You should also check out 'City of Thieves' by David Benioff. It's set during a war - torn city, and while it may not be a traditional urban crime novel in the sense, it has elements of crime and a great deal of action and mystery that make it a great read for those who like this genre.
One underrated gem is 'The Friends of Eddie Coyle' by George V. Higgins. It offers a really authentic look at the criminal underworld in Boston. The dialogue is sharp and really brings the characters to life.
Another hidden gem could be 'Christmas Crimes at Castle Court' by Elizabeth Kane. This book focuses on a series of thefts and a possible murder in an old castle during Christmas. The descriptions of the castle and the Christmas festivities within it are really vivid.
One of the most underrated crime novels is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It's set in 1896 New York City and follows a team investigating a serial killer. The detailed historical setting and complex characters make it a great read. Another is 'Gone, Baby, Gone' by Dennis Lehane. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly of a neighborhood while exploring moral and ethical issues related to a missing child case. Also, 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is often overlooked. It has a simple yet gripping story of passion and murder that was quite revolutionary for its time.
One underrated gem is 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It has a really unique take on a future where the virtual world and the real world are intertwined in interesting ways. Another is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It weaves together multiple storylines in a complex and engaging science - fictional universe.
Sure. 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley is an underrated gem. It features an African - American detective in post - World War II Los Angeles, dealing with racial and social issues along with crime. Another one is 'The Black Dahlia' by James Ellroy. It's based on a real - life unsolved crime and has a very noir - ish feel to it.
Well, 'Wolf's Rain' is an underrated one. It tells the story of wolves who are on a journey to find Paradise. It has a complex plot filled with themes of survival, loyalty, and the search for a better place. The art style is beautiful, and the story is both heart - breaking and inspiring at times.
Well, 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt can be considered a crime novel in a sense. It's about a group of students who get involved in a murder. It's not always thought of as a traditional crime novel, but it's really good. 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle is sometimes overlooked among his works. It has that classic mystery feel with the spooky moors and the menacing hound. Also, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson was underrated before it became a huge hit. The complex mystery and the unique character of Lisbeth Salander make it a great read.
One underrated Stephen King novel is 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon'. It's a story about a young girl who gets lost in the woods and imagines that baseball player Tom Gordon is with her to keep her company. It has a unique blend of psychological horror and a sense of adventure. The way King describes the girl's isolation and her struggle to survive in the woods is really engaging.
Sure. 'The Iron Druid Chronicles' by Kevin Hearne is somewhat underrated. It features Atticus O'Sullivan, the last of the Druids, living in modern - day Arizona. The series has a great mix of humor, mythology, and urban fantasy elements.
The Hall - Mills murder case is another underrated one. In 1922, the bodies of an Episcopal priest, Edward Wheeler Hall, and his choir singer mistress, Eleanor Mills, were found in a field in New Jersey. The case was full of scandal as it involved adultery and a church cover - up. There were many suspects, including the priest's wife. The trial that followed was a media circus, but over time, the case has faded from the public consciousness compared to more well - known true crime stories.
One of the top underrated true crime stories is the case of the Black Dahlia. It happened in 1947 in Los Angeles. Elizabeth Short was brutally murdered and her body was found cut in half and posed in a grotesque manner. It was a highly publicized case at the time, but over the years, it has become somewhat underrated compared to other more 'glamorous' true crime tales. There are still many mysteries surrounding it, like who the killer was. The police had numerous suspects but never made a conclusive arrest.