Chris Chibnall is the creator and writer of the ITV crime drama Broadchurch and was the showrunner of Doctor Who from 2018-22. His debut novel, Death at the White Hart is a suspense-filled detective story that shows he knows his stuff when it comes to crime fiction. Here are his top five crime novels.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
One of the novels that hooked me into crime fiction. If you’ve never read Agatha Christie, start here. She is a sensational writer – full of wit, slyness, great characterisation and fabulous twists and turns. The ending is a corker.
The Dry by Jane Harper
Atmospheric and page-turning, set in a drought-ravaged small community in rural Australia. Evocative, packed with great characters, beautifully plotted and full of sharp writing, it’s a treat.
The Outsider by Stephen King
Stephen King’s genre-bending crime hybrid introduces one of his most memorable creations: Holly Gibney. King is one of the world’s great storytellers, and here he takes you on a journey into the strangest and darkest corners.
Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi
Michel Bussi’s detective novel set in Giverny, where Monet painted his Water Lilies, has a great sense of place, enthralling characters and a confounding mystery that keeps shifting and twisting until all the pieces finally slot into place.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
It may well be reductive to list this as a crime novel, when it’s one of the great novels, full stop. But if you haven’t read this masterpiece, stop right now and pick it up. Donna Tartt is a genius.
