best romantic crime novels

One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a complex tale of a marriage filled with secrets and deceptions. The relationship between the two main characters is a twisted form of love within a crime - filled narrative.

Sure. 'In the Woods' by Tana French is a great pick. It has a detective who is dealing with a case while also having his own romantic and personal issues. The way the mystery unfolds and how it intertwines with his relationships makes it an engaging romantic crime novel.

Well, they typically have a strong focus on relationships. There's often a romantic relationship between the main characters, which can be healthy or dysfunctional. And at the same time, there's a crime element, like a murder or a mystery to be solved.

One of the best is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Their relationship starts with misunderstandings and pride, but gradually evolves into love. The characters are well - developed and the dialogues are witty. Another great one is 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare. It's a tragic love story of two young lovers from feuding families. Their love is passionate and intense, despite the obstacles in their way. 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks is also a popular choice. It shows a love that endures through the years and the challenges of Alzheimer's disease.

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.

For beginners, 'The Princess Diaries' by Meg Cabot can be a great start. It has a sweet and light - hearted love story along with the main character's journey of self - discovery. Another good one is 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han. It's a cute and relatable story about a girl and her love letters. It's easy to read and very engaging. 'Ella Enchanted' by Gail Carson Levine also has a charming love story within its fairy - tale setting.

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.

Some of the well - known ones could be 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It has a brilliant portrayal of the serial killer and the detective trying to catch him. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a complex plot full of twists and turns. 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is also great as it's based on a real - life crime and shows a detailed account of the investigation.