Trash novels

I picked up a Mitch Rapp novel by Vince Flynn in the library a couple of weeks ago on a whim. Read it in about 5 hours. I picked up as many as they had in the series the next time I was there. As spy novels go they're not Great but they're okay. It's nice to read something for a change. I used to read the Travis McGee novels by John D McDonald years ago. They're roughly the same.

An old co-worker used to describe them as "popcorn" novels. That's about right.

Anyone got any recommendations for similar stuff?

Clive cussler stories are similar . Less espionage more boats/cars/planes and more 8th grade reading level.

I like Cussler, and oddly enough did discover his works in the 8th grade.

John Sandford's Prey series of novels (Rules of Prey, Naked Prey, Silent Prey, etc.) are in a similar vein to Vince Flynn's books although his protagonist is a Minneapolis detective. As it happens both authors are from the Twin Cities area.

I recently read my way through most of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer stories, they're pretty entertaining.

Brad Thor ... his Scott Harvath series .... another character very much like Mitch Rapp

and the Lee Child, Jack Reacher series ....

both are fun, entertaining reads ...

I've been listening to the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher. It is a good way to pass the time while doing other stuff. I certainly would not call modern/noir/fantasy/wizard-detective stories high art, but they're fun.

Try the "Ashes" series from William W. Johnstone: Post-apocalyptic mutant shoot-em-up military hardware explosion-O-rama. Total trash. I've read the whole series twice.

My favorite is Tom Clancy, but he goes into such details and has so many different plot lines going that they are not "Easy" reads. Without remorse is my favorite. Then Patriot Games.

stuart in mn wrote: John Sandford's Prey series of novels (Rules of Prey, Naked Prey, Silent Prey, etc.) are in a similar vein to Vince Flynn's books although his protagonist is a Minneapolis detective. As it happens both authors are from the Twin Cities area. I recently read my way through most of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer stories, they're pretty entertaining.

I found a copy of Sandford's "Dark of the Moon" on the for sale rack at the local public library. I think it cost a buck. An entertaining murder mystery. I enjoyed it.

That dude who wrote those Angels and Demons books--Dan Brown? The two that he is famous for I hated, simply because I knew too much about the Catholic church and couldn't get past the inaccuracies, but he wrote some others that kept me entertained and were easy reads that didn't work the brain too hard. Kinda like an entertaining but crappy sitcom on TV. The names that I remember are Deception Point and Digital Fortress.

Also, Larry McMurtry.

Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green. I think there are nine books in all. It's an over-the-top sci-fi epic that's something like smashing up Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Alien, then throwing in mutants, werewolves, and vampires in case you were missing anything.

I lerve it.

cwh wrote: My favorite is Tom Clancy, but he goes into such details and has so many different plot lines going that they are not "Easy" reads. Without remorse is my favorite. Then Patriot Games.

those are my two favorites ... I served on the ship he highlights in Without Remorse (USS Newport News CA 148 )

I'll second (or third maybe) Tom Clancy novels. Flynn's stuff is pretty similar to the Ryan-verse down to some of the plots being vaguely the same.

slefain wrote: Try the "Ashes" series from William W. Johnstone: Post-apocalyptic mutant shoot-em-up military hardware explosion-O-rama. Total trash. I've read the whole series twice.

Hmm, why do your copies all have half-naked men on them?

I think Les Claypool's 'South of the Pumphouse' falls into this category. I enjoyed it and it was a nice and easy read.

My authors of choice:

Clive Cussler
Tom Clancy
Dick Francis (English Horse Racing whodunits)
W.E.B. Griffin (Badge of Honor Series)
Tony Hillerman (Southwestern Native American Cops)

and lately I have picked up some James Patterson and Vince Flynn novels.

Great suggestions. I call these novels " mental taffy". Thy are perfect for long plane rides. Like the 27 hour ride, with stops to Singapore. I can chew through 2 or 3 of them in one flight.

I always found the Destroyer series to be a hoot and about as consumable as a bag of potato chips. Remo and Chiun are just awesome. The best ones are the first dozen or so that were co-written by Warren Murphy and Richard Saphir, but even the ones after Saphir's untimely death are good.

Duke wrote: I always found the *Destroyer* series to be a hoot and about as consumable as a bag of potato chips. Remo and Chiun are just awesome. The best ones are the first dozen or so that were co-written by Warren Murphy and Richard Saphir, but even the ones after Saphir's untimely death are good.

I never knew it was a book, I just thought it was an awesome movie.

Remo Williams: You know, Chiun, there are times when I really like you.

Chiun: Of course. I am Chiun.

Remo Williams: And there are times when I could really kill you.

Chiun: Good. We will practice that after dinner.

And my favorite scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1rfCS7kwK8 "Lesson 22....blessed silence..."

anything by WEB Griffin my fav is the "Blood" series set in Argentina during and after WWII but there are others including Presidential Agent and Badge(set in Philadelphia). There is also a complete Marine Corp series which gives a great history of wars beginning with WWII and thereafter. Nothing as complicated as a Ludlum or LeCarre and without the detail of Clancy.

his series "The Corp" is my favorite of his ... though I like all his series

In reply to cwh: Good reads but imo it is hard to beat the Hunt for Red October. but then I enjoy submarine novels. It was also one of the few movies that they did right and kept it close to the book.

World War Series by Harry Turtledove is my favorite series. Aliens attack earth during WW2 and the axis and allies have to divert their attention from killing each other.... Some.

Dies The Fire by SM Stirling. Basically a huge E Bomb kills all electric devices and stops gunpowder from working. The world reverts back to the dark ages and what's left after the famines have to try and survive. Swords still work. Haha

There is a new rip off tv series from these books.

Duke wrote: I always found the *Destroyer* series to be a hoot and about as consumable as a bag of potato chips. Remo and Chiun are just awesome. The best ones are the first dozen or so that were co-written by Warren Murphy and Richard Saphir, but even the ones after Saphir's untimely death are good.

I have not heard the Destroyer series mentioned in years. In high school one of my best friends was a neighbor to Richard Saphir in Sandown, NH. We drooled every time he drove by in his 911. That is an awesome series.