Top French Crime Novels: A Guide to the Best in French Crime Fiction

Another great one is 'The Likeness'. It features a detective who is drawn into a strange case where she discovers a woman who looks exactly like her. Tana French is really good at creating an atmosphere of mystery and psychological tension in this novel.

One of the best is 'The Chalk Circle Man' by Fred Vargas. It features Commissaire Adamsberg and his unique approach to solving crimes. Another great one is 'Irene' by Pierre Lemaitre, which is full of suspense and complex characters. And 'The Three Evangelists' by Fred Vargas also stands out with its engaging plot and interesting detective work.

Fred Vargas' books are must - reads. For instance, in 'Have Mercy on Us All', she weaves a complex web of mystery. Her writing style is unique, often blending elements of the fantastical with the crime - solving aspect. Her characters are quirky and add a lot of charm to the stories.

The novel 'The Secret Place' is quite good too. Set in a girls' boarding school, it combines elements of teenage drama with a murder mystery. It shows how secrets can fester and lead to terrible consequences, all while keeping you guessing until the end.

Typically, French crime novels often have a strong sense of place, like Paris or other French regions. They may also focus on the psychological aspects of the characters involved, both the criminals and the investigators.

One cannot forget 'The Incal' either. It's a science - fiction epic that combines mind - boggling concepts, great art, and a complex story. It has influenced a lot of subsequent science - fiction works in the graphic novel genre.

One of the best is 'The Chalet' by Catherine Cooper. It has a great plot full of mystery and unexpected twists. The setting in the French Alps adds to the eerie atmosphere.

Another great one is 'Scrublands' by Chris Hammer. It takes place in a small country town. The story involves a mass shooting and a journalist's investigation into it. It has a great build - up of suspense and reveals the secrets and tensions that can lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary community.

Another great one is 'Inspector Montalbano' series by Andrea Camilleri. Set in Sicily, these novels offer a vivid picture of Italian society along with engaging crime investigations. Montalbano is a relatable and intelligent detective with his own quirks, and the local flavor adds a lot to the stories.

I'd say 'Irene' by Pierre Lemaitre. The story is engaging from the start, and it doesn't have overly complicated language or convoluted plots that might put off new readers. It's a good introduction to the genre within the French context.