Whether you’re a fan of legal thrillers or you’re just looking for a good read, you’re going to want to know about the best selling authors of the genre. Below are some of the top books in the genre that are being published right now. These authors have been working for a long time to produce the type of storylines that keep people on the edge of their seats.
Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None
Known for its twisting, brilliantly constructed mysteries, Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is one of the best mystery novels of all time. Originally published under the title Ten Little Niggers, the novel was first serialized in England in 1939. During this period, the United States was not enlightened about racial tolerance.
After the book was published, a few adaptations were made. These included a stage play, a film, and a TV miniseries. Some were adapted without Christie’s permission, and some were produced by her friends and colleagues. Some were based on the novel but changed its setting and background.
The novel was originally published as a serialized work in the Daily Express. The story was set on Burgh Island in Devon. The eight guests arrive on the island and are met by a butler and cook-housekeeper. They have been left instructions by the hosts.
The original British edition of the novel remained with the title “Ten Little Niggers” until the mid-1980s. After that, the title was changed. However, it continues to be used in many foreign language versions of the novel.
In the United States, the title was changed to And Then There Were None. This change was done to appeal to American audiences. The book has been adapted into numerous TV and video games, as well as a graphic novel.
The book was also adapted for the stage in 1943. In this version, Christie changed the ending of the story. She decided that the detective-protagonists, Lombard and Vera, would be innocent. This altered the bleak end of the story for theatre audiences.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of the Four
Originally titled The Sign of the Four, this detective story was written by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the second of his four Sherlock Holmes novels.
The Sign of the Four is a Sherlock Holmes mystery, set in the year 1888, and involving a secret pact between four convicts and guards. This novel has been adapted on film, television, and stage. It was first published in 1890, three years after the author’s first Sherlock Holmes novel.
It is also one of the earliest examples of the detective genre. It is also a reflection on imperialism. In the Victorian age, people thought that Britain was a civilised nation, and that other countries were inferior. They claimed the right to colonise other countries.
The Sign of the Four is also a classic example of racial prejudice. The character of Tonga is presented as racist, animalistic, and un-civilized. The British considered Tonga to be lower than them.
In the Victorian age, scientific progress was the main focus of society. The novel shows that Sherlock Holmes was a supporter of this way of thinking. The process of solving a crime involves eliminating impossible outcomes. This process also reflects the Victorian desire for rationality.
The Sign of the Four also features a drug habit. Doctor John Watson disapproves of Sherlock Holmes’ use of cocaine. He says that the drug acts as a stimulant to his mind. But Sherlock Holmes tells him that the drug is used for mental stimulation.
Louise Penny’s All the Devils Are Here: A Novel
Whether you are a fan of Louise Penny’s Three Pines series or not, All the Devils Are Here will keep you glued to the page. Not only is it a solid mystery-thriller, it also touches on many of the important issues that are going on in the real world. It also proves that a big hearted explorer can make the best of any situation.
All the Devils Are Here isn’t just about murder and mayhem; it’s about the power of corporations and how it can be used for good. It’s also about the power of two and the merits of good old-fashioned trust and friendship. All of which play a part in the book’s climax.
Although the story in All the Devils Are Here is told from the perspective of a retired archivist, there are plenty of characters to keep you occupied. It’s not just the main characters though; Armande’s family is in for a big surprise.
The book does a good job of highlighting the major players in the mystery, from Armande’s bumbling assistant to the odious and odious oligarchs. The novel owes its aces to the author’s mastery of plotting and character development.
As with any mystery-thriller, the real fun lies in the climax, wherein Armande and his intrepid espionage aces are pitted against the forces of evil. In this case, the villains are a bit more subtle and elusive.
Ann Cleeves’s Raven Black: Book One of the Shetlan
ANN CLEEVES is a multi-million copy bestselling author. She’s behind three acclaimed TV series, including ITV’s VERA, BBC’s SHETLAND and SKY’s DI VERA STANCHOPE, all of which are based on her crime novels. She’s also won a CWA Diamond Dagger award. Those familiar with the crime writer will be pleased to hear that she’s writing a new novel in her Shetland Island suspense series.
Raven Black is the first in Ann Cleeves’ Shetland mystery series. Set in the islands off the coast of Scotland, the book features Inspector Jimmy Perez, who leads the investigation. It begins with a teenage girl’s murder. The mainland detectives insist that the investigation begin, throwing a veil of suspicion over the island community.
The second title in the popular Shetland crime series is White Nights. The story follows a group of friends who have gathered on the remote island of Holy Island for a 50th anniversary celebration. They have encamped in a small, isolated retreat run by nuns. They have all suspected that Jeanie Long, a young, well-connected woman, has killed Abigail Mantel, but new evidence proves her innocence.
Shetland is a landscape of dark, cold fields, with the emptiness of the sea in the background. Cleeves’ description of the island is vivid and finely tuned. The characters have back stories that make them feel real, and their discoveries lead to a climax.
David Baldacci’s Absolute Power
Whether or not you’re into politics, the story in David Baldacci’s Absolute Power is compelling. It’s a page-turning thriller that has enough thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The book also boasts a clever plot. The President of the United States is accused of an unconscionable act and rogue US Secret Service agents are on the case. However, it turns out the crime can be solved only by enlisting the help of criminals.
The novel is a good example of how government involvement in crime is not new. In fact, it’s not even new to the book.
The novel is also a good indication of the author’s skill at writing entertaining fiction. The characters are well developed and the story is suspenseful. The author does a lot to get you interested in his world.
The author does a great job at making you believe that the world is headed for the abyss, though. His protagonist, convicted burglar Luther Whitney, is a nifty piece of work. He’s not too hot to handle, but his baffling talents are put to good use.
The author is also a master of the “funny”, which is something that’s important in a thriller. The movie version of Absolute Power does away with many of the heedless subplots, which makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
The author has done a great job at combining the glitz and glamour of Washington DC with governmental scandals. His debut novel, ABSOLUTE POWER, features a corrupt President of the United States and a plethora of sinister government power mongers.
Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects
Originally published in 2006, Sharp Objects is Gillian Flynn’s debut thriller. It features a story of two women and a murder. It is also a novel about self-harm and dysfunctional families. The book was adapted into a miniseries for HBO.
The novel is set in a small town in Missouri called Wind Gap. It is a setting that is reminiscent of the American Gothic. The novel is centered on a young female reporter named Camille Preaker, who has been in Chicago for several years.
Initially, Camille is reluctant to return to her hometown. However, her boss convinces her that he will be happy with her reporting on the death of two missing girls. It is only after she has been sent back that she begins to realize how much pain she has caused her family. Eventually, she learns that her mother Amma killed her sister Marian when she was a child.
While Camille is reminiscing about her mother, she stumbles on a blood-spattered hunting shed, which serves as a memento of her childhood. As a teenager, she carved a “vanish” into her neck, and a “queasy” into her bellybutton.
Sharp Objects is a dark and twisted tale about a damaged heroine who tries to make sense of her life after suffering a breakdown. It also deals with family drama, dysfunctional families, and the dark inheritance of a notorious family.