I was wondering: could you recommend a book for me? I've been itching to read something - and I've been itching for something sort-of specific...

Basically, I'd like to read a book that involves some sort of dark and / or scary mystery. Some plot that would keep me wondering while I was reading and that would get resolved gradually...

For example: years ago, I read Thomas Harris' Red Dragon and I fell in love with this kind of story. There was a macabre mystery of a killer on the loose, an investigation into his identity and motives... That's the kind of thing I'd love to read some more these days.

Another example could be Dan Simmons' Terror. It doesn't really involve any investigation, but the plot is told in a non-linear way (so it kept me guessing as to what was about the happen) and there's a sort-of mystery at the centre of it. Overall, the book is very atmospheric, especially as it's set in the 19th century. And I really like the 19th century...

So: there has to a semi-complex mystery at the centre of the plot. There has to be a dark or scary atmosphere. It'd be best if the story involved some sort of investigation of the said mystery... A historical setting would be a plus, but it's not necessary. Oh, and occult themes would be a big plus, too.

Do you guys know any books in that vein?

Well, to state the obvious, there's always Lovecraft.

For the less-obvious, you might want to consider Tanya Huff's Blood series. I haven't read it personally, but I've enjoyed her other works, and the Blood series is her most popular one.

Mysteries don't get much darker than those written by James Ellroy.  L.A. Confidential is a good one.  (As good as the movie was, the plot is much more complex in the novel.)

Nothing occulty in it, but it delves into the depths of humanity.

If you like vampire stories, try P.N. Elrods Vampire Files. Good mix of mystery and supernatural.

Actually, I'd prefer for the book not to involve vampires... ;) Also, I'm not really into the "supernatural detective" genre in general. If the book is to be about an investigation, I'd prefer the detective(s) to be human.

Are there any good books like Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs? Meaning, about crimes with a macabre bent?

You might take a look at Barbara Hambly's A Free Man of Color, first in her Benjamin January series about a black man trained as a surgeon and pianist solving crimes in early 19th century New Orleans.

I'm also quite partial to her Bride of the Rat God set in 1920s Hollywood. A good, very weird mystery.

Try 'The Alienist' and 'Angel of Darkness' by Caleb Carr. Set in New York at the end of the 19th century, focusing on solving grisly crimes with techniques that were revolutionary at the time, but standard in some investigative work today (basic forensics, forensic psychology, etc).
This message was last edited by the user at 04:54, Fri 27 May 2016.

I was going to say the Alienist ....bloody great read :)

Gah! I tried to read some info on Caleb Carr on Wikipedia and the page totally spoiled "Angel of Darkness" for me :(((((

You could try any of these authors:

James Patterson
Will Carver
Jack Kerley

And British authoresses

Mo Hayder
Roberta Kray

Roberta Kray was the wife of one of the notorious London gangsters, the Kray Twins - you could say she knows her stuff...

Caution, you might need a puke bucket for some of them. They're definitely NOT 'General' rated.

I always remember James Patterson as the guy who created the slogan for Toys R Us, "I'm a Toys R Us Kid."  That was back when he worked in marketing.  I never really cared for him as a writer though.

Since you say you liked Dan Simmons, I'd recommend more of his work.  Did you read "Drood"? The Abominable? Darwin's Blade (which is probably closest in style to what you are looking for). (If you are at all interested in his paranormal stuff, Summer of Night, Children of the Night, Song of Kali, and Carrion Comfort are all good.  Those are my three favorites (along with Hyperion Cantos and Darwin's Blade) and I've read almost everything Dan Simmons.  He also writes Joe Kurtz novels, which are interesting anything goes type of fast reading based on a detective.

I once told Mr. Simmons that I was reading Darwin's Blade and missed my train stop because I was into it.  He said he's surprised anyone reads on the subway anymore.  Classy guy.


Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" is also a favorite of mine.  When I first read it many years ago, the solving of the mystery/murder at the end was a great surprise (so don't get any spoilers).  Boy, that ages me.
This message was last edited by the user at 23:46, Tue 31 May 2016.

I've read quite a lot of Agatha Christie. She's great.

As for Simmons, aside from Terror, I've read Song of Kali (which was rather good, although - I think - based on Simmons misuderstanding an aspect of Hindu religion) and Drood (which was very good writing-wise, but somehow... unsatisfying). I also have Carrion Comfort on my bookshelf, but I barely started reading it - somehow, it... put me off with its cruel protagonists. I've actually picked up The Abominable a few days ago, I'm waiting for it to arrive :)

Any ideas for books involving strange cults, mysticism, dark magic etc.? Just don't say Lovecraft :)

In reply to Varsovian (msg # 12):

I've been reading the Sanctuary series by Robert J. Crane on my kindle. It feels like a D&D campaign written into a story. It follows a warrior in a guild, and builds on his ultimate quest. I say it is some of the best fantasy novels I have read. I think it's like 9 books in the series with the inbetweeners and side stories, but I'm only on the 3rd book. (kids take up more time than I have to read.) But if you like some fantasy, it's a good read from what I've gotten to.

There's my 2 cents