Recommend some short American crime novels.

One characteristic is their fast - paced plots. Since they are short, they need to quickly draw the reader in and keep the action going. For example, in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', the affair and the murder plot start right away. Another characteristic is the often - noir atmosphere. These novels usually depict a seedy side of American life, like in 'Double Indemnity' where the characters are involved in a sordid insurance fraud - murder scheme. Also, they tend to have complex characters with hidden motives. In 'A Simple Plan', the main character's seemingly simple discovery quickly reveals his complex and dark desires.

Sure. 'The Plotters' by Un-su Kim is a great one. It has a complex plot full of mystery and intrigue that keeps readers hooked. The characters are well - developed and the story delves deep into the criminal underworld from a Korean - American perspective.

The 'Cam Jansen' series is also worth mentioning. Cam has a photographic memory which she uses to help solve crimes. The books are written in a way that is accessible to children, with simple language and exciting plots that keep young readers interested in the crime - solving adventures.

I would suggest 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane. It's a story about three childhood friends whose lives are changed forever by a tragic event. The exploration of guilt, redemption, and the nature of friendship within the context of a crime is really well - done. And 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a noir classic with a hard - boiled detective at its center.

One classic American crime novel is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features the detective Sam Spade and a complex web of mystery involving a valuable statuette. Another is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, which is a non - fictional crime account that reads like a novel. It delves deep into the real - life murders of a Kansas family.

Another might be something that was perhaps less well - known but still part of the crime genre in 1934. There were likely many pulp crime novels published during that time. Some of them might have focused on gangsters and the seedy underworld of American cities. However, without more in - depth research, it's hard to name specific ones other than the more famous ones like Hammett's work.

I also recommend 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the iconic character Hannibal Lecter. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Lecter while she tries to solve a serial killer case is gripping.

One classic American crime novel is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features the hard - boiled detective Sam Spade and a complex web of crime involving a valuable statuette. Another is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, which is a non - fictional account that reads like a crime thriller. And 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, with its detective Philip Marlowe solving mysteries in a seedy underworld.

One well - known Native American crime thriller novel is 'Winter in the Blood' by James Welch. It has elements of mystery and crime within the context of Native American life. Another could be 'Track of the Cat' by Nevada Barr which also delves into crime - related stories in Native American settings.

Well, 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane is a great American crime fiction novel. It tells a story of three childhood friends whose lives are forever changed by a tragic event in their past and a new crime that shakes their community. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is another classic. It's a story of lust, greed, and murder in a small - town diner. Also, 'True Grit' by Charles Portis, while also a Western, has elements of crime fiction as a young girl hires a marshal to hunt down her father's killer.