What are some classic crime fiction books?

Well, 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is a must - mention. It's a gripping tale where ten strangers are lured to an island and then start getting killed one by one. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is also popular. It's got a hard - boiled detective, Philip Marlowe, navigating the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles while solving a mystery. Also, 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, though more contemporary, is a great crime fiction with a mind - boggling plot about a missing wife.

Some might also mention 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris, although it's an American - British co - production in a sense. It has a very creepy and intelligent villain, Hannibal Lecter. But if we stick purely to British, there's also Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' series, which delves into the darker side of Edinburgh and the complex character of Inspector Rebus as he tries to solve various crimes.

One of the best is 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson, with their investigations full of mystery and deduction.

Well, 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' is a well - known hard boiled crime fiction book. It tells a steamy and dangerous story of love and murder. Then there's 'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane. His detective, Mike Hammer, is a tough - as - nails character who doesn't shy away from using force when needed in his investigations of crime.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Thomas Crown Affair'. It involves a wealthy man stealing a painting for the thrill. Another is 'The Modigliani Scandal' which delves into the world of art theft with a complex plot. And 'The Art Forger' is also a great read, where a forger gets involved in a web of art - related crimes.

Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a great one. The story unfolds on a train journey where a murder occurs, and detective Hercule Poirot has to figure out who among the diverse group of passengers is the killer. Christie is known for her intricate plots and unexpected twists.

Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. Although it's not a traditional crime thriller in the sense of a police procedural, it has elements of mystery and suspense as the new wife tries to uncover the secrets of her husband's first wife.

Some of the crime fiction books from 2012 are known for their complex characters. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the main characters are not simply good or bad, but rather multi - faceted, which makes the story more engaging.

Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also very well - known. The story is set on a luxurious train where a murder occurs, and detective Hercule Poirot has to figure out who among the diverse group of passengers is the killer. Christie is famous for her intricate plots and unexpected twists.

One classic is 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson, solving various complex mysteries in Victorian London.