Can you recommend some books from the list of hard boiled crime novels?

Of course. 'The Neon Rain' by James Lee Burke is a top - notch hard boiled crime novel. It has a vividly drawn Louisiana setting and a tough detective. 'Black Cherry Blues' by James Lee Burke is also great. It continues the story of the detective and has more of that southern - fried crime and mystery. And 'The Concrete Blonde' by Michael Connelly. His detective, Harry Bosch, is a great character and the novel has a great mystery to solve.

Well, one characteristic is the tough, cynical protagonist. They've usually seen a lot in life and are a bit jaded. For example, like Sam Spade in 'The Maltese Falcon'.

Sure. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' is a classic hard case crime novel. It's a dark and gritty story full of passion and murder.

Sure. Tough protagonist, gritty settings, fast - paced plots.

Well, 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' is a well - known hard boiled crime fiction book. It tells a steamy and dangerous story of love and murder. Then there's 'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane. His detective, Mike Hammer, is a tough - as - nails character who doesn't shy away from using force when needed in his investigations of crime.

One of the best is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its tough detective, Sam Spade, and a complex web of mystery involving a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. His character Philip Marlowe is iconic, and the novel has a great noir atmosphere with lots of double - crosses and seedy characters. Also, 'Red Harvest' by Hammett is excellent. It shows a corrupt town and a detective's efforts to clean it up in a very gritty and hard - boiled way.

One classic is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features a tough private detective, Sam Spade, and a complex web of mystery around a valuable statuette.

Raymond Chandler is another big name. He created the iconic detective Philip Marlowe and his novels are filled with sharp dialogue and complex mysteries. For example, in 'Farewell, My Lovely', Marlowe is on the case in a world full of danger and deception.

Sure. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a classic hard boiled fiction. It features the tough private detective Sam Spade as he gets involved in a complex web of mystery and greed over a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'Red Harvest' also by Hammett, which shows a dark and violent town full of corruption.

Well, hard boiled crime fiction typically showcases a hard-hitting, street-smart protagonist dealing with seedy underworld elements. The stories are raw and intense, with less focus on traditional detective work and more on the harsh realities of crime. It emerged in the early 20th century and has had a lasting impact on crime writing.