Well - developed characters are also important. In 'Sherlock Holmes' stories, Holmes' unique personality and his relationship with Watson make the stories more appealing. These characters can be detectives, criminals or bystanders, and their motives and actions drive the story forward.
Most top selling crime fiction books have a strong and engaging plot. For example, books like 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' have a complex mystery that draws readers in.
Many of the top - selling 2017 fiction books had strong themes. For example, books like 'The Handmaid's Tale' had themes of female oppression and resistance. They also had engaging characters. In 'Big Little Lies', the complex and flawed characters made the story interesting. And most of them were well - written, with good pacing and descriptive language.
Top selling historical fiction books often have vivid descriptions of the time period. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett describes 12th - century England in great detail, from the architecture to the social hierarchies. They also usually have engaging characters. In 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara is a very complex and memorable character. Another characteristic is that they can make history come alive. 'All the Light We Cannot See' does this by showing the experiences of people during World War II in a very personal way.
One characteristic is that they often have relatable characters. For example, in 'Where the Crawdads Sing', Kya is a character that many can empathize with as she faces isolation and the challenges of growing up alone.
Well, often they have strong and relatable characters. Readers can identify with the characters' struggles and joys in terms of their sexual identity.
Characteristics of top rated crime fiction include suspense. Take 'And Then There Were None' for instance, the suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Another is the exploration of human nature. In 'Crime and Punishment', we see the inner turmoil of the criminal. And the use of clues is crucial. In 'The Maltese Falcon', the search for the falcon is filled with clues that the reader can follow along, making it an exciting read.
Some of the top selling crime fiction novels include 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It's full of mystery and conspiracy, which attracted a large number of readers all over the world. The complex plot and the combination of art history and crime-solving elements made it extremely popular.
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 - selling crime fiction books is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It combines mystery, art history, and a thrilling chase.
Another popular one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. This book is full of twists and turns. The characters are complex, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat as it unfolds the mystery of a missing woman and the secrets in her marriage.
Well, 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama, though it's a memoir, had elements that were very fictional - like the way she told stories about her life. It was a best - seller in 2019. In the realm of pure fiction, 'The Institute' by Stephen King was also among the top selling. It had King's signature horror and mystery elements, and the story about a secret institute and the children there was really engaging.