Raymond Chandler is also famous. He created the iconic detective Philip Marlowe. His writing style is very distinct, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue. For example, in 'Farewell, My Lovely', Chandler shows his mastery of the mystery genre.
Dashiell Hammett is a very well - known author. His works, like 'The Thin Man', are known for their gritty and realistic portrayal of crime and detection.
Edgar Allan Poe can also be considered an early contributor to American mystery. His short stories, such as 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', were some of the first to explore the elements of mystery and detective work in American literature.
James M. Cain is also renowned. His novel 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' is a classic noir story. It involves a love triangle and a murder plot that unfolds in a very noir - like, morally ambiguous way.
Mark Twain is one of them. His 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' is a classic. It's a great exploration of a boy's journey and the social issues of the time, like slavery. Another is F. Scott Fitzgerald. He wrote 'The Great Gatsby', which is famous for its portrayal of the Jazz Age and the wealthy society. Also, Harper Lee with 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Her novel is very important for its treatment of racial injustice in the South.
Phil Rickman is another author known for his Cornish - related mystery works. His books often blend elements of the supernatural with traditional mystery plots, all set against the backdrop of Cornwall. For example, his [book name] series that features a detective dealing with strange happenings in Cornish locations.
Well, Patricia Highsmith is an important name. Her books, such as 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', are full of psychological depth and mystery. Then there's Michael Connelly, whose detective Harry Bosch series has a lot of fans. His novels are gritty and full of suspense. Also, Gillian Flynn has made a name for herself with books like 'Sharp Objects' and 'Dark Places' in the thriller mystery genre.
Jeffery Deaver is a well - known author in this genre. He has written many forensic mystery novels like 'The Bone Collector' which is full of suspense and intricate forensic details. Another is Patricia Cornwell. Her Kay Scarpetta series, starting with 'Postmortem', has made her a prominent figure in forensic mystery writing. And Tess Gerritsen is also well - known for her novels such as 'The Mephisto Club' which often involve forensic science in solving crimes.
There are other authors too. Some emerging writers are starting to explore the Nantucket mystery genre. They bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the table, adding to the diversity of Nantucket mystery novels.
John Grisham is very well - known. He has written many lawyer mystery novels like 'The Firm' and 'A Time to Kill'. Scott Turow is also famous for his works such as 'Presumed Innocent'. Michael Connelly with his 'The Lincoln Lawyer' is another well - known author in this genre.
Herman Melville is famous for 'Moby - Dick' which has elements of maritime mystery. Jack London, who wrote 'The Sea - Wolf', also belongs to this group. And Katherine Anne Porter for 'Ship of Fools' which has some mystery related to a ship journey.
Some well - known authors of mystery novels include Ruth Ware. Her works often feature isolated settings and a sense of creeping dread. Tana French is also highly regarded. Her Dublin Murder Squad series is excellent, exploring different characters within the squad in each book. And then there's Sue Grafton. She wrote the 'alphabet series' of mystery novels, which were very popular for their engaging storylines and strong female lead characters.
John Grisham is a very well - known author of courtroom mystery novels. He has written many best - selling books like 'The Firm' and 'A Time to Kill'. Another one is Scott Turow, who wrote 'Presumed Innocent'. His works often deal with complex legal and moral issues within the courtroom setting.