best crime novels to read

One great Christmas crime novel is 'Silent Night' by Mary Higgins Clark. It combines the festive season with mystery and suspense. The setting during Christmas adds an interesting backdrop to the crimes that unfold in the story.

One must - read is 'Kaalam'. It's a brilliant crime thriller that takes you through a journey of mystery and suspense. The plot is well - crafted and the characters are believable. Another is 'Undaunted: Save the Pearls Bhagavad - Gita'. It's full of action and crime - related elements that will keep you hooked. And 'Vazhakku Enn 18/9' is also great. It shows real - life crime scenarios in a very impactful way.

There are several great crime novels. 'The Snowman' by Jo Nesbø is a thrilling read. It has a complex plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat during Easter. Also, 'Don't Look Back' by Karin Fossum is excellent. Her novels often explore the darker side of human nature, which can be an interesting read during the reflective time of Easter. Additionally, Gunnar Staalesen's Varg Veum series offers a gritty look at Norwegian crime, which could be perfect for Easter reading.

One of the best Hollywood crime novels is 'L.A. Confidential' by James Ellroy. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles in the 1950s, with complex characters and a convoluted plot full of corruption, sex, and murder. The characters, like Detective Exley, are multi - dimensional and the story weaves through different layers of Hollywood glamour and crime.

One of the best Scandi crime fictions is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot with a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander. The story delves deep into dark family secrets and financial corruption in Sweden.

One great crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. It has a complex plot full of mystery and a strong female lead. The way the author weaves together different storylines keeps you on the edge of your seat. Another good one is 'Gone Girl'. It plays with the readers' expectations and has a very unique narrative structure.

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 must - read is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and intrigue. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a really twisted storyline that keeps you guessing. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a classic that is based on a real - life crime and is very well - written.

A top pick in the best fiction gangster books is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. This noir classic features Sam Spade, a private detective who gets entangled with gangsters while on the hunt for a valuable statue. Then there's 'American Tabloid' by James Ellroy. It weaves together multiple storylines of gangsters, cops, and the seedy underbelly of American society in the 1960s. Also, 'White Jazz' by the same author is a great read for those interested in fictional gangster tales.