best 1970s crime novels

A great 1970s crime novel is 'The Choirboys' by Joseph Wambaugh. It gives a realistic view of police officers' lives and the crimes they deal with. It's full of humor and pathos at the same time. 'The Executioner' series by Don Pendleton also started in the 1970s. These novels are action - packed with a vigilante hero taking on the criminals. And 'A Savage Place' by Robert B. Parker is a good one too. It has his signature detective, Spenser, solving a case in a tough environment.

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.

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.

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.

Definitely. 'The Deep' by Peter Benchley is another one. It has a story full of mystery and some criminal - like activities underwater. 'Rollerball Murder' by William Harrison is a short but impactful 1970s work. It shows a future where a violent sport has some dark secrets. Also, 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick, while more of a science - fiction alternate - history novel, has elements of crime as characters navigate a world of political intrigue and illegal trade.

Some of her best crime novels include 'Murder on the Orient Express'. It's a classic with a complex plot set on a train where a murder occurs, and Poirot has to solve it. Another great one is 'And Then There Were None', which has a very unique and suspenseful storyline where people on an island start getting killed one by one. 'The ABC Murders' is also a top pick, with a serial killer leaving clues in alphabetical order.

One of the great new crime thriller novels is 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its mystery about a patient who has been silent since she was accused of murdering her husband.