Thomas Kaufman: Recommended Reads of 2011

You may not know his name, but if you watch television, you’ve probably seen Thomas Kaufman‘s work. This Emmy award-winning director and cameraman is the author of two mystery novels: “Steal the Show” and “Drink the Tea.” His work behind the television camera includes filming “The FBI Files,” “The Prosecutors,” and “New Detectives” for Discovery Channel. He also has filmed hundreds of documentaries, working with Academy Award-winning independent producers like Charles Guggenheim, Barbara Koppel, and Mark Jonathan Harris.

Kaufman’s recommended reads of 2011 include:

I really liked “The Cut” by George Pelecanos, who combined an encyclopedic knowledge of Washington, DC, with excellent character depiction, powerful narrative drive, and dialogue that always rings true.  No one does this better, and Pelecanos makes it look so damn easy.  Anyone want to help me TP his house?

“The Snowman” by Jo Nesbo is a well-told story of a serial killer in a place (Norway) where there are no serial killers.  That aside, Nesbo gives the reader an inside look at a flawed detective, and through his flaws we come to identify with him.  More twists and turns than a scenic railway.

“Ghost Hero” by S.J. Rozan is book #11 in her series about Lydia Chin and Bill Smith.  I love the interplay between these two private eyes, and the conflict their relationship brings to the story.  Rozan is an expert writer, with a great sense of humor.  And she really knows New York City’s Chinatown.