With so many great nominations, we couldn’t talk about them all, so here are ten that caught our eye. Scroll down for the full list of your recommendations – you may even find your next favourite read among them.
Brazilian Chris Carter studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour in the US, and his knowledge is something that has always shone through in his novels. His series of books focus on criminal behaviour psychologist turned detective Robert Hunter who works for the Los Angeles Robbery Homicide Division. Although One by One was shortlisted for the Leserpreis Award in Germany, Chris is still considered exceptionally underrated in the UK. Despite this, he received two nominations from our followers on Facebook and Twitter; for One by One and The Crucifix Killer.
You can find more from Chris Cater here.
The Janus Stone – Elly Griffiths
Elly Griffiths gained notability in 2011 when her debut novel ‘The Crossing Places’ won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. While her first novel has been widely celebrated and read, some of her later novels have been equally as gripping but haven’t received the attention they deserved. The Janus Stone – as voted by you – sees Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson team up to work on a 40 year old case when two missing children’s bodies are found.
You can find more from Elly Griffiths here.
After the Silence – Jake Woodhouse
Jake Woodhouse’s debut After the Silence features Inspector Jaap Rykel as he investigates a series of unusual murders in Amsterdam. The book received glowing reviews, but with the second in the Amsterdam Quartet yet to be released, the best may yet be to come from Jack Woodhouse.
One of the world’s foremost experts on serial killers, Philip Carlo found a love for writing after escaping a life of gang crime on the streets of Brooklyn, New York. Throughout his writing career he has released three true crime novels and five biographical novels on well known criminals. While his true crime novels are best-known, his biographies are some of his most intriguing books. Ice Man explores the life of top Mafia hit-man Richard ‘the Ice Man’ Kulinski and was released just four years before Philip sadly died in 2010.
You can find more from Philip Carlo here.
The Truth Will Out – Jane Isaac
Jane Isaac is still a relative newcomer on the crime fiction scene with her thriller/police procedural crossovers. The Truth Will Out was Jane’s debut featuring DCI Helen Lavery, receiving specific praise for her relatable and well-defined characters. With her debut featuring on our underrated list, our followers certainly seem impressed so far.
You can find more from Jane Isaac here.
A former CID officer himself, Luke Delaney offers a unique and realistic perspective on crime investigations with his DI Sean Corrigan series. The second in the series – The Keeper – is a race against time as a body turns up after a series of missing persons cases. Luke has a fiercely loyal fan base which has continued to grow with each book.
You can find more from Luke Delaney here.
Simon Kernick is best known for his fifth booth ‘Relentless’ – the first in the Mike Bolt series. Although it was the bestselling thriller in 2007, his standalone novel ‘Stay Alive’ – which was released in 2014 – has made it onto our underrated crime books list. A tense thriller, Amanda Rowan ends up fleeing for her life after she walks in on a murder scene, the victims of which are her husband and his mistress. But now the murderer has turned his attention to her and the story becomes a suspenseful race as Amanda must run from her would-be killers and the police try to close in on their suspects.
You can find more from Simon Kernick here.
Talking to The Dead – Harry Bingham
Harry Bingham has found great success with his Fiona Griffiths series, but is also known for his non-fiction books and The Writer’s Workshop which helps new writers get started. Although Harry has received praise-filled reviews for his work, many of his fans still feel he is greatly underrated.
You can find more from Harry Bingham here.
Unquestionably Dan Brown is best known for his bestselling Robert Langdon series, in particular The Da Vinci Code. Long before Robert Langdon came about however, Dan published Digital Fortress, a thriller that follows the National Security Agency’s head cryptographer Susan Fletcher. Although critic’s opinions differ, many fans still feel that Dan’s debut novel is highly underrated.
You can find more from Dan Brown here.
Think of a Number – John Verdon
Think of a Number was John Verdon’s first published mystery thriller and the first book in the David Guerney series. Although it and others in the series were well received by critics and featured on bestseller lists, many still believe that John Verdon deserves much more recognition as a crime author.
You can find more from John Verdon here.
Take a look through the full list of underrated crime books. Who knows, you may discover your next favourite author.
The Truth Will Out – Jane Isaac
In Death – JD Robb (Nora Roberts)
Agatha Raisin series – Marion Chesney
The Skull Session – Daniel Hecht
The Vanished Man – Jeffery Deaver The Winter Foundlings – Kate Rhodes A. J. Carella The Case of the City Clerk -Agatha Christie The Black Country – Alex Grecian Where the Devil Can’t Go – Anya Lipska Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte – Arthur Upfield The Last Policeman – Ben H. Winters The Tom Caton Series – Bill Rogers Kill the General – Bogdan Hrib Regan Reilly series – Carol Higgins Clark Real Murders – Charlaine Harris When The Devil Drives – Chris Brookmyre The Crucifix Killer – Chris Carter Talking with Serial Killers – Christopher Berry Dee Last Bus to Woodstock – Colin Dexter Bill Slider – Cynthia Harrod-Eagles An English Murder – Cyril Hare City of Devils – Diana Bretherick The Thirteenth Tale – Diane Setterfield The Power Of The Dog – Don Winslow Amelia Peabody Emerson – Elizabeth Peters The Janus Stone – Elly Griffiths WANTED! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Thief – Emily Mackenzie The Worst of Evils – Ferguson Shaw Forgotten Dead – Ferguson Shaw The Joe Faraday novels – Graham Hurley The Murder Wall series – Mari Hannah
Think of a Number – John Verdon
Murray Barber P.I. series – Julie Burns Sweeney
The Man Who Liked Slow Tomatoes – K. C. Constantine
The Vault – Karen Long
The Boy That Never Was – Karen Perry
The Will Trent series – Karin Slaughter
An Unfamiliar Murder – Jane Isaac
The October List – Jeffery Deaver
Every Dead Thing – John Connolly
Teesside series – John Nicholson
Case Histories – Kate Aktinson
Cocaine Blues – Kerry Greenwood
Charming – Kyrstal Wade
Crucial Evidence – Maggie Barnes
Rush of Blood – Mark Billingham
Roadrage – Martin Johnson
Masters of Mystery – Martin Radcliffe
Concrete Blonde – Michael Connelly
MadMax – MJ Trow
The Alina Marinescu – Monica Ramirez
The Beast Must Die – Nicholas Blake
The Girl on The Train – Paula Hawkins
Prophecy of Bees – Rob Pateman
The Silkworm – Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)
Until You’re Mine – Samantha Hayes
Marnie Rome books – Sarah Hilary
Raffles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Point of Rescue – Sophie Hannah
The Girl Missing series – Sophie McKensie
The Man Who – Stephen R. Donaldson
No Manns Land – Steve Heeney
Afraid Amanda – Sue Heller
Trick of the Dark – Val McDermid
Falling Angel – William Hjortsberg
Repairman Jack: The Early Years
