part of the Lord Peter Wimsey series. He was a British aristocat, who found himself caught up in this an that crime. Not an original theme, but certainly more original back then, than it is now.

The plot of the book takes five suspects and intertwines their motives, actions, and the proof for and against them to such a degree it will make your head spin.

It takes real talent to define the boundaries of your plot by saying "I will use only these five characters" and then to go ahead and flesh each one out in a way that enriches the story as a whole and provides fodder for the mystery.

Answer 3

I would say Agatha Christie.
I have read many of her books and the plot, the way the murder happens, the murderer everything is simply ingenius!
I read this book lately "And Then There Were None" and its simply THE BEST!
I really love her books. What makes it much more interesting is that everytime I try to guess who must have done it the result is everytime I'm proved wrong.
It's really amazing the way she writes and I am an ardent lover of her books.

Answer 4

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RE:
Best murder mystery writer?
Whom do you like best? Jonathan Kellerman? Lisa Gardner? Denise Swanson? Someone else? Telling why and what you like about them would be appreciated....

Answer 5

I'll put in a plug for Ngaio Marsh, famous for the "Roderick Alleyn" mysteries. Not vulgar at all. Well written and entertaining.

Answer 6

Patricia Cornwell her Kay Scarpetta series is awsome

Answer 7

Agatha Christie, but Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is good too, Cliched, I know, but for good reasons!

Answer 8

Edgar Allan Poe... I still remember the vividness of his "Murder in the Rue Morgue"... I couldn't finish reading the story alone!

Answer 9

Jill Churchill- her 'Jane Jeffry' series is awesome.

Answer 10

Jonathan Kellerman is the best I have all his books