One common theme is poverty. The East End has often been associated with poverty, and in crime fiction, it can be a breeding ground for criminal activities.
One way is to introduce a twist at the end. Maybe the person you thought was the criminal isn't, or there's a hidden motive that comes to light. This keeps the readers on their toes.
One popular East European crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson from Sweden (which is in Scandinavia, part of Northern Europe but has some cultural similarities to East Europe). It features a complex mystery and strong characters. Another is 'The Silver Bear' by Derek Haas, which is set in a gritty East European - like underworld. Also, 'The Cardinal of the Kremlin' by Tom Clancy has some elements related to East European espionage and crime in its broader plot.
Well, without having read 'the east end a novel', it might be a story that delves into the history of the east end. It could portray how the area has changed over time, and the impact of various events on the people living there. Maybe it also shows the different social classes in the east end and how they interact with one another.
I don't know who the author of 'the east end a novel' is. There are so many novels out there, and without more information, it's hard to determine the author.
I'm not sure specifically which 'east end story' you're referring to. It could be a story about the East End of a particular city, perhaps a local legend, or it could be a personal narrative set in that area.
One characteristic is the focus on the working - class or poor. East End novels often show the hardships these people face, like lack of proper housing and food.