Who is the best British crime fiction author?

I've always read crime fiction by American authors, but I would like to give British authors a try.



The only British authors I have tried so far are Agatha Christie and MC Beaton.



Some American authors I like are:



Michael Connolly

Karen Rose

Greg Iles

Karin Slaughter

Tess Gerritsen

Meg Gardiner

Richard Montanari

Jack Kerley

Harlen Coben



Similar authors to the ones listed above would be much appreciated.



Thank youWho is the best British crime fiction author?
Martina Cole is by far the best British crime writer, she is also the most popular writer with convicts in British prisons.

a good american one you have missed is Edward bunker, well worth a read if you are into crime stories but martina is my favorate by a long way, the runaway is my favorate of her books, followed by dangerous lady and mauras game (i forget which order them two went in but one follows the other)
I've never been a fan of crime fiction, but I fell in love with Elizabeth George's books. She's American, but her characters (Inspector Lynley series) are English, and the stories are set in England.

By the way, I am Italian, but enjoyed reading her books in English.Who is the best British crime fiction author?
In crime fiction, i would always recommend Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and Ian Rankin's Rebus novels.
M.C Beaton

The Agatha Raisin Series

The Hamish Macbeth SeriesWho is the best British crime fiction author?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author of Sherlock Holmes

This man is a genius



PD James (I'm not actually sure if she's British but she's highly praised.)
I will second Ian Rankin. Great Scottish crime writer, but possibly a little to cynical for your taste.
Take a look at books by P.D. James and Ruth Rendall
You might like Ian Rankin