What are some of the best British crime fiction books?

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.

Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson (although he's Swedish, the book is set in part in Britain) is a great read. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, and a complex mystery involving a long - lost family secret and a series of murders. The book delves deep into the seedy underbelly of society.

One characteristic is the complex characters. Detectives often have their own flaws and personal issues. For example, Sherlock Holmes has his idiosyncrasies. Another is the detailed settings. Whether it's the foggy streets of London or the small towns, the settings add to the atmosphere.

One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. Although Larsson was Swedish, the Millennium series has had a huge impact on modern crime fiction, and it has been widely read in the British context as well. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its complex characters and plot twists. And 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by J.K. Rowling (writing as Robert Galbraith) is also excellent. It features a private detective, Cormoran Strike, and has all the elements of a great British crime story - mystery, intrigue, and a touch of class.

One of the best is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, class, and marriage in a witty and engaging way. The characters are vividly drawn, like the independent Elizabeth Bennet and the proud Mr. Darcy. Another great one is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over people's lives. It makes you think about freedom and privacy. And 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also among the best. It takes readers to a magical world full of adventure, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.

Some excellent examples of best British crime fiction include Patricia Highsmith's 'Strangers on a Train'. It's a psychological thriller that delves deep into the minds of its characters. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco, while the author is Italian, it's set in a medieval English abbey and has a strong British crime - like feel with all the mystery and intrigue. Also, 'Line of Duty' which started as a TV series but has a lot of elements that can be considered in the realm of great British crime fiction with its exploration of police corruption and solving of complex cases.

One of the best is 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes solving a mystery on the moors. Another great one is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has elements of crime and mystery within its dark and brooding story. And 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also highly regarded, with its complex spy - related crime plot.

Tartan Noir novels like Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' series are great examples. The character of Inspector Rebus is complex and gritty. The novels often deal with the seedy underbelly of Scottish cities. Rankin's writing style is engaging, and he delves deep into the psychology of the characters, both the criminals and the investigators.

Another great one is 'Agatha Christie's novels. For example, 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Her books are known for their intricate plots and unexpected twists. Christie is a master of the detective story genre.

One of the best crime fiction books is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It has a chilling and complex plot that involves the hunt for a serial killer with the help of another infamous killer, Hannibal Lecter. The character development is superb, especially the cat - and - mouse dynamic between Clarice Starling and Lecter.