I would have to go with "Watcher in the Shadows" by Geoffery Household. The grand-daddy of all chase novels, this book takes you on a trip through the English countryside in the early '50s. A mild-mannered ex-Secret Service agent is wrongly targeted and stalked by a concentration camp survivor who blames him for war crimes.

Written in a more refined time, by a true gentleman, this book may only appeal to those of a certain age, which is a pity.

I think what you find with his books these days is that he lends his name to the cover in large print, but the key writer is actually someone else.
I always enjoy books by Ken Follet, Key to Rebecca, Eye of the Needle, Night Over Water, etc. There was a great one out years ago that I believe was called Imperial 109. About a flying boat going around the world. Lots of intrigue. Would love to find another copy.

OK, if I cann't select one book, I can pinpoint some authors....
My favorite US authors : Asimov, Franck Herbert, Heinlein, John Sandford, Tony Hillermann...

I love A Fish Called Wanda too! As with American History X and The Motorcycle Diaries.

Favourite books: any by McNab although I also regard Bravo Two Zero as fiction.
Chickenhawk - about a US Huey pilot in Vietnam
The Joker - story about British SF soldier during the 1960s
The Operators - written about the 14 intelligence Coy in 1980s Northen Ireland

Chickenhawk : I read it two weeks ago !
And today I finished Lucifer's hammer.....

What did you think of it?

dreadful ....

My EDC PSK won't be enough to face such a disaster !!!
nor my 72hours kit !! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

lol. Yeah pretty horrific

Still I would do it too. (Signing up to become a pilot during war - best job in the world!)

ohhh.. I was speaking of Lucifer's Hammer.

OTOH, Chickenhawk too is "intersting" reading.
My only experience as a "pilot" was as a powered hangglider's pilot.
It's difficult enough to STAY in the air, without anybody trying to shoot you down.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Got to toss in another vote for Clancy. Debt of Honor and Without Remorse, especially. i have read some of Jack B. Du Brul's books, also. His books are kind of like Clive Cussler's