'The Girl in the Green Raincoat' by Laura Lippman is also a notable one. Although Lippman is known for her Baltimore - set novels, this one has a distinct Chicago - like atmosphere in terms of the mood of the crime and the detective work involved.
One popular Chicago crime novel is 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson. It weaves together the true story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the serial killer H. H. Holmes who preyed on visitors. Another is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' which has some of its story set in Chicago's seedy underworld. And 'Gone Girl' also has elements of mystery and crime that can be related to the dark side of Chicago in a sense.
Sure. 'The Axeman's Jazz' by Ray Celestin is a great Chicago crime novel. It's set in the 1920s and is full of jazz, mystery and a serial killer known as the Axeman.
One of the best Chicago novels is 'The Adventures of Augie March' by Saul Bellow. It offers a vivid portrait of Chicago life through the eyes of its protagonist. Another great one is 'Native Son' by Richard Wright, which delves deep into themes of race and poverty in the city. And 'The Time of Our Singing' by Richard Powers also stands out as it weaves together various aspects of Chicago's history and culture.
Sara Paretsky is a well - known author of Chicago crime novels. Her V. I. Warshawski series is set in Chicago and follows the adventures of a female private investigator. Another famous author is Max Allan Collins. He has written numerous crime novels with Chicago settings, often delving into the city's criminal past and present.
One of the top crime stories in Chicago might be the high rate of gang - related shootings. Gangs often fight over territory, drugs, or personal vendettas, leading to numerous shootings in certain neighborhoods.
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.
One of the 2016 best crime novels could be 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It has a great mystery around the main character's observations and the disappearance she witnesses. Another might be 'Before the Fall' by Noah Hawley which has an interesting take on a plane crash and the secrets that unfold from it. And 'IQ' by Joe Ide is also great. It features a modern - day Sherlock - like character solving crimes in the tough neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
One of the best crime novels is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It has a chilling and complex plot with the character of Hannibal Lecter being both fascinating and terrifying. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps you guessing throughout with its twists and turns regarding a missing woman and her husband's possible involvement. Also, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is a top pick. It combines a dark mystery with a strong, unique female lead.
One of the best crime novels is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the brilliant and terrifying character Hannibal Lecter. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, with its complex plot full of twists. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is also a classic, with a very suspenseful mystery on an isolated island.
Well, in 2019, 'The Silent Patient' stood out among the best crime novels. The story revolves around a woman who has killed her husband and then stops speaking. It's a psychological thriller that dives deep into the human mind. 'The Giver of Stars' is also great. It's about a group of women in Kentucky who start a traveling library, but there are crimes and secrets lurking. And don't forget 'The Chestnut Man' which is filled with mystery and a series of grisly murders.