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Hottest crime fiction authors

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There's nothing better than staying up late to finish a good book. It's even better when that book is a heart-stopping, fast-paced crime thriller keeping you on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page.

We asked you  to tell us about the crime fiction authors that you would recommend. From Patricia Cornwell and John Connolly, to Karin Slaughter and local favourite, Deon Meyer, here are the authors that you think everyone should be reading.

Deon Meyer  -  Nail-biting stories set in familiar surroundings with believable characters.
Brenda

Patricia Cornwell  - Lots of forensics, action, complex cases and includes a healthy dose of family life that needs to be juggled in between.
Belinda

Patricia Cornwell  -  Her heroine, Kay Scarpetta is portrayed as a real woman, warts and all and it's her flaws that make her so human.  Cornwell put this strong female character into words during a time when most heroines were soft, fluffy "wannabes" who invariably required a strong male character to flesh them out.

In Kay Scarpetta we are introduced to intellect coupled with human emotions giving us a more holistic and fully rounded person.  In fact, Cornwell's heroine could just as easily have been male.  Well done Ms Cornwell!
Adele

Michael Robotham - Because his crime novels are partly based on reality, and you never know what's going to happen next.
Candice

JD Robb - I love her Eve Dallas novels and am absolutely hooked! I love the futuristic aspect and all the gizmos and gadgets they have access to, and the fact that their personal lives are as much part of the storyline as the crime!
Vicky

John Connolly - Fast paced books with a twist. Once I start one of his novels, I can't put them down. Met him in person last year and wasn't disappointed.
Nicolene

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Yes, I know it sounds lame, but I've read all the Sherlock Holmes stories and books - and to me - nothing compares to the cleverness of it. Each story had me guessing until the end!
Jesca

Jonathan Kellerman
- Because I can relate to the familiar characters and his endings aren't very obvious.
Wendy

Thomas Harris - Because I've yet to read someone who is able to bring out the darkness of a character like Hannibal Lecter and yet still give you the ability to revile him and respect his brilliance at the same time. Also he speaks to the human condition and brings through the dark side of humanity in his writing.
Tracey

I have so many, but a favourite is Sue Grafton. It's the perfect in-between read because the writing flows so well and the stories feel real, the people feel real and she grips you with her interesting plots.  Her main character is a flawed but excellent private investigator and is someone most woman can identify with.
Michele

Roger Smith - A home grown SA author who keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Angela

Margie Orford - I love the grittiness of her writing, and how familiar settings become reinvented for the reader in her writing.
Lindsay

Jeff Lindsay - Because he gives us a skilfully written insight into the mind of a killer with a heart. even if the character himself, doesn't realise it
Fazielah

Harlan Coben - I love his writing, he makes the story so real.  He describes people and scenes in easy to read words and you can imagine yourself being there and seeing everything.  His stories are well researched and often there is a twist to the story right at the end - it keeps you in suspense!
Lorraine

Karen Rose as she keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. You just can't put her books down once you start reading.
Penelope

Karin Slaughter - She seems to be very comfortable with dealing with the controversial issues of sexism, religion and racism and I find it quite refreshing. She doesn't point fingers at it so much as simply present it as it is. I find her writing quite fascinating.
Nadine

Who are some of your favourite authors? Tell us about them in the comment box below.


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