In the list of top ten British crime novels, 'Atonement' by Ian McEwan can be considered. It has elements of crime and the consequences of false accusations. 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt is another, which is about a group of students involved in a murder. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, while an American author, had a huge influence on British crime writing and is often included in discussions of great crime novels. It features the hard - boiled detective Philip Marlowe.
Some of the well - known ones could be 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes solving a mystery in the moors. Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has elements of mystery and crime within its gothic story. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also a classic, with its complex spy - related plot.
Some of the top ten British novels could include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in a witty and engaging way. Another might be '1984' by George Orwell, which is a dystopian novel that warns about totalitarianism. 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte is also often considered a great British novel, with its strong female protagonist and exploration of love and self - discovery.
Another one is 'The Secret History'. It tells the story of a group of students at an elite college who get involved in a murder. It's a dark exploration of human nature. 'The Big Sleep' is a noir - ish crime novel with Philip Marlowe as the detective. It has a complex plot full of double - crosses and seedy characters that set the standard for many crime novels to come.
One of the top British crime novels is 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a mystery involving a supernatural hound on the moors. Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It has elements of mystery and psychological thriller as the unnamed narrator tries to uncover the secrets of her husband's first wife. And 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also highly regarded, with its complex plot about espionage and the search for a mole within the British intelligence service.
The settings are diverse. Some are set in big cities like London, with their seedy underbellies explored. Others might be in small villages where everyone seems to have a secret. Also, the characters are well - developed. You get to see the detectives' thought processes, their flaws and their determination to solve the crimes. The novels also often touch on social issues of the time, like class differences or moral decay.
Some of the top ten classic British novels could include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which is famous for its exploration of love and marriage in 19th - century England. Another is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, a story of a strong - willed governess. '1984' by George Orwell is also a classic, depicting a dystopian future.
The 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding is among them. It shows how quickly civilization can break down when a group of boys are stranded on an island. 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte is another great one. The passionate and often destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine is a central and unforgettable part of the story. And 'David Copperfield' by Charles Dickens, which is a semi - autobiographical novel that gives a vivid picture of Victorian England.
Well, 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is often considered among the top crime novels. It features the iconic detective Philip Marlowe. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is also a popular one. It has a complex mystery and a unique female lead. Then there's 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes' deductive reasoning is fascinating and has influenced many crime novels.
Many of them have complex characters. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet is a strong - willed and intelligent character. The settings are often vivid, like the moors in 'Wuthering Heights'.
One of the top crime mystery novels is 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson solving various complex cases. Another is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, a classic where ten people are mysteriously murdered on an isolated island. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is also popular, with its complex plot involving a journalist and a hacker investigating a decades - old disappearance.
Some of the well - known ones could be 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. It's a classic that delved deep into a real - life murder case.