Can't Put Down authors

[Rebecca]

The Vanishing Season this one is definitely a can't put down book!

[David]

MadameZelda wrote: "Oh, I thought I was going to be scolded for putting down a book I read yesterday! LOL. (I clicked to this post ASAP! So funny)

(I really wish Goodreads had a zero star rating too.)"

That, and either 1/2 stars or the ten point system....

[C.J.]

Stuart MacBride, James Oswald, Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Tess Gerritsen, Jane Harper... I could go on...

[stan]

david baldacchi Mark Biilingham James Lee Burke Lee Child Bernard Cornwall and so on.

[Lexie]

C.J.Laurenson wrote: "Stuart MacBride, James Oswald, Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Tess Gerritsen, Jane Harper... I could go on..."

Definitely with you on the first two! Have you tried Chris Brookmyre?

[Linda]

James Patterson and John Grusham

[Jack]

I have 5 at the moment, and will list them alphabetically: Jussi Adler-Olsen, Kelley Armstrong, Linwod Barclay, Charles Finch and Christopher Fowler. Stress "at the moment."

[Jack]

Has anyone listed all the authors mentioned and the number of times?

[Jack]

Jack wrote: "Has anyone listed all the authors mentioned and the number of times?"

Jack again: I would be pleased to do it, but not for a few months when I am less busy at work.

[TraceyK]

Sandra Brown!

[MadProfessah]

Jo Nesbø and his Harry Hole books.

[Paula]

Yes! Jussi Adler-Olsen and his Dep. Q series.

[Jennifer]

Lee Child and the Reacher series.

[Kathy]

Paula wrote: "Yes! Jussi Adler-Olsen and his Dep. Q series."

I second that!

[Paula]

Michael Connelly,Reginald Hill, Jill McGown,Fred Vargas, James Church, Henning Mankell.

[Billyt]

I’ll give a 3rd to Department Q!! Movies based on books are on Netflix. I watched to first 2. Very well done. Subtitled.

[Paula]

Christopher Fowler and Nesbo, seconded!

[Amy]

Billyt wrote: "I’ll give a 3rd to Department Q!! Movies based on books are on Netflix. I watched to first 2. Very well done. Subtitled."
Oh, Thanks Billy for letting me know about these didn't see them when I was looking for something to watch the other night, hopefully, I can get to them this weekend!

[Jack]

Did a combined list. Up to message 120 although that one wasn't for an author or book - rather a Netflix movie not seen yet so it didn't count! Don't worry, that author made the list. In a few days - have to check the spellings and do a totalling.

[Jack]

Here's a teaser. It's preliminary and could change slightly but Michael Connelly and Karin Slaughter topped the list. Tied. I have completed the tabulation but not the checking. Hopefully I can finish on the weekend.

[Paula]

Thanks for all that work, Jack!

[Sean]

David Baldacci
Angela Marsons
Robert Brydnza
Lee Childs
Linwood Barclay
Brian Freeman
Mark Greaney
Ben Coes.
Sharon Bolton
Robert Crais
Tom Wood
Simon kernick
Mark Dawson
Victor Methos
Tim Tigner
Brad Thor
Casey Hill
Karin Slaughter
Linda Castillo
Chris Ryan
Lisa Gardner

[Bryan]

C.J. Box
John Sandford
William Kent Krueger
Alex Kava
Rick Mofina
Lee Child
Karin Slaughter
David Baldacci

[Jack]

I am close to releasing a list (note: there is no way this can be perfect) but can't find 4 names people have referred to as "Authors they can't put down." Two mistakes are possible: you or I have made a spelling mistake or the name is that of the lead character! Can you help with:

Wesley Landberg?
Luke McCallum?
Will Thomas?
Kate Waterson?

PS: I was able to add in #124 and #125 as I wasn't finished but no more until list released. Update: Karin Slaughter stands alone at the top.

[Jack]

Results! A few cautions. 125 entries is not a good sample. There was no formal ballot so some voted for 10 and some for one. A few voted more than once for the same author! I adjusted the count. I noticed some entries down the list write neither mysteries nor thrillers; that's the vote. There are still 4 which I am unsure of - see above. With a small sample you can reasonably compare one category with another two away, up or down, but it is not reasonable to compare two authors a vote or two apart. I hope this helps members find new and interesting authors; it did for me!

Most Popular – Top 10 (with a tie): Karin Slaughter 12, Harlan Coben, 10, Michael Connelly 9, Patricia Cornwell 9, James Lee Burke 8, Jo Nesbo 8, Lee Child 7, John Grisham 7, Louise Penny 7, Robert B. Parker 6, John Sandford 6.

[Jack]

Very Popular (15): Jussi Adler-Olsen 5, David Baldacci 5, Robert Crais 5, Lisa Gardner 5, Alex Kava 5, James Patterson 5, Thomas Perry 5, Nora Roberts / J.D. Robb 5, Kelley Armstrong 4, Robert Bryndza 4, Linda Castillo 4, Mary Higgins Clark 4, Tess Gerritsen 4,
Jonathan Kellerman 4, Dennis LeHane 4.

[Jack]

Popular (39): Andrew Barrett 3, Agatha Christie 3, Jeffery Deaver 3, Robert Galbraith / J.K. Rowling 3, Carl Hiaasen 3, Craig Johnson 3, Dean Koontz 3, Stuart MacBride 3, James Oswald 3,
Zoe Sharp 3, David Silva 3, Taylor Stevens 3, Linwood Barclay 2,
Mark Billingham 2, Sharon Bolton 2, C.J. Box 2, Alafair Burke 2,
Stephen J Cannell 2, Chris Carter 2, Tom Clancy 2, John Connolly 2, Deborah Crombie 2, James Ellroy 2, Janet Evanovich 2, Christopher Fowler 2, Sue Grafton 2, Lisa Jackson 2, J.A. Jance 2,
Jonathon King 2, William Kent Krueger 2, Henning Mankell 2,
Angela Marsons 2, Ed McBain 2, Adrian McKinty 2, Rodney Pearson 2, Ian Rankin 2, Lisa Scottoline 2, Chris Taylor 2, Will Thomas (unsure!) 2.

[Jack]

Honourable Mention (with one vote) (120): Ben Aaronovich, Megan Abbott, Susan Wittig Albert, Victoria Alexander, Jeffrey Archer, Ace Atkins, James Aura, Mary Balogh, Sarah Barrie, Rys Bowen, Chris Brookmyre, Sandra Brown, Grace Burrows, Chelsea Cain, Tom Cain, Jeff Carson, Dan Chaon, James Hadley Chase, Loretta Chase, Lincoln Child, James Church, Rory Church, Anne Cleeland, Ann Cleeves, Ben Coes, Bernard Cornwell, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, Tessa Dare, Mark Dawson, J P Delaney, Nelson DeMille, Arthur Conan Doyle, Christine Dodd, Robert Dugoni, John Ellsworth, John Farrow, Joy Fielding, Charles Finch, Dick Francis, Brian Freeman, Julie Garwood, Alison Gaylin, Elizabeth George, Chris Grabenstein, Heather Graham, Mark Greaney, Arthur Hailey, Jane Harper, C.S. Harris, Paul Hawkins, Terry Hayes, Lorraine Heath, Casey Hill, Reginald Hill, Susan Howatch, Steven Hunter, Greg Iles, David Joy, Faye Kellerman, Simon Kernick, Stephen King, Lisa Kleypas, Camilla Lackberg, Wesley Landberg (unsure), William Landay, Joe R. Lansdale, John Lenan, Donna Leon, Robert Ludlum, Janey Mack, Steve Martini, Archer Mayor, Luke McCallum (unsure), Val McDermid, Jill McGown, Claire McIntosh (unsure), Victor Methos, Rick Mofina, Karen Marie Moning, Chris Mooney, Walter Mosley, Owen Mullen, Sarah Paretsky, B.A. Paris, Bronwyn Parry, Renee Patrick, George Pelecanos, Anne Perry, Elizabeth Peters, Rosamund Pilcher, M.J. Preston, Richard Preston, Deanna Raybourn, John Rector, Kathy Reichs, Stella Rimington, Willow Rose, Renee Rosen, David Rosenfelt, Chris Ryan, Robert Ryan, Joanna Schaffhausen, Sidney Sheldon, Ruth Shidlo, Alexander McCall Smith, R. Lee Smith, Richard Stark, Chevy Stevens, Mariah Stewart, Peter Temple, Chris Thoms, Brad Thor, Tim Tigner, Scott Turow, Fred Vargas, Kate Waterson (unsure), Patricia Wentworth, Tom Wood, Helen Young.

[Jack]

I would also like to apologize in advance for any spelling and research mistakes, of which there are surely some!

[Paula]

Jack wrote: "Results! A few cautions. 125 entries is not a good sample. There was no formal ballot so some voted for 10 and some for one. A few voted more than once for the same author! I adjusted the count. I ..."
Thanks a lot,Jack!

[VickiLee]

Impressive compilation. Thank you for gathering together the authors' names. It will give all of us a place to go if we are looking for a new adventure in reading.

[Jack]

VickiLee wrote: "Impressive compilation. Thank you for gathering together the authors' names. It will give all of us a place to go if we are looking for a new adventure in reading."

That was the reason, for me too!

[Debbie]

Jack wrote: "I am close to releasing a list (note: there is no way this can be perfect) but can't find 4 names people have referred to as "Authors they can't put down." Two mistakes are possible: you or I have ..."

Love Kate Watterson!

[Debbie]

1. Lee Child
2. Alex Kava
3. David Baldacci
4. Tess Gerritsen
5. J. A. Jance
6. David Rosenfelt
7. Lisa Gardner
8. Meg Gardiner
9. Alafair Burke
10. Linda Fairstein
11. Brad Meltzer
12. Michael Palmer (now deceased but son Daniel has picked up the reins.
13. Robert Dugoni
14. Andrea Kane
15. Robert Bryndza
16. Lisa Scottoline
17. P. J. Tracy
18. Kendra Elliott
19. Melinda Leigh
20. John Lescroart

I would say these are my top 20 that i buy consistently no matter what they put out.

[Diane]

Favorite can't put down authors include Denise Mina, Elly Griffiths, Adrian McKinty, Louise Penny, Harlan Coben and Robert Crais.

[MadProfessah]

I like the books of Michael Connelly, Louise Penny, Adrian McKinty, Elizabeth George, Peter Robinson and Stuart MacBride but I don’t know if I would describe them ALL as “can’t put down.”

There’s a difference between mystery and mystery-thriller, IMHO.

Jo Nesbø is clearly a mystery-thriller writer. There’s always some kind of race against time in his books. I would say that MacBride and McKinty have thriller elements in several of their books. As do others from time to time.

I’d like to hear from others about authors that focus on susoense-thrillers (often in the context of murder-mystery or police procedural).

I would agree that this is something Jussi Adler-Olsen (and Henning Mankell ) do quite well. I would call them both suspende-thrillers.

I know there’s a lot of spy thriller but that stuff doesn’t interest me (like Daniel Silva, Robert Ludlum etc).

[Jack]

Debbie wrote: "Jack wrote: "I am close to releasing a list (note: there is no way this can be perfect) but can't find 4 names people have referred to as "Authors they can't put down." Two mistakes are possible: y..."
Thank you - One of the 4 found - it's Kate Watterson with double "t." I looked her up, my kind of book, will read.

[Debbie]

Jack wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Jack wrote: "I am close to releasing a list (note: there is no way this can be perfect) but can't find 4 names people have referred to as "Authors they can't put down." Two mistakes ..."

I've really enjoyed her. Just finished her new one, Crushed. Hope you enjoy!

[Karen]

I am close to releasing a list (note: there is no way this can be perfect) but can't find 4 names people have referred to as "Authors they can't put down." Two mistakes are possible: you or I have made a spelling mistake or the name is that of the lead character! Can you help with:

Wesley Landberg?
Luke McCallum?

Will Thomas?
Will Thomas writes the Baker and Llewelyn series

[Billyt]

Luke McCallin. The Man from Berlin.

[Jack]

Billyt wrote: "Luke McCallin. The Man from Berlin."

Ahhh. Thank you and Karen too.

[Billyt]

👍🏻

[Haris]

Michael wrote: "At the top of my list of Can't Put Down authors is Robert B Parker, Lee Child, and John Sandford. If you agree with these 3 can you please suggest one or two more? Thank you.[author:Robert B Parker..." John Connelly, James Lee Burke, and Dwight Holing.

[Kathy]

Haris wrote: "Michael wrote: "At the top of my list of Can't Put Down authors is Robert B Parker, Lee Child, and John Sandford. If you agree with these 3 can you please suggest one or two more? Thank you.[author..."

Michael Connelly is at the top of my list.

[Skye]

I love Connelly, Parker and Sandford!

[Jack]

Down to one unknown: Wesley Landberg. Anyone recognize the name, perhaps incorrectly spelled? Author or lead character? Thanks to those who hleped with the other 3.