greatest noir novels

Some of the greatest noir novels include 'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane. It's a hard - boiled detective story with Mike Hammer as the tough - as - nails protagonist. 'A Kiss Before Dying' by Ira Levin is also notable. It has a devious plot where a young man will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. And 'The Lady in the Lake' by Raymond Chandler, which offers a unique perspective as the detective goes undercover in a small town to solve a murder mystery.

Yes. 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley is a great noir novel. It features Easy Rawlins, an African - American detective in a racially charged Los Angeles. 'The Friends of Eddie Coyle' by George V. Higgins is also a classic. It has a unique style of dialogue - heavy storytelling in the noir context. 'Brighton Rock' by Graham Greene is a noir - ish novel that has a dark story of crime and morality set in Brighton, England.

One of the greatest is 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters like Sam Spade and the hunt for the valuable statuette. Another is 'Double Indemnity' by James M. Cain. The story of an insurance agent getting involved in a murder for insurance money is full of twists. And 'Laura' by Vera Caspary is also great, with its unique mystery surrounding the title character.

Sure. 'The Long Goodbye' by Raymond Chandler is great. It's got Chandler's signature style of hard - boiled detective fiction. Then there's 'Brighton Rock' by Graham Greene. It shows the seedy underbelly of Brighton and has a great exploration of crime and morality. Also, 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett is a must - read. It's set in a corrupt town and the story of the Continental Op trying to clean it up is really engaging.

Neo noir novels often incorporate more modern themes and settings. For example, they might be set in a contemporary urban landscape rather than the post - war era typical of traditional noir.

One of the top 10 noir novels could be 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain as well. It's a story full of passion, betrayal and murder. Then there's 'Out of the Past' by Geoffrey Homes, which has a great sense of atmosphere and a complex plot with a private detective at the center.

Noir novels often feature a dark and cynical tone. They typically involve complex, morally ambiguous characters. The settings are usually gritty urban environments, like the seedy underbelly of a big city. There's a sense of impending doom and a lot of focus on crime, corruption, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Some American noir novels to recommend are 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane. It's about three childhood friends whose lives are forever changed when a young girl is murdered in their neighborhood. 'Chinatown' by Robert Towne is another good one. It captures the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the Chinatown area in a big city, with a complex story of corruption and family secrets. And 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson is a disturbing but brilliant noir novel that gives an inside look at the mind of a deranged killer.

One of the well - known ones could be 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic with its complex characters and a convoluted plot centered around a valuable statuette.

Modern fantasy noir novels often incorporate elements of the supernatural or magic. For instance, in a traditional noir novel, the mystery might be centered around a crime in a normal, urban setting. But in a modern fantasy noir, like 'The Dresden Files', there could be a werewolf or a vampire involved in the crime.