[swarthyguy]

Yes, nothing like Patrick O’Brian.
Best to start with Master and Commander, but any will do.

If you’re in the mood for something darkish, the epitomy of fine pulpfiction and noir, go for Jim Thompson. Books that punch you in the plexus. “Pop. 1280” - a good start. Short but intense.

[wtc911]

Any Jim Thomson will do (as would any early Hammett or Leonard, including his noir-westerns like HOMBRE).

A friend of mine started a small imprint called Hard Case Fiction. He recycles forties-fifties lurid crime novellae and mixes them with new writers. Pretty good stuff.

A really good long read is the Berlin Noir trilogy by Phillip Kerr (March Violets, The Pale Criminal & German Requim). They are available in one volume. The series covers a Berlin detective pre-war, war years and post war in a dirty, dangerous Berlin. It's his best work by far. I take it off the shelf every four years or so and am constantly surprised by it still.

[stylin_geek]

The best current detective noir writer out there is probably Dennis Lehane.

[Stephanie32]

Thank you, I’m copying all of this so this is helpful !