One well - known writer is Agatha Christie. Her crime novels like 'Murder on the Orient Express' are extremely popular. She was a master at creating complex mysteries and memorable characters.
Thomas Harris is also famous for his crime novels. His 'The Silence of the Lambs' is a classic in the genre. Harris is great at delving into the minds of both the detectives and the criminals, creating a tense and often terrifying atmosphere.
Another is James Patterson. He has written a large number of crime novels with fast - paced plots. His Alex Cross series, for example, has been widely read. Patterson is known for his ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats with his thrilling stories.
One well - known writer for crime novels is Agatha Christie. Her works like 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'And Then There Were None' are masterpieces. She is famous for her intricate plots and the way she creates suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Mario Puzo is a very famous writer known for mafia crime novels. His 'The Godfather' is a classic in this genre. It delved deep into the world of the mafia, exploring family, power, and loyalty within the criminal underworld.
Then there's Henning Mankell. His Kurt Wallander series is set in Sweden. Wallander is a complex and often troubled detective who has to deal with a variety of crimes in his small town and beyond. His stories often explore the darker side of human nature in the context of crime.
Among the crime writers in detective fiction, Patricia Highsmith is notable. Her books often explore the psychology of criminals in a very unique way. For example, in 'Strangers on a Train', she delved deep into the minds of her characters. Additionally, Sue Grafton was a great crime writer. Her 'alphabet series' starting with 'A is for Alibi' was very popular, with strong female characters and engaging detective plots.
Writers of crime novels often have a knack for creating suspense. They keep the readers guessing about who the culprit is until the very end. For example, in many of Patricia Cornwell's novels, she drops little clues here and there that make you suspect different characters throughout the story.
One of the great crime novels from the Crime Writers Association's best might be 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. This novel is famous for its terrifying and brilliant character, Hannibal Lecter. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Lecter while she tries to solve serial murders is extremely engaging. There are also deep psychological elements in the story.
Mario Puzo is a well - known writer for his mafia novels. His most famous work is 'The Godfather', which has been extremely influential in depicting the mafia world. It not only shows the power struggles, family dynamics, and codes of honor within the mafia but also became a cultural phenomenon, spawning successful movies.
Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep' is a classic crime novel. It has a hard - boiled detective, Philip Marlowe, who navigates the seedy underworld of Los Angeles while trying to solve a case involving blackmail and murder. The novel is known for its gritty atmosphere and Chandler's sharp writing style.
One of the well - known 1994 crime novels could be 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It's set in 1896 New York and follows a psychologist (the alienist) and a detective as they hunt a serial killer. The detailed historical setting and complex characters make it a great read.
One more writer is Don Winslow. His works sometimes touch on the mafia world. For example, his books are known for their complex characters and intricate plots that involve elements of organized crime.