Best Crime Fiction Thriller and Mystery Books: A Guide to the Must - Read Titles

Another great one is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. Set in 1896 New York, it follows a team of investigators trying to solve a series of grisly murders. It has a great atmosphere, with the seedy underbelly of the city and the emerging field of criminal psychology playing important roles.

The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle is a classic. Holmes' brilliant deductions and the Victorian - era settings create a great atmosphere. Each story presents a unique mystery, from stolen jewels to murders, and Holmes always manages to solve them in his own unique way.

One of the best Hindi fiction books is 'Godan' by Munshi Premchand. It's a classic that delves deep into the rural Indian society, highlighting the struggles of the poor farmers. The characters are well - crafted and the story gives a great insight into the social and economic conditions of that time.

One of the best Tamil fiction books is 'Ponniyin Selvan' by Kalki Krishnamurthy. It is a historical epic that takes readers on a journey through the Chola dynasty. The detailed descriptions of the era, the political intrigue, and the well - developed characters make it a classic.

David Grossman's 'The Smile of the Lamb' is also highly regarded. It deals with the Israeli - Palestinian conflict in a thought - provoking way. Through the relationship between an Israeli soldier and a Palestinian boy, it explores themes of humanity, power, and coexistence.

One of the best Hollywood crime novels is 'L.A. Confidential' by James Ellroy. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles in the 1950s, with complex characters and a convoluted plot full of corruption, sex, and murder. The characters, like Detective Exley, are multi - dimensional and the story weaves through different layers of Hollywood glamour and crime.

One great female teen fiction book is 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It follows Katniss Everdeen in a dystopian world where she has to fight in a deadly game. Another is 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han. It's a charming story about Lara Jean and her love letters. And 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth is also a top pick. Tris Prior has to choose a faction in a divided society.

One of the best standalone fantasy fiction books is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It has a richly detailed world, a complex and likable protagonist in Kvothe, and a story full of magic, mystery, and adventure. The writing is beautiful and draws you into the story from the very first page.

One great modern fiction war book is 'The Things They Carried' by Tim O'Brien. It's a collection of stories that vividly portrays the experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War. The way O'Brien writes about the physical and emotional burdens the soldiers carry is both heart - wrenching and eye - opening.

Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. The story is full of twists and turns. It starts as a missing person case but quickly evolves into a much more complex and disturbing web of lies and secrets between the two main characters, Nick and Amy.