I feel surrounded by people addicted to one-upsmanship. Oh well. Maybe someone will take the recommendation of Ian Rankin's books in the spirit in which it was intended.

>David Hewson's books certainly bring Rome to life...
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>>My goodness, are there only 15? It seems like more. When I go to the book store, his stuff takes up 3 or 4 shelves.
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>>If you like books where the city is so well described that you want to go and live there, make a point of collecting up the many books about Comissario Guido Brunetti by Donna Leon. They take place in and around Venice. They are brilliantly written. After 5 or so books, you will almost have a map of the city in your head. She's another writer that I pull of the shelf as soon as I see something new by her. I don't bother with the blurbs on the back or any of that. I just grab it and take it to the counter.
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>>I'm just in the midst of a very good and odd book. It's called "The Cutting Crew" by Steve Mosby. It's about 4 police officers who have formed their own little vigilante group. Actually it's 2 officers. One (Sean) disappeared before the book starts and the main protagonist (Martin, who is telling the story) has quit the force. They haven't gotten together to kill anyone since Sean disappeared and Martin retired, but Martin, Lucy, and Rosh get back together when, out of the blue, Martin gets a cryptic note from Sean about a case they were unable to solve when they were still together.
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>>It takes place in a fictional city where the different city areas are referred to by animal names.
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>>>I expressed enthusiasm for Ian Rankin once before here and was informed by Alan Popow that every mystery reader has already read him. Alan may have had a point; I read that 10% of the mystery books sold in the UK were written by Rankin. Considering how many such books come out every week, and how many able contemporaries he has, that's pretty impressive. On the off chance that some reader here will be introduced to a new pleasure, here is another try.
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>>>Rankin's signature character is John Rebus, a detective in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are about 15 Rebus books, all but two of which I have devoured since December. Rebus is a fascinating character. He is a senior detective in the city, prevented (probably by choice) from rising to management by his persistent obstinacy and refusal to color inside the lines. He is a rebel to his core. He dedicates himself fiercely to the cases he is assigned to, to his own pain. Frequently he falls asleep late at night in an armchair in his living room, headphones blasting rock and roll into his ears. (Rankin is clearly a fan himself, with musical taste similar to mine -- more kudos <g>). He has a drinking problem. His eating habits are atrocious. He tries to keep the door closed on dark chapters in his past and never quite succeeds. He has a sense of humor as dry as November's leaf. (On one case he phones a professor who insists on being addressed as Doctor; after the call he remarks to his partner, "I wonder if she can fix my gout?").
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>>>His partner in many of the books is Siobhan Clarke, a notable character herself. Redheaded (of course) and as quick-witted and dedicated as Rebus. She is quietly ambitious and there are those who caution her that emulating Rebus's independence will doom her chances.
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>>>All of the characters are well done, even the most minor thieves, witnesses, and constables ("woolly suits"). Many recur over and over, in evolving roles. The series is quite life-like in that regard. There are not a lot of spoilers about past books so you can start almost anywhere. Once in a while you will find out someone has died or left the force, but nothing to detract from the pleasure of the book you are reading.
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>>>One of the things I like about the books is that Edinburgh itself is a character. Rankin describes it so specifically I am struggling to think of a parallel in fiction. He doesn't sugar coat it. The rain, cold, wind, and darkness are vividly described. It's just described so well you can't help wanting to go there. I can practically see Arthur's Seat, the castle, Princes Street -- none of which I have ever seen. To me that is the enduring magic of fiction, to take you to some place completely foreign to your own experience and make you feel you are there.
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>>>Highly recommended.