There are few genres or styles as enduring and iconic as noir, with the pulp detectives, femme fatales, and conspiracies that invariably go all the way to the top. These are some of the genre’s foundational classics.
The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
Not only a definitive work of noir fiction but also a book that has become the template for so many pop culture depictions of the mind of a serial killer. This tale of small-town murder is a grisly and twisty narrative that also digs deep into the mind of an all too human monster.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
One of the genre’s true masters at his absolute finest, this famously adapted work is the quintessential noir text. Containing all the elements and styles that would give the genre its feel and legacy, it was also based on much of Hammett’s own experiences working for the infamous Pinkerton agency.
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M Cain
With an iconic setup, that would become a template for many a future noir writer, this was a book that hooked many, even if it did earn some controversy at the time for its stark depictions of sex and violence. A beautifully written and quick-paced story of lust, greed, and murder, it also helped define the classic noir ending, one that was anything but happy.
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