Here is a selection of 7 must-read American thrillers, both classic and contemporary. Each novel is a unique experience, with captivating plots and memorable characters.

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(1930) by Dashiell Hammett

Private detective Sam Spade finds himself caught up in a dangerous game involving a famous statuette made of gold and precious stones. Along the way, he meets liars, manipulators and assassins who constantly cover their tracks. With a spare, direct writing style, Hammett lays the foundations of the modern detective story by depicting a world where money and greed are a short path to destruction. The story, packed with twists and turns, is also famous for its brilliant film adaptation.

(1934) by James M. Cain

Frank Chambers, a regular young drifter, falls in love with Cora, the sensuous wife of a cafe owner. Together they hatch a plan to get rid of her troublesome husband. This short but intense American noir novel delves into the extremes of passion and guilt. With is typical straightforward style, Cain brings out the psychology of the characters in a story where love and crime are intertwined for the better and very much for the worse. Since its publication, the novel has been adapted many times for the silver screen.

(1939) by Raymond Chandler

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(1963) by Jim Thompson

Roy Dillon, a small-time con man, finds his life turned upside down after a scam goes wrong. Caught between a manipulative mother, Lilly, and a vampy, dangerous lover, Myra, he finds himself at the heart of a maelstrom of lies and violence. This dark thriller explores toxic relationships, manipulation and the fatal consequences of life's difficult choices. Maintaining tension throughout the story, Thompson has written a masterpiece of crime fiction.

(1987) by James Ellroy

, where corruption, scandal and personal fascinations are the order of the day. Ellroy's raw, intense writing captures the gloomy yet fascinating atmosphere of a city drowning in secrets.

(2018) by Delia Owens

in a poignant story of isolation, survival and the impact of social judgement. The descriptive beauty of nature amplifies the emotional charge of this unique tale.

(2020) by S.A. Cosby

Beauregard “Bug” Montage, a former getaway driver turned mechanic, struggles to keep his family garage afloat. Facing financial troubles, he accepts one last job, hoping to secure his family's future. But things go wrong and he finds himself drawn into a whirlwind of violence and betrayal. This intense thriller explores moral dilemmas, loyalty and sacrifice in a rural America steeped in social tensions.