Well, it might be. Some best - selling crime novels play with complex ideas, and recursion could fit in. For example, if the detective keeps coming back to the same clues or suspects in a cyclical way, that's a form of recursion in the story. It can make the plot more engaging as the reader tries to figure out how the cycle will be broken or what new information will emerge from the repeated elements.
Some crime novels that might fit the bill are those in the Sherlock Holmes series, like 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. Holmes' deductive process often has a recursive element. He may return to a clue or a line of thinking multiple times, refining it each time. Also, modern novels like 'Before the Fall' can have recursive aspects in how the events are presented and re - examined as the story progresses, which contributes to their popularity as best - selling crime novels.
The unique concept in 'Recursion' makes it a best - selling science fiction novel. It plays with the idea of time and memory in a very engaging way that hooks readers.
I would recommend 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. While it has a different cultural backdrop, it shares the aspect of presenting complex scientific ideas in an accessible and engaging way, much like 'Recursion'. There are also great plot twists and a large - scale vision that draws readers in.
The interesting part about recursion in crime fiction is that it can create a sense of mystery within mystery. Take a story where the detective is trying to solve a murder, but as he digs deeper, he discovers that the crime is part of a larger pattern that repeats itself in different forms. This not only keeps the reader guessing but also makes the story more complex and engaging. It's like a puzzle within a puzzle. The reader has to figure out not only the immediate crime but also how it relates to the larger recursive pattern. Also, it can be used to show the cyclical nature of crime and justice, where the same issues keep coming up again and again, but in different guises.
Well, 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a well - known best - selling crime novel. It's a non - fictional account that reads like a thriller. Then there's 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. The character of Hannibal Lecter made it extremely famous. And 'Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty, which although has elements of crime, also delves into the lives of women and their secrets in a small town.
One of the top 10 best selling crime novels is likely 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It features a brilliant and edgy female protagonist who delves into a dark and convoluted mystery. 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is also a classic. It was based on a real - life crime and was one of the first non - fiction novels to read like a thriller.
Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' is also a top - selling crime novel. It has a unique and suspenseful story set on an isolated island with a group of people being killed one by one. Christie is known for her clever plots and unexpected twists.