I recently read KILLING FLOOR by Lee Child. This wasn’t the first book I’ve read by Lee Child, but it was his first book, published in 1997. It was one of those things: I started reading Lee in the middle of his Jack Reacher series and fell in love with this books. (I think the first book I read was TRIPWIRE, but don’t quote me on that!) I didn’t read them in order, but with Lee you don’t have to because his books aren’t told chronologically.
I sometimes wonder if authors feel like I do–that over time, their books have gotten better, and thus they cringe a bit when thinking about their earlier work. Then I read something as fantastic as KILLING FLOOR and think, okay, it’s just me. Because this book is just as good as all Lee’s others–it’s “classic” Lee Child. 🙂
The first Lisa Gardner book I read was THE THIRD VICTIM. It was her third single title suspense, after THE PERFECT HUSBAND and THE OTHER DAUGHTER. (She’d written like a dozen romantic suspense novels for Silhouette Intimate Moments under the name Alicia Scott, which are being reissued starting this summer, I believe.) THE THIRD VICTIM sold me on Lisa, and I’ve read nearly every book since. And yes, like with Lee Child, I went back and read Lisa’s first book, THE PERFECT HUSBAND, and found it just as strong and compelling as the later books.
My first Stephen King book was THE STAND — I started with his biggest (and best) book, then went back and read his first book (CARRIE) and almost every book and short story he’s written. With Michael Connelly, I started with the first Mickey Haller book — surprisingly, I’d never read a Connelly book until THE LINCOLN LAWYER, even though my mom has been a long-time fan. And yes, I went back and read a few of his oldies. Tess Gerritsen? My first was THE APPRENTICE, which was I think her fourth or fifth suspense novel (after 8-10 romantic suspense books from Harlequin.) First Catherine Coulter? THE MAZE. First JD Robb? CONSPIRACY IN DEATH. First Nora Roberts? RIVER’S END. First Jennifer Crusie? WELCOME TO TEMPTATION. I remember because the first book I read wowed me.
None of these titles were the first books by the author, but they sold me and I bought their backlists. I remember the first books so vividly, that I had to glom on and read all their others–and most of their books since. They sold me because of their voice, their style, the way they tell a story. Even if their newer books are better, stronger, tighter stories as they became more experienced writers, the voice doesn’t change. And that’s what I love. Voice is what sells me. Voice keeps me going through books that might not be as the last. Voice is what makes each of those authors unique.
There are some authors where I started with their first book and have craved the next book like candy, like urban fantasy author Darynda Jones (FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT) and thriller writer J.T. Ellison (ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS). But most of the author’s I’ve read and loved, I’ve started in the middle, and it doesn’t bother me to go back and forth within the series. (The only exception to this was J.D. Robb. I started with CONSPIRACY IN DEATH, and while I bought the earlier IN DEATH books, I haven’t read them yet!)
Then I think back to my very first published novel, THE PREY. I’m about to proofread this book so I can release it digitally in markets where it’s not available. I’m scared to death. I have not looked at or read this first book since I proofed the final book in the summer of 2005. While this book will always have a soft spot in my heart, I fear I won’t like it. After 21 books, I think my writing has improved to the point that I will have a hard time resisting the urge to edit. All I’m supposed to do is look for scanning/formatting errors. Not tweak sentences or rewrite paragraphs or cut repetition (my fatal writing flaw.) Just a raw “proofread.”
The thing is, I don’t re-read my books once they’re published, so doing this proofread is going to be more difficult than it should be. I get that … but knowing it doesn’t make it any easier.
I’ve been thinking about this in particular since I finished KILLING FLOOR and wondered if Lee Child has re-read his first book and what he thinks, if he likes it the way it is or if he would want to change things or tweak sentences. I liked the book just fine–I wouldn’t have changed a thing. And for a first book by an unknown author? Written long before Lee Child was the Lee Child? Well, it totally rocked. No wonder he’s now a #1 New York Times bestseller–it’s all in the voice.
What was the last author you read that you loved so much that you read their entire backlist? Do you care if you read books “in order?” Do your favorite authors get better with time and experience?
Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.
After reading Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL, I tracked down her other books. It was interesting because she’d written only two other books. I’d read one of them, but it hadn’t made her go in search of more. It had taken GONE GIRL.
It’s interesting what book triggers a reader to read all of that author’s books.
My very first book was ODD MAN OUT. I haven’t read it. 🙂
I hated the ending of GONE GIRL. I needed Nick to be redeemed, then it would have probably been my favorite book of the year. But with nothing positive? I just … was sorely disappointed.
I too hated the ending of GONE GIRL–just couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. But, I’m sort of a happy ending gal.
My problem was that I invested a lot of valuable reading time in a book. I love flawed characters, I loved the premise and the plot (I did figure it out long before it was revealed about the diary) but that’s okay … I knew Nick was flawed, but I really, really thought he could be redeemed. He had hope — and then to have it just dashed like that. I don’t need a happy ending, but I really need justice. Take THE DEPARTED … there was no happy ending, but justice WAS served (Mark Wahlberg … love him!), and I loved that movie. And Nick was smart … and then became stupid.
So this is good to know. I have held off reading Gone Girl (I’m waiting for the paperback). However, if there is no redemption I won’t like it. Probably good I waited.
Suzanne Brockmann is a recent author I’ve done this with, as is Allison Brennan.
I started reading Allison when she started the Lucy series. From there I went back and read them all.
Thank you Toni! … And I agree, Suzanne Brockmann is a fabulous writer. I haven’t read her newer books, but her older romantic suspense titles like GONE TOO FAR are among my favorite RS books.
Gone to Far is the one that sucked me in. I found it on the bargain shelf and then had to go back and read everything before.
I try to read big author’s first books. I like to see what caught an agent or editor’s eye. The first book of Lisa’s I read was The Perfect Husband. Chilling. And the first book of Lee’s I read was out of order, too. But then I went back and started at the beginning. I read Killing Floor a number of times while I was searching for that “it” factor that makes a break-out novel.
Good luck with The Prey. I can’t read my books once they’re out, because there’s so many things I want to change!
The “it” factor — yeah, that’s it. And I don’t think it’s quantifiable. Too many authors have different voices — and yet they work. I remember when I finished writing THE PREY that I thought, “This is it. This is the book that’s going to sell.” I don’t know why, it was my fifth manuscript, but I had that feeling in my gut and it ended up getting a lot of agent interest and sold fast. What was it? I have no idea. It wasn’t just because my writing had improved over five manuscripts.
I am pretty anal about reading in order and sometimes I can see a definite progression of a writer’s voice from each book – in that it is written more tightly 😀
The last author I scoffed their backlist – and there was only 2 *sob* after I found the first one – was Leslie Tentler. Really enjoyed those. And yes, there was a tighter feeling with those books too 😀
I read Leslie Tentler’s debut novel and loved it.
I think you’re right in that authors tend to write tighter books as they continue down their career path. At least, I hope I do! I tended to be wordy in my earlier books, and it’s still a problem I address in every book now, but because I see it, it’s easier for me. And by wordy I don’t mean over-describing. I have a bad habit of using 10 words when 5 would do. In fact, in high school, my American History teacher gave me an A- on the final essay. He said something to the effect, “You eloquently said in ten pages what easily could have been said in five.”
Gosh, last author I read out of order then went back and read all the backlist? Lisa Garner–of course I started on THE PREFECT HUSBAND, so that wasn’t too hard to go back. DARYNDA JONES, for sure. LEE CHILD, I love him so much that I sort of pick at random and savor the delight.
We have great taste, don’t we Deborah? 🙂
I will always read a series in order if I have the chance. In some, it doesn’t make a lot of difference but for others (such a JD Robb’s In Death series), the characters’ growth and the changing relationships from book to book make it almost mandatory.
I think that’s why I couldn’t go back to the beginning. I started mid-series (I think CONSPIRACY was the 9th book or thereabouts) and I’ve read every one since (well, I’m a couple behind, but I bought them already!) so why go to the beginning!
Hi Allison,
I loved THE KILLING FLOOR and it got me hooked right away! I recently discovered Robert Crais and am now reading his backlist titles. I was staying at a beach house once and read Patricia Cornwell’s first Scarpetta book, POSTMORTEM, and then had to get my hands on all her other books as soon as I could. I enjoy watching series characters evolve and yet stay consistent over the course of a series.
My first Robert Crais book was THE WATCHMAN and maybe that’s why Joe Pike is my favorite! I like Elvis Cole, but there’s something about Joe that just does it for me 🙂 I read a bunch of backlist and almost all his current titles. I have SUSPECT but haven’t started it yet.
I absolutely have to read books in order! It drives me crazy not to. After reading Snapped by Laura Griffin I had to go back and start the Tracers series from the beginning! I’m currently reading Scorched. Each one has been better than the last. 🙂
I agree! Laura rocks! 🙂
Leslie. Kelly,
I have to read a series in order. But I dont have to read an authors backlist in order. There are quite a few I have gone backwards on.