Can you recommend some classic black private eye novels?

Sure. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré. Although it's more of a spy novel, it has elements of a private eye story with George Smiley as a sort of detective figure trying to uncover a mole within the British intelligence. It's a complex and engaging read.

Often, they feature a black protagonist who is a private investigator. These characters usually face both the typical challenges of solving crimes and the added layer of racial discrimination in the society they operate in.

In classic private eye novels, Philip Marlowe is a well - known detective. He is smart, tough, and has a sense of justice. Sam Spade is another famous one. He is cynical and shrewd, able to deal with all kinds of seedy characters in 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett.

Rather than focusing on 'erotic private eye stories', I can recommend some great detective or mystery stories like 'Sherlock Holmes' series which are full of interesting mysteries and brilliant deductions.

Then there's 'The Long Goodbye' by Raymond Chandler. It's another Marlowe story. This one is more about friendship and betrayal as Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murder. It has Chandler's signature style of sharp dialogue and detailed descriptions.

There's 'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett. It features Nick and Nora Charles, a married couple where Nick is a private detective. It has a great mix of mystery and humor, and was also made into successful movies. The characters are very engaging and the whodunit aspect keeps readers hooked.

Well, there's 'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane. It introduced the tough and violent detective Mike Hammer. Then we have 'A is for Alibi' by Sue Grafton. Her Kinsey Millhone series is quite popular among private eye novel lovers. Also, 'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett, which not only has a great detective story but also a very interesting relationship between the main characters.

Well, 'The Maltese Falcon' is a must - read. It's set in a seedy underworld filled with double - crosses. Sam Spade is a detective who has to navigate through a web of lies to find the truth about the valuable falcon statue. 'The Big Sleep' is also excellent. Philip Marlowe gets involved in a convoluted case full of secrets and danger. 'Laura' is different as it has a more psychological aspect to its mystery.

Sure. 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Time' by Mark Haddon can be a good start. Although not a traditional private eye novel, the main character's investigation into the dog's death has elements of detective work. Another is 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith. It has a simple and charming story with a female detective in Botswana. And 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a classic that is also accessible for beginners in the genre.

One of the well - known black classic novels is 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It had a profound impact on the view of slavery in the United States. Another is 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison, which explores the identity and invisibility of African - Americans in a white - dominated society.