It’s wet, it’s windy and it’s the perfect kind of weather to curl up with a good book. If you’re lady who likes her novels to be thrilling, slightly disturbing and incredibly hard to put down then you’ll like this: to celebrate James Patterson’s birthday we’re looking at some of the best crime novels out there.
Yes, legendary crime author James Patterson is turning 66 today. Chances are his name sounds familiar, even if you’ve never read any of his books. This is because he’s the man who brought us the Alex Cross series of novels – two of which, Kiss the Girls and Along Came A Spider, were turned into blockbuster films featuring Morgan Freeman.
If you’ve ever dabbled in the crime genre you’ll know how addictive it can be. The books have great plots that twist and turn until you get to the very last page and a host of gritty characters that are unforgettable.
Whether you’re looking for something new to read or just testing the waters in the genre, here are the crime novels that you definitely need to read.
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“Kiss the Girls” by James Patterson
James gets our top spot not only because it’s his birthday but because he’s one of the most talented and accomplished crime fiction writers out there. This is an intense psychological thriller that stars James’ main character, Alex Cross, a psychologist and a policeman. The plot centres on two serial killers, ‘Casanova’ and ‘The Gentleman Caller.’ It’s definitely worth a read and hey, after you finish the book you can check out the film adaptation.
“The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie
You can’t read crime fiction without picking up a book by Agatha Christie at some point during your exploration of the genre. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Christie’s best known (and most controversial) novels. It features the infamous Hercule Poirot as the main character. You won’t see the ending coming!
The Sherlock Holmes Series by: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Probably the most famous detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes is one of the best known fictional characters in the world. When it comes to crime, the Sherlock Holmes series should be compulsory reading. Don’t let the fact that it’s a classic put you off. Holmes’ amazing reasoning and crazy antics will keep you entertained until the very end. A must-read.
“Cloudland” by Joseph Olshan
Published last year, Cloudland is a novel that created a fair stir. It centres on the character of Catherine Winslow, a former journalist who is living in a cabin in rural Vermont. One day she discovers a frozen corpse in the snow near her home. Then all hell breaks loose. The writing in this novel is absolutly beautiful and critics have described it as “gripping reading.” Worth checking out.
“The Firm” by John Grisham
This book was adapted into a film back in 1991 starring Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman. It was a major hit and is still go-to reading when it comes to crime fiction. It follows the life of a young law graduate as he joins his first firm out of college. Lots of twists, some devious characters and great writing. Perfect reading for a rainy night in.
The Millennium Series by Stieg Larsson
If you have yet to read Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series we highly recommend that you pick up a copy of the first book in the trilogy (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) as soon as possible. You won’t be able to put it down. Great writing, an intense story line and clever characters. The only problem with this series is that there’s only three books. Make them your next read – you won’t regret it.
