top british crime novels

One of the top British crime novels is 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a mystery involving a supernatural hound on the moors. Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It has elements of mystery and psychological thriller as the unnamed narrator tries to uncover the secrets of her husband's first wife. And 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also highly regarded, with its complex plot about espionage and the search for a mole within the British intelligence service.

The settings are diverse. Some are set in big cities like London, with their seedy underbellies explored. Others might be in small villages where everyone seems to have a secret. Also, the characters are well - developed. You get to see the detectives' thought processes, their flaws and their determination to solve the crimes. The novels also often touch on social issues of the time, like class differences or moral decay.

Some of the well - known ones could be 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes solving a mystery in the moors. Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has elements of mystery and crime within its gothic story. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is also a classic, with its complex spy - related plot.

P. D. James is also a significant figure in this genre. Her books are known for their psychological depth. For example, 'A Taste for Death' delves deep into the minds of the characters, both the criminals and the investigators. Her writing style is elegant and her stories are full of suspense.

I'd recommend 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins. It is often considered one of the first detective novels in the English language. It has a great mystery involving a stolen diamond. Another option is 'A Great Deliverance' by Elizabeth George. Her novels are known for their well - developed characters and intricate plots, and this one is a good entry point into her work which is very much in the British crime novel tradition.

British crime novels often have a strong sense of place. For example, many are set in London or other parts of the UK, with detailed descriptions of the streets, buildings, and social atmospheres. This helps to create an immersive setting for the crimes to occur.

One of the top ones is 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré. This novel is set in the world of espionage, which is a sub - genre of crime novels in a way. It has a slow - burning plot that keeps you guessing. The characters are well - drawn and the atmosphere is tense, making it a great read from the 'top 100 british crime novels'.

Another one is 'The Secret History'. It tells the story of a group of students at an elite college who get involved in a murder. It's a dark exploration of human nature. 'The Big Sleep' is a noir - ish crime novel with Philip Marlowe as the detective. It has a complex plot full of double - crosses and seedy characters that set the standard for many crime novels to come.

New British crime novels often feature complex characters. For example, the protagonists are not always the typical 'good guys' but may have their own moral ambiguities. They also tend to have intricate plots. The settings in these novels are usually very vivid, like the gloomy streets of London or the quiet countryside villages, which add to the overall atmosphere of mystery and suspense.

One of the most famous is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson, solving complex mysteries in Victorian London.