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Books to Die For
by
John Connolly (Goodreads Author) ,
Declan Burke
BOOKS TO DIE FOR is a unique, must-have anthology for any fan of the mystery genre, featuring personal essays from 120 of the world’s most beloved and renowned crime writers on the mysteries and thrillers that they most admire, edited by two of their own—John Connolly and Declan Burke.
Tana French on The Secret History by Donna Tartt; Jo Nesbø on Jim Thompson’s Pop. 1280; K...more
Tana French on The Secret History by Donna Tartt; Jo Nesbø on Jim Thompson’s Pop. 1280; K...more
Hardcover, 560 pages
Published
October 2012
by Atria/Emily Bestler Books
(first published August 30th 2012)
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I got this book as a reference for some new mysteries but what a treat of a book! Novels are reviewed by mystery writers. Some of the novels listed I have already read but I enjoy reading the author/reviewers comments to see what new insights I can gather. There are also a number of novels listed that I own but have not gotten around to reading, and the reviews are getting me excited again for why I bought the book and what interested me about it. The third part are books I have either not heard...more
Books to Die For is like an appetizer what with its recommendations of the greatest mystery stories by the authors who are currently writing in this genre. These essays will stimulate your appetite for more.
This is a book to own. I call it a dipping book, dip in and out and find something new with each reading. I could not possibly read all the wonderful books suggested but have chosen one or two to add to the pile. Edmund Crispin's (1946) The Moving Toyshop enthusiastically presented
by Ruth Du...more
This is a book to own. I call it a dipping book, dip in and out and find something new with each reading. I could not possibly read all the wonderful books suggested but have chosen one or two to add to the pile. Edmund Crispin's (1946) The Moving Toyshop enthusiastically presented
by Ruth Du...more
Lucky is the mystery fan that gets this book as a gift for Christmas. This is not just a book to read, but to savor. The stories picked are from around the world and the perspective of all the contributors seems to be that the mystery form understands that plot comes out of character.
The authors have put together an anthology of essays written by mystery writers about their favorite mystery writers and their works. Because the contributors were asked to choose books that were of a personal natur...more
The authors have put together an anthology of essays written by mystery writers about their favorite mystery writers and their works. Because the contributors were asked to choose books that were of a personal natur...more
One of my favorite authors, John Connolly, co-edited this fascinating book where well known mystery and crime fiction writers recommend one book that influenced them or that they particularly enjoyed. The books are are arranged chronologically by recommendation beginning with classics like Edgar Alan Poe's Daupin stories and the Tales of Sherlock Holmes. After that, they move into the classic era of American crime fiction with writers like Michael Connelly developing entries on Raymond Chandler,...more
This book is a collection of essays in praise of other mystery authors written by mystery writers themselves. Some of the essays are quite brilliant and some of them will make you add more titles or authors to your "TBR" shelf.
I was stunned by some of the omissions, however. But these gaps are what one expects in a book that is essentially a compilation of very good essays. The book is certainly not the final word on which books from the past are worth reading but it will entice you. The quality...more
I was stunned by some of the omissions, however. But these gaps are what one expects in a book that is essentially a compilation of very good essays. The book is certainly not the final word on which books from the past are worth reading but it will entice you. The quality...more
If you were to choose what mystery deserves a place in the canon of crime fiction what would it be? While you consider your choice, the "world's greatest mystery writers" have already picked theirs in this anthology edited by John Connolly and Declan Burke. This is an engaging, erudite and substantial anthology about the "world's greatest mystery novels."
Organized chronologically starting with J. Wallis Martin's essay on Poe and closing with Anne Perry's selection of Mark Gimenez's "The Perk" (2...more
Organized chronologically starting with J. Wallis Martin's essay on Poe and closing with Anne Perry's selection of Mark Gimenez's "The Perk" (2...more
I bought this book both to see what books some of my favorite writers chose as their favorite mystery and to find some new writers to enjoy. For lovers of mystery writing, the chronological presentation gives you a great history of the genre.Some pieces say as much about the writer as their choice.For example, Elmore Leonard seemed to want to use his essay onThe friends of Eddie coyle as a chance to tell us how similar he is to Higgins. I was surprised that no one chose my favorite book of all t...more
This was a book I picked out by chance from the library. I'm so glad I did! It's a book of essays by mystery writers on their favourite mystery. Beginning with Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Dickens and working up to modern-day writers, it's a great resource for anyone who loves mysteries or crime fiction. I plan to read my way through the list. There are 120 essays, so it might take me a while, but I'm sure I'll manage. I enjoyed some of the essays more than others, just as I am sure that I will e...more
This book was the surprise of the year! I honestly do not know why I was thinking before I read the book that it was going to be suffocating and insanely academic approach to the whole crime/mystery genre.
Why did I think this? Especially when the book covers told me it was mystery novelists discussing their favorite mystery novels. I should have known right there I was in store for the most intellectual, honest, funny, love-letter type gab fest out there. I was introduced to authors who I've ne...more
Why did I think this? Especially when the book covers told me it was mystery novelists discussing their favorite mystery novels. I should have known right there I was in store for the most intellectual, honest, funny, love-letter type gab fest out there. I was introduced to authors who I've ne...more
Wonderful, my favorite authors talk about their favorite thriller stories!!! Many I've read but much more I have not, so this was a great way to pick up new ideas for books to read and to find out more about my liebliengs writer!
Fantastico, alcuni tra i miei autori di gialli preferiti che parlano delle storie che più di tutte gli sono piaciute. Molte le avevo lette e le conoscevo ma molte di più invece le ignoravo, quindi questo libro è stato un ottimo metodo per scoprire nuovi libri da leggere...more
Fantastico, alcuni tra i miei autori di gialli preferiti che parlano delle storie che più di tutte gli sono piaciute. Molte le avevo lette e le conoscevo ma molte di più invece le ignoravo, quindi questo libro è stato un ottimo metodo per scoprire nuovi libri da leggere...more
Interesting concept having 119 current day mystery/crime authors do a short essary on their favorite writer and book within the field. So you get things like Michael Connelly on Raymond Chandler's "The Little Sister" and Joe Nesbo on Jim Thompson's "Pop. 1280". Joseph Wambaugh chose Capote's "In Cold Blood" etc. etc. It has inspired me to go back and read some of the earlier writers that I'd skipped (like Dashiell Hammett).
I really enjoyed dipping in and out of this book. Some of the best mystery authors of our day, weigh in on their favorite mysteries and their authors. It was fun to see what they picked and why and even more enlightening to see what some constituted as a mystery....Rita Mae Brown picking 'Bleak House' was a pretty far out choice. I've never thought of that as a mystery!
What fun! This collection of essays on great mystery novels by great mystery novelists is like having an intimate conversation on lit with all your favorite writers, or perhaps being Goodreads buds with them. I enjoyed this immensely, and discovered a few new writers via this book--both as contributors and subjects--whom I'll be checking out. Best moment for me: Joseph Wambaugh's recollection of how his wife became "the only woman ever to sleep in Truman Capote's bed" was also to die for.
p.s. Un...more
p.s. Un...more
1 like · like · see review
Full disclosure: I was the editorial assistant on this book, so I can't pretend to be objective. But it's a wonderful collection for anyone who's ever looked at a bookstore or library shelf and thought, "Already read that, read that, read that, read that..."
I found a few books to add to my want to read list in the mystery genre, as well as some interesting bits of information about their authors. The method of choosing the books "to die for" wasn't comprehensive, but it was worth a look.
I confess - I'm a contributor to this collection, with a piece on the neglected crime writer Nicolas Freeling's Van der Valk mysteries.
The rest of the book is stuffed with excellent essays and suggestions for a good crime read!
The rest of the book is stuffed with excellent essays and suggestions for a good crime read!
Essays by crime writers guiding us towards their favorite mystery, thriller or crime book. I couldn't help myself-I now have 4 pages of authors and books to read and enjoy, probably enough for the rest of my life.
A wonderful resource - short essays and reflections by modern authors on some of the great classics of crime and noir. I am discovering authors right left and centre!
I learned so much from reading this book. Really glad I took the time to read it. Now I have a whole new list of books to read. ;-)
So many books and not enough time to read all of them but this anthology really helps to sort out the best of the genre... best mysteries and the best mystery writers. I will be keeping this book on my shelf and referencing its contents frequently. Thank you John and Declan for your labor.
comments on this book: http://robertarood.wordpress.com/2013...
Difficult when you haven't read half of the books or authors. It's good tho!
Meh.
Turned me onto some wonderful books I hadn't considered before. Nice collection.
Dec 19, 2012
Lee Thompson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everybody who enjoys Crime Fiction
Recommended to Lee by:
john connolly
A treasure trove. If you love Crime fiction and authors like John Connolly, Dennis Lehane, James Lee Burke, Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, etc., go grab this bastard!
Once again, another triumph!
Excellent!
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John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper...more
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Mar 28, 2013 01:24pm