I would say 'The Black Ice' by Michael Connelly. The story is set in Los Angeles but has that hard - boiled detective feel that can be associated with NYPD stories. The protagonist's search for the truth in a complex web of corruption and crime is really thrilling. It's a great example of a detective novel with a strong plot and well - developed characters.
Well, 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane is really good. It delves deep into the lives of the characters, who are affected by a tragic event in their past. The detective work is intertwined with the emotional journey of the characters, making it a very engaging novel. It shows how the NYPD detective has to navigate through personal relationships while solving the case.
Another excellent choice is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. Although it's set in Sweden, it has a similar feel with a tenacious investigator. The complex mystery and the strong, unique characters really draw you in.
One of the best NYPD novels is 'The Blackboard Jungle' by Evan Hunter. It gives a vivid look into the life in an inner - city school and the challenges faced by NYPD in dealing with the youth in that area.
Definitely 'Mystic River'. The story grips you from the start. You feel for the characters as they deal with the aftermath of a murder. It shows how past traumas can resurface in unexpected ways. The detective's search for the truth is both a physical and emotional journey.
'The Snowman' by Jo Nesbø is also highly regarded. The detective Harry Hole has to track down a serial killer who leaves behind snowmen at the crime scenes. Nesbø's writing is gripping, and he creates a very tense and cold - feeling atmosphere throughout the novel, which adds to the overall sense of mystery and danger.
One popular nypd detective novel is 'The Bone Collector' by Jeffery Deaver. It features a brilliant detective solving complex crimes.
Boris Akunin's 'Erast Fandorin' series is also highly regarded. These novels are set in different historical periods of Russia. Fandorin is a very intelligent and resourceful detective. Akunin's writing combines mystery, adventure, and historical details. His books are full of twists and turns, which keep the readers on their toes.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' series can also be considered among the best. Holmes, with his brilliant deductive reasoning, has become an iconic detective. Each story in the series presents a unique mystery for him to solve, and the way he pieces together the clues is fascinating. For example, in 'A Study in Scarlet', we see how he starts his detective career and his unique approach to solving crimes.
Some of the best would be 'Detective Comics #27'. It's the first appearance of Batman and already shows his detective nature as he goes after criminals. 'The Man Who Laughs' is also a good one. Batman has to stop the Joker's early reign of terror and uses his detective skills to track him down. These stories are important in the Batman detective story canon.
One of the top noir detective novels is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its hard - boiled detective Sam Spade and the complex search for a valuable statuette. Another great one is 'Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep'. It features Philip Marlowe and has a convoluted plot full of mystery and crime in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Then there's 'Laura' by Vera Caspary, which has a unique narrative structure and a great sense of atmosphere.
Jeffery Deaver is a well - known author. His works often feature nypd detectives in intense and thrilling scenarios.