The Japanese novel 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino is a remarkable piece of international crime fiction. It tells the story of four women who get involved in a murder. The book delves deep into the psychology of the characters and shows how their ordinary lives are turned upside down by this one event. It also gives an interesting view into Japanese society.
Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series is also great. These books follow the Swedish detective Kurt Wallander as he solves various crimes. Mankell does an excellent job of portraying the detective's personal struggles along with the intricate crime plots. The settings in Sweden add a unique atmosphere to the stories.
One of the best is 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It presents a unique and complex view of the universe with its alien invasion concept and deep exploration of scientific and philosophical ideas. Another great one is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a cyberpunk classic that really kicked off the genre, with its gritty vision of a future dominated by technology and artificial intelligence.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and intrigue. The characters are well - developed, especially the main character Lisbeth Salander. Another great one is 'In the Woods' by Tana French. It combines crime investigation with psychological exploration.
One of the best international fiction works is 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez. It's a masterpiece that weaves a complex family saga in a magical realist style. Another great one is 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini which tells a heart - wrenching story of friendship and redemption set against the backdrop of Afghanistan. Also, 'Norwegian Wood' by Haruki Murakami, with its exploration of love and loss in a unique Japanese context.
Jo Nesbø's 'Harry Hole' series is among the top Scandinavian crime fictions. Nesbø creates a dark and gritty atmosphere in Oslo, Norway. Harry Hole is a flawed but brilliant detective. For example, in 'The Snowman', Hole is on the hunt for a serial killer who leaves a snowman at each crime scene. Also, Karin Fossum's works are great. Her books often explore the psychological aspects of crime and the criminals' motives.
Andrea Camilleri's 'Inspector Montalbano' series is also highly regarded. These books offer engaging crime stories set in Sicily, with a vivid portrayal of the local culture and a complex, likable protagonist.
There's 'Mercy' by Jussi Adler - Olsen as well. It's part of the Department Q series. The story is engaging as it delves deep into the past and present of the characters and the crimes they are trying to solve. Also, 'Those Who Kill' by Elsebeth Egholm is a great example of Danish crime fiction. It has an interesting plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its psychological twists.
Some excellent Japanese crime fiction includes 'Coin Locker Babies' by Ryu Murakami. It tells a dark and strange story of two boys abandoned in coin lockers. Then there's 'In the Miso Soup' by Ryu Murakami as well. It's a disturbing yet captivating read that takes place in Tokyo's seedy underworld. 'The Informer' by Sho - she - Tanaka is also worth mentioning for its unique take on crime and the criminal underworld.
One of the well - known ones is 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. Although it's not a traditional crime novel in the pure sense, it contains elements of a dystopian society where many crimes against humanity occur. Another great work could be works by Louise Penny. Her Inspector Gamache series is very popular in the Canadian crime fiction genre.
One of the best is 'The Rebus Series' by Ian Rankin. His complex characters and gritty portrayal of Edinburgh make it a classic. Another great one is 'Tartan Noir' which is a sub - genre within Scottish crime fiction known for its dark and often complex storylines.
Stieg Larsson is definitely one of the top ones. His 'Millennium' series, starting with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', has been extremely popular worldwide. His writing style is engaging, and he creates very memorable characters.