There are several well - known authors of Edinburgh crime novels. Ian Rankin, as mentioned before, is renowned for his Inspector Rebus series. Kate Atkinson has created some great crime stories set in the city. And then there's Alexander McCall Smith, who has also dabbled in crime - related stories set in Edinburgh. Each of these authors brings their own unique style to the genre, whether it's Rankin's gritty realism, Atkinson's complex character - driven plots, or McCall Smith's more gentle yet still engaging take on crime in the city.
John Grisham. His 'A Time to Kill' was published in 1987. He is well - known for his legal thrillers which often have elements of crime and justice.
Don Winslow. He wrote some great crime works in 2016. His writing often has a gritty and realistic feel, delving deep into the criminal underworld and the characters involved.
Laurell K. Hamilton is quite well - known for her 'Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter' series. Her books blend vampire themes with crime and other supernatural elements.
Charles Portis is famous for his Texas - related crime novel 'True Grit'. Larry McMurtry, the author of 'Lonesome Dove', is also well - known in this regard as his novel contains elements of crime in the Texas frontier setting. John Connolly, who wrote 'The Killing Kind' set in Texas, is another notable author. His books are known for their dark exploration of crime and the human mind.
Mario Puzo is very well - known for 'The Godfather'. His writing brought the Corleone family to life in a way that made readers feel like they were part of their world.
John Dickson Carr is a very well - known author in this genre. His works often feature locked - room mysteries and other impossible crime situations. For example, in 'The Crooked Hinge', he presents a complex mystery where the evidence seems to point in multiple impossible directions.
There's also Janwillem van de Wetering. His novels set in Amsterdam are known for their detailed descriptions of the city and its criminal elements. He creates a vivid picture of Amsterdam through his writing, making the reader feel as if they are right there on the streets where the crimes are taking place.
Louise Penny is a very well - known author of Canadian crime novels. Her Inspector Gamache series is highly regarded. Another is Giles Blunt. His crime novels are known for their dark and gritty stories.
Kate Rhodes is quite well - known for her Cornish crime novels. Her works often explore the darker side of Cornwall while also highlighting its beauty.
Raymond Chandler is another. He created the hard - boiled detective genre with novels like 'The Big Sleep'. His writing style is very distinct, with sharp dialogue and a great sense of atmosphere in his crime stories.