What are some top noir novels?

A third example could be 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain. It's a very influential noir novel. The story revolves around a love - triangle and a murder plot. The characters are morally ambiguous, and the setting adds to the overall sense of doom and desperation. The narrative is taut and full of twists that keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

Some well - known noir novels could be 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex plot and hard - boiled detective. Another might be 'Double Indemnity' by James M. Cain, which is full of dark motives and dangerous liaisons. And 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, featuring his iconic detective Philip Marlowe.

One of the top 10 noir novels could be 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain as well. It's a story full of passion, betrayal and murder. Then there's 'Out of the Past' by Geoffrey Homes, which has a great sense of atmosphere and a complex plot with a private detective at the center.

One of the top modern noir novels is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well - developed, and the atmosphere is dark and suspenseful. Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines elements of mystery, crime, and social commentary. It's set in Sweden and features a unique protagonist in Lisbeth Salander. And 'Sin City' by Frank Miller is also a notable modern noir. It has a gritty, noir - ish art style and tells a series of dark and violent stories in a fictional city.

One of the top crime noir novels is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters and a convoluted plot centered around a valuable statuette. Another is 'Double Indemnity' by James M. Cain, which delves into the dark world of insurance fraud and murder. And 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett also stands out, with its gritty portrayal of a corrupt town and a detective's attempts to clean it up.

One of the well - known ones could be 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters and a convoluted plot centered around a valuable statuette.

A great noir graphic novel is 'Criminal' by Ed Brubaker. It focuses on the lives of criminals and those on the fringes of society. The stories are often full of betrayal, greed, and the consequences of bad choices. 'The Boys' also has noir elements, showing a darker side of superheroes. 'Transmetropolitan' is another, with its cynical view of the future and a main character who is a sort of noir - inspired journalist in a strange world.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and strong female lead. Another is Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series, which delves deep into the mind of the detective Kurt Wallander as he solves various crimes in Sweden. Also, Jo Nesbø's 'Harry Hole' series is quite popular, with its dark and gritty portrayal of crime in Norway.

Some of the well - known crime noir novels include 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters and a search for a valuable statuette. Another is 'Double Indemnity' by James M. Cain, which has a great plot about an insurance agent and a femme fatale. 'Out of the Past' by Geoffrey Homes is also on the list, known for its dark and convoluted story of a man trying to escape his past.

One of the top neo noir novels is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features a complex detective, Philip Marlowe, and a convoluted plot filled with mystery, danger, and seedy characters in a dark, urban setting. Another great one is 'Farewell, My Lovely'. It has Marlowe again, dealing with a variety of criminals and femme fatales. 'L.A. Confidential' by James Ellroy is also highly regarded. It weaves together multiple storylines and characters in the corrupt and glamorous world of 1950s Los Angeles.