I recently discovered a series of books that I can't get enough of - they're written by a dog called Chet who solves crimes for his master Bernie. Sounds weird but very funny and cleverly written. I've read two - first one's called Dog On It, and I also read Thereby Hangs A Tail. Link here: http://www.chetthedog.com/
Anita Shreve books are enjoyable, it can be hard going at first because she often writes in the first person. Try and read the earlier ones chronologically as there is a thread running through them.
I've just finished Ken Follett's Century trilogy and once you ignore it reading like the Grauniand it's good.
And if anyone wants something a little bit different, thrillers mainly set in modern day Japan as well as around the world, check out Barry Eisler, but you should read them in sequence.
I am reading a really interesting book at the moment about Japanese- Americans during world War 2. Really interesting. Japanese Roses by Theresa Lorella