I think 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris is among the best. It imagines a world where Hitler has won the war and a detective in Berlin is investigating a mystery that could change everything. 'Suite Française' by Irène Némirovsky is also very good. Although it was written during the war, it gives a vivid picture of the early days of the German occupation in France and has some mystery in the relationships and events described. 'Atonement' by Ian McEwan, while not strictly a pure mystery novel, has elements of mystery in the way it unfolds the events during WWII related to a false accusation.
One of the best is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. It presents a fascinating alternate history where the Axis powers won WWII. Another great one is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman, which uses a unique graphic novel format to tell a story of the Holocaust. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also highly recommended. It weaves a beautiful story of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war.
One popular WWII mystery novel is 'The Hunt for the German Nurse' which delves into the secrets and mysteries within a German military hospital during the war. Another is 'Mystery in the Bunkers' that follows a detective trying to solve a series of murders in the underground bunkers of Berlin. 'The Enigma of the Lost Squadron' is also well - known, focusing on the mystery surrounding a lost squadron of Allied planes during WWII.
On the Goodreads list of WWII novels, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is a charming one. It shows how books and literature can bring people together even in the difficult times of the war. 'Code Name Verity' is another remarkable novel. It delves into the world of female spies during WWII. And 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman is a unique graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust in a very different and impactful way.
A third excellent WWII novel is 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that combines elements of science fiction and historical fiction. Vonnegut uses his unique style to explore the senselessness of war and the chaos of life.
One of the best WWII fiction novels is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's a unique take on the war as it's narrated by Death. It follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books and how the power of words affects lives during that dark time.
One of the great ones is 'Run Silent, Run Deep' by Edward L. Beach. It gives a vivid account of life on a submarine during WWII.
One of the best is 'The Caine Mutiny' by Herman Wouk. It offers a great insight into the naval life during WWII, with complex characters and a thrilling plot centered around a mutiny on a Navy ship.
Well, 'Atonement' by Ian McEwan is among the top WWII period novels. It not only shows the impact of the war on individuals but also explores themes of guilt and redemption. Then there's 'The Winds of War' by Herman Wouk. This novel gives a comprehensive view of the events leading up to and during the war. And don't forget 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah, which focuses on two sisters in France during the German occupation.
Definitely. 'The Invisible Bridge' by Julie Orringer is a good choice. It has mystery elements in the story of a Hungarian Jew during WWII. 'The Light of Paris' by Eleanor Brown is also worth mentioning. It combines a modern - day story with a mystery from the Paris of WWII. And 'The Secret Wife' by Gill Paul is an interesting read. It delves into the secrets and mystery surrounding the Romanov family during the war.
In the realm of post - WWII novels, 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller is a must - read. It satirizes the military bureaucracy during the war and the absurdity of war itself. A less well - known but equally important one is 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway. It deals with the love and loss in the context of war and the post - war sense of displacement. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which was written before WWII but became highly relevant after, explores a future society that has been shaped by the events and ideas emerging from the post - war world.
One of the best is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It gives a gritty and complex look at espionage during the Cold War which has roots in the WWII intelligence world. Another great one is 'Eye of the Needle' by Ken Follett. It's a thrilling tale of a German spy in Britain during WWII. And 'Masters of the Air' by Donald L. Miller also delves into the secret operations of the air war and related espionage activities during the war.