Christie Agatha.
When a netizen Google "best crime novel books," the screen displays some of the most popular murder titles of the XNUMXth century. It is also the case with English-speaking users regarding the search for crime fiction (name of the genus in English). For this reason, the crime novel is considered a variant or a subgenre of detective texts.
In this regard, the work of the most exalted writers is inescapable when recreating the most twisted crimes. That is, Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie, James M. Cain or Raymond Chandler, to name a few of the forerunners. In more recent times, it is worth highlighting the work of authors such as Patricia Highsmith, Scott Turow, James Elroy and Ruth Rendell, among others. Here is a list of the best crime novel books.
Red Harvest (1929), by Dashiell Hammett
Most scholars point to Red Harvest (original name in English) as the title that formally inaugurated the crime novel. Well, american writer D Hammett He was the first to move away from the archetype of XNUMXth century detective classics. In fact, the protagonist of this story has little to do with the faultless morals of Poe's Dupin or Doyle's Holmes.
Instead, Hammett presents an agent who is carefree by his appearance, extremely stubborn, individualistic and of unconventional methods. Despite the fact that this character has an extraordinary capacity for observation, he does not use deductive logic in his investigations. Rather, he prefers to “kick the streets” and abide by their particular laws to solve crimes.
Death the order of the day
En Red harvest 26 violent deaths are described. Thus, It was a book highly criticized by the most conservative sectors of US society. Additionally, in the development of the novel countless murders occur between massacres, gang confrontations and "collateral deaths".
the postman Always calls two times (1934), by James M. Cain
The shocking combination (especially for the time of its publication) of sex and violence exposed in this novel scandalized the Boston authorities.. Therefore, The Postman Always Rings —Title in English— was banned in that American city. The aforementioned conjuncture further increased the public's interest in a very successful book in sales.
Argument and synthesis
Frank is a petty tramp and con man who starts working at a restaurant located in a California country area. There he falls in love with Cora, the young wife of Nick "the Greek", owner of the establishment. Since she can't stand her husband anymore (who is quite a few years apart), Frank and Cora plot to assassinate Nick.
After a failed attempt in a bathtub, the criminal couple achieves their mission by simulating a traffic accident. Although the prosecutors in charge of the case fail to prove the murderers' guilt, eventually both are misled by a lawyer and end up incriminating each other. In the end, Cora is killed in a car accident and Frank is sentenced to death.
The eternal dream (1939), by Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep —Original title in English — represented the irruption of the author Raymond Chandler in the sphere of the crime novel. According to Le Monde, is one of the 100 best books of the twentieth century. Likewise, this text marked the first formal appearance of Phillip Marlowe, the most popular character of the American writer, with a story set in Los Angeles.
A new kind of detective
Actually, private investigator Marlowe appears previously in the short story The confidant (1934) However, in that narrative the traits of the "underworld" agent outlined earlier by Dashiell Hammett in the magazine's publications are not evident. Black Mask.
However, in The eternal dream A pessimistic, cynical and idealistic detective does appear well defined, convinced that "the end justifies the means." It's more, Marlowe feels no remorse or fear of adapting the rules to his dubious moral code. His apology: it is the only way to prevail amid the filth of such a corrupt society.
Argument
General Sternwood requests Marlowe's services in order to circumvent the bribe of someone known as Geiger. The latter supposedly wants to take advantage of the debts of Carmen, the general's youngest daughter. But, When Geiger appears shot in his apartment with Carmen (stripped and drugged), Phillip understands that the action is just beginning.
Ten bold (1939), by Agatha Christie
Argument
Titled in English And Then There Were None, is a true masterpiece of the British writer. The story begins when eight people arrive on vacation on the beautiful island of Negro (fictional), where there is only one large farm owned by an anonymous owner in the middle of an idyllic landscape. There, the enchanted characters are greeted by the servants of the hosts (Mr. and Mrs. Rogers).
Upon entering their respective rooms, the guests find a copy of the song "Diez Negritos" hanging on the wall. Later, guests look at ten porcelain (black) figurines in the dining room. After dinner, a recording accuses everyone present (including the servants) of having perpetrated or been complicit in a death in the past.
At each death, one less black
Outside the building a fierce storm breaks out. So no one can escape when the murders start. With each deceased, a statuette also disappears. The worst thing for the terrified diners is that one issue soon becomes clear: the ruthless killer is among the survivors.
Some recommended crime novels from the second half of the XNUMXth century
A judgment set in stone (1977), by Ruth Rendell
"Eunice Parchment killed the Coverdale family because she couldn't read or write." The reader is at the outset this revealing phrase, which encompasses the whole core of the plot, the victims and the identity of the perpetrator. However, Such a sentence does not take away an iota of emotion from a masterpiece turned best seller and that it has been successfully adapted to the cinema.
Strangers on a train (1983), by Patricia Highsmith
Two desperate men (with the previous idea of committing murder) meet on a train and make a macabre pact. They both agree to exchange their goals. But while one of them follows the deal to the letter, the other is caught in a terrifying and claustrophobic game of hunter and prey.
Presumed innocent (1986), by Scott Turow
The world of successful inquisitor lawyer Rusty Sabich is turned upside down when his lover is found raped and murdered. For this reason, he is seen as the main suspect in the crime. Consequently, Sabich is forced to trust no one to prove his innocence and unmask a whole network of corruption and betrayal.
The black dahlia (1987), by James Ellroy
Los Angeles, 1947. The starting point of the argument is the discovery of a young woman - baptized by the media as The Black Dahlia- with obvious signs of torture. Actually, This book is based on the real case of Elizabeth Short. She was a Hollywood wannabe whose murder sparked one of the most hectic and famous searches in California history.
