Books like those by Ed James?

December 19, 2024 4:55 AM

My brother-in-law really likes crime fiction by Ed James, a Scottish self-published writer. It's partly the sense of place he likes; not sure what else. Is there anything similar people can recommend? Tried Ian Rankin and a few other contemporary crime writers like Kate Atkinson, but they haven't worked for him.
posted by anonymous to Writing & Language (6 answers total)

Complicity Iain Banks
posted by BobTheScientist at 5:10 AM on December 19

My family members with deep familiarity of the Philadelphia, PA environs praise Lisa Scottoline for her novels with a sense of place....not sure if South Philly is the "place" you had in mind.
posted by adekllny at 5:55 AM on December 19

Mod note: Hi folks. One comment has been removed for suggesting something the OP has already mentioned has been tried and didn't work.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:20 AM on December 19

Tana French’s mysteries have a powerful sense of place (Ireland) to me.
posted by music for skeletons at 6:53 AM on December 19

Tony Hillerman is all about the sense of place (Navajo Nation, mostly). He wrote... hmmm... 20ish mysteries? So they might keep your brother-in-law going for a while, depending on reading speed.
posted by inexorably_forward at 11:51 AM on December 19

Ann Cleeves, maybe, or Elly Griffiths
posted by dizziest at 12:27 PM on December 19