Can you recommend the best hardboiled detective stories for beginners?

Sure. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is a good start. It's a relatively short and fast - paced novel that showcases the key elements of the hardboiled genre like moral decay and a tough, no - nonsense plot. The characters are complex and the story is full of twists.

Sure. 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) is a great start. It has a likable detective, Cormoran Strike, and an interesting mystery to solve. Another good one is 'The Reversal' by Michael Connelly. It's not too complex for beginners but still has all the elements of a good hardboiled detective story.

Sure. 'The Long Goodbye' by Raymond Chandler is excellent. It's a complex story that delves deep into the character of Philip Marlowe. 'A Rage in Harlem' by Chester Himes is also a great pick. It presents a unique perspective with its African - American protagonists in a Harlem setting. And 'The Killing Floor' by Lee Child is a modern take on the hardboiled genre, though it has some differences. It's about Jack Reacher, a tough ex - military man who gets involved in solving a mystery.

One of the best is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features the iconic detective Sam Spade and has a complex plot full of double - crosses and the search for a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'Red Harvest' also by Hammett, which showcases his gritty and violent noir style. Then there's 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, with his famous detective Philip Marlowe navigating the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles.

Sure. 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith is a good start. It features Precious Ramotswe, a traditional yet modern - thinking African woman detective. The stories are set in Botswana and are full of warmth, humor and simple yet engaging mysteries.

You might also like 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a shorter Sherlock Holmes story with a clear mystery, a spooky atmosphere, and Holmes' brilliant deductions, which is perfect for getting into English detective stories.

For beginners, 'Sherlock Holmes' short stories are great. They are easy to follow and Holmes' deductive reasoning is really interesting to learn from. 'The Speckled Band' is a good starting point. Another one is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It has a simple yet engaging plot that will hook beginners into the world of detective stories.

Sure. 'The Maltese Falcon' is a great start. It's a well - known classic with a straightforward plot that's easy to follow for beginners. The characters are very vivid. Another good one is 'Laura'. It has an interesting love - mystery angle that new readers to the genre might enjoy. 'The Thin Man' is also suitable. It has a bit of humor along with the mystery which makes it less intimidating for those new to detective noir.

I'd recommend 'House of God' for beginners. It gives a vivid picture of the medical world while also presenting various medical mysteries. It's written in a way that's accessible even if you don't have much medical knowledge. Also, 'Blood Work' is not too complex. It combines the elements of a medical thriller with a murder mystery, which can be really exciting for those new to medical detective stories.

Sure. 'The Rookie Detective's First Case' is a good one for beginners. It has a simple yet interesting plot that's easy to follow. The language used is also not too complicated, so it's a great starting point for those new to detective stories on Wattpad.