This guide is my personal description of mystery authors I've read, and my take on them. Please note, this is a personal preference and not intended to be an official ranking. I like humor and solid plots that I don't figure out early. I like to think and I like authors that make me think.

A - must reading; B - get around to it; C - if you're bored or have read everything else; D - probably not; F - well anyone writing mysteries can't be a complete failure

David Rosenfelt (A)- one of my personal favorites, his series with the Smart (A__) lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the top of my list

Lee Child (A)- the Jack Reacher series is phenomenal, in my estimation he's the top thriller writer working today

Ridley Pearson (B-) - the Lou Boldt series is good, but even though they are intelligent, you can figure them out too soon

GM Ford (A, B) - I prefer the Leo Waterman books (A) better than the Frank Corso (B)

Bary Eisler (D) - the John Rain series is not bad, but not at the top of my list

Earl Emerson (C) - only read the Thomas Black series, and honestly they started to bore me before I finished them all, to much focus on the dress code of his girlfriend

Richard North Patterson (C) - the earlier books were better

Clive Cussler (B) - if we only used his first ten or so, he'd get an A, but once the kids got involved it took a spiral down for me. Also, it seems like he rewrote history for Dirk when the kids appeared on the scene and his fling with somone turned into a lifelong love affair

Mike Lawson (B) - a relative unkown worth reading, Inside Ring is a strong debut effort

John Dunning (A) - mysteries AND books - really how could it get better? However, it seems that Cliff Janeway is much luckier than the rest of us finding treasures at Goodwill....

Carl Hiaasen (B) - Hilarious, but I wish he'd stick to Skink and leave teh children's books alone

Brad Meltzer (C) - average stuff

James Patterson (B) - I understand the need for a continuous plot for Alex Cross and his deceased wife, but the focus on his family starts to irritate me. When he's in the plot and does not involve women he is much better. And please get away from the flying kids.... His early works are really good reading and way underrated.

Patricia Cornwell (C) - get rid of the niece, and please oh please stop dwelling on your car already

Michael Connelly (A) - by far my favorite police procedurals - Harry Bosch - YES, Terry McCaleb - Almost

Robert Crais (B) - Elvis Cole is good, but the fixation on the ex brings him down a bit. More Joe Pike!

Lowen Clausen (C) - not bad, not known, but not bad

Dennis Lehane (B) - would be an A if he had not written that awful Shutter Island - makes me think he's going to go downhill....

John Connolly (C) - get back to Charlie Parker and stay away from the standalones, especially Bad Men, that one alone got you downgraded

Andrew Vachss (C) - good in his earlier works, started to get too preachy. I understand and immensely respect his career and life's work, but it gets long in his books

James Lee Burke (B) - similar to other series, great stuff early, but has gotten old (only speaking of Dave Robicheaux series)

JA Jance (D) - JP Beaumont and the red Porsche - I wish JP and Kay Scarpetta would have a headon collision and wreck both of their cars forever in the process

John D. MacDonald and Randy Wayne White (A) - since I believe that Randy Wayne White is really John D.'s illegitimate child or reincarnation I rate them here together. Travis McGee = Doc Ford, Tomlinson = Meyer, nice

Walter Mosley (C) - stop using colors in your titles and a near-retired unemployed intelligent roughneck that makes a living by taking a piece of the recoveries (sounds familiar to the grandfather of Mystery writers JDM, doesn't it?)

Jeff Lindsay (A-) you really should get into this series, anyone that can make you actually like and root for a serial killer (with a conscience of course) is one fine writer - he's one to read if you haven't. Basis for new Showtime series

James W. Hall (B) - a smart writer, and Thorn is a great lead character, Florida, loner.....I think I've been here before

Tim Dorsey (A) - really, anytime I snort more than 5 times reading a book, it's worth reading - kudos

Greg Iles (B) - intelligent thrillers, good reads, but long

Gregg Andrew Hurwitz (D) - ouch, the Tower

Tony Hillerman (B) - see Clive Cussler above. get away from your relationships and focus on your plots - they are great

Jeffery Deaver (D) - not for me

William Landay (B+) - still waiting for the next after Mission Flats - one fantastic debut, but you gotta give us more

Peter Robinson (C) - Inspector Banks not bad, not fantastic, but not bad

Ian Rankin (B) - should start a new series, Rebus is starting to get too old. Why hasn't he gotten cancer yet?

Michael Robotham (no grade) - his debut Suspect left me wanting more, while the follow up Lost left me wanting less

Ken Bruen (D) - hurt to finish

Brian Haig (B) - Jack Reacher while still in uniform? not quite, but a good read anyway

All others - I'll get around to them, and happy reading