# I like Michael Connelly.  Who else would I like?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 28, 2004, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630 "2004-10-28T06:48:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/1 "2004-10-28T06:48:39Z")

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Ok, so here’s the story. For the last 10 years or so, all I’ve read are technical manuals and study guides. Literature basically went out the window.

Lately, I’ve been getting back into reading fiction. I’ve read all of Michael Connelly’s books and love them! But now, I have a problem. There are no more Connelly books to read and I am itching to do some reading.

Can anyone recommend an author with a similar writing style? It would help if it’s a murder mystery.  
Thanks in advance,

Max 🙂

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**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/2 "2004-10-28T14:31:06Z")

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John Connolly – Every Dead Thing, Dark Hollow are a couple of good ones

Andrew Pyper – Lost Girls

Giles Blunt – Forty Words for Sorrow

Rennie Airth – River of Darkness

I don’t guarantee that these are a 100% close match on style, but when I think of dark mysteries with unique characters, I think of Michael Connelly and then I think of these guys.

I haven’t read any Dennis Lehane, but from what I’ve heard, he might fit too.

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**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/3 "2004-10-28T21:58:27Z")

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Thanks **AuntiePam** , for those suggestions! I will check out a bookstore in the coming weeks and see if I can find those authors.  
😃

Max.

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**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/4 "2004-10-29T04:26:30Z")

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You might also want to considder **Jeffery Deaver** , but be picky in your choices. The _Lincoln Rhyme_ series, one of which was made into the movie “The Bone Collector” is excellent. The books contain some interesting twists, the aforementioned movie leaves something to be desired.

It’s odd, in that I like all of the **Connelly** books, including the “not gonna try to spell it” Bosch ones, and the others.

I got “The Narrows” signed at a reading here in July, and Mr Connelly was quite intriguing.

Enough of the prattle, though, I’ve said my bit.

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**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/5 "2004-10-29T05:15:08Z")

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Patricia Cornwell.

Ed McBain, maybe.

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**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/6 "2004-10-29T14:21:36Z")

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I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly. James Lee Burke has a long-running series about Louisiana cop Dave Robicheaux that is similar to the Harry Bosch novels in that they are better read in order. Dave starts out as an alcoholic big city cop and moves on book by book. They are somewhat grittier and more violent than Connelly. Some critics rate Burke the best current writer in America regardless of genre.

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**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/7 "2004-10-29T15:13:24Z")

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Another big Connelly fan checking in here. What I always did, when biding time between Connelly book releases, was read:

**Robert Crais** : Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are great characters, and the book L. A. Requiem is a good place to start.

**Jonathan Kellerman** : I usually get bored of reading about the same character over and over, but for some reason, I read about 10 Alex Delaware books before I started to lose interest. Very well-written and also, based in Los Angeles. You could start with any of the 15 or so books already written, but I think the ones written between '90 and '95 are the best: comfortable with the character and not yet formulaic.

I also second **Burke** and **Deaver**

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**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/8 "2004-10-29T18:04:30Z")

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Joseph Wambaugh.

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**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\
**Post date:** [October 30, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-michael-connelly-who-else-would-i-like/271630/9 "2004-10-30T00:03:17Z")

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Many thanks to all who have replied! You’ve given me a great starting point 🙂  
Cheers,  
Max.
