I'm blanking too. I know he's a big fan of Ruth Rendell, but she's British, and I also know I've never mentioned her. If you're thinking of Carol O'Connell (whom Bonnie and I were discussing), she's an American who just happened to have her first book "Mallory's Oracle" first published in England, and I have no knowledge of a friendship between her and Rankin.
Afraid you've got me on this one.
>The female Scottish writer you mentioned -- totally blanking on her name.-- turns out to be pals with Ian Rankin. Not so surprising, I guess. You can tell they are mutual admirers.
>
>>You did mention it. At the time you hadn't said that you'd bought the 2nd book. She's really something, isn't she?
>>
>>
''Kathy Mallory had a detective's gold shield, but she rarely used the badge to motivate civilians. Listening to angry tirades on abuse of police power was time-consuming; fear was more efficient.''>>
>> Let me know when you get to "Dead Famous".
>>
>>>Alan, did I forget to tell you that I loved "Mallory's Oracle"? I already bought the next one in the series, but haven't started it yet.
>>>
>>>~~Bonnie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>>I have a bone to pick with all the so called readers here. How come with all the authors' names bandied about, nobody told me about Andrew Vachss (pronounced Vax)? I just started "Mask Market", and it's terrific! This guy can write!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>You should have asked me. I've followed Burke and Max the Silent and Pansy and Mama from the beginning. Start at the beginning. Mask Market is very late in the game. Start back with Flood, Strega, Blue Belle, Hard Candy and Blossom.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>You mean stop in the middle of Mask? That would be a real hard thing to do. Although, with Pansy gone at this point, I probably should go back to meet her/him/it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>"Burke would eat Spade and Marlowe for breakfast, not even spitting out the bones. [He] is one tough, mean, pray-God-you-don't-meet-him hombre."
>>>>>>>—Boston Herald
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'd have asked, but I never heard of him, so didn't know to ask. You should have done an open broadcast for anyone who didn't already know. The writing is amazing. His very first novel (A Bomb Built in Hell), a prequel to Burke and introducing the legendary
Wesley is available as a download pdf on his web site -
www.vachss.com. I see also that the final Burke novel is now out in Hardcover. I just get started and he ends the series, nice.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" - Burke.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>( Two Trains Running not in Burke series but terrific. )
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>And make sure you don't miss my recommendation for Denise Mina.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>And then there is Ken Bruen. ( and I think we've already shared appreciation of Bill James)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Nope, not me. Bill James, huh? Ok, I'll check him out. Denise Mina I know, and Ken Bruen I haven't read, but have at least heard of.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I brought this one up before, but I don't know if you saw it. I think you'd like the Kathy Mallory novels of Carol O'Connell, but you absolutely
must start at the beginning. Knockout writing, and extremely different protagonist.
>>>>>
>>>>>I just put Carol O'Connell on my list to explore.
>>>>
>>>>The first book is "Mallory's Oracle", and I repeat, they must be read in order because of the way Mallory evolves.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Bill James has written the extraordinary Harpur & Iles series
>>>>
>>>>On my list
>>>>>
>>>>>
http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/featured/billjames.htm>>>>>
>>>>>British police stuff, but extremely character driven in a way I find unique. You can pretty much start anywhere, and the first one is very hard to find but if you can begin with Lolita Man you'll find the experience very worthwhile. Really fun stuff.
