Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a great one. It has a complex plot with a murder on a train full of suspects. Christie's ability to mislead the reader and then reveal the truth in a shocking way is masterful. There are multiple motives and alibis that keep you guessing until the end.
Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson (although he's Swedish, the book is set in part in Britain) is a great read. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, and a complex mystery involving a long - lost family secret and a series of murders. The book delves deep into the seedy underbelly of society.
One characteristic is the complex characters. Detectives often have their own flaws and personal issues. For example, Sherlock Holmes has his idiosyncrasies. Another is the detailed settings. Whether it's the foggy streets of London or the small towns, the settings add to the atmosphere.
One of the best is 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes solving a mystery on the moors. Another great one is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has elements of mystery and psychological thriller. And 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also highly regarded for its complex spy - related crime plot.
Arthur Conan Doyle is extremely famous for creating Sherlock Holmes. His stories are full of mystery and deductive reasoning. Then there's Agatha Christie. She's often called the 'Queen of Crime' and has written numerous best - selling crime novels with intricate plots. Ian Rankin is also well - known for his Rebus series, set in Edinburgh.
Some might also mention 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris, although it's an American - British co - production in a sense. It has a very creepy and intelligent villain, Hannibal Lecter. But if we stick purely to British, there's also Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' series, which delves into the darker side of Edinburgh and the complex character of Inspector Rebus as he tries to solve various crimes.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. Although Larsson was Swedish, the Millennium series has had a huge impact on modern crime fiction, and it has been widely read in the British context as well. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its complex characters and plot twists. And 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by J.K. Rowling (writing as Robert Galbraith) is also excellent. It features a private detective, Cormoran Strike, and has all the elements of a great British crime story - mystery, intrigue, and a touch of class.
Another great one is 'Agatha Christie's novels. For example, 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Her books are known for their intricate plots and unexpected twists. Christie is a master of the detective story genre.
P. D. James is also a significant figure in this genre. Her books are known for their psychological depth. For example, 'A Taste for Death' delves deep into the minds of the characters, both the criminals and the investigators. Her writing style is elegant and her stories are full of suspense.
Well, British crime fiction is known for its class - conscious themes. There are often elements that explore the differences between the upper and lower classes, and how these can be factors in crime. The language used is also quite distinct. It can be very formal and proper in some cases, which adds to the overall British feel. And it has a long history, which means it has influenced crime fiction around the world. Writers from Agatha Christie to P.D. James have left their mark with their unique takes on crime stories in a British context.