The Top-100 Crime Novels of All Time

1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-100

Henning Mankell (2007) The Man Who Smiled.

Kurt Wallander of the Ystad Police Force reluctantly investigates the death of an aging attorney on a desolate road, initially considered an accident. Depressed and in danger of becoming an alcoholic, Walander, stoically battles through the complexities of the crime and his own life. A realistic alternative to the smooth action thrillers, this dark tale slowly turns into a horrific nightmare.

Steve Martini (2009) Shadow of Power: A Paul Madriani Novel.

The US Constitution still has language defining African-Americans as three-fifths human. An author has used this clause as the main topic of a new provocative book, triggering racial riots. When he is bludgeoned to death, a neo-Nazi is suspected of his murder. Madriani defends the accused killer. A fabulous, detail-rich legal thriller!

Archer Mayor (2005) The Surrogate Thief.

Joe Gunther, head of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, uses modern forensic techniques to solve a labyrinthine, character-driven case. Civilized and intelligent! Don't read the book if you are fond of blood-dripping serial killer strories or action thrillers.

Ed McBain (1981) King's Ransom. (87th Precinct Mystery)

Stupid, but ruthless thugs try to kidnap the son of a rich tycoon, but mistakenly take the son of his chauffeur. This wise-cracking police procedural from Ed McBain, the inventor of the genre (and script writer for Hitchcock's The Birds), is as fresh as if it was written yesterday.

Val McDermid (2001) A Place of Excecution.

Defines the category of village mysteries. Superb thriller with complex characters with a plot in the 1960s. A truly haunting tale from rural England.

Gary Neece (2011) Cold Blue.

Authentic police procedural written by a eighteen-year veteran of the Police Department in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Joseph D. Pistone (1997) Donnie Brasco.

A thrilling account of FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone working undercover in the Mafia for six years. Contrary to social fiction, such as "Goodfather", the book reveals that nothing is honorable or glamorous in the mob. Pistone's extremely dangerous undercover work resulted in over 100 convictions. Amazing that he survived his assignment!

Edgar Alan Poe (2002) Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems.

This Collection of 73 short stories and 48 poems includes such masterpieces as The Fall of the House of Usher, The Purloined Letter, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and Murders in the Rue Morgue. A MUST for classical mystery fans.

Richard Price (2009) Lush Life: A Novel.

Price turns his unrelenting eye on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where workaholic NYPD detective Matty and his Latina partner Yolanda investigate a seemingly random shooting. Price combines in-depth knowledge of police methods with a tense narrative.

Mario Puzo (1969) The Godfather.

Puzo's epic novel redefined the public image of the Italian mafia. With Don Vito Corleone's violent struggle to control the underworld of New York we glimpse into an ancient world of honor and vendetta, Italian family tradition, friendship and loyalty were betrayal is punished with merciless vengeance. While this novel has romanticized organized crime, it added a human dimension to those evil and violent thugs. In Puzo's prose Don Vito appears as a genial family man, almost kind and reasonable.

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