A key characteristic is the atmosphere. It's often filled with a sense of foreboding and danger. There could be a lot of rain, fog, or dimly lit places. This helps to create a mood that is both alluring and a bit scary. In many noir novels, the city itself seems like a character, with its own secrets and hidden corners waiting to be explored.
Sure. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic English noir novel. It features a private detective, Philip Marlowe, and is full of mystery and complex characters.
Neo noir novels often incorporate more modern themes and settings. For example, they might be set in a contemporary urban landscape rather than the post - war era typical of traditional noir.
One of the top 10 noir novels could be 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain as well. It's a story full of passion, betrayal and murder. Then there's 'Out of the Past' by Geoffrey Homes, which has a great sense of atmosphere and a complex plot with a private detective at the center.
Noir novels often feature a dark and cynical tone. They typically involve complex, morally ambiguous characters. The settings are usually gritty urban environments, like the seedy underbelly of a big city. There's a sense of impending doom and a lot of focus on crime, corruption, and the darker aspects of human nature.
Some American noir novels to recommend are 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane. It's about three childhood friends whose lives are forever changed when a young girl is murdered in their neighborhood. 'Chinatown' by Robert Towne is another good one. It captures the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the Chinatown area in a big city, with a complex story of corruption and family secrets. And 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson is a disturbing but brilliant noir novel that gives an inside look at the mind of a deranged killer.
One of the well - known ones could be 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters and a convoluted plot centered around a valuable statuette.
Modern fantasy noir novels often incorporate elements of the supernatural or magic. For instance, in a traditional noir novel, the mystery might be centered around a crime in a normal, urban setting. But in a modern fantasy noir, like 'The Dresden Files', there could be a werewolf or a vampire involved in the crime.
A great noir graphic novel is 'Criminal' by Ed Brubaker. It focuses on the lives of criminals and those on the fringes of society. The stories are often full of betrayal, greed, and the consequences of bad choices. 'The Boys' also has noir elements, showing a darker side of superheroes. 'Transmetropolitan' is another, with its cynical view of the future and a main character who is a sort of noir - inspired journalist in a strange world.
One of the well - known ones is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and strong female lead. Another is Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series, which delves deep into the mind of the detective Kurt Wallander as he solves various crimes in Sweden. Also, Jo Nesbø's 'Harry Hole' series is quite popular, with its dark and gritty portrayal of crime in Norway.