Can you recommend top crime novels for beginners?

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great start. The short stories are easy to follow and introduce you to the world of crime-solving through the brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes.

I'd recommend 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins. It is often considered one of the first detective novels in the English language. It has a great mystery involving a stolen diamond. Another option is 'A Great Deliverance' by Elizabeth George. Her novels are known for their well - developed characters and intricate plots, and this one is a good entry point into her work which is very much in the British crime novel tradition.

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' is a great start for beginners. The stories are relatively short and easy to follow, and you can enjoy Holmes' amazing detective skills. Another good one is 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith. It has a warm - hearted and accessible style. Also, 'Murder on the Orient Express' by Agatha Christie is a classic that's not too complex for new readers.

'Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty also works well for beginners. It combines elements of crime with the everyday lives of women. The psychological aspects come out as the story unfolds, especially in the relationships between the characters and how they hide their secrets. It's not too complex but still engaging.

You might also like 'The Ice Princess' as it has a relatively straightforward mystery plot that is set in a very Swedish context, which can be interesting for those new to Swedish crime novels. It combines elements of a small - town mystery with family secrets and relationships.

For beginners, I'd recommend 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). It has a well - crafted mystery, a likable detective, Cormoran Strike. 'The Poet' by Michael Connelly is also a good choice. The plot is full of suspense and it gives a good introduction to the crime fiction genre. And 'A is for Alibi' by Sue Grafton. Kinsey Millhone, the detective in the story, is a strong and independent character, and the story is a great example of a private - eye mystery.

Sure. 'The Da Vinci Code' is a great starting point. It has a fast - paced plot full of mystery and crime that takes readers on a journey across different locations. Another good one is 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'. It's set in Botswana and has a charming and easy - to - follow story about a female detective solving various cases.

Sure. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is a great start. It has a simple yet engaging plot where ten strangers are lured to an island and are killed one by one. It's easy to follow and will introduce you to Christie's classic mystery - writing style.

I'd also recommend 'Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter' by Tom Franklin. It has elements of crime and the relationship between the two main characters has some comical undertones. It's a great introduction to the genre.

Sure. 'The Brokenwood Mysteries' series is a great start. It has simple yet interesting crime plots that are easy to follow. The characters are also very likeable. Another good one is 'The Luminaries' which, despite its complexity, is written in a way that draws you in and helps you understand the world of NZ crime fiction.