No list of crime novels would be complete without this dazzling tour de force by Raymond Chandler, introducing his laconic and hard-bitten PI Marlowe. Much parodied but never bettered, plot is not the strongest aspect of the book (a convoluted tail of blackmail, pornography, murder, and the wealthy Sternwood family), the book drips with dangerous broads, sinister henchmen, strong scotch, and smoking guns. There is even a large plot hole that was only identified when the book was adapated into the famous film. Chandler simply forgot to fill it.

You should read it: for the inventive, often hilarious use of metaphor; for its fun with words; to understand where the conventions of the noir/PI sub-genre come from; to see if you can spot the plot hole.

In small-town America, a man is sitting in a diner eating eggs when he’s arrested – but he doesn’t know why. This is our first introduction to Jack Reacher, the giant of a man who has since starred in a hugely popular series by Lee Child, and also a film with the (not-giant) Tom Cruise. Jack Reacher is an old-fashioned action hero straight from a Western, righting wrongs, dispensing justice, and able to battle his way out of any situation. He has guns and brawn and brains and he’s always right.

You should read it because the action thriller may seem like a simple formula, but delivering non-stop thrills is an impressive trick to pull off. Read it to see how to keep the pages turning, and then ramp the action up even more…and even more. You should also read it to see how Lee Child creates a character people return for again and again, even if he doesn’t display traditional character arcs, but shows up in every book just as tough and swoon-worthy as ever.