period crime novels

Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express' is also a great period crime novel. Set on a luxurious train in the 1930s, it features the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The confined space of the train and the diverse group of passengers add to the intrigue as Poirot tries to figure out who among them is the murderer.

There are quite a few. 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is set in 1865 Boston. It combines Dante's Inferno with a series of murders. 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' by Ellis Peters is a historical crime novel set in medieval England. It features Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk who solves crimes. 'The Beekeeper's Apprentice' by Laurie R. King is also a great one. It's set in the early 20th century and features a young girl who becomes an apprentice to Sherlock Holmes.

Another aspect is the cultural context. The motives behind the crimes can be deeply rooted in the cultural norms and taboos of the era. In some historical periods, things like family honor or religious beliefs could be strong motives for criminal acts, and this is reflected in period crime fiction.

For beginners, 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is a great choice. It's set in 1896 New York City. It has a really engaging plot about a serial killer and the team of investigators trying to catch him. The historical setting is vividly depicted, and it gives a sense of what life was like in that era while also having a thrilling crime mystery.

First, research the period thoroughly. Know the social, political, and cultural aspects. For example, if it's set in Victorian England, understand the class system, the police force at that time, and the common crimes. Then, create interesting characters. A detective with unique quirks or a criminal with a complex motive. Plot is key too. Maybe start with a real - life event from that period and build a fictional crime around it.

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great example. It is set in Victorian London and features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes solving various mysteries. Another one is 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins, which is often considered one of the first detective novels in the English language.

Crime mystery and crime novels usually feature a central mystery that drives the story forward. The characters are diverse, including law enforcement officers, suspects, and witnesses. There is a lot of focus on clues and evidence. The pacing is often fast - paced to keep the reader engaged. The atmosphere can be dark and moody, adding to the overall sense of mystery. The best ones make the reader think and try to solve the mystery along with the characters.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features his iconic detective, Philip Marlowe, and has a complex web of mystery and intrigue.

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.

In the realm of 'awesome crime novels', 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a notable one. It's a non - fictional novel that tells the story of a real - life murder in a very detailed and engaging way. It's almost like you're right there in Kansas witnessing the events unfold. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is also great. The hard - boiled detective Philip Marlowe is an iconic character, and the noir - style writing makes the crime - solving process really exciting.