This noir crime novel is set in 1940s Los Angeles and follows two LAPD officers, Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, as they investigate the brutal murder of a young woman, dubbed the Black Dahlia by the press. As they delve deeper into the gruesome crime, they are drawn into a dark world of corruption, obsession, and madness. The case becomes personal for both men, testing their friendship and sanity, and leading them down a path of self-destruction.

"The Leavenworth Case" is a gripping detective novel that follows the investigation of a wealthy man's murder. When the head of the Leavenworth family is found dead in his locked study, suspicion falls on his niece, who stands to inherit his fortune. As the evidence against her mounts, a brilliant young lawyer is determined to uncover the truth and prove her innocence. With twists and turns at every corner, this thrilling mystery keeps readers guessing until the final page.

In this gripping police procedural, a young college girl vanishes without a trace, leaving behind a campus riddled with secrets and a police force grasping at straws. As the investigation unfolds, the meticulous and relentless detective in charge must sift through a myriad of misleading clues, false leads, and dead ends. With the pressure mounting and the public's anxiety at a fever pitch, the detective's dogged pursuit of the truth leads to a chilling and unexpected conclusion, showcasing the tenacity required in the search for justice when all that remains of a victim is the memory of what they were last seen wearing.

In this gripping crime novel, a seasoned New York City detective is on the brink of retirement when he's drawn into a challenging and high-stakes investigation. The city is terrorized by a series of brutal murders, each victim found with a small, mysterious token left by the killer. As the detective delves deeper into the case, he must navigate a complex web of clues and confront his own personal demons, all while racing against time to stop the methodical murderer before they strike again. The novel combines a gritty police procedural with psychological depth, exploring the nature of obsession and the cost of justice.

Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the novel follows three LAPD officers with different personalities and methods, who find themselves entwined in a web of corruption, sex, and murder. As they navigate the city's seedy underbelly, each officer faces his own moral dilemmas and personal demons, all while trying to solve a series of gruesome murders. The narrative explores themes of crime, power, and the thin line between right and wrong in a noir-style setting.

In this gripping crime thriller, a forensic pathologist named Kay Scarpetta finds herself in the midst of a serial killer investigation. As she delves into the brutal murders of several young women, Scarpetta must use her expertise to unravel the clues left behind by the sadistic murderer. With her own life in danger, Scarpetta races against time to catch the killer before he strikes again, leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

In the heart of Harlem, a blind man shoots his pistol aimlessly, setting off a series of chaotic events. Two detectives are tasked with investigating the resulting crimes, which include a restaurant bombing and a murder. The narrative is filled with dark humor, social commentary, and vivid descriptions of Harlem life, as the detectives navigate the complexities of their community and the absurdity of their situation.

In an alternate reality where Jewish refugees found sanctuary in Alaska during World War II, the book follows a homicide detective in the Yiddish-speaking metropolis of Sitka as he investigates the murder of a former chess prodigy. The detective's quest takes him from the city's seedy underbelly to the highest echelons of power, and he uncovers a vast conspiracy that threatens the very existence of the Jewish homeland in Alaska. The novel is a blend of detective fiction, alternate history, and Jewish humor.

This novel is a gritty examination of urban decay in America, focusing on the intertwined lives of a young drug dealer and a burnt-out homicide detective in a fictional New Jersey city. The story provides a stark depiction of the drug trade, exploring the desperation, violence, and moral complexities that come with it. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters, offering a nuanced view of the challenges they face in their respective roles within the community.

The book is a gritty, darkly humorous novel that delves into the lives of a group of Los Angeles police officers who regularly meet in MacArthur Park after hours to decompress from the stresses of their job. These informal gatherings, known as "choir practice," serve as a backdrop for the exploration of the officers' personal and professional challenges, revealing the psychological toll that policing takes on them. The narrative weaves together various incidents, from the mundane to the tragic, painting a complex picture of the men behind the badges as they grapple with the moral ambiguities and emotional burdens of law enforcement.

"Chiefs" by Stuart Woods is a gripping novel that spans several generations, exploring the dark secrets and mysteries of a small southern town. Set against the backdrop of racial tensions and political corruption, the story follows three ambitious and determined law enforcement officers as they strive to uncover the truth behind a series of unsolved murders that have plagued the town for decades. With compelling characters and a suspenseful plot, this book delves into the complexities of power, justice, and the enduring impact of the past on the present.

"White Jazz" by James Ellroy is a gritty crime novel set in 1950s Los Angeles, following the life of corrupt police officer Dave Klein. As he navigates the treacherous world of organized crime, racial tensions, and personal demons, Klein becomes entangled in a web of deceit and violence that threatens to consume him. With its dark and atmospheric prose, this gripping tale explores the blurred lines between law and corruption, ultimately questioning the nature of justice in a city consumed by power and greed.

"Inner City Blues" follows the story of a determined African American detective, who finds herself caught in a web of corruption and deceit while investigating a high-profile murder case in Los Angeles. As she delves deeper into the city's dark underbelly, she must navigate through racial tensions, police politics, and personal demons to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

In this gripping crime novel, the protagonist, a Los Angeles homicide detective, finds himself suspended from the LAPD and grappling with personal demons. Amidst this tumultuous period, he becomes obsessed with solving the decades-old murder of his own mother, an unsolved case that has haunted him since childhood. As he delves deeper into the investigation without the badge to shield him, he uncovers a web of corruption and secrets that challenges his understanding of justice and family. His journey is not just a quest for the truth, but also a path towards personal redemption and understanding.

In this gripping thriller, a homicide detective named Elouise "Lou" Norton is determined to solve the mysterious murder of a teenage girl in South Los Angeles. As she delves deeper into the case, Lou uncovers a web of secrets and corruption that reaches far beyond the crime scene. With her own troubled past haunting her, Lou must navigate through the dangerous underbelly of the city to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice.

This book is a gripping exploration of homicide in America, focusing on the disproportionately high rates of murder among African American men in the country's inner cities. Through a detailed case study in South Los Angeles, the narrative delves into the lives of those affected by these crimes, including the dedicated detectives working tirelessly to solve them. The author presents a compelling argument that the lack of effective law enforcement and the criminal justice system's failure to address these homicides are at the heart of the issue, leading to a cycle of violence that devastates communities. This work is both a poignant account of individual stories and a powerful call to action for systemic change.