Sharing common characteristics with crime and noir fiction, hard-boiled mysteries have a tough and gritty tone. There’s no room for sentimentality in these books, as they often employ graphic descriptions of sex and violence. Written with a dark realism, these reads are typically set in urban areas and tend to have fast-paced, sordid plots.
The protagonists—or antiheroes—of these books tend to be hardened detectives. Many novels see these detectives going up against organized crime, or otherwise struggling through a legal system that is deeply corrupt. As vivid and gripping as they are cynical, these books are not for the faint of heart.
Want to dive deeper? Here are some fantastic places to start:
Peruse the stories below for even more hard-boiled mysteries.
The Hard Sun and Luther creator delivers crime thrillers that are as addictive as his TV shows.
By Olivia Mason
The underbelly of a world of crime...
Enter the dark world of hard-boiled crime fiction.
20 writers of color come together in this extraordinary anthology of crime fiction stories set at midnight.
Discover vintage reads that shaped the mystery genre.
The crime novelist tackles prejudice and other injustices in his bestselling mysteries.
The Sunshine State has a dark side...
Even if you’re always one step ahead ... these books will still catch you off guard!
Discover your dark side.
Get your fix of smart, gritty crime fiction.
By Olivia Mason
Author and creative heir to the Nero Wolfe Mystery series shares the books that have inspired him throughout the years.
Decades later, the hard-boiled detective tale still thrills with its twisted plot and charming sleuths racing through boozy, 1930s New York City.
Mystery expert Otto Penzler breaks down how to know it when you read it.
By Otto Penzler
The former Pinkerton had an ear for dialogue and an eye for intrigue.
By Orrin Grey
Edward Bunker’s life of crime and incarceration strongly influenced both his writing and acting careers.
By Orrin Grey