Crime and Mystery: The 100 Best Books

Keating seems like a very nice man. Earnest and sincere. I think I've read just about all of critical items in his book (though not in order) -- usually just after I have read the title in question. He does not take many chances and feels queasy out on a limb. If you like his Inspector Ghote series, I would guess that you will agree with his choices of "the best". He generally tends to favor a book the closer it comes to "literary" literature. He values "good" writing, character development, moral clarity. Not bad things, I guess. One thing I have to respect is that he includes books that he himself does not really enjoy, because he recognizes their merits regardless. Example, Guns Before Butter by Nicolas Freeling. One interesting, show more though probably not surprising, observation -- when comparing Keating's assessments with those of Barzun & Taylor in Catalogue of Crime, they almost never agree. For one example among many, The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers. Keating, thumb up. B & T, thumbs down (way down). show less

Keating chooses his 100 best crime & mystery novels writing short (2-page) capsule reviews for each. He starts with Wilkie Collins and ends with P.D. James. Some interesting suggestions and observations in here.

This is a great guide - I've discovered some of my favourite mysteries because of Keating's recommendations.

A list-guide - pretty interesting although rather out of date.