One of the top noir detective novels is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its hard - boiled detective Sam Spade and the complex search for a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep'. It features Philip Marlowe and has a convoluted plot full of mystery and crime in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Then there's 'Laura' by Vera Caspary, which has a unique narrative structure and a great sense of atmosphere.
In the realm of top noir detective novels, 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson stands out. It offers a disturbing look into the mind of a killer who also happens to be a law enforcement officer. 'Pickup' by Charles Willeford is another interesting one. It has a unique take on the noir genre, with a down - on - his - luck protagonist getting involved in a web of lies and danger. Also, 'The Grifters' by Jim Thompson is known for its complex characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end.
Well, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is a very popular one among the top mysterious novels. It combines mystery with art history and religious elements, which makes it extremely engaging. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is also quite well - known. The story is full of twists and turns, and the mystery of what happened to the main character's wife keeps you on the edge of your seat. And 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier has a great sense of mystery with the new wife trying to figure out the secrets of her husband's first wife.
Lolita is often regarded as one of Nabokov's top novels. It's a controversial yet highly influential work. The story, told from Humbert Humbert's perspective, delves into his obsession with the young Dolores Haze. The prose is rich and complex, and Nabokov's use of language is masterful.
Boris Akunin's 'Erast Fandorin' series is also highly regarded. These novels are set in different historical periods of Russia. Fandorin is a very intelligent and resourceful detective. Akunin's writing combines mystery, adventure, and historical details. His books are full of twists and turns, which keep the readers on their toes.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' series can also be considered among the best. Holmes, with his brilliant deductive reasoning, has become an iconic detective. Each story in the series presents a unique mystery for him to solve, and the way he pieces together the clues is fascinating. For example, in 'A Study in Scarlet', we see how he starts his detective career and his unique approach to solving crimes.
Another great Tamil novel is 'Sivagamiyin Sabadham'. It delves deep into the historical and cultural aspects of the time. The love story intertwined with the political and religious backdrop is beautifully narrated. The author's use of language and the way the story unfolds keeps the readers hooked from start to finish.
'The Killing Joke' is a well - known mystery graphic novel in the Batman series. It delves deep into the Joker's origin and his relationship with Batman. The mystery here is not just about the Joker's past but also about what makes him so unpredictable and dangerous. It's a classic that has influenced many other works in the genre.
Pride and Prejudice is often at the top. It's a classic love story with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Sense and Sensibility is also great, exploring the contrast between two sisters' natures. Emma is another well - known one, with the eponymous character meddling in others' affairs in a charming way.
One of the top fantasy series novels is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It has a richly detailed world, complex characters, and an epic story of good versus evil. The world - building is so immersive that readers feel like they are actually in Middle - earth. Another great one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. It has a large cast of characters and a complex political intrigue set in a medieval - like fantasy world. And 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also very popular. It combines magic, friendship, and a battle against the dark forces in a modern - day wizarding world.
I think 'Dead Calm' is one of his best. It was later made into a movie. The novel creates a claustrophobic and dangerous situation on the ocean, with a great deal of psychological tension.
One of the top Urdu historical novels is 'Aag Ka Darya' by Qurratulain Hyder. It is highly regarded for its complex narrative that spans different eras. It beautifully weaves together the history of the Indian subcontinent, exploring themes of identity, culture, and change over time.