The 50 Greatest Crime Writers

The Times has published a list of the 50 Greatest Crime Writers of all time - who makes the top ten, and who has been overlooked?

Lists of favourite writers or books are a tricky thing, inevitably subjective and bound to omit works which other people would find essential. This week's list, published in the Books section of The Times, was created by Marcel Berlins, crime fiction reviewer for the paper, and is therefore the opinion of just one man. The question is, do you agree with his choices? His top five was as follows:

1. Patricia Highsmith

2. Georges Simenon

3. Agatha Christie

4. Raymond Chandler

5. Elmore Leonard

All undeniably great writers. But where are the more recent champions of the crime novel? Ian Rankin, creator of Rebus, just scrapes into the Top Ten at number 9, while the phenomenally successful Patricia Cornwell languishes at number 38. There is no place for either Kathy Reichs or Karin Slaughter, and the prolific Val McDermid manages number 28. No Jack Reacher? James Ellroy - creator of L.A. Confidential - at number 20?

Crime novels really do seem to be flavour of the month at the moment, and whilst we should rightfully acknowledge the pioneers of the genre, it seems unreasonable to overlook some of the modern masters. Check out the full list and have your say at The Times website.