It’s a big week for thriller fans, as two of the best writers around—Laura Lippman and George Pelecanos—have new books coming out. Even better, one lucky reader will get to win them both.
I’ll let the experts—our reviewers—explain why these books are winners:
Lippman’s novels have won every major mystery and crime fiction award. They are less about crime, though, than about cause and effect: what we think we remember, and what memories mean to us. After you read The Most Dangerous Thing, you will not think of your own childhood in quite the same way.
—Leslie Budewitz, BookPage reviewer
A new Pelecanos hero has been brought into the fold, one Spero Lucas, a specialist in retrieving items deemed irretrievable by legal means. Pelecanos’ writing is masterful, and The Cut deserves a place among his best work, which, as his legions of readers well know, is high praise indeed.
—Bruce Tierney, Whodunit? columnist
What these books for yourself? Keep reading . . .
TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite detective—anyone from Nancy Drew to Miss Marple to John Rebus to Jane Rizzoli to Alex Cross . . .
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 6 pm CST on August 26. The winner will receive hardcovers of The Most Dangerous Thing and The Cut. Prize must be shipped to a North American address.
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Connie! She’s a fan of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, and she is still hunting for her perfect mystery author.
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
My favorite detective is D.D. Warren from the series by Lisa Gardner and a close second favorite is Kinsey Milhone from the Sue Grafton series.
Monk from the books by Anne Perry
I love Henning Mankell’s character Kurt Wallander. The stories are amazing and the PBS shows with Kenneth Branagh are fantastic.
Oh my gosh, yes, Nancy Drew
Kurt Wallander is my current favorite
My favorite detectives include Miss Marple, Hamish Macbeth (M. C. Beaton), Alan Grant (Josephine Tey), C. D. Sloan (Catherine Aird), Roderick Alleyn (Ngaio Marsh), and Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith).
Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb
I love Maisie Dobbs (Jacqueline Winspear books) and Ian Rutledge (Charles Todd books) mostly for their atmospheric books. Also love Poirot and Miss Marple.
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache
I love Stephanie Plumb from the series by Janet Evanovitch.
Am also a big fan of Gregor Demarkain from the books of Jane Haddam.
I like Kinsey Milhone (Sue Grafton), Eve Dallas (J.D. Robb), or Clare Cosi (Cleo Coyle).
OOH – I grew up on Nancy Drew so she ranks high…. but D D Warren is pretty awesome too.
The books look AMAZING!!!
Alex Cross
My tastes run from Aurelio Zen (Michael Dibdin), Thomas Lynley (Elizabeth George), Adam Dalgliesh (P. D. James), Jane Marple, Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie), to Alan Banks (Peter Robinson), Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James (Deborah Crombie), Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reichs), to Faith Fairchild (Katherine Hall Page), China Bayles (Susan Wittig Albert), Goldy Schulz (Diane Mott Davidson), to…..
Maise Dobbs and Precious Ramotswe
Nancy Drew was the first detective I liked. Stephanie Plumb is a favorite also, and it will be interesting to see Katherine Heigl play her in the movie version.
My absolute favorite is Adam Dalgliesh by PD James…others are Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penney, and Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.
I love the C0mmissario Guido Brunetti series by Donn Leon. What a fun way to see Venice!
My favorite is Maisie Dobbs!
Starting with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, include Ms, Marple, Adam Daglish, Annie Darling and so many others. This is one of my favorite genres and I am always on the lookout for new mysteries.
Dirk Pitt and the NUMA crew.
My first detective – Nancy Drew
The funniest bounty hunter – Stephanie Plum.
Gosh. I have a few. Lucas Davenport (John Sanford). Maisie Dobbs (J. Winspear) is my newest fave. Miss Marple is my all time classic fave. Precious Ramotswe (A. McCall Smith).
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes — the master.
My favorite detective is Aurelio Zen. I’ve read all of Michael Dibdin’s books and each time I lose myself in the story and the location. Aurelio Zen is like Columbo but so smooth and sexy. Sigh!
Jack Reacher.
Alex Cross!!!
The “detective” I’ve probably read most of in my life is The Box Car children. I don’t know if they were true detectives but they were always trying to figure out a myster. When I was a childed I couldn’t wait to go to the library to get the new book.
Stephanie Plumb
Chet and Bernie duo from Spencer Quinn mystery series.
I have so many favorites. But, Nancy Drew was were it all started. I was in third grade and received my first Nancy book. I’ve been hooked on mysteries and detective books every since!
It’s James Lee Burke’s Dave Robichaux for me!
Myron Bolitar. Not an official detective but he should be!
I was “raised” with Nancy Drew mysteries
I love the classics. Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Adam Daglish and Morse.
I am taken wth Jo Nesbo since reading Nemesis followed by his recent Snowman. Much like Stiev Larrson. Gripping and very well written.
Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. I’m always first in line for the latest John Sandford book!
Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers in series by Elizabeth George
I like my detectives to be a little quirky so it would be a toss-up between Izzy Spellman from the Spellman Files series by Lisa Lutz or Chet (the dog) from the Chet and Bernie novels by Spencer Quinn.
Robert B. Parker’s Spencer, a detective with literary wit as well as non-nonsense toughness.
My favorite detective is Thomas Lynley (Elizabeth George)
My favorite detective at this moment is Malcolm Fox (loved The Complaints.)
I’m going to go with the Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs team in Jeffrey Deaver’s novels. Of course there’s always Robert Parker’s Spencer/Hawk team and Robert Crais’s Elvis Cole/Joe Pike duo.
My favorite detective is Maisie Dobbs. Very special and uique.
I like Lily Bard by Charlaine Harris
Rizzoli and Isles are the best.
Inspector Thomas Lynley is my favorite – in the series by Elizabeth George. Second favorite is P.D. James’ series with Adam Dalgliesh.
I love reading Alex Cross.
The Dana Girls were my favorite “slueths” growing up.
Joan Hess has written some of the funniest crime detective books I’ve ever read. Her two heroines, Chief of Police, Arly Hanks, and bookstore owner, Claire Malloy, are always in competition with their snoopy family members.
Sherlock Holmes!
Sherlock Holmes
Tobey Peters from Stuart Kaminsky
Love Agatha Christie’s sleuths — Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot as well as Nancy Drew, Alex Cross and the team of Lincoln Rhyme and Amanda Sachs.
My favorite detective is Detective Kubu from the mysteries by Michael Stanley. Thanks for a great contest!
Stephanie Plum is my favorite.
Harry Bosch!
I love Bernie Gunther!
I’m currently reading the last of the Kurt Wallander series.
I’ve loved all mysteries,grew up with Nancy Drew,but still love Mrs. Marple the most..
I’m in love with Susan Hill’s Simon Serailler!
Kinsey Milhone from Sue Grafton’s series.
Jane Rizzoli- love those books!!
I’ll go with Ann Perry and Alex Cross,am read both now,found some of their first books…
My favorite detective is Lindsay Boxer from the Women’s Murder Club series.
author J. A. Jance’s J. P Beaumont, author Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles, and Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone are favorites.
What terrific sounding books. I have to say that I still remember Nancy Drew as being my first detective heroine but have “graduated” to more mature ones like Alex Cross from James Patterson’s books. Nothing better than a good mystery to keep you sitting on the edge of your seat and chewing your fingernails. Just remember to keep all of the lights on in the house while reading!
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
My #1 best ever detective is Chief Inspector Jane Tennyson from the Prime Suspect BBC Series (hope this evolved from a book!). Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote (again, hope the series was based on a booik) would be a close second, followed by my first sleuth, Nancy Drew. I wsa just thinking the other day I might reread some of the books from the series, but hesitate because I’d be reading them with a jaded adult’s eye rather than a wide-eyed 10 year old with her entire life ahead of her
My husband would have a much easier time responding to this question…without a doubt, Sherlock Holmes. He’s read and reread the complete stories. P.S. I just reserved Laura’s new title from my library and then I saw this contest…would love to have my own copy
Alex Cross is my favorite!
Grew up with Nancy Drew & passed my books to my daughter!
I enjoyed Joseph Hansen’s David Brandstetter, and more recently have come to appreciate Jason Goodwin’s Inspector Yashim and, my all time favorite, Martin Cruz Smith’s Arkady Renko.
I started out with Nancy Drew, now I love Kurt Wallander, Mikael Blomkvist, Lisbeth Salander, and Sherlock and Savich from Catherine Coulter. Of course, I am a mystery nut.
Rebecca
Hercule Poirot, mes amies!
Myron Bolitar – hands down!
sherlock holmes
Love Alex Cross. I have read them ALL! The Cut is on my List I adore George Pelecanos. Being from the DC area, his books similar to James Patterson feel very familiar to me.
I am stuck choosing between Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from Louise Penny’s wonderful Three Pines series and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. They’re both wonderful and so different.
Inspector Gamache is quiet, reserved, cultured, full of class, brilliant and assertive and commanding of attention and respect especially when absolutely necessary. He also has a great sense of humor. He understands and knows human beings a trait he shares with Hercule Poirot the very arrogant, fussy, particular and also brilliant star detective of many of Agatha Christie’s wonderful mysteries.
I think I would choose Chief Inspector Armand Gamache because he’s much kinder, understanding and amiable than Hercule Poirot.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway and a chance to win books by two wonderful authors of thrillers!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
There’s no question on this one! Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole.
My favorite detective is from whatever book I’m currently reading….too many to list!
Phillip Marlowe is one of my favorites.
My favorite is Lincoln Rhymes.
Sherlock Holmes is my favorite.
My favorite detective is Sharon McCone from the Marcia Muller books,
but Amelia Peabody from the Elizabeth Peters is my alltime favorite
erudite traveler who solves puzzles of all kinds.
Mikael Blomkvist and DD Warren
I was raised with Nancy Drew but now I just love Stephanie Plum!
Nancy Drew………..she was the first detective I became addicted to…….and I won’t say how many years ago!!!
Has to be Sherlock Holmes. A classic in every way.
Amelia Peabody.
Have you all read the Spencer Quinn books? Check them out. they are light mysteries about a wached up detective named Bernie, and his mangy sidekick, Chet. Chet tells the stories, and for a dog, he is quite astute…and funny.
Favorite fictional detectives are : Aurelio Zen (created by Michael Dibdin); Jackson Brodie (created by Kate Atkinson); and William “Bunk” Moreland of “The Wire.”
My favorite detective is Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s number series. So comical, they are laugh out loud reads.
Sherlock Holmes,Miss Maple and Lily Bard
Inspector Ian Rutledge is the detective in Charles Todd mysteries
I love Alex Cross! Also am starting to really enjoy Katie Burkholder.
My favorite detective. Trixie Belden- she started it all when I was 7 years old.
Nancy Drew was my first and will always hold a special place. But now, Alex Cross, Rizzoli & Isles, Stephanie Plum, Lincoln Rhyme, ….
Nancy Drew. . . because she was the first and started a life-long love of mystery and suspense.
Stephanie Plum is my all time favorite. She’s pee your pants funny!!
Stephaine Plum is my all time favorite detective.
Favorite detective: Matthew Bartholomew, in Susanna Gregory’s series set in medieval Cambridge.
My favorite detective is Kinsey Millhone from the Sue Grafton alphabet mysteries. She’s working in the 80s which means she doesn’t have the benefit of modern technology (i.e. cellphones, DNA, and the internet).
No one favorite….there are so many good ones…Kurt Wallander, Alex Cross, Dirk Pitt and Miss Marple are some of my favorites that come to mind.
How could I live without Colin Cotterill’s Dr. Siri, Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache, and Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti?
Nancy Drew started it for me.
Sister Carol Anne O’Marie’s Sister Mary Helen . C’mon, how could anyone, Catholic or not, resist a sleuthing sister?
Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are great! Alex Cross is good too.
Hmmm. Stephanie Plum or Precious Ramotswe….or Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew started my love affair with mysteries! Current favorites are Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reichs), Maisie Dobbs (Jacqueline Winspear), Kinsey Millone (Sue Grafton), Lucas Davenport (John Sanford), Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich), Precious Ramotswe (ALexander McCall Smith, and Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti.
These are absolute must- reads that are eagerly awaited each year!
I always look forward to the next Craig Johnson book with Sheriff Walt Longmire, Donna Leon ‘s Guido Brunetti and Spencer Quinn’s Chet and Bernie.
Like so many others, I grew up with Nancy Drew.
My favorite is Kinsey Milhone from the Sue Grafton books
Harry Bosch, Kinsey Millhone, Chet the dog, Alex Delaware, the list goes on and on and on.
I have so many it’s hard to pick just one. But I’ll say Jane Rizzoli. Thanks.
As a child, I began my lifelong love for mysteries with the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew. Later, my favorites were Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Sherlock Holmes. Today, I enjoy several authors and their detectives, including China Bayles, Stefanie Plum, Alex Cross, and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt by Anne Perry.
Miss Marple
Aloysius Pendergast.
Definately Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s number series.
Stephanie Plumb, of course.
Sherlock Holmes
Tony Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn
Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly books) is favorite detective of all time!
Of the top of my head, Siri Paiboun, Precious Ramotswe, Tess Monahan, Stephanie Plum, Anna Pigeon and a hundred more …
Always find Hamish MacBeth, Spencer and Jesse Stone
My favorite: Hercules Poirot of the Agatha Christie Series and books.
Robert B. Parker’s Spenser.
Stuart Woods can’t write fast enough, in a class with James Patterson. Am always impatiently waiting for their next work.
Hercules Poirot,from the Agatha Christie series, and books.
My favorite detectives are Magozzi & Gino from the Monkeewrench novels. I also like Lucas Davenport.
Travis McGhee started a long line of mystery reading for me. Now I’m a fan of Doc Ford,Hamish Macbeth, Agatha Raisin,Inspector Jury, Miss Marple,Mikael Blomkvist, and Kinsey Milhone.I’ll soon start the Inspector Gamache series.
Lucas Davenport from John Sandford.
When I was little (say 8 or 9 years old) – my older cousin “handed down” her Cherry Ames series to me. I can’t quite remember what the series was about – but I do know that Cherry Ames was always investigating something or someone that was up to no good!
My favorite detective is Harry Bosch.
Have read all of James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux novels–he’s got to be my favorite. Preston/Child’s Pendergast comes in as a close second.
Just absolutely love Maisie Dobbs.
I can’t believe only two others mentioned A.Pendergast…..now he is a REAL detective…..or is he???
I loved Nancy Drew.
Spenser. Carlotta Carlyle. Chris Ewan’s Charlie Howard.
This is sort’a like saying which of your children do you love the most.
I will name Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs and Lucas Davenport by John Sanford and . . . . . . . . .
Hands down, it’s Harry Bosch!
can’t wait to read them
Lincoln Rhymes
Has to be old Sherlock Holmes! The end was always a surprise.
Any detective from Tana French’s novels.
Alex Cross and Inspector Thomas Lynley.
My all time favorite is Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. However, I love the dialog between Detective John Corey and FBI agent Kate Mayfield in Nelson DeMille’s books.
Armand Gamache and John Rebus.
Nancy Drew started it all, then Robert Parker’s Spencer, Virgil Flowers and Anna Pigeon ( Nevada Barr) and who ever I am currently reading.
Adam Dalgliesh (P D James) and Kinsey Milhone (Sue Grafton) also love Alex Cross (James Patterson)
My favorite detective is Alex Cross.
I love Pendergast, too…smart man! Also, Lincoln Rhymes and Jack Reacher.
Precious Ramotswe is my very favorite detective, from “No. 1 Ladies’
Detective agency” series.
Hi! It would be Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys for me. I am still trying to find a current mystery author that I like.
I really enjoy reading the Alex Cross mysteries – more because of Nanna-Momma than Alex!
Stephanie Plum
My favorite is Isabelle (Izzy) Spellman from Lisa Lutz’s Spellman Files series. In fact, I love all her family.
To name a few that I enjoy – Irene Kelly, Inspector Gamache, Simon Serrailler, Inspector Alan Banks, and Harry Bosch.
Like many who’ve commented, my love for a good mystery/thriller started with Nancy Drew and has just continued to grow!
It’s all about Sherlock Holmes for me!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I started out with Nancy Drew, moved to Agatha Christie, but my current loves are Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly) Elvis Cole (Crais) and Ranger/Lula from Stephanie Plum series. Best ever? Anything by Sayres!
Michael Connolly’s Harry Bosch and Elizabeth George’s Thomas Lynley. Both are wonderful characters. Can hardly wait till the next book from each author. It would be interesting to do a tally of all these detectives to find out who is the most popular.
Oh my goodness…Nancy Drew was my hero (heroine) when I was a kid and now she’s one of my granddaughter’s favorite characters as well!
I can’t name a particular detective…I enjoy any “cozy” mystery set in England with little blood and gore and violence.
Michael Bennett, father of ten! If he can keep track of that many kids, he must be a super sleuth!
Maisie Dobbs and Inspector Armand Gamache
I’ve got to go with Flavia de Luce – love the alan bradley books!
I’m gonna have to go with Lisbeth Salander on this one. Stieg Larsson really hit on something with such a great character!
Harry Bosch! Thanks for the contest.
For light laughable mysteries I love Stephanie Plum. For more serious reading Magozzi & Gino from Monkeewrench.
I love that so many people have listed Nancy Drew! It’s inspired me to see if I still have one around to reread!
Harry Bosch, Alex Cross and for cozies, it would have to be Goldy Schulz
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes from the Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King!
Harry Bosch (surprised he hasn’t been mentioned more often), although Bloomqvist/Salander and Alex Cross aren’t far behind. Soft spots also for Fletch and Chet & Bernie (kudos to No. 30 Kathy Sell for beating me to it).
I would have to agree with all that said Nancy Drew and Miss Marple. Holmes is classic, but I will have to say that Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher is my favorite.
Charlie Moon from the James Doss novels about crime on a Navajo Reservation and his feisty Aunt Daisy with paranormal senses!
Sara Paretsky’s V. I. Warshawski
Since I love mystery, suspense, thriller books, I have a ton to choose from, but if I had to pick one, it would be Jane Rizolli in the Rizolli and Isles series. Now if we could pick a bunch………….
Michael McGill from Warren Ellis’s Crooked Little Vein.
Spenser. Robert Parker’s romantic erudite thug. Hands down, the BEST detective ever. The best anything ever.
Chief Inspector Alan Banks is up there (Peter Robinson). Also a big fan of Lippmann’s Tess Monaghan and of David Lawrence’s Stella Mooney.
It’s a tie for me:
Dave Robicheaux (with the aid of Clete Purcell of course) from James Lee Burke’s novels.
Adam Dalgliesh from P.D. James
I made a list of some of my very favorites:
Eve Dallas (and her sexy husband), Maisie Dobbs, Bess Crawford, JP Beaumont, Inspector O, Harry Bosch, Daisy Dalrymple, Amelia Peabody, Hamish Macbeth, Commissario Guido Brunetti, Richard Jury, Enola Holmes, Inspector Rebus, Bernard Gunther, Lady Georgiana, Dr Siri Paiboun, Jade del Cameron, Erast Fandorin, Yashim the Eunuch… and I am sure there are many I missed.
Barbara Hambly’s Benjamin January
Jackson Brodie
Mankell’s Kurt Wallender! Of course I started with Nancy Drew, so I should probably mention her.
As a kid, I read the Happy Hollister’s, which were mysteries. Still own 30 of those books from the 70′s! Now, I like Goldy Shulz and the mysteries by writers like Lisa Scottoline.
My two favorites are Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb’s In Death series and Maisie Dobbs from Jacqueline Winspear’s series.
Just recently discovered Henning Mankell’s Wallander and decided I like him almost more than any other. He reminds me a bit of Morse, also a favorite — two lonesome old guys that don’t give up until they figure things out.
I loved Nancy Drew growing up. Miss Marple is one of the great classics and right now I like Kinsey Milhone from Sue Grafton’s books.
My favorite detective is Eve Dallas by J.D. Robb. I like the way she adapts ordinary items and phrases that we use today for use in the future.
Did anyone say Ellery Queen?
Once again, I loved Nancy Drew. One summer, I read everyone of them. Now, I don’t really have a favorite. I just jump around from one author to another.
My two most favorite are Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.
Guido Brunetti
Although I believe the author, Karen Kijewski retired some time ago, I still fondly remember her Kat Colorado.
Hercule Poirot!
Alex Cross
I’ve always been partial to Nancy Drew. My collection is waiting for my kids to be old enough to read them.
Mr Q from the “The Cat Who…” series of books.
Kurt Wallander
Zen