One of the great free crime fiction works is 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's available for free in many digital libraries. Another is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson which has elements of crime and mystery.
Jo Nesbø's 'Harry Hole' series is among the top Scandinavian crime fictions. Nesbø creates a dark and gritty atmosphere in Oslo, Norway. Harry Hole is a flawed but brilliant detective. For example, in 'The Snowman', Hole is on the hunt for a serial killer who leaves a snowman at each crime scene. Also, Karin Fossum's works are great. Her books often explore the psychological aspects of crime and the criminals' motives.
Andrea Camilleri's 'Inspector Montalbano' series is also highly regarded. These books offer engaging crime stories set in Sicily, with a vivid portrayal of the local culture and a complex, likable protagonist.
There's 'Mercy' by Jussi Adler - Olsen as well. It's part of the Department Q series. The story is engaging as it delves deep into the past and present of the characters and the crimes they are trying to solve. Also, 'Those Who Kill' by Elsebeth Egholm is a great example of Danish crime fiction. It has an interesting plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its psychological twists.
Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series is also great. These books follow the Swedish detective Kurt Wallander as he solves various crimes. Mankell does an excellent job of portraying the detective's personal struggles along with the intricate crime plots. The settings in Sweden add a unique atmosphere to the stories.
Some excellent Japanese crime fiction includes 'Coin Locker Babies' by Ryu Murakami. It tells a dark and strange story of two boys abandoned in coin lockers. Then there's 'In the Miso Soup' by Ryu Murakami as well. It's a disturbing yet captivating read that takes place in Tokyo's seedy underworld. 'The Informer' by Sho - she - Tanaka is also worth mentioning for its unique take on crime and the criminal underworld.
There are many great works. Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' series is also a notable one. The series delves deep into the character of Rebus, a complex detective, and the dark and gritty side of Edinburgh. The stories are filled with mystery, suspense, and a great sense of place which is what makes it a great piece of crime fiction as recommended by The Guardian perhaps.
One of the well - known ones is 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. Although it's not a traditional crime novel in the pure sense, it contains elements of a dystopian society where many crimes against humanity occur. Another great work could be works by Louise Penny. Her Inspector Gamache series is very popular in the Canadian crime fiction genre.
One of the best is 'The Rebus Series' by Ian Rankin. His complex characters and gritty portrayal of Edinburgh make it a classic. Another great one is 'Tartan Noir' which is a sub - genre within Scottish crime fiction known for its dark and often complex storylines.
Arturo Pérez - Reverte is also well - known. His novel 'The Flanders Panel' is a masterpiece. It combines art, history, and crime in a very unique way. Set in the world of art restoration, a mystery unfolds as the characters try to decipher the secrets hidden within a Flemish painting. His writing is so detailed that it makes you feel like you are part of the investigation. He has a way of creating an atmosphere that is both mysterious and engaging, making his works stand out in Spanish crime fiction.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. Although Larsson was Swedish, the Millennium series has had a huge impact on modern crime fiction, and it has been widely read in the British context as well. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its complex characters and plot twists. And 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by J.K. Rowling (writing as Robert Galbraith) is also excellent. It features a private detective, Cormoran Strike, and has all the elements of a great British crime story - mystery, intrigue, and a touch of class.