One of the well - known Los Angeles novels is 'The Day of the Locust' by Nathanael West. It offers a searing look at Hollywood and the dreams and disillusionment in Los Angeles.
Raymond Chandler's detective novels, like 'The Big Sleep', are set in Los Angeles. His works give a gritty view of the city's underbelly, with his iconic detective Philip Marlowe navigating the mean streets of LA. These novels are not only great detective stories but also provide a vivid portrait of the city in that era.
Another great one is 'L.A. Requiem' by Robert Crais. It has a complex detective character named Elvis Cole. The novel delves deep into the criminal world of Los Angeles and has a really engaging plot with lots of twists and turns.
Yes, 'Ask the Dust'. It has that sense of the Los Angeles area, including East LA. The descriptions of the city and the people in it give you an idea of what life was like back then in that part of the city.
Sure. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic Los Angeles Noir novel. It features detective Philip Marlowe and is filled with the seedy underbelly of LA.
I'd recommend 'City of Quartz' by Mike Davis too. Although it's not a traditional crime novel in the sense of a detective story, it delves deep into the social and political problems in Los Angeles which are often related to crime. It gives a broader context to understanding the crime - ridden aspects of the city.
Sure. 'The Big Nowhere' by James Ellroy is set in Los Angeles and is a great read. It has a complex plot with lots of noir elements.
Another famous novel might be 'Always Running' by Luis J. Rodriguez. This novel delves deep into the life in the barrios of East Los Angeles. It's a memoir - like novel that shows the harsh realities of growing up in a tough neighborhood, dealing with gangs, poverty, and the search for identity and a better life.
I'd recommend 'City of Quartz'. It's not as complex as some others and it gives a good overview of Los Angeles which is important in understanding the context of many mystery novels set there. Also, 'The Black Dahlia' is quite accessible. It has a strong central mystery based on a real event, which can draw in new readers to the genre of LA mystery novels.
Michael Connelly's 'The Concrete Blonde' is excellent. His detective Harry Bosch investigates a case in LA. The story is filled with twists and turns, and Bosch is a very well - developed character that you can't help but be drawn to.
One of the great Los Angeles crime novels is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It's a classic that features the iconic detective Philip Marlowe and is filled with the seedy underbelly of LA in the 1930s. Another is 'L.A. Requiem' by Robert Crais. It has a complex plot and engaging characters. And 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley is also excellent. It gives a great look at the African - American experience in LA during the 1940s.
Yes, 'White Jazz' by James Ellroy is also in this category. It continues Ellroy's exploration of the corrupt L.A. police world. The novel is filled with Ellroy's signature hard - boiled style, with a protagonist who is deeply involved in the corruption and vice within the police force. The story is complex and engaging, showing the power struggles and immoral actions within the department.