Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a great period crime novel. Set on a luxurious train in the 1930s, it features the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The confined space of the train and the diverse group of passengers add to the intrigue as Poirot tries to figure out who among them is the murderer.
For beginners, 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is a great choice. It's set in 1896 New York City. It has a really engaging plot about a serial killer and the team of investigators trying to catch him. The historical setting is vividly depicted, and it gives a sense of what life was like in that era while also having a thrilling crime mystery.
There are quite a few. 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is set in 1865 Boston. It combines Dante's Inferno with a series of murders. 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' by Ellis Peters is a historical crime novel set in medieval England. It features Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk who solves crimes. 'The Beekeeper's Apprentice' by Laurie R. King is also a great one. It's set in the early 20th century and features a young girl who becomes an apprentice to Sherlock Holmes.
Another aspect is the cultural context. The motives behind the crimes can be deeply rooted in the cultural norms and taboos of the era. In some historical periods, things like family honor or religious beliefs could be strong motives for criminal acts, and this is reflected in period crime fiction.
One of the best true crime novels is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. It's a classic that delves into the brutal murders of a Kansas family. Another great one is 'Helter Skelter' which details the Manson Family murders. And 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson is also highly regarded as it combines the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the serial killings of H. H. Holmes.
There's also 'Such a Fun Age' by Kiley Reid. While it's not a traditional crime novel in the sense of a detective chasing a murderer, it deals with issues of race and privilege in a story that has elements of a crime - like false accusations and the consequences of misunderstandings.
One of the best period novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It offers a vivid portrayal of the English gentry in the early 19th century, with its themes of love, marriage, and social class. Another great one is 'Gone with the Wind' which takes readers to the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, showing the struggles and romances of the time. 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë is also a classic period novel, with its dark and passionate story set in the Yorkshire moors in the 19th century.
Definitely 'Vanity Fair' by William Makepeace Thackeray. It satirizes the upper - class society in the early 19th - century England. The characters are complex and the plot is full of twists. 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell is very good too. It shows the contrast between the industrial north and the rural south in England at that time. And 'The Return of the Native' by Thomas Hardy is a great work, set in the fictional Egdon Heath and exploring themes of love, fate, and nature in the late 19th - century rural England.
Well, 'War and Peace' is definitely among the best period piece novels. It delves into the Napoleonic era in Russia. Tolstoy's detailed descriptions of the society, the battles, and the characters' inner thoughts are amazing. 'The Great Gatsby' is also a remarkable one. Set in the 1920s Jazz Age in America, it shows the decadence and the pursuit of the American Dream. It has a great exploration of love, class, and the hollowness of the wealthy society. And 'Jane Eyre' is a wonderful period piece. The story of the eponymous character in the 19th - century England, with her struggles for love, independence and self - respect, is really engaging.
One of the best period romance novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's set in the early 19th - century England. The relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is full of misunderstandings, pride, and prejudice at first, but gradually develops into a deep and true love. The novel also vividly depicts the social life and class differences of that time.