I really like 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's not just a crime story but also a deep exploration of a relationship. The unreliable narrators add to the mystery and the story's dark and unexpected turns make it a great read in the crime fiction genre.
Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a classic. It features the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The confined setting of the train and the numerous suspects create an intricate web of mystery that Christie expertly unravels.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and a unique protagonist. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn which has a really twisted plot. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is also among them, as it's a non - fictional crime story that reads like a thriller.
Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a classic. It's set on a train and has a brilliant detective, Hercule Poirot. Christie weaves a web of lies and clues among the diverse group of passengers, making it a must - read for crime fiction lovers. The way she reveals the solution at the end is both surprising and satisfying.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and dark secrets. The character of Lisbeth Salander is extremely captivating.
Arnaldur Indriðason's 'Reykjavík Murder Mystery' series is among the top. Set in Iceland, it provides a unique backdrop with its cold and sometimes desolate landscapes, adding to the overall mood of the crime stories.
Well, 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones also had elements of crime fiction in it. It dealt with the unjust imprisonment of a man, which is like a crime in itself in the context of the story. It explored the relationship between the man, his wife, and how their lives were turned upside down by this unjust situation.
One of the best fiction gangster books is 'A Rage in Harlem' by Chester Himes. It has a great blend of humor and the dark world of gangsters in Harlem. 'True Grit' by Charles Portis also has elements of the old - west gangster - like outlaws. And 'The Getaway' by Jim Thompson is a tense and exciting read about a criminal couple on the run from the law and their gangster associates.
If you're just starting out, 'The Cat Who...' series by Lilian Jackson Braun is quite nice. It has a cozy mystery feel, with a journalist and his cat solving crimes in a small town. It's not overly intense. 'Encyclopedia Brown' books are also great for beginners. These short stories feature a boy detective solving simple mysteries, which can help you get used to the genre. 'The Body in the Library' by Agatha Christie is a good pick too. It has a classic Christie mystery setup with a dead body and a bunch of suspects, and the plot is easy to follow.
I think 'The Silence of the Lambs' is among the best. It has the iconic character Hannibal Lecter. The way the author, Thomas Harris, weaves the story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling trying to catch a serial killer with the help of Lecter is both terrifying and fascinating. Then there's 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn. It's a dark and disturbing story about a journalist who returns to her hometown to cover a murder, only to find herself entangled in her own past traumas.
Well, 'Sherlock Holmes' collections are among the best - selling crime fiction. The character of Sherlock Holmes has been so iconic for over a century. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' also sold extremely well. It has a dark and gritty story set in Sweden that appealed to a wide audience. Also, books by Agatha Christie like 'Murder on the Orient Express' have been best - sellers for decades.
One of the best is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a classic that really delved into the world of cyberpunk and cyber crime early on, with its complex plot involving hackers and corporate intrigue in a high - tech future.