I have left out the usual suspects (Ellroy, Leonard, Hammett, Chandler, Wambaugh et al) in my list of 10 best American crime novelists and I have based my selection on the fact that my favorite authors always deliver high quality yarns. I also think they are better than those omitted!
These 10 best crime novelists always give unalloyed pleasure and never drop their standards from novel to novel.
I have deliberately focussed this article on American writers but note that the UK also offers top level crime thriller writers such as Elizabeth George, Mo Hayder, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin and many others.
There is a difference in the 'feel' between American and Brit crime writers. It goes beyond the fact of different geographical locations - although that makes for an excellent variation.
It is the differing cultural outlooks - not just the authors - but those of the protagonists as well as the cultural milieu in which the novels are set. For example, the cops in US crime novels are pretty well always armed; whereas their British counterparts rarely are.
The different legal systems - e.g. for search and seizure also make the difference interesting. I can't decide which I like better, but the USA writers have a style that reflects the character of the US so well that it is a genre on its own within the overall crime mystery genre.
The locations also convey that unique 'american feel' - In Burke's books you can almost smell the wisteria and fecund bayous of Louisiana in which he sets his narratives. You cannot mistake these authors as anything but American from the places they write about - the hustle of New York, the freneticism of LA and the electric atmosphere of menace in Miami (Grippando) cannot be mistaken for anywhere else.
My favourite crime novelists are those whose books I can re-read (periodically) and whose writing skills go beyond great plotting - to skilful narrative and command of the language with great characterizations that one wants to have more of.
I loathe books that are contrived or churned out as is the case with the novels of James Patterson whose early works were excellent reads.
Best American 10 Crime Novelists
Michael Connelly
John Lescroart
James Lee Burke
Robert Crais
Harlen Coben
Dennis Lehane
James Grippando
Lawrence Block
Ed McBain
George Pelecanos
Honorable Mentions
Martin Cruz Smith
Lee Childs
John Sandford
Robert Parker
The 10 best American crime novelists are such, in my opinion, because they always deliver a consistently high standard in the narrative, plotting, characterization and maintain interest from page one to the end.
They are crime writers whose new books are avidly awaited - and whose earlier works always stand up to another read.
And, despite many of them having continuing protagonists (e.g. Harry Bosch, Matt Scudder), they are consistently varied, fresh and leave us wanting more.
Some too, are rich in language usage (Burke) dry and witty dialogue (e.g. Crais, Coben, Grippando) and imaginative plots (all of them).
Burke gives real pleasure in just reading the written word. Pelecanos is great in the way he slowly draws you in and the hook stays well embedded.
Lovers of the crime thriller genre will get immense pleasure reading any of these 10 best crime novelists based in the USA.
Read more about US and UK crime thriller writers at my website Top Fiction Books.
Books make great gifts - or just indulge yourself at My Bookstore
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