Lawrence Block's 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' is also a top pick. It features a private investigator in NYC dealing with a series of brutal murders. The gritty and realistic portrayal of the city's underbelly and the detective's struggle to solve the case make it a classic in the NYC crime novel genre.
Sure. 'The Black Dahlia' by James Ellroy is a great one. It's set in post - World War II Los Angeles but has strong ties to NYC. It's a dark and complex mystery filled with seedy characters and a convoluted plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Some great NYC novels include 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in the slums of Brooklyn, which is an important part of New York. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison also has NYC elements. It explores the identity and invisibility of a black man in the urban context of New York. 'The Age of Innocence' by Edith Wharton is set in upper - class New York society and shows the social mores and constraints of the time.
The 25 best NYC novels stand out because they capture the essence of the city's dreams and disappointments. NYC is often seen as a place where people come to make it big, but also a place where many dreams are shattered. Novels like 'Bonfire of the Vanities' show the cut - throat nature of the city's social and economic ladder. And they also explore the sense of isolation in a crowded city. In 'The Bell Jar', the protagonist feels alone despite being in a bustling metropolis. These novels offer different perspectives on what it means to live in NYC, whether it's the hope, the struggle, or the simple day - to - day existence.
Sure. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is often considered one of the great novels with a connection to NYC. It shows the glamorous and decadent side of the city in the 1920s. Another one could be 'Bonfire of the Vanities' by Tom Wolfe which gives a satirical look at different social classes in NYC. And 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith which beautifully portrays life in Brooklyn, a part of NYC.
Some of the top NYC fiction books include 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield's adventures in NYC are iconic. Then there's 'Motherless Brooklyn' by Jonathan Lethem. It's a detective story set in the city with a unique protagonist. Also, 'Netherland' by Joseph O'Neill is great. It explores the immigrant experience in NYC post - 9/11.
'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith. This novel is a beautiful portrayal of life in Brooklyn, which is a part of NYC. It shows the struggles and joys of a young girl growing up in a poor neighborhood. The descriptions of the streets, the tenement buildings, and the local culture are really immersive.
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.
Some of the 2021 best crime novels could be 'The Night She Disappeared' by Lisa Jewell. It has a gripping plot with mystery and suspense that keeps readers on their toes.