Forget the Da Vinci code. Long before Dan Brown put pen to paper, this novel by Italian author Umberto Eco was playing with the notion of signs and symbols. A series of murders takes place in a remote Italian monastery in the year 1327. Using logic and deduction, Friar William of Baskerville solves the mystery. A nod to Holmes in his name perhaps? Narrated by Watson-like sidekick Adso, the novel takes in semiology, biblical mysteries, and the postmodern idea of palimpest.

You should read it: to see that a crime novel can also be literary, and vice-versa; for the rich historical detail; for the layers of meaning and dense literary and mythical allusion.

If you thought the film was dark, try this – a hundred times more shocking and visceral, with some added child murder, mutilation, torture and so on. A group of LAPD officers get embroiled in the dark underbelly of the city following a shooting in a late-night coffee shop. In luminous, violent prose, James Ellroy twists the plot strands of the three policemen leads, and skillfully juggles their encounters with prostitutes, broken women, corrupt child stars, abusers, and worse.

You should read it: if you need an antidote to cosy crime; if you thought the film was a little too tame for you; if you want to see how to handle multiple plot strands, long timelines, and a shifting viewpoint that leaves no one free from the shadow of corruption.