One of the best is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the brilliant and terrifying Hannibal Lecter and the strong female protagonist, Clarice Starling. The psychological depth and the cat - and - mouse game between the characters make it a classic in the police crime genre.
Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's not a traditional police - centered crime novel at first, but as the story unfolds, the police investigation becomes a crucial part. The complex relationship between the two main characters and the many twists in the plot keep readers on the edge of their seats.
One popular police crime novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. It has a complex plot involving a journalist and a hacker girl investigating a decades - old disappearance. Another is 'Silence of the Lambs', which features the iconic character Hannibal Lecter and an FBI trainee trying to catch a serial killer. 'Gone Girl' is also well - known, with a story full of twists and turns about a missing woman.
One popular British police crime novel is 'Inspector Morse' series by Colin Dexter. It features the brilliant and complex character of Inspector Morse as he solves various crimes in Oxford. Another is 'Rebus' series by Ian Rankin. John Rebus is a gritty and tenacious detective in Edinburgh. And 'Tana French's 'Dublin Murder Squad' series also stands out. Although set in Dublin, it has a British Isles feel and offers in - depth psychological crime investigations.
They often feature tough and gritty detectives. For example, in many of these novels, the main characters are jaded police officers dealing with the seedy underbelly of society during that era.
Well, 'The Wire in the Blood' by Val McDermid is also among the best. Her protagonist, Dr. Tony Hill, is a psychologist who helps the police solve crimes. The novels are known for their complex characters, dark themes, and the detailed portrayal of the police work involved in solving heinous crimes.
'In the Heat of the Night' by John Ball is also among the best. It tells the story of a black police detective from Philadelphia who gets involved in a murder investigation in a small Southern town in the United States. It deals with themes of racism and justice in a very engaging way.
Well, 'In the Woods' by Tana French is a great police novel. It has a very atmospheric setting and the characters are well - drawn. The police detective in it is dealing with a very old and disturbing case. Then there's 'The Wire in the Blood' by Val McDermid. Her books are known for their gritty and realistic portrayal of police work and the crimes they solve. Also, 'The Poet' by Michael Connelly is a must - read. It has a great plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the police try to catch a serial killer.
One characteristic could be the gritty and noir atmosphere. The settings were often dark, seedy urban areas. For example, in many of these novels, the police officers had to deal with organized crime syndicates that held a lot of power in the cities.
Often, they feature the unique Dublin setting. The city's streets, neighborhoods, and its distinct culture play a big role. For example, in many novels, the local pubs are not just places for characters to gather but also key to the plot as they can be places where clues are shared or suspects lurk.
One of the most famous is Agatha Christie. She wrote many detective novels like 'Murder on the Orient Express' which involve police - like investigations. Another is James Patterson, known for his fast - paced crime novels with a lot of police action. Also, Henning Mankell, whose Kurt Wallander series focuses on a police detective solving various crimes in Sweden.
Raymond Chandler was one. His works are known for their hard - boiled detective stories set in that era.