Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' is a classic. It's set on an isolated island and the characters start getting killed off one by one in a really mysterious way. Christie is a master of creating complex plots and unexpected twists.
One of the best is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It has elements of mystery and crime within its Gothic story. The sense of unease and the mystery surrounding the first Mrs. de Winter is really engaging.
Tartt's 'The Secret History' is also a great UK crime - related novel. It's about a group of students at an elite college who get involved in a murder. The novel delves deep into the psychology of the characters, their relationships, and how they deal with the aftermath of the crime.
One of the best Hollywood crime novels is 'L.A. Confidential' by James Ellroy. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles in the 1950s, with complex characters and a convoluted plot full of corruption, sex, and murder. The characters, like Detective Exley, are multi - dimensional and the story weaves through different layers of Hollywood glamour and crime.
One of the UK's best crime novels is 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). It features a private detective, Cormoran Strike, investigating the death of a supermodel. Another great one is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has elements of mystery and crime in a gothic setting. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is also a classic, with a group of people on an island being killed off one by one in a most mysterious way.
Well, 'Still Midnight' by Denise Mina is also excellent. It features a strong female detective and delves deep into the seedy underbelly of Glasgow, with great character development and a thrilling mystery.
Agatha Christie's works are also top - notch. For example, 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Her books are known for their intricate plots, multiple suspects, and unexpected twists. Christie is a master at creating suspense and mystery within the UK setting.
Another great one is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. Set in 1896 New York, it follows a team of investigators trying to solve a series of grisly murders. It has a great atmosphere, with the seedy underbelly of the city and the emerging field of criminal psychology playing important roles.
One must - read is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex plot full of mystery and intrigue. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a really twisted storyline that keeps you guessing. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a classic that is based on a real - life crime and is very well - written.
One of the best is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery involving a decades - old disappearance, a troubled journalist, and a brilliant but damaged hacker. The story is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
One great alternate reality novel is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. It presents an alternate world where the Axis powers won World War II. Another is 'Neverwhere' by Neil Gaiman, which takes readers into a hidden, magical London beneath the real one. And 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut also has elements of alternate reality as it jumps through time and different planes of existence.
Well, 'Anna and the French Kiss' by Stephanie Perkins is a popular choice. It's about an American girl named Anna who goes to a boarding school in Paris. There, she meets Étienne St. Clair, and they start off as friends but soon develop deeper feelings. It's full of the charm of Paris and the excitement of first love. Then there's 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' which has a great teen romance in it as well. Simon is a gay teen, and his story of finding love while dealing with the challenges of coming out in high school is really engaging. And don't forget 'Dumplin'' by Julie Murphy. While it has many themes, the romance between Willowdean and Bo is really sweet.
One of the great 2023 fiction books is 'Trust'. It offers a complex exploration of power, wealth, and relationships through multiple perspectives. Another is 'Demon Copperhead' which is a modern take on 'David Copperfield' and tells a powerful story of a boy's struggle in Appalachia. And 'The Covenant of Water' is also notable for its beautiful storytelling about family across generations.