Discover books similar to "And Be a Villain"

Rex Stout

Fer-de-Lance

If you enjoyed 'And Be a Villain', you might like to go back to the beginning of the Nero Wolfe series and read 'Fer-de-Lance'. This is the first book in the series, and it introduces the brilliant detective Nero Wolfe and his loyal assistant Archie Goodwin. In this novel, Wolfe must solve a murder that has taken place at a college, and the list of suspects is long. As always, Stout's writing is witty and engaging, and his plotting is masterful.

Raymond Chandler

The Big Sleep

Fans of 'And Be a Villain' might also enjoy 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. This is a classic hard-boiled detective novel that features Philip Marlowe, a private investigator who is hired to look into a blackmail case. However, he soon finds himself caught up in a web of crime and deceit that includes murder, gambling, and prostitution. Chandler's writing is sharp and evocative, and his plot is full of twists and turns.

Josephine Tey

The Daughter of Time

If you're looking for a different kind of detective novel, you might enjoy 'The Daughter of Time' by Josephine Tey. This novel features Alan Grant, a Scotland Yard detective who becomes fascinated by the historical figure of Richard III while he is recovering from an injury in the hospital. Grant becomes convinced that Richard III was not responsible for the murder of the Princes in the Tower, and he sets out to prove it. This is a thought-provoking and intelligent novel that will appeal to fans of 'And Be a Villain'.

Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express

Of course, no list of detective novels would be complete without Agatha Christie. If you enjoyed 'And Be a Villain', you might like to try 'Murder on the Orient Express'. In this classic mystery, Hercule Poirot is traveling on the Orient Express when a passenger is murdered. Poirot must solve the case before the train reaches its destination, and the list of suspects is long. Christie's plotting is masterful, and her writing is engaging and witty.

Dashiell Hammett

The Thin Man

If you're looking for a detective novel with a bit of humor, you might enjoy 'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett. This novel features Nick and Nora Charles, a retired detective and his socialite wife, who become embroiled in a murder investigation while attending a party in New York City. The banter between Nick and Nora is sharp and witty, and the plot is full of surprises.

Thomas Harris

Red Dragon

If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might enjoy 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris. This novel features Will Graham, a retired FBI agent who is called back to duty to catch a serial killer who is murdering entire families. The killer, known as the Tooth Fairy, is a complex and disturbing character, and the novel is full of suspense and tension.

Dashiell Hammett

The Maltese Falcon

If you enjoyed the hard-boiled style of 'And Be a Villain', you might like 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. This novel features Sam Spade, a private investigator who is hired to find the missing sister of his partner. However, the case soon takes a darker turn, and Spade finds himself caught up in a dangerous game involving a valuable statue and a group of shady characters.

Dorothy L. Sayers

Gaudy Night

If you're looking for a detective novel with a strong female lead, you might enjoy 'Gaudy Night' by Dorothy L. Sayers. This novel features Harriet Vane, a mystery writer who returns to her alma mater to investigate a series of poison pen letters and other disturbing incidents. The novel is set in an Oxford women's college, and it explores themes of education, gender, and identity.

Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient

If you're looking for a psychological thriller, you might enjoy 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. This novel features Alicia Berenson, a talented painter who refuses to speak after being accused of murdering her husband. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Alicia's silence. The novel is full of twists and turns, and it explores themes of trauma, memory, and identity.

Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White

If you're interested in classic detective fiction, you might enjoy 'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins. This novel is often considered one of the first detective novels, and it features a complex plot involving a mysterious woman in white, a missing heiress, and a sinister plot. The novel is full of suspense and intrigue, and it explores themes of identity, gender, and class.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Finally, if you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, you might enjoy 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This novel features one of Holmes' most famous cases, in which he must investigate a series of mysterious events on the moors of Dartmoor, including the appearance of a giant hound. The novel is full of suspense and intrigue, and it showcases Holmes' brilliant deductive abilities.