Like us, you are most likely a big fan of noir fiction novels. It is a popular subgenre that has been around for decades. And today, we will be looking at the 10 best noir fiction books of all time. Keep reading to find out which books made our list!
If you don’t like violence, blood, and sex, then this subgenre should be avoided. The dark themes of these books are what separates them from other books that are similar. And yet, when done right, these novels are impossible to put down.
These novels aren’t too long and can be read in a few days or even one sitting if you really want to finish it. I do recommend taking a break or two because within 50 pages, a dozen people will have been killed off.
Noir fiction novels may not be as possible as they were almost a century ago but there are still authors that thrive in this genre. Whether a new or old noir fiction novel, you will be in for a treat. You can see the full list below!
The 10 Best Noir Fiction Books of All Time
- The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley, #1) by Patricia Highsmith
- The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1) by Raymond Chandler
- The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
- The Black Dahlia (L.A. Quartet, #1) by James Ellroy
- Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
- The Lady in the Lake (Philip Marlowe, #4) by Raymond Chandler
- The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
- No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
- They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? by Horace McCoy
The Postman Always Rings
This is a short story and you can easily read it under two hours. It is a tale about love and murder and it was controversial when it was released in 1934. If you love a good murder novel, then this is a must read.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
An author that I am fascinated with is Patricia Highsmith. Her novels have questionable protagonists and the plots are always going to have you wondering what you just read. The Talented Mr. Ripley is a great example of that and yet, I could not stop reading it.
The Maltese Falcon
A novel that captures all of my favorite things about noir fiction is The Maltese Falcon. It is a detective novel written by Dashiell Hammett. The plot is fun and interesting and with so many plot twists, you won’t ever be bored. You will be transported back to the 1930’s trying to figure out who is lying and who can you trust?
No Country For Old Men
This novel was written as a screenplay, making it an experience unlike anything else. I enjoyed the plot and it feels like you are watching a movie. But it isn’t a style that everyone likes, especially book lovers. Something feels off the whole time and you can’t really put your finger on it. And while it may not be Cormac’s best novel, it is still an amazing read!
Conclusion
That ends our list of the 10 best noir fiction books of all time. Most of these novels have come to define this subgenre over the decades. How many of these novels have you read? What other noir fiction novels should we have included? Let us know in the comments below!
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