Can you recommend some of the best private eye novels?

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.

Sure. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a classic. It features the hard - boiled detective Sam Spade and is full of mystery and intrigue. Another one is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, with his iconic detective Philip Marlowe.

One of the best is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features the iconic detective Philip Marlowe and has a complex plot filled with mystery and noir elements.

One of the best private eye novels is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features the iconic detective Philip Marlowe and has a complex plot filled with mystery and intrigue.

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.

Some of the best obscure private eye novels include 'A Rage in Harlem' by Chester Himes. His Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones are tough and interesting detectives. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith can be considered in this category. The psychological thriller aspect combined with the sort of cat - and - mouse game is quite engaging. And then there's 'The Long Goodbye' by Chandler, which is a bit different from his more famous 'The Big Sleep' in terms of character development and the overall tone of the story.

One of the best new private eye novels is 'The Long Call' by Ann Cleeves. It has a great plot with a complex detective character. Another is 'A Dangerous Crossing' by Rachel Rhys, which sets the mystery in an interesting setting. And 'The Widows of Malabar Hill' by Sujata Massey also stands out. The main character is a female private eye in a unique cultural context.

One classic is 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley. It features Easy Rawlins, a black private detective in 1940s Los Angeles. The story is filled with mystery, crime, and a great sense of the era's racial and social atmosphere.

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.

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.