Best New York Crime Fiction: A Guide to Must - Read Novels

One great New York based novel is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's set in the fictional town of West Egg near New York. The story is about Jay Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy Buchanan and the decadence of the Jazz Age. It gives a vivid picture of the social strata in New York at that time. Another is 'Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield's journey through New York shows his disillusionment with the adult world. And 'Bonfire of the Vanities' by Tom Wolfe also captures the essence of New York, exploring themes like power, money and race in the city.

One of the best Scandi crime fictions is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot with a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander. The story delves deep into dark family secrets and financial corruption in Sweden.

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.

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.

One of the best NYC based novels is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although it's set in Long Island which is near NYC, it captures the essence of the Jazz Age and the social classes in the area. The glitz and glamour of the parties, the unfulfilled dreams, all are representative of the city's complex character.

One great 'end of the world' novel is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. It's a harrowing tale of a father and son's journey in a post - apocalyptic world. The desolate landscapes and the struggle for survival make it a very impactful read.

One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery involving a decades - old disappearance, a troubled journalist, and a brilliant but damaged hacker. The story is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of the best new Scandinavian crime novels is 'Those Who Kill' by Karin Fossum. It offers a deep exploration of the human psyche within the context of crime. Her writing is very psychological. Then there's 'The Ice Princess' by Camilla Läckberg. It combines elements of mystery, family drama, and small - town secrets. These novels often have a unique sense of place, which is a characteristic feature of Scandinavian crime fiction.

One must - read is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and intrigue. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a really twisted storyline that keeps you guessing. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a classic that is based on a real - life crime and is very well - written.

Well, 'All the King's Men' is a classic presidential - ish fiction. It's about a political figure who rises to power through somewhat unethical means, and it gives a great look into the darker side of politics. Then there's '1984' which, while not directly about a US president, has a lot of themes relevant to power and dictatorship that can be related to presidential leadership. Also, 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, which can be seen as a parable about leadership gone wrong, much like how a bad president could lead a nation astray.