[HairOfTheDog]

Read any John Grisham? - The all center on legal themes... I like them, and if you like his writing, there are a lot of books: Perhaps start with The Runaway Jury, The Client, or the Chamber.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/grisham/books/

Or you could always read Lord of the Rings again....

[HairOfTheDog]

If you like thrillers, can I assume you have read a few Steven Kings?

[WFTR]

I always recommend Witness, the autobiography of Whitaker Chambers, in these threads. He was a communist spy in the 20's and 30's and broke with communism when he realized its evil. He eventually testified against Alger Hiss in Hiss's perjury trial. It inspired me so much that I named my website in honor of the book and of Mr. Chambers.

I like Dean Koontz novels. Dark Rivers of the Heart has a good semi-political message, and I'm going to review it on my website soon. Sole Survivor is a pretty involved book but is pretty interesting. Lightning features a woman as a main character, and I've heard that many women like it. From the Corner of His Eye is interesting as well. All of his books are fairly graphic, but they would be no worse than what you've read in some Tom Clancy books.

WFTR
Bill

[Ditter]

You didn't mention non fiction or history but I'll tell you about a book I am just finishing. It is Cities of Gold by Douglas Preston. It is the story of 2 guys, a NY liberal & a rough tough Texan who decide to follow Coronados route of 1540, across Arizona & New Mexico on horseback. He quotes from Coronodos (& others) journals & weaves in the early settlers of the 1800's & encounters with the Indians, as well as their own trials & tribulations. I have found it fascinating.

[pa_dweller]

Brown on Resolution, C. S. Forester

Slow start but holds you 'til the end.

[pa_dweller]

P.S.

A Rifleman Went to War, Herbert W. Mcbride (autobiographical account of WWI)

[OldFriend]

Robert Ludlum books might be of interest.

[The Other Harry]

Well, this isn't technically a thriller or a crime novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed David McCullough's boigraphy of Samuel Adams. It's a very easy read, and every bit as captivating as any crime novel I've ever read.

Any of the Shaara novels about the Civil War.

Any of the Partick O'Brian historical sea novels (it's best to start at the beginning). Be careful here -- these are addictive.

In the crime vein, You might try a Patricia Cornwell novel if you've never read one. One is good. She gets a bit monotonous after that (I feel the same way about Grisham, Ludlum, and Clancy, fwiw).

As to Grisham, I quite liked _The Painted House_. It isn't a crime novel. It goes kinda slow. But it ain't all bad.

Anything by Elmore Leonard. I just finished reading his most odd novel, _The Touch_. Just go to the library and check out anything he's ever written. He's the master of American street dialogue.

Good luck!

[petuniasevan]

I'd recommend Forsyth, but you've already read him.

Do you like horse racing or just enjoy a good British-style thriller? Author Dick Francis has written 40 novels over the last 40 years...all based on horses in some way...all thrillers. I'm trying to collect them all.

Dick Francis reading group web page.

War novels...Have you ever heard of W.E.B. Griffin? His historical fiction is quite good. Not everybody likes his style, but I enjoy and collect his works.

W.E.B. Griffin official website .

[balrog666]

Try the early works of:

Richard Hoyt (very unusual spy novels),
Gregory McDonald (spy/mystery with a twist),
Thomas Perry (spy-mystery-mafia-unusual),
Lawrence Block (mystery),
Elmore Leonard (humerous spy novels, mysteries, you-name-it), and
David Baldacci and Brad Meltzer (lawyer-thrillers like Grisham but both can write endings),

[Leper Messiah]

I have read all books by John Sandford (Prey series) good stuff. Greg Iles is also a very good writer, The Quiet Game, Mortal Fear, 24 Hours ( Which has been made into a movie and should be out shortly Dead Sleep. Harlan Coben has a couple of good ones, including Tell No One Tami Hoag, most of her books since Guilty as Sin are good. Dennis Lehane is a great writer, he has a detective series as well as one other book called Mystic RiverHis first book won a Shamus Award. Michael Slade, who's Headhunter is one of the best books of the genra I have read, much better than Silence of the Lambs as well as predating it. I defy anyone to guess the killer's identity. Several books by Tim Dorsey, including Orange Crush (No this has nothing to do with the recent movie.)

[stumpy]

If you like war novels, read W.E.B. Griffiths "The Corps" series, and the "Brotherhood of War" series. While fictional, they have a lot of historical facts.

[fellowpatriot]

"Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire", "Freeper of the Year" Jeff Head's 1st volume in his projective fiction series of a coming global war.

[warchild9]

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. You'll never forget it. Also, try Lord Jim. And try Golding: Lord of the Flies.

[boris]

The Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephens.

I ordinarily read SF and non-fiction, but this one was a page-turner.

I have a long list of SF suggestions; freep-mail me if you are interested.

--Boris

[bizzyguy]

Look at these books.

http://www.orgnet.com/leftright.html

Ha! Even the Left is not reading Gore's book.