Some well - known Chicago crime novels include 'The Maltese Falcon' which, while not strictly Chicago - only, has a lot of the noir elements associated with Chicago - style crime. 'True Detective' novels often touch on Chicago's crime scenes. They explore the seedy, violent, and corrupt aspects of the city. Also, 'The Big Sleep' has a detective - noir feel that can be linked to the kind of crime stories set in Chicago.
One popular Chicago crime novel is 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson. It weaves together the true story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the serial killer H. H. Holmes who preyed on visitors. Another is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' which has some of its story set in Chicago's seedy underworld. And 'Gone Girl' also has elements of mystery and crime that can be related to the dark side of Chicago in a sense.
'The Girl in the Green Raincoat' by Laura Lippman is also a notable one. Although Lippman is known for her Baltimore - set novels, this one has a distinct Chicago - like atmosphere in terms of the mood of the crime and the detective work involved.
Another notable Chicago detective novel is 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley. It's set in 1940s Los Angeles, but the main character, Easy Rawlins, has a connection to Chicago. This novel is a great example of a detective story with a strong sense of place, and it shows how a character's past in Chicago can influence his actions and investigations in another city.
Some Chicago based detective novels are worth checking out. For instance, 'The Time of Our Singing' by Richard Powers has elements of mystery and detective work set in Chicago. Then there's 'The Family Man' by Elinor Lipman which has a bit of a detective - like plot as it unfolds in the Chicago setting. And of course, 'Chicago Confidential' which delves deep into the seedy underbelly of the city through the eyes of its detective characters.
Sara Paretsky is a well - known author of Chicago crime novels. Her V. I. Warshawski series is set in Chicago and follows the adventures of a female private investigator. Another famous author is Max Allan Collins. He has written numerous crime novels with Chicago settings, often delving into the city's criminal past and present.
One of the top crime stories in Chicago might be the high rate of gang - related shootings. Gangs often fight over territory, drugs, or personal vendettas, leading to numerous shootings in certain neighborhoods.
The 2016 crime novel 'IQ' by Joe Ide is quite notable. It features a brilliant but unorthodox private investigator in East Long Beach. The story is filled with action, mystery, and offers a unique look at the underbelly of the city through the eyes of a very engaging protagonist.
Some of the 2020 crime novels are really great. For example, 'The Guest List' is full of secrets and lies among the wedding guests on an isolated island. It creates a really tense atmosphere. 'The Midnight Library' is a bit different as it focuses on a woman who is in a kind of limbo and has to face different versions of her life which is related to the idea of a crime against one's own potential. 'The Invisible Girl' is a classic - style crime novel with a great plot and interesting character relationships.
One popular crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and engaging characters.
One popular 2022 crime novel is 'The Maid' by Nita Prose. It features a unique protagonist who works as a maid in a hotel and gets caught up in a mystery. Another is 'The Appeal' by Janice Hallett, which has an interesting format of presenting the story through documents and emails.
One of the popular 1987 crime novels could be 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' by Tom Wolfe. It delved into the social and moral issues of the time through a crime - related plot in New York City.