Action based detective books with recurring leads

[HuskyHawk]

I highly recommend Relic by Preston and Child. It is the first of the Pendergast series.
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Started this yesterday. Is this the book the movie is based on?

 

[CL82]

Started this yesterday. Is this the book the movie is based on?

Yes. The book is much better, in my opinion. For what it's worth it's probably the worst of the series. The books keep getting better.

 

[64Zcode]

I've read all the Jack Reacher books and liked them all. Have read, I think, most all the John Corey books as well.

There is a series of books by John Connolly - the Charlie Parker series - about a detective that loses his family and the path he follows. Maybe 15-16 books? The first book is 'Every Dead Thing'. The general theme progresses from serial killer stuff and slowly bends into a bit of supernatural and good vs evil. I like them all. Best read in order as new characters are introduced, but ok as single books as well.

Another short series would be from Baldacci - the Will Robie series. Not a detective, but a govt assassin with conscience. I think there are 4 books? The Innocent, The Target, The Hit, End Game are what I seem to remember but there may be another. Again, probably best read in order.

 

[64Zcode]

A somewhat similar character, although he hasn't appeared in nearly as many books, is John Corey from Nelson DeMille. He is a prolific author but not nearly all of his books involve Corey. John has kind of the same moral compass as Reacher, a tough guy, doesn't like authority, plays by his own rules, gets the job done. He's NYPD initially and later on a liason with the FBI.

To me, some of the best parts of the John Corey series are the 'one liners'. I like sarcasm and he has plenty.

 

[NEforceUConn]

I've read all the Jack Reacher books and liked them all. Have read, I think, most all the John Corey books as well.

There is a series of books by John Connolly - the Charlie Parker series - about a detective that loses his family and the path he follows. Maybe 15-16 books? The first book is 'Every Dead Thing'. The general theme progresses from serial killer stuff and slowly bends into a bit of supernatural and good vs evil. I like them all. Best read in order as new characters are introduced, but ok as single books as well.

Another short series would be from Baldacci - the Will Robie series. Not a detective, but a govt assassin with conscience. I think there are 4 books? The Innocent, The Target, The Hit, End Game are what I seem to remember but there may be another. Again, probably best read in order.

I found all of Baldacci’s reoccurring character series very enjoyable. There must be 5 or 6.

 

[NEforceUConn]

I read the Penny one that takes place in Paris (because i love Paris). It's not at all like Reacher and Davenport. I liked it (because Paris) but was not moved to try the others. I have read every one of both series, in order, over many years. I am reading (and enjoying) the newest Prey book now. Like you, I couldn't really get into the Preston / Child books. I like Michael Connelly's books a lot, if you haven't read them. Harlan Coben is great, though there are only a few with recurring characters. Robert Tanenbaum has an ongoing series that is very good. Main character is a lawyer who was a hoops star who blew out his knee in his rookie NBA season. He has a bad ass wife, too. Enjoy!

Really enjoy Tannenbaum, but large print books take a bit of time to locate.

I am starting the Robert Crais series Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Anyone read any of these and comments? Tia

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

Really enjoy Tannenbaum, but large print books take a bit of time to locate.

I am starting the Robert Crais series Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Anyone read any of these and comments? Tia

I LOVE the Robert Crais books.... fun, witty, fast-paced, great characters. I've read them all. Read them in order if you can. You are in for a treat... I had to wait for each new one to come out, but you've got a dozen or more in front of you.

 

[NEforceUConn]

I LOVE the Robert Crais books.... fun, witty, fast-paced, great characters. I've read them all. Read them in order if you can. You are in for a treat... I had to wait for each new one to come out, but you've got a dozen or more in front of you.

Just finished The Forgotten Man. I struggled some but I’ll carry on, one more.

 

[CL82]

I've read all the Jack Reacher books and liked them all. Have read, I think, most all the John Corey books as well.

There is a series of books by John Connolly - the Charlie Parker series - about a detective that loses his family and the path he follows. Maybe 15-16 books? The first book is 'Every Dead Thing'. The general theme progresses from serial killer stuff and slowly bends into a bit of supernatural and good vs evil. I like them all. Best read in order as new characters are introduced, but ok as single books as well.

Another short series would be from Baldacci - the Will Robie series. Not a detective, but a govt assassin with conscience. I think there are 4 books? The Innocent, The Target, The Hit, End Game are what I seem to remember but there may be another. Again, probably best read in order.

I started the John Connolly Charlie Parker series based upon your recommendation. I am about 2/3 of the way through the first book and am enjoying it. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[64Zcode]

I started the John Connolly Charlie Parker series based upon your recommendation. I am about 2/3 of the way through the first book and am enjoying it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Glad to hear it. After this thread I went back and read the series over again and am picking up a lot that I missed. (I tend to read very fast and find that I miss stuff)
Yesterday was such a gorgeous day here in the NW corner that I camped out at an outside table at the Dunkin' at the top of E Main St and finished the most recent Parker book: The Instruments of Darkness.
After a couple days I'll probably read it again as well.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Hi. I finished all the available books from Sanford, Child, Baldacci and Tanenbaum. Thought I would start Patterson's Alex Cross series. Any comments on Alex Cross?

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

Hi. I finished all the available books from Sanford, Child, Baldacci and Tanenbaum. Thought I would start Patterson's Alex Cross series. Any comments on Alex Cross?

I like the Alex Cross books, especially some of the earlier ones... they are the only Patterson books I read. I avoid all the ones with co authors. Try to read the books in order, as they are sequential. I'll also recommend Michael Connelly (Bosch series).

 

[Cheddie]

I've been very impressed with movie and streaming comments so I thought I would give this a go, limiting it at beginning to an author's series.

A long time ago, as a 20+yr old, I was addicted to John D MacDonald with his Travis McGee series. Then marriage, children, work and life keep me busy

About 5 years ago I got familiar with David Baldacci and his various recurring characters. Finished them all thinking the Atlee Pine or Camel Club series were the best.

Well recently I started Lee Child's Jack Reacher inventory and am hopelessly hooked. About halfway done, meaning I have maybe 12/13 more to go. They are brilliant, I dare say better than David Baldacci.

Funny thing, I enjoyed the first Tom Cruise Jack Reacher movie, BUT jezz Jack Reacher is 6' 4 and 250 lbs! Hollywood?

Any comments and advise where I should turn next are appreciated. Obviously I'm old and have trouble sleeping, so reading is very enjoyable (and keeps me off the sauce .......sometimes).

ps Think it's either going to be a month or 14 months before any positive conference news.

Try Scandinavian writers. Jussi Adler-Olsson, Jo Nesbo (the Harry Hole series), Henning Mankell. Robert Crais's Elvis and Joe novels. Don Winslow Adrian McKinty Michael Connelly - Bosch