The Greatest "Suspense, Crime, Fiction" Books Since 1900

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Suspense

Suspense is a genre of literature that is characterized by a feeling of tension, uncertainty, and anxiety that keeps the reader on edge and engaged throughout the story. It typically involves a protagonist who is facing a dangerous or threatening situation, and the plot is driven by the anticipation of what might happen next. Suspense novels often feature unexpected twists and turns, and the reader is left guessing until the very end. This genre is popular among readers who enjoy thrillers, mysteries, and crime fiction.

Crime

The "Crime" category of books typically includes stories that revolve around criminal activities, investigations, and the pursuit of justice. These books may feature detectives, police officers, or other law enforcement officials as main characters, as well as criminals and their victims. Crime novels often involve suspenseful plot twists and turns, as well as complex character development. The genre can encompass a wide range of subgenres, including mystery, thriller, and true crime, and may explore themes such as morality, ethics, and the human condition. Overall, the "Crime" category offers readers a thrilling and engaging look into the darker side of human nature and the justice system.

Fiction

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  1. 26. The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler

    The book is a classic espionage thriller that revolves around a crime novelist who becomes intrigued by the story of a notorious criminal, Dimitrios. The novelist's curiosity leads him on a journey across Europe, tracing the steps of Dimitrios, who is believed to be dead. As he delves deeper into Dimitrios's world of political intrigue, drug trafficking, and murder, he finds himself caught up in a dangerous game with life-threatening consequences.

    The 742nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

    This thrilling novel revolves around the sudden disappearance of a woman on her fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, all evidence points to her husband as the prime suspect. However, the story takes a twist as the wife's diary entries reveal a darker side to their seemingly perfect marriage. The narrative alternates between the husband's present-day perspective and the wife's diary entries, leaving readers in suspense about what truly happened. The book explores themes of deceit, media influence, and the complexities of marriage.

    The 795th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

    This novel tells the story of the Blackwood sisters, Merricat and Constance, who live in isolation in their family mansion, following the mysterious death of their parents due to arsenic poisoning. The sisters' lives are disrupted when their estranged cousin, Charles, arrives with intentions of stealing their fortune. The story is a chilling exploration of family secrets, mental illness, and the destructive power of mob mentality.

    The 808th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

    A disgraced journalist is hired by a wealthy industrialist to solve a forty-year-old mystery involving the disappearance of his niece. He is assisted in his investigation by a brilliant but deeply troubled hacker. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a twisted web of family secrets, corruption, and murder. The story is a dark and gripping exploration of Swedish society, as well as a thrilling mystery.

    The 948th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

    "Double Indemnity" is a gripping crime novel that follows the story of an insurance salesman who becomes entangled in a dangerous plot with a seductive woman, leading to murder and deceit. As the protagonist finds himself increasingly trapped in a web of lies, he must navigate the consequences of his actions while trying to outsmart those around him. With its noir atmosphere and complex characters, this thrilling tale explores themes of greed, desire, and the destructive power of temptation.

    The 966th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. A Judgement In Stone by Ruth Rendell

    "A Judgement In Stone" is a gripping psychological thriller that unravels the tragic events surrounding the murder of the wealthy Coverdale family. As the investigation unfolds, the true motives and dark secrets of the family's housekeeper, Eunice, are gradually revealed, leading to a shocking climax. With its intricate plot and complex characters, the book explores themes of class divide, social isolation, and the destructive power of secrets.

    The 980th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

    A gripping legal thriller, this novel follows the story of a chief deputy prosecutor who finds himself accused of the brutal murder of his colleague, with whom he had a passionate extramarital affair. As the evidence against him mounts, he struggles to prove his innocence while uncovering corruption and deceit within the very system he once served. The story is a riveting exploration of the complexities of the legal system, human nature, and the concept of presumed innocence.

    The 996th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. The Third Man by Graham Greene

    Set in post-World War II Vienna, the story revolves around an American writer who arrives in the city to discover that his childhood friend, whom he had planned to meet, has recently died in a mysterious accident. As he delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding his friend's death, he uncovers a web of intrigue involving black market dealings, corrupt officials, and a complex moral landscape. The writer's investigation leads him to question loyalty, morality, and the ambiguous nature of friendship in a city divided by occupation and rife with espionage and criminality.

    The 1015th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Smilla's Sense of Snow: A Novel by Peter Høeg

    The novel revolves around Smilla Jaspersen, a woman of Greenlandic-Inuit and Danish descent living in Copenhagen, who investigates the mysterious death of a small Inuit boy who falls from the roof of their apartment building. Despite the authorities ruling it as an accident, Smilla's understanding of the Arctic snow and ice, her intuition, and her relentless pursuit for truth lead her to uncover a much darker, dangerous conspiracy involving powerful corporations and government agencies.

    The 1044th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

    In this novel, a wealthy woman is found poisoned in her country home in England during World War I. A family friend who is visiting the house at the time of the murder calls upon his friend, a brilliant detective, to help solve the case. The detective uses his unique methods to investigate the crime, revealing a complex web of family secrets and betrayal. Throughout the investigation, the detective uncovers that the victim's husband, the housekeeper, and the victim's stepsons all had motives to kill her. The detective eventually solves the crime, revealing the unexpected murderer and their ingenious method of committing the crime.

    The 1053rd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

    A teenage girl is brutally murdered in her small town, and from her new home in heaven, she watches over her family and friends as they struggle to cope with her loss. She also keeps an eye on her killer, hoping that he will eventually be brought to justice. Through her observations, she explores the complexities of human relationships, the ripple effects of her death, and the concept of moving on while still holding onto memories.

    The 1066th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Beast In View by Margaret Millar

    "Beast In View" by Margaret Millar is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the story of Helen Clarvoe, a troubled woman who becomes entangled in a web of deception and manipulation. When Helen receives a series of disturbing phone calls from an unknown caller, she becomes convinced that someone is out to destroy her life. As she desperately tries to uncover the identity of her tormentor, Helen finds herself questioning her own sanity and unraveling dark secrets from her past. With its intricate plot and complex characters, this suspenseful novel explores themes of obsession, betrayal, and the fragile nature of the human mind.

    The 1081st Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard

    A Miami loan shark travels to Los Angeles to collect a debt from a low-budget movie producer, only to get entangled in the Hollywood scene. Through a series of events, he ends up pitching a movie idea based on his own life as a mobster. This comedic crime novel explores the similarities between the film industry and organized crime, while offering a satirical look at the behind-the-scenes workings of Hollywood.

    The 1103rd Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone

    In this novel, a disillusioned war correspondent, a morally compromised professor, and a woman caught between them become embroiled in a dangerous plot involving heroin smuggling from Vietnam to California. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of addiction, violence, and betrayal, the characters are forced to confront the devastating consequences of their choices. The book explores the dark underbelly of the American dream and the brutal realities of war.

    The 1116th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon

    The novel is a political thriller that delves into the dark world of espionage and brainwashing during the Cold War. It follows the story of a former prisoner of war who, upon returning to the United States, is hailed as a war hero. Unbeknownst to him and the public, he has been programmed by a foreign power to be an unwitting assassin. His conditioning is triggered by a complex set of stimuli, and he is directed to carry out a high-profile political assassination that could alter the course of history. As the plot unfolds, a fellow soldier begins to unravel the conspiracy, racing against time to prevent the programmed soldier from executing his deadly mission, which is orchestrated by a Communist conspiracy aiming to seize control of the American government.

    The 1188th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

    Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the novel follows an African American war veteran who, after losing his job, becomes a private investigator to pay his mortgage. He is hired to find a white woman known to frequent African American jazz clubs, and in the process, he gets entangled in a web of political scandal and corruption. The story explores themes of race, class, and the complex social dynamics of the time.

    The 1216th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

    This novel is a gripping tale of a cat-and-mouse chase set in the harsh landscape of 1980 Texas. After stumbling upon a drug deal gone wrong and a suitcase full of money, a Vietnam War veteran finds himself pursued by a relentless hitman. As the veteran attempts to keep himself and his wife safe, a local sheriff struggles to keep up with the increasing violence and brutality of the modern world. The narrative explores themes of fate, conscience, and circumstance, painting a bleak and riveting picture of the human condition.

    The 1228th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household

    The book is a classic thriller that follows the story of an unnamed British sportsman who embarks on a daring attempt to assassinate a European dictator prior to World War II. After being caught and tortured, he escapes back to England, but his ordeal is far from over. Pursued by enemy agents who want to finish the job they started, he must use his wits and survival skills to evade capture. The protagonist goes to ground in the English countryside, engaging in a deadly game of cat and mouse with his relentless pursuers, as he grapples with his own moral convictions and the consequences of his actions.

    The 1233rd Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles

    In this pioneering psychological thriller, the reader is immediately introduced to a respected English doctor who has grown to despise his domineering wife. With cold calculation, he meticulously plans her murder, believing he can execute the perfect crime. However, as his scheme unfolds, a series of unexpected events and the doctor's own hubris lead to complications. The narrative delves into the mind of the would-be murderer, exploring themes of morality, deception, and the flawed nature of human reasoning, all while building towards a climax that questions whether true justice can ever be achieved in the face of premeditated evil.

    The 1248th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. A Time To Kill by John Grisham

    In a racially charged courtroom drama set in the Deep South, a young, white attorney takes on a controversial case defending a black father who takes the law into his own hands after his ten-year-old daughter is brutally assaulted by two white men. As the lawyer struggles against personal threats, social outrage, and political pressure, the town is torn apart by violence and prejudice, forcing its inhabitants to confront their own beliefs about justice, equality, and retribution. The narrative weaves through themes of racial tension, legal ethics, and the quest for vengeance, culminating in a tense and morally complex trial that puts the entire community's values on trial.

    The 1276th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. A Perfect Spy by John le Carré

    This espionage novel follows the life of Magnus Pym, a high-ranking British intelligence officer who disappears after attending his father's funeral, causing a massive manhunt. As the intelligence service scrambles to find him, the narrative dives into Pym's past, revealing his complex relationship with his conman father and his recruitment into the world of espionage. The story is a complex exploration of betrayal, identity, and the blurry line between loyalty and deception.

    The 1279th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. A Dark Adapted Eye by Barbara Vine

    "A Dark Adapted Eye" is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of a family haunted by a dark secret. The story follows the life of Faith, who is drawn into investigating her aunt's execution for murder years ago. As she unravels the truth, she uncovers a web of deceit, jealousy, and obsession that has plagued her family for generations. With richly developed characters and a gripping narrative, the novel explores themes of family loyalty, the destructive power of secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect their own.

    The 1292nd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell

    In this thrilling crime novel, an elderly farmer and his wife are brutally murdered and the only clue is the wife's dying word: "foreign." This sets off a series of events that involves a dedicated detective who must solve the crime while dealing with his own personal problems. The investigation becomes even more complex when the press catches wind of the dying word, sparking a wave of xenophobia in the community. The detective must navigate through the fear and prejudice to find the truth and bring the killers to justice.

    The 1295th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. A Fatal Inversion by Barbara Vine

    In this psychological thriller, a group of young people's idyllic summer spent at a secluded English country house takes a dark turn when they discover a baby's body buried in the garden. Years later, the consequences of that summer resurface as the makeshift family's secrets begin to unravel, threatening to expose the truth behind the infant's death. The narrative weaves between past and present, exploring themes of guilt, memory, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their seemingly perfect lives from the stains of past sins.

    The 1302nd Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. In A Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes

    Set in post-World War II Los Angeles, "In A Lonely Place" follows the story of Dix Steele, a former fighter pilot turned Hollywood screenwriter. Dix becomes a prime suspect in a series of brutal murders plaguing the city. As the investigation unfolds, the novel delves into the dark depths of Dix's psyche, exploring themes of love, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. With its gripping narrative and psychological tension, "In A Lonely Place" offers a chilling portrayal of a disturbed mind and the destructive power of loneliness.

    The 1343rd Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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