Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

Hi everyone,

Im currently at a crossroads where I dont know what to read next.....I want to read an author Ive never tried before, so perhaps if I list some of my favourite authors you good people could recommend me some gold?

Clive Cussler
Michael Connelly
Jeffrey Deaver
James Lee Burke
Vince Flynn
Matthew Reilly
Im also a massive fan of fantasy type adventures too


Hopefully that will give you all a starting point to help grab my recommendation....open to anything really

Thanks in advance :)

Have you read The Innocent by David Baldacci? It's a good one!

Seconded. My first Baldacci book, will NOT be the last one.

I myself is now reading Storm Front by Jim Butcher which is a first for me (by him), and it is all kinds of fun! Action-Fantasy-Mystery-Hardboiled Crime-Wiseass Hero(my favorite kind)-Humor-Mythology-Darkness....looks like all of my favorite genres rolled into one. I'm just on the first book of a long series, but even before finishing it I can definitely recommend this one to you, Vaelin!

Hi Vaelin,

A couple of thoughts, Sandstorm is the first Sigma force book by James Rollins he also has quite a few standalone books. A bunch of us here like the Monster Hunter International series.

There are a couple of threads that might help:

AAA favorites


AAA fantasy/action

Okay, count me in on the "Likes Monster Hunter International (MHI)" series. Anything by James Rollins works here as a recommendation. If you want stand alone novels outside of sigma force I'd say

Ice Hunt
Subterranean
Amazonia

The "Covert 1" Series written under Ludlum's names byt shadow writers (Gayle Linds being one of them) was a lot of fun:

The Hades Factor (first book, I've read through 4 I think)

I liked Event, though I liked it better than other people seemed to.

This is kind of comic-bookish (my opinion) but also fun, maybe not as sophisticated as the other reads on the list, but full of action.

Pulse (First book of the Chess Team series).

I'd also throwin at least the first book of Andy McDermott's sereis

The Hunt For Atlantis.

If you like space books, with lots of action. here's a good book for YA to OA (old adults)

Earthman Jack vs. The Ghost Planet

If you like a good crime story with some action (though really more of a suspense thriller) I really like the Bowers Files by Steven James.

The Pawn (first of 7 books).

I will give my two cents.


I like Event by David Lynn Golemon. It is an action adventure with a bit of sci-fi. There are multiple books in the series.

I am also a fan of Frederick Forsyth. The Day of the Jackal is one of my all time favorite books.

If you want someone less well known, I can recommend, The Chimera Vector by Nathan M. Farrugia. It's an action adventure with strong sci-fi elements.

I also second the Dresden Files and can recommendFated which are both urban fantasy adventures.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Okay, count me in on the "Likes Monster Hunter International (MHI)" series. Anything by James Rollins works here as a recommendation. If you want stand alone novels outside of sigma force I'd say..."

Veilin, I'd also throw in the first Rollins novel I've read: Deep Fathom. Still one of the most FUN book-reading experiance in my life! never looked back again.

And thanks Hugh for those recommendations, Event, Pulse and Earthman Jack definitely work for me too!

I just read Earthman Jack. It I liked the first 1/3 of it so much, that was only the second review I wrote before I finished the book.

It's a lot of fun. YA, uncomplicated, but complex enough to be fun and lots and lots of action.

I liked Deep Fathom too. It's hard to go wrong with Rollins.

I would also recommend Jack Whyte. His books that start with The Skystone are part of my favorite series of all time. Its historical fiction/fantasy/action blend. It is essentially a retelling of the King Arthur mythology. There is plenty of action in fight/wars with a roman era feel.

Tim wrote: "I would also recommend Jack Whyte. His books that start with The Skystone are part of my favorite series of all time. Its historical fiction/fantasy/action blend. It is essentially a retelling o..."

Wow, Camulod Chronicles looks good! I'm a fan of Bernard Cornwell's historical epic novels, and this looks like a very detailed historical timeline of Roman to Arthurian Legend. Thanks Tim for the suggestion (and apology to Veilin for highjacking his thread from him!).

Okay, here's one.

If you like espionage, suspense thrillers and/or a good police or detective story the one I'm reading now (get it while it's still $2) is very well done. Lots of action, lots of thought, multiple levels of complexity, and a little girl who'll make even the big grumpy guy wanna cry.

Things blow up, people get shot, asses get kicked and they even have to use their brains.


Put me on record as a fan...


Doha 12 by Lance Charnes.

It's not like Rollins and Rielly, this is more realistic and a bit grittier. Just different.

It really reminds me of Robert Ludlum, and Desmond Bagely (more Ludlum). No vampires, werewolves, witches, sorceres and them who shall not be named, space aliens, wonder women or super men.

A good covert ops story.

I will continue the rant later. I need to save something for the review. I'm only halfway through.

I'd also add Covert Dreams as a good twisted psycological suspense thriller and spy novel by Mike Meyer.

I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites.

agree with Curmedgeon

Robert Crais; Brad Thor;Preston and Child (my latest new and wonderful discovery); Stephen Hunter; Stephen White. these are all writers of continued character series. I love trying to find info on new-to-me authors in this genre.There are excellent resources here on Goodreads.

You can also try the series of books by the International Thriller Writers. So far there have been three books: Thriller (edited by James Patterson), Thriller 2 (edited by Clive Cussler) and Thriller 3: Love Is Murder. I have the first two books and they are anthologies featuring stories written by some of the authors you guys listed. The next book is coming out next year and will feature teamups of famous characters who've never met before. I'm looking forward to it.

Tim, thanks for mentioning Robert Crais. His Pike/Cole series is excellent and I don't think that have to be read in order.

Another author to consider, Mark Greaney. The The Gray Man the Court Gentry series.

Hugh, I'm a huge fan of Lance Charnes and agree with you about Doha 12. One of the finest international espionage stories out there. I'm lucky enough to be beta reading his next book (keep your eye open for it!) and it rocks the genre as well.

Peace, Seeley

Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved that book! It had a woman veterinarian, right? Rollins was a vet, he should keep that character going.

Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved that book! It had a woman veterinarian, right? Rollins..."

Well, I didn't relate so much to the female vet (I'm old and a former romance writer), but it started and ended in Louisiana. And it started and ended in a swamp. ;-) It was largely about gene manipulation--one of his favorite subjects. He likes swamps. too.

The MudgeonMama

Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved that book! It had a woman veterinarian, right? Rollins..."

He has brought characters from his stand alones into the Sigma Force Series. That's how my favorite side kick "Joe Kowolski" got there. He came from "Ice Hunt." They also brought in the team from "Deep Fathom" in "The Devil Colony".

I'm sure the character is out there and wating for a chance to get in another book, if it's not already in one.

Patricia wrote: "Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved that book! It had a woman veterinarian, ..."

and "..You sure can get lost in a Lousianna Buyou..." :)

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved that book! It had a wom...The Curmudgeom wrote and..You sure can get lost in a Lousianna Buyou..." :)"

Unless your name is Amos Moses. ;-)

Patricia wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favorites."

I loved t..."

And we both know there ain't sh... er.. Jack within 45 minutes Southeast of Thibideaux.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alone and one of my favor...nd we both know there ain't sh... er.. Jack within 45 minutes Southeast of Thibideaux. "

Well, my friend Vera Faye, used to say they lived on the last stop the mail boat made before they got to Texas. But I think that book started south of Houma. There is even less there--except trees and water. BTW, in North LA where I live, it is more like EasTexas, except for the occasional swamp.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "They also brought in the team from "Deep Fathom" in "The Devil Colony"."

Not to mention Lisa Cummings, a major character in Sigma Force, herself was one of the main characters in "Deep Fathom". And I think you meant "Bloodline" not "The Devil Colony", as I remember Jack Kirkland having a cameo in that book.

Yeah, I love how ALL of Rollins' novels share the same universe, and anyone from any book can pop up anytime unexpectedly! (Although I hope its not the same case for Blood Gospel, because that one's just a bit too different to share the same universe imo).

There's a lot of testosterone in your list. If you're willing to mix some estrogen with your action, you might give The Geneva Decision a try. It's a fine girls-kick-butt adventure with a connection to a recognizably real world, two things that are often difficult to find in the genre. It's also turning into a series as we speak. Check it out.

Patricia wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Julia wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I don't know why no one has mentioned Altar of Eden by James Rollins. It is a stand alo..."

I've been to Houma, LA. I'm incredibly proud of it.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I've been to Houma, LA. I'm incredibly proud of it. "

As you should be!

:) It's pretty country.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: ":) It's pretty country."

I must confess I haven't been there. My Hero once live there. I think he had good time there. But Google Earth tells you a lot.

We were down there after Hurricane Andrew, helping out on the Indian Reservation nearby. I hadn't been to the bayou before then, but it sure was captivated by it.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "We were down there after Hurricane Andrew, helping out on the Indian Reservation nearby. I hadn't been to the bayou before then, but it sure was captivated by it."

I love swamps. Bayous=swamps. I'd live in one if it were practical. I come pretty close now. ;-) When I was a child, we used to visit what was then the only Indian reservation in Texas. My grandfather was born not far from there. In fact, the Alabama Trace ran right through their front yard. Very different then.

Greg Barron's Rotten Gods. Clancy style political thriller but even more sophisticated.

Lance wrote: "There's a lot of testosterone in your list. If you're willing to mix some estrogen with your action, you might give
The Geneva Decision
a try. It's a fine girls-kick-butt adventure with a conne..."

I couldn't agree more.

Patricia wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "We were down there after Hurricane Andrew, helping out on the Indian Reservation nearby. I hadn't been to the bayou before then, but it sure was captiva..."

Out of literary exposure, I have no experience with the bayou other than my times in Louisiana. It's scenic and rich atmosphere. But I'm not sure I'd want to live there because I hate hot weather.

Eileen wrote: "Lance wrote: "There's a lot of testosterone in your list. If you're willing to mix some estrogen with your action, you might give
The Geneva Decision
a try. It's a fine girls-kick-butt adventur..."

Aw shucks, thank you both!

Peace, Seeley

My favorite mystery/thriller writers include Alan Furst and James Crumley. Unfortunately, Crumley died a couple of years ago. I'd also like to figure out how to make my three novels more well-known among Goodreads members. I'll do a giveaway (if I can figure it out) on The Bridge of the Americas when it goes to general release in mid-September

I. Curmudgeon wrote: "Okay, count me in on the "Likes Monster Hunter International (MHI)" series. Anything by James Rollins works here as a recommendation. If you want stand alone novels outside of sigma force I'd say..."

Currently halfway through The Pawn and loving it......they use software in the book that I use in my job daily....so relatable and a great tale so far! Cheers for recommendation mate