best obscure detective novels

Well, 'Farewell, My Lovely' by Raymond Chandler is often overlooked compared to some of his more famous works, but it's still a great detective novel. It has all the elements of a classic Chandler story, with a tough - as - nails detective and a seedy underworld. 'The Quincunx of Time' by James Hogan is also an interesting pick. It has a rather unique time - travel - like element incorporated into the detective story. And 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson. It gives a very different perspective on the detective figure, as the narrator is not your typical heroic detective.

You could start with 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. While it's more well - known in some circles, it's still relatively obscure in the general detective novel realm. It has a complex plot set in a monastery. Then there's 'The Club Dumas' by Arturo Pérez - Reverte. It combines detective elements with a story about books and old manuscripts. And 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles' by Agatha Christie. It was her first novel and is a great example of her early detective writing.

'Blankets' by Craig Thompson is also a top pick. It's a semi - autobiographical work that explores themes of love, faith, and growing up. The art is detailed and beautiful, with the large - scale panels really drawing the reader into the story. Thompson's use of line and shading creates a very emotional and immersive reading experience.

One of the best obscure horror novels is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's a complex and mind - bending horror story that plays with the format of the book itself. The story within the story, about a house that is larger on the inside than it appears on the outside, is both terrifying and thought - provoking.

One great obscure science fiction novel is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a complex and richly detailed universe with a unique blend of science and mythology. Another is 'Altered Carbon' by Richard K. Morgan, which presents an interesting take on consciousness transfer and a gritty, future society. And 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester is also a gem, with its fast - paced and mind - bending exploration of teleportation and revenge in a far - flung future.

Some of the best obscure private eye novels include 'A Rage in Harlem' by Chester Himes. His Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones are tough and interesting detectives. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith can be considered in this category. The psychological thriller aspect combined with the sort of cat - and - mouse game is quite engaging. And then there's 'The Long Goodbye' by Chandler, which is a bit different from his more famous 'The Big Sleep' in terms of character development and the overall tone of the story.

One of the best obscure novels is 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov. It weaves together different storylines, including the devil's visit to Moscow, in a very unique and thought - provoking way. It was not widely known initially due to the political climate at the time of its creation, but has since gained international acclaim.

Often, a best obscure novel has a unique or niche theme. For example, a novel that delves deeply into a very specific historical event or a particular sub - culture that isn't mainstream. These novels might not have a huge marketing push behind them, so they don't reach a wide audience immediately.

Detective Chinatown was a mystery novel written by Tang Ren. The novel is packed and full of suspense, with many interesting details and obscure points. Here are some examples: The architectural form and layout of Chinatown were very unique, such as the architectural elements and road planning of the Yin-Yang Five Elements Theory, which hinted that there might be a deeper meaning behind it. At the beginning of the novel, Tang Ren and Qin Feng found a mysterious diary that recorded some information related to Chinatown. This diary had also become a clue to the entire case, triggering the subsequent deduction process. Qin Feng and Tang Ren found some strange symbols and patterns in the basement of Chinatown. These symbols and patterns were related to Wolverine in the movie X-Men, which also aroused the interest of readers in this movie. During the investigation, Qin Feng and Tang Ren mentioned the Dark Net many times. It was a mysterious online world with many unknown transactions and information. This also aroused the readers 'interest in the dark net. At the end of the novel, Qin Feng and Tang Ren discover some clues that may lead to the truth of the entire case. But these clues were so mysterious and strange that the readers were confused and curious. Detective Chinatown was a novel full of creativity and imagination. There were many interesting details and obscure doubts that kept readers guessing and exploring during the reading process.

A really good one is 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' by Walter M. Miller Jr. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where the Catholic Church plays a major role in preserving knowledge. It's a thought - provoking book that explores themes of religion, knowledge, and the cyclical nature of history. Another is 'The City & the City' by China Miéville. It has a really unique concept of two cities that exist in the same physical space but are culturally and socially separate. It's a mystery - filled story that keeps you guessing. Finally, there's 'Solaris' by Stanislaw Lem. It's about a planet that seems to have a consciousness of its own and the psychological effects it has on the humans who study it.