Crime Writers Caught Recommending Crime - Day 17

We've had quite a few books recommended over the past month that are new to me. Today's book recommendation, however, is one I know well and highly endorse as well. Sara Henry is preparing to release her already highly acclaimed debut novel, LEARNING TO SWIM, in February. Today however she's here to recommend Reed Farrel Coleman's 2010 Moe Prager novel, INNOCENT MONSTER.

And here's what Sara has to say,

"This is me pretending to read Reed Farrel Coleman's INNOCENT MONSTER (who reads standing up in a bookstore? OK, many of us do, but not usually in the middle of the store). You don't have to be a crime writing fan to appreciate Coleman's finely tuned writing and what Booklist calls the main character's "bone-deep world weariness and mordant sense of humor." There's a lot within these pages: lost love, estranged family, ghosts of the past, dead dreams, a kidnapped 11-year-old art prodigy, a hard look at the art world and the parents who capitalized on the child's fame, a protagonist who's risking much to mend his relationship with his own adult daughter, and a smattering of hope. You won't forget these characters or this story when you close the book."

Very well said! Thank you, Sara.

My recommendation today will be bestowed on another debut thriller writer. Keith Thompson broke onto the fiction front this year with an incredible spy thriller called ONCE A SPY. You may recall this book from my earlier review. Since I'm not typically a big spy thriller fan, it takes a special kind of book to hook me. Thompson's premise was fresh and fun and unique. He blends humor, sincerity and drama into the thrill ride. ONCE A SPY was definitely one of my favorite reads from 2010 and I highly recommend it for any crime fiction fan. I'm looking forward to the follow-up, TWICE A SPY, due out next year.

Check back tomorrow. If you're still working on your holiday shopping, we have even more recommendations. If you're done shopping, stop by to pad your TBR list! Happy Reading!