best 100 us crime novels

One of the well - known ones is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It features a complex detective story around a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, which is based on a real - life murder case and delves deep into the minds of the killers. Also, 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a classic with its terrifying serial killer and brilliant FBI agent.

Well, 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a classic. It's a non - fictional novel that reads like a thriller as it explores a real - life murder case in Kansas. Then there's 'Chinatown Beat' by Henry Chang. It gives a great look into the Asian - American community in New York and the crime that occurs there. Also, 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a must - read. It's a hard - boiled detective story with a very engaging mystery.

Authors like Dashiell Hammett are in there. His works, such as 'The Maltese Falcon', are known for their tough - talking detectives and convoluted plots. Truman Capote is also included for 'In Cold Blood'. His unique narrative style made this true - crime account a must - read. And of course, Thomas Harris, who wrote 'The Silence of the Lambs' and created the iconic characters of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling.

For beginners, 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle (while he's British, it has influenced a lot of US crime writing). It has simple yet engaging mystery stories. Also, 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain. It's a relatively short and easy - to - follow noir - ish crime story. And 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee has elements of crime as it deals with a false accusation and a trial in a small Southern town in the US.

Well, there are many. 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane is a gripping crime novel set in a working - class neighborhood. It deals with themes of friendship, guilt, and revenge. 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis is a disturbing yet thought - provoking look at the mind of a serial killer in the corporate world of the US. And 'True Grit' by Charles Portis is a classic that has elements of crime and the pursuit of justice in the Old West.

James Patterson is a very famous author of US crime novels. He has written numerous best - sellers with his fast - paced plots and engaging characters. Another is Patricia Cornwell. Her 'Kay Scarpetta' series is highly regarded in the crime fiction genre. And Michael Connelly is well - known for his detective novels, especially those featuring Harry Bosch.

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.

The opioid epidemic has been a major crime - related story in the US. It involves illegal drug trafficking on a large scale, which has led to many deaths and social problems. Gang - related crimes in big cities are also among the top stories. These gangs are involved in activities like robbery, drug dealing, and territorial disputes. Additionally, cybercrime has been on the rise, with hacking incidents and identity theft being significant concerns.

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.