Other good authors.

[Sandy Jamieson]

I've just read a really good novel by Ryan Cashlee. It's a debut novel, but that shouldn't put you off as it reads really well. The main character is a consultant to the Special Crime Unit based in Chester, England. If you like Rankin and Rebus as I do, then I can highly recommend this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemption-ebook/dp/B007KOX9GG

I'm interested, but can't seem to find it as a "normal" book anywhere - I refuse to buy a Kindle or any other electronic reading device.

[smokywoods]

I like Denis Mina, Jo Nesbo, Jeremy Duns, Michael Connolly, Peter Robinson as well as Ian Rankin

[Linda]

I recommend American author Alan Russell, especially his books Political Suicide and The Fat Innkeeper. His earliest work may be difficult to find. His works -- I haven't read them all yet -- seem to include a bit of wordplay and general humor as well as insights into culture, which all remind me of Ian's work.

[uscemper]

I enjoy reading Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series and, as others have mentioned, his newest creation, attorney Mikey Haller. James Lee Burke is also a good one, as well as Jonathan Kellerman, who's a real psychologist living in Los Angeles, whose primary character is a fellow named Alex Deleware, a psychologist himself. Not a real fan of Patterson, though I've read some of his books. I like some of Sanford's works, especially the most recent ones about a detective named Virgil Flowers. Joe Nesbo is very good, in my opinion. I grew up reading John LeCarre', and I admit I thought I was holding one of his books while reading Ian's "Watchman". As a side note, I am an American, live periodically in Los Angeles and enjoy frequenting the hotels, bars and restaurants mentioned in the Harry Bosch and Alex Deleware novels. They do exist! Harry Bosch is very similar to John Rebus (and even in age). But John is my favorite character.

[DocLove]

Jo Nesbo, the Harry Hole series. The first couple of books aren't translated into English. It would probably be best to read them in order. They get a bit more grim and violent as the series progresses.

[Strathpeffer]

Great thread, thanks for starting it, whiskymac - and everyone else for interesting contributions, have made a note of a couple of authors to try and will mention some of my own favourites when I have more time. Meantime just wanted to say that I believe the great Jo Nesbo's books have all now been translated into English and are available in the UK, although some might not yet be on sale in the USA.

[mrcampbellqpm]

Try the Bob Skinner series written by Quintin Jardine which are also set in and around Edinburgh. By the way, does anyone know what authors are read by Ian Rankin?

[Strathpeffer]

mrcampbellqpm, I suspect that Ian Rankin reads a lot - if you read his regular newsletters elsewhere in this website, you will see some of his recommendations, including his "books of the year for 2012":
"Books of the year: Hawthorn and Child by Keith Ridgway; Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn; Grandville Bête Noire by Bryan Talbot." I've also noticed him (on Twitter and elsewhere) mentioning Val McDermid, Donna Leon (he was disappointed not to run into her in Venice!) and Kate Atkinson.

[DEEWUN]

Give John Connolly a try. He sets his stories in Maine and paints a vivid picture of the state and its people. He has a supernatural tinge to his stories which makes them a different read from the normal crime novel. I like the Scandinavian writers for the low key way they develop a story.
Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne books are excellent and his latest standalone Rush of Blood is a well-plotted story with an interesting cast of characters.

[Strathpeffer]

Now back from what sounds like a successful US tour, Ian Rankin posted on Twitter that, if he couldn't sleep on the plane, he planned to read the latest Cara Black http://www.carablack.com (and listen to Tangerine Dream)