'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is also great. It takes place in 1896 New York. It's about a psychologist (the alienist) who tries to solve a series of grisly murders. It gives a really interesting look at the criminal psychology of the time as well as the social conditions in the city.
Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' can be considered a historical crime novel. Set in the 1930s, it features the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The confined setting of the train and the diverse cast of characters make for a very engaging mystery, and Christie was a master at creating suspense.
Another great one is 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith. It's set in the Soviet Union and follows the investigation of a triple murder in Moscow. The story gives a great insight into the Soviet society at that time while being a gripping crime tale.
For beginners, 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is a good choice. It's set in 1865 Boston and involves a group of Dante scholars who find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery that has connections to Dante's works. It's an easy read with interesting historical and literary references.
One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and features a complex mystery with religious and philosophical undertones. Another great one is 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith. It takes place in Soviet Russia and offers a thrilling detective story against the backdrop of the Cold War. And 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is also excellent. It's set in 1896 New York and shows the early days of criminal profiling.
One of the best true crime novels is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. It's a classic that delves into the brutal murders of a Kansas family. Another great one is 'Helter Skelter' which details the Manson Family murders. And 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson is also highly regarded as it combines the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the serial killings of H. H. Holmes.
There's also 'Such a Fun Age' by Kiley Reid. While it's not a traditional crime novel in the sense of a detective chasing a murderer, it deals with issues of race and privilege in a story that has elements of a crime - like false accusations and the consequences of misunderstandings.
John le Carré is a famous name. His 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' is a masterful work in the realm of historical crime, especially in the context of the Cold War. Thomas Harris, with 'The Silence of the Lambs', also has a place here. He created a terrifying and memorable serial killer story that has elements of historical crime investigation. And Dashiell Hammett, whose works like 'The Maltese Falcon' set the tone for hard - boiled detective stories in a historical American setting.
Some good historical crime novels include 'The Hangman's Daughter' by Oliver Pötzsch. It's set in 17th - century Bavaria and tells the story of a hangman's daughter who gets involved in solving a crime. 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' by Iain Pears is also popular. It's set in 17th - century Oxford and features multiple narrators and a complex web of mystery and intrigue.
Some of the best crime novels include 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and a unique heroine. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which is full of twists and turns. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a classic that delves deep into a real - life crime.
Some of the 2021 best crime novels could be 'The Night She Disappeared' by Lisa Jewell. It has a gripping plot with mystery and suspense that keeps readers on their toes.
The best 2020 crime novels include 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig. It's a bit different as it combines elements of mystery with a more philosophical exploration. Then there's 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' by V. E. Schwab. While not a traditional crime novel, it has some mystery elements and a very engaging story about a woman who makes a deal and has to live with the consequences. Also, 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia is great. It has a spooky and mysterious setting in an old mansion in Mexico and some dark family secrets.