1930s murder mystery novels

One common theme was the exploration of the seedy underbelly of society. In the 1930s, with the Great Depression in full swing, many murder mystery novels delved into the desperation and criminal elements that emerged during such tough times. Another theme was the use of complex detective characters, often with a somewhat jaded view of the world, like Sherlock Holmes -esque figures who used their sharp intellect to solve the crimes.

Some great 1940s murder mystery novels include 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It's a hard - boiled detective story with Philip Marlowe as the main character. He has to deal with a web of lies and murder in Los Angeles. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith is quite famous. The concept of two strangers swapping murders is really intriguing. It's a great exploration of the darker side of human nature.

One of the best is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson. The mysteries are complex and the deductive reasoning is fascinating.

Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines a complex murder mystery with elements of financial intrigue and a really interesting protagonist, Lisbeth Salander. The story unfolds in a small Swedish town and involves a decades - old disappearance that is full of dark secrets.

One of the best is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic with a group of people trapped on an island and being killed one by one in a very mysterious way. Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns. Also, 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is very popular. The story is about a missing woman and the secrets that unfold as the search goes on.

Some of the well - known ones are 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic where ten people are lured to an island and murdered one by one in a very mysterious way.

The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle are also great murder mystery novels. Holmes uses his brilliant deductive reasoning to solve various complex murder cases in Victorian London. His character and his unique methods of investigation make these stories really engaging.

One great 1985 murder mystery novel is 'A Fatal Inversion' by Barbara Vine. It has a complex plot full of secrets and hidden motives.

Funny murder mystery novels often have unique characters. For example, they might have an eccentric detective like in 'The Spellman Files' series. These characters bring humor through their odd behaviors and quirks. They also may use clever wordplay in the dialogue. For instance, a character might make a pun related to the crime scene which makes the reader laugh.

The 'Enola Holmes' series could be a good start too. It has a young and feisty female detective as the main character. The mysteries are engaging and not overly complicated, and it has a bit of a historical charm to it as it's set in Victorian England.