Some great 80s crime novels include 'L.A. Confidential' by James Ellroy. It's a complex and gritty tale of crime and corruption in Los Angeles. 'The Big Nowhere' by James Ellroy is also notable, delving deep into the seedy underbelly of post - war Los Angeles. And 'Brighton Rock' by Graham Greene, although originally published earlier, was still very much in the public eye in the 80s with its exploration of crime and morality.
One popular 80s crime novel is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It introduced the iconic character Hannibal Lecter. Another is 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith, which is set in the Soviet Union. And 'A Time to Kill' by John Grisham also gained a lot of attention in the 80s for its courtroom drama and exploration of racial tensions.
Some well - known 70s crime novels include 'The Day of the Jackal' by Frederick Forsyth. It's a thriller about an assassination plot. 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty also has elements of crime within its horror story as it involves the investigation into the strange happenings with a possessed girl. Then there's 'The Choirboys' which gives an interesting view of the police force in the 70s.
One popular 40s crime novel is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features a complex detective story filled with intrigue and memorable characters. Another is 'Laura' by Vera Caspary, which has a unique blend of mystery and psychological depth. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith is well - known for its thrilling plot about two strangers who exchange murders.
The 2016 crime novel 'IQ' by Joe Ide is quite notable. It features a brilliant but unorthodox private investigator in East Long Beach. The story is filled with action, mystery, and offers a unique look at the underbelly of the city through the eyes of a very engaging protagonist.
Some of the 2020 crime novels are really great. For example, 'The Guest List' is full of secrets and lies among the wedding guests on an isolated island. It creates a really tense atmosphere. 'The Midnight Library' is a bit different as it focuses on a woman who is in a kind of limbo and has to face different versions of her life which is related to the idea of a crime against one's own potential. 'The Invisible Girl' is a classic - style crime novel with a great plot and interesting character relationships.
One popular crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and engaging characters.
One popular 2022 crime novel is 'The Maid' by Nita Prose. It features a unique protagonist who works as a maid in a hotel and gets caught up in a mystery. Another is 'The Appeal' by Janice Hallett, which has an interesting format of presenting the story through documents and emails.
One of the popular 1987 crime novels could be 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' by Tom Wolfe. It delved into the social and moral issues of the time through a crime - related plot in New York City.
Well, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is a great violent crime novel. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, who is involved in solving a series of violent crimes. Then there's 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis, which is a disturbing yet thought - provoking look into the mind of a serial killer. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is also a classic in the violent crime genre.
One popular real crime novel is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. It's a chilling account of a real - life murder case. Another is 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson, which weaves together the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and a serial killer. And 'Helter Skelter' by Vincent Bugliosi, which details the Manson Family murders.
One popular anthology crime novel is 'The Mammoth Book of New CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'. It contains a collection of crime stories with different CSI - related themes. Another is 'The Best American Mystery Stories' which features a great selection of mystery and crime tales by various American authors. And 'Murder Most Foul', an anthology that brings together some classic crime stories.