Can you recommend some best selling British detective novels?

One characteristic is complex characters. For example, Sherlock Holmes is a complex character with his brilliant mind and eccentricities. Another is the intricate plot. In 'Murder on the Orient Express', the plot is full of twists. There are also the elements of mystery and suspense. The readers are always kept guessing until the end.

Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson (although he was Swedish, the Millennium series has been widely adopted in the British detective genre). It has a complex and engaging mystery, and the character of Lisbeth Salander is one of the most memorable in detective fiction. The book deals with dark themes like violence against women and corporate corruption.

Another great one is 'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). Cormoran Strike, the detective, investigates the disappearance of a novelist. It has a richly detailed setting and interesting characters, and Rowling's writing skills are evident throughout.

For beginners, 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' is a great start. It's easy to read and the short stories introduce you to the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Watson. Another good one is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It has a simple yet captivating plot that will draw you in.

Well, 'Before She Disappeared' by Lisa Gardner is also among the latest best - sellers. The story focuses on a detective who goes undercover to find a missing girl in a tough neighborhood. It has a great deal of suspense and action that makes it hard to put down.

For beginners, 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith is also very good. It has a warm - hearted and gentle style. The main character, Precious Ramotswe, is a female detective in Botswana, and the stories are full of local charm and simple yet interesting mysteries.

One of the best - selling British novels is 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has captured the hearts of millions around the world with its magical world of Hogwarts, wizards, and witches. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Its exploration of love, class, and society in 19th - century England has made it a classic that is still widely read today. And '1984' by George Orwell is also very popular. It's a dystopian novel that warns about totalitarianism and the loss of privacy.

The 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien is a best - selling British work. Although it was written as one large epic, it's often split into three novels. It's famous for its detailed world - building, including Middle - earth, with its different races like hobbits, elves, and dwarves. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is also very popular. It's a comical and absurd science - fiction story that takes readers on a wild journey through the galaxy with its unique characters like Arthur Dent.

One of the well - known British best - selling novels is 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has captured the hearts of millions around the world with its magical world of Hogwarts, memorable characters like Harry, Hermione and Ron, and an engaging plot full of magic, mystery and adventure.

For beginners, 'Sherlock Holmes' is a great start. The stories are relatively short and easy to follow. You can quickly get into the world of Holmes' detective work and his unique methods of solving crimes. It's a classic that has been loved for generations.