Mark Billingham

So my second Favourite Authors feature goes to Mark Billingham. Mark is one of my all time favourite crime authors and his creation Tom Thorne is one of my favourite ever fictional detectives. You can find out more about Mark on his website. You can also follow him on Twitter. Also find out more about Mark and his books, and other fantastic crime authors at THE CRIME VAULT.

My introduction to Tom Thorne first came about nearly 7 years ago when I was browsing the Crime section of my local library. I came across a book called Death Message. The blurb immediately made me want to read this book so I checked it out and began reading it the very same night. Despite this being the seventh book in the Thorne series I did very much enjoy it however as is always the case with a series it is best to start at the beginning. 

So, upon finishing Death Message that's what I did! I bought the first book in the series Sleepy Head and absolutely loved reading about Thorne from the very beginning. I enjoy reading about detectives who aren't afraid to break a few rules, and Thorne is definitely that sort of detective. Sleepy Head is probably one of the best debut crime novels I have read, and I constantly reccommend it when asked for crime recommendations. I did read it nearly 7 years ago and so there are probably some things I have forgotten but I do remember it being a gripping read. First three victims die of an apparent stroke but a fourth person turns up who is still alive, Alison Willetts, the only problem being is she is unable to move or communicate. It is believed that the killer made a mistake and meant to kill Alison. Is it a mistake though?

Book number two is entitled Scaredy Cat, a book which had Martina Cole saying: 'the best book I've read in years'. I read this shortly after Sleepy Head as I loved the first book that much. Books like this wouldn't be as enjoyable without a fantastic cast of characters, good writing and even better storytelling. Mark gets it right every single time. There's just the right amount of everything, especially humour. I particularly enjoy Mark's friendship with Phil Hendricks who is a pathologist. I quickly moved onto books three, four and five which are entitled Lazybones, The Burning Girl and Lifeless. Lifeless is a particular favourite of mine as it finds Thorne living on the streets. In a work capacity that is. London's homeless community is being targeted by a killer and Thorne becomes a homeless man himself to try and find out who it is.

Now for whatever reason I remember there being a significant gap between me reading book six which is called Buried. I read Buried shortly before the release of Bloodline which is the eight book in the series (number seven being Death Message). Book number nine is another personal favourite of mine and that is From the Dead. Thorne is what makes these books for me, he is just a wonderful character to read about and believable as well. Picking up a Thorne book is like reacquainting yourself with an old friend. I enjoy the chapters which are just him in his flat, having a curry with Hendricks or driving across London whilst Hendricks rips into him first about the car and second about the music being played in it. I also love the books as they are set in London. 

From the Dead however is a personal favourite as it takes Thorne away from London to work on a case in Spain. At first I was apprehensive, Thorne out of London? In the end though it worked brilliantly and ended up being one of the best Thorne books I'd read. Book ten, Good as Dead was another favourite and I actually read this one in a few days. It features a character from one of Mark's standalone novels Helen Weeks. Helen becomes a hostage in her local newsagents as the owner knows she is a police officer and is seeking Thorne's help in finding out how his son really died. Alternating between Thorne's quest for the truth and Helen's ordeal in the shop this was a fantastic read. 

And so 2013 saw the latest release, The Dying Hours. I bought this from ASDA on the day it came out and again had it read not long after. Now this was a particularly interesting and special book in the series as it finds Thorne back in uniform. Remember when I said he doesn't play by the rules? Well this is what happens when you break them too many times. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Thorne back in uniform, not surprisingly he hates it and ends up investigating a case by himself without the help of his colleagues and further putting his job in danger. 

And that's Tom Thorne... I am now eagerly awaiting book number twelve in the series and that book is THE BONES BENEATH. Now, The Bones Beneath is out May 22nd 2014 but if it was up to me it'd be in my hands and being read right now! I just know it is going to be fantastic read and I for one cannot wait for it. Definitely one of my most anticipated books of 2014. I will certainly be raving about it here and all over Twitter.

It takes a talented author to continually write quality books which people want to read and as Mark's many fans would tell you, he is certainly a talented author. Not only has he written 12 (once The Bones Beneath is published) books featuring Thorne he has also written two standalone novels In the Dark and Rush of Blood. I cannot reccommend his work enough. I can't imagine there are many crime fans unaware of this author but for those that are, please check out his books. Thorne is now also a TV character played by David Morrissey. Find out more about that here. Also read this fantastic piece from Mark about the creation of Tom Thorne.

Below is a list of Mark's books in order of release along with a link to a synopsis and a link for you to purchase them on Amazon. I am currently planning on rereading Mark's books so that I can write more detailed reviews for them in the near future.

Tom Thorne 
Sleepy Head (2001) | Synopsis | Buy |
Scaredy Cat (2002) | Synopsis | Buy |
Lazybones (2003) | Synopsis | Buy |
The Burning Girl (2004) | Synopsis | Buy |
Lifeless (2005) | Synopsis | Buy |
Buried (2006) | Synopsis | Buy |
Death Message (2007) | Synopsis | Buy |
Bloodline (2009) | Synopsis | Buy |
From the Dead (2010) | Synopsis | Buy |
Good as Dead (2011) | Synopsis | Buy |
The Dying Hours (2013) | Synopsis | Buy |
The Bones Beneath (2014) | Synopsis | PRE-ORDER NOW |

Standalone
In the Dark (2008) | Synopsis | Buy
Rush of Blood (2012) | Synopsis | Buy


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