On a less stimulating intellectual level,but fun reads nonetheless...

The White Spider by the same guy who wrote Seven Years in Tibet,tells the amazing and terrifying story of the first Eiger ascents.Trevanian's The Eiger Sanction was a good thriller that borrowed heavily from The White Spider.

Most of John Grisham's stuff,especially Testament.

Sarum and London by Edward Rutherfurd.A bit melodramatic,but based on solid historical research.

Most Ruth Rendell mysteries.I'm not ordinarily a mystery fan,but my wife turned me onto her,and I think she's one of the best at developing three-dimensional characters(Ruth,not my wife.Despite her best efforts,I remain one-dimensional).

And detective fiction? Sure.I love The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley.I'd describe Crumley as Hunter Thompson meets Mickey Spillane.