Our who's who of business/ creativity authors. Each has their own page with extra details and listings of their most important books.

Our who's who of crime fiction authors. Each has their own page with extra details and listings of their most important books. Unfortunately, we have had to freeze this section to concentrate on the others. We will maintain what's here, but won't be developing it any further.

Margary Allingham A classic writer, whose stories combine detective fiction with an almost child-like delight in mystery. Her central character, Albert Campion, a never-quite-specified younger child of a noble house, is unusual in growing up with the author. He starts as a  foppish young thing in the 20s and ends up at a more reserved middle-age with a family in the 60s. Throughout, though, Campion manages to cover a sharp intelligence with an admirable blankness.

Jonathan Gash Gash's character Lovejoy is a classic. His books are less jolly than the TV series (as is his Lovejoy), but they're wonderful romps. In a stronger vein, Gash has started a new series set in the Manchester underworld - excellent stuff.

Patricia Cornwell A reader recommendation, Cornwell is something of a break from our usual authors. US-set, her books centre around forensic science, bringing the reader into the complexity and fascination of a murder from a very different angle.

Elizabeth George A US author whose outside view gives her an extra freshness, and apart from these few details her research is immaculate, with perfect locations and feel. Superb books, perhaps a little on the long side for me, but this simply follows the trend in publishing. If you like English detective fiction, you'll love Elizabeth George.

P. D. James One of the top contemporary crime writers, James has a very literary style but still manages to make the puzzles of the crimes solved by her thoughtful detective a challenge to the reader. James has a great sense of place - her descriptions of location are often better than her characterisations, but the books work.

John Mortimer Himself a barrister, Mortimer's lasting creation is the tragi-comic (though mostly comic) Rumpole of the Bailey. This self-styled hack only ever defends and uses every trick in the book to do so. When not avoiding 'she who must be obeyed' he sails between chambers, the Old Bailey and Pommerey's Wine Bar as whim takes him - to the great delight of his many fans.

Ellis Peters Creator of one the most enduring historical detectives, Brother Cadfael, Peters is a prolific writer who has produced some well-received straight historical romances under her own name (Edith Pargiter) and contemporary crime fiction too.

Ruth Rendell One of the top contemporary crime writers, Rendell's writing has more warmth than James - a fact that is reflected in the difference of her main character, Chief Inspector Reg Wexford, arguably the most likeable cop in the current crime scene. Since the early days he has changed a little, influenced no doubt by George Baker's superlative portrayal on TV, but accompanied by his perfect foil in the prissy but well meaning Inspector Burden, Wexford sails through comfortable country crime with a little soul searching and much aplomb.

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