Can you recommend some famous noir novels?

Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep' is also a classic. It follows detective Philip Marlowe as he investigates a case full of blackmail, murder, and corruption in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Chandler's writing style with its sharp dialogue and detailed descriptions really sets the noir mood.

One of the well - known Japanese noir novels is 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino. It delves into the lives of four women working the night shift in a boxed - lunch factory and the dark turn their lives take when they get involved in a murder. Another is 'The Devotion of Suspect X' by Keigo Higashino. It's a complex story of love, sacrifice, and a battle of wits between a mathematician and a detective. Also, 'Coin Locker Babies' by Ryu Murakami is quite famous, exploring the dark and strange fates of two boys abandoned in coin - locker.

Sure. Stieg Larsson is a very well - known author in this genre. His Millennium series, including 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', is extremely popular. Henning Mankell is also famous for his Kurt Wallander series. Another great author is Jo Nesbø, whose Harry Hole series has a large following.

James M. Cain is also a famous author in the noir genre. His novels, like 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', are full of the dark themes and complex characters typical of noir. And then there's Patricia Highsmith. Her works, such as 'Strangers on a Train', often explore the psychological aspects of noir, with characters in morally ambiguous situations.

Another one is 'Double Indemnity' also by James M. Cain. This noir novel is about an insurance agent who gets involved in a murder scheme for the insurance money. The characters are complex and the plot is full of twists and turns.

Sure. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic English noir novel. It features a private detective, Philip Marlowe, and is full of mystery and complex characters.

Well, 'Out of the Past' by Geoffrey Homes is a remarkable noir novel. It features a man with a past that comes back to haunt him in a very noir - ish way. Then there's 'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane. This one has a really gritty and violent tone that is typical of noir. And 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is also a must - read, with its themes of lust, greed and murder.

Sure. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a great one. It features a tough private detective and a complex web of mystery involving a valuable statuette.

One well - known gay noir novel is 'The City and the Pillar' by Gore Vidal. It explores themes of homosexuality in a rather complex and somewhat noir - ish context of post - war America.

Sure. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic black noir novel. It features a private detective, Philip Marlowe, in a seedy and complex world filled with mystery and danger.