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Travelling by the Book

by David Worsley

If you’re going abroad this summer, or just up to the cottage, a crime novel in a hammock or during the flight can enhance your vacation many times over.  What follows is a small list that may match your destination.

England - Home to hundreds of topranking crime practitioners, but no list is complete without P.D James, Ruth Rendell and  Anne Perry.  Even the most devoted reader would likely need several lifetimes to scratch the surface of the British offerings to the genre. From Agatha Christie to cosies, from the most gruesome to the most period specific, all preferences are covered when one lays back and thinks of England.

France - Fred Vargas is a sure thing. She (that’s right, she) is an archaeologist in her other life, but also a stylish and reliable author of Paris-based suspense fiction.  Start with the first Inspector Adamsberg yarn, Have Mercy On Us All, and follow it up with Seeking Whom He May Devour. Georges Simenon’s Maigret novels remain the standard since the first book, published in 1931.  The Marseilles Trilogy by Jean-Claude Izzo is a wonderful look at the historic port city as well.

Italy - Plenty of options here, but the American writer Donna Leon who has lived in Italy for many years pens the Inspector Guido Brunetti series.  He runs counter to much detective fiction insofar as he’s a fundamentally decent guy.  Brunetti tries to keep a lid on Venice while simultaneously running up against entrenched corruption in the public sphere.

Cuba - Ever since Peter (Friend of the Devil) Robinson had such nice things to say about him a few years back José Latour has been everywhere.  Like most of his work, the first novel Outcast is set in pre-Castro Cuba.  The well respected press Bitter Lemon publishes several other Cuban-based crime writers for aficionados.

Scotland-Ian Rankin heads the class, but Chris Brookmyre, Val McDermid, Denise Mina and Louise Welsh are very good and perfect companions to fine single malt.  Our man Chris Brookmyre could get you booted off the plane.  Peals of laughter may make other passengers nervous.

Australia - Gary Disher leads an emerging group of Australian crime writers from another strong publisher, Soho Press

Japan - There’s a great lot of wonderful stuff from Vertical Inc.  They make beautiful looking books, noted for their covers designed by Chip Kidd.  In a country where guns are scarce, Shinjuku Shark by Arimasa Osawa is a fine read. The villain is a maker of clandestine firearms.  Natsuo Kirino is a favourite around here.  Out and Grotesque are her first two efforts.

China - Robert van Gulik’s Judge Dee mysteries were penned decades ago, but he’s being favourably compared to Alexander McCall Smith of late.  Van Gulik was credited with breathing life into ancient detective fiction that was popular centuries ago. 

Ireland - Ireland’s rich history and literary lineage make it a natural fit for crime fiction.  Several Irish literary giants (John Banville, Eion McNamee have penned crime novels under pseudonyms, and Peter Tremayne, Declan Hughes and Gene Kerrigan are recent highlights.  Kerrigan is published by yet another strong international crime outfit, Europa Editions. 

Turkey - The Ottaman Empire is represented well by Barbara Nadel, whose Inspector Suleyamn series is finding a devoted readership.  Her novels tend to take place in Istanbul and she’s comfortable in both historical and contemporary settings.

The Scandinavian Countries - Since Sweden’s Henning Mankell came to light a few years ago, there’s been an explosion of new and rediscovered crime fiction. Norway is home to Jo Nesbo, Sweden boasts of Hakan Nesser and Arnaldur Indriaason is first success story to come out of Iceland.  Indriaason’s Jar City is the first in a series featuring a great character, Erlendur Sveinsson.

Spain - A favourite around here is Shadow of the Wind by Juan Carlos Zafor.  His first book to be translated into English is a bibliomystery set in postwar Barcelona.  Rebecca Pawel’s series featuring Inspector Tejada is set in Madrid during the Franco regime.  Death of a Nationalist is the first in a fine series.

Some solid international crime publishers include:

Soho Press http://www.sohopress.com/

Europa Editions http://www.europaeditions.com/

Bitter Lemon Press http://www.bitterlemonpress.com/

Vertical Editions http://www.vertical-inc.com/

Serpent’s Tail http://www.serpentstail.com/

Serpent’s Tail and Akashic Books also publish crime fiction anthologies specific to the world’s great (and deadly) cities.