MY SIX BEST BOOKS
HARLAN COBEN, 54, is a bestselling thriller writer who has won three major crime- fiction awards in the United States. His novels include Tell No One and Hold Tight ( both Orion, £ 8.99). His latest, Fool Me Once ( Century, £ 18.99), is out now and his TV series The Five is on Sky 1 on Fridays at 9pm.
PORTNOY’S COMPLAINT by Philip Roth
Vintage, £ 8.99 Roth is my favourite writer. We are both Jewish New Jersey boys and no other writer has spoken to me quite as well about that background.
This is basically a coming- of- age story and caused a storm when it was published. It’s wild, erotic, hysterical and life- affirming.
MARATHON MAN by William Goldman
Bloomsbury, £ 16.99 This story of two brothers and a surviving Nazi was my first adult thriller. You could have put a gun against my head and I wouldn’t have noticed because it was so gripping. It was probably more of an influence on me than any other book. Subconsciously I thought nothing could be cooler than a job where you could make people feel this way.
CEREMONY by Robert B Parker Out of print
Parker was the heir to Raymond Chandler and this features his characters Spenser and Hawk investigating the case of a missing girl. I often joke 90 per cent of crime writers admit Parker was a huge infl uence on them and 10 per cent lie. I like the banter and the writing style.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee Arrow, £ 7.99
A courtroom drama and a coming- of- age story but also a fantastic crime novel. It was way ahead of its time in terms of race. Most great novels have narrative drive and you’re on the edge of your seat to see how the mysterious neighbour Boo Radley is going to play a part.
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA by CS Lewis HarperCollins, £ 19.99
My favourite childhood series. I love the way the history folded back on itself. We can all imagine the magic of being in a house and opening a door on a boring day to a whole new world. Pure escapism.
BLUEPRINTS FOR BUILDING BETTER GIRLS by Elissa Schappell Available from amazon. co. uk
I love sharp, poignant, modern short stories and for some reason they’re almost always by women. Schappell’s stories are unpredictable and beautifully written with moments of shock. I’m a big fan.