Passover pre-empts the Weekend Update, but before I go gorge myself on Seder food, it's worth pointing to the London Times' special on the top 50 Crime Writers, not only because it will provoke the usual rounds of debate as all these lists do, but because of the accompanying articles:
- Jeanette WInterson on her problems with the genre
- Ian Rankin on his problems with list-making
- Similar issues from publisher Christopher McLehose
- A candid interview with Patricia Cornwell
- Collecting crime fiction
And the list, whatever your thoughts, was picked by a pretty good panel of judges, I have to say.
Nice post! :)
Posted by: Mikey | April 18, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Thanks for the pointer Sarah. An interesting list, perhaps a bit light on with 21st century writers, and not an Australian author among despite the fact that there are a few who have been acknowledged as genre ground breakers. - e.g. Patricia Carlon springs to mind, Michael Innes, Peter Temple. Seems to me to be a list a little influenced by the fact that the writer's work has become better known (even influential of the visual genre) through TV or film too.
Posted by: Kerrie Smith | April 18, 2008 at 07:01 PM
As such lists go, this is one of the better ones I've seen.
The three writers who leap out at me immediately as being missing: Ross Thomas, Larry Block and Michael Connelly. Oh, and Thomas Perry.
But still... Not bad.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | April 18, 2008 at 07:10 PM
I can't believe they omitted Donald E. Westlake.
Posted by: John D | April 18, 2008 at 08:16 PM
No Ruth Rendell(In my opinion, she is the greatest in place of Highsmith), Margaret Millar, Ellery Queen, Thomas H. Cook.......
What a nonsense....Maybe, this article was intended to make a repartee to Daily Telegraph's feature article, this is also bad.
Posted by: Jun | April 18, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Ooops, My mistake. There is Ruth Rendell, ranking 18.
Posted by: Jun | April 18, 2008 at 10:24 PM
thanks for the suggestion! ;)
Posted by: Olivia | April 18, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Can't really argue with their "Tartan Noir" selections, but I wish Denise Mina had made it. In ten years I expect she'll be a consensus pick for lists of thsi sort.
Posted by: John C. Ford | April 20, 2008 at 08:12 PM
A smart list, but I agree with John D that Westlake should have been in there.
Posted by: Antony B | April 21, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Jun wrote:
"Margaret Millar, Ellery Queen, Thomas H. Cook......."
Don't worry, they're on MY list:
http://atthevillarose.blogspot.com/2008/04/30-mystery-writers-daily-telegraph-and.html
Posted by: Xavier Lechard | April 22, 2008 at 04:55 AM