Ultimate Database of Crime Fiction with Book Recommendations

Welcome to the Ultimate Database of Crime Fiction with Book Recommendations, a curated collection that brings to life the thrilling and suspenseful world of crime. Crime fiction delves into mysteries, investigations, and the darker sides of human nature. Whether it’s a gripping detective story, a twisty thriller, or a noir-inspired novel, crime fiction keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Join us as we explore some of the most intense, suspense-filled stories in literature, from detectives chasing down clues to criminals hiding dark secrets.

Help Us Complete This List! If you know of any excellent crime fiction works that should be included, or if you think any entries need updating, please share your suggestions in the comments below. Include the title, author, and a brief reason for your suggestion. Your input will help us expand and enhance this list for fellow crime fiction enthusiasts!

Crime Fiction Short Stories

1. "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle - A Sherlock Holmes story where a simple case of a lost gemstone leads to a deeper investigation of crime and deceit.
2. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe - A psychological thriller about guilt and paranoia, as a man is driven to madness by the crime he has committed.
3. "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl - A darkly humorous crime story about a woman who commits an unexpected crime and turns the tables on her detective husband.
4. "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson - Although primarily a commentary on social rituals, this story presents a chilling crime rooted in a community’s dark traditions.
5. "The Secret of the Moss-Green Heart" by Agatha Christie - A short crime story featuring Hercule Poirot, as he uncovers a twisted web of betrayal and deception.
6. "A Scandal in Bohemia" by Arthur Conan Doyle - Another Sherlock Holmes classic, where Holmes faces off against a brilliant adversary in a tale of intrigue, disguise, and crime.
7. "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe - A tale of revenge and crime set in a dark, foreboding environment where the protagonist enacts his meticulous plans for payback.
8. "The Case of the Yellow Face" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - A mystery featuring Sherlock Holmes, where an apparent case of blackmail turns into something much more sinister.
9. "The Fencer" by O. Henry - A short story about a man caught up in a criminal scheme, offering a twist on the themes of justice and morality.
10. "The Problem of the Poisoned Porpoise" by Agatha Christie - A short story in the Poirot collection, where a mysterious death leads to a shocking revelation.

Crime Fiction Novels

1. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson - A contemporary crime thriller about a journalist and a hacker investigating a cold case involving a wealthy family’s dark secrets.
2. "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn - A psychological thriller that explores the complexities of a married couple’s troubled relationship and the mysteries surrounding the wife’s disappearance.
3. "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo - A crime novel set in the world of organized crime, focusing on the Corleone family and their power struggles in mid-20th-century America.
4. "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote - A true-crime masterpiece, this book chronicles the brutal murder of a family in Kansas and the investigation that followed.
5. "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler - A detective noir novel featuring Philip Marlowe, a hard-boiled detective who uncovers a web of crime and corruption in Los Angeles.
6. "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris - A chilling psychological thriller involving FBI agent Clarice Starling’s investigation of a serial killer, with the help of the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
7. "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn - A psychological crime novel about a journalist who returns to her hometown to cover a series of gruesome murders, only to confront her dark past.
8. "Big Little Lies" by Liane Moriarty - A crime novel wrapped in domestic drama, where secrets and lies unravel after a murder takes place at a school trivia night.
9. "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins - A Gothic crime novel that weaves a tale of mystery, madness, and intrigue as a young woman becomes entangled in a web of deception and crime.
10. "I Am Watching You" by Teresa Driscoll - A gripping mystery where multiple characters are connected through a series of events involving a missing girl and the secrets they’re hiding.

Crime Fiction Plays

1. "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie - A long-running play featuring a murder mystery at a guest house, where everyone is a suspect in the deadly game of cat and mouse.
2. "The 39 Steps" by John Buchan (adapted for the stage) - A thrilling crime play based on the novel about espionage, murder, and mistaken identities, all set against a backdrop of intrigue.
3. "A View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller - A crime drama set in an Italian-American neighborhood in New York, where a tragedy unfolds due to jealousy, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice.
4. "Dial M for Murder" by Frederick Knott - A suspenseful crime play involving a man’s plan to murder his wife, only for things to go awry when a plot twist changes everything.
5. "The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill - A ghostly crime thriller, where a young lawyer uncovers sinister secrets about a mysterious woman, leading to tragic consequences.