Can you recommend some Los Angeles mystery novels for beginners?

Some well - known Los Angeles mystery novels include 'The Black Dahlia' by James Ellroy. This novel is based on a real - life unsolved murder in LA and Ellroy weaves a complex and dark tale. Also, 'Southland' by Nina Revoyr is a great mystery set in LA, exploring different cultures and secrets within the city. There's also 'White Jazz' by James Ellroy, which is part of his LA Quartet and is filled with mystery, corruption, and the seedy side of the city.

One of the well - known Los Angeles novels is 'The Day of the Locust' by Nathanael West. It offers a searing look at Hollywood and the dreams and disillusionment in Los Angeles.

Sure. 'The Big Nowhere' by James Ellroy is set in Los Angeles and is a great read. It has a complex plot with lots of noir elements.

I'd recommend 'City of Quartz' by Mike Davis too. Although it's not a traditional crime novel in the sense of a detective story, it delves deep into the social and political problems in Los Angeles which are often related to crime. It gives a broader context to understanding the crime - ridden aspects of the city.

Sure. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic Los Angeles Noir novel. It features detective Philip Marlowe and is filled with the seedy underbelly of LA.

One of the great Los Angeles crime novels is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It's a classic that features the iconic detective Philip Marlowe and is filled with the seedy underbelly of LA in the 1930s. Another is 'L.A. Requiem' by Robert Crais. It has a complex plot and engaging characters. And 'Devil in a Blue Dress' by Walter Mosley is also excellent. It gives a great look at the African - American experience in LA during the 1940s.

Another great one is 'L.A. Requiem' by Robert Crais. It has a complex detective character named Elvis Cole. The novel delves deep into the criminal world of Los Angeles and has a really engaging plot with lots of twists and turns.

Yes, 'White Jazz' by James Ellroy is also in this category. It continues Ellroy's exploration of the corrupt L.A. police world. The novel is filled with Ellroy's signature hard - boiled style, with a protagonist who is deeply involved in the corruption and vice within the police force. The story is complex and engaging, showing the power struggles and immoral actions within the department.

Michael Connelly's 'The Concrete Blonde' is excellent. His detective Harry Bosch investigates a case in LA. The story is filled with twists and turns, and Bosch is a very well - developed character that you can't help but be drawn to.

Some lesser - known but great Los Angeles short fiction can be found in anthologies. For instance, 'Los Angeles in Fiction' anthology contains works from various authors that show different aspects of the city. These works might not be as famous as the ones mentioned before but they are equally interesting in their portrayal of LA, from the beach communities to the downtown areas.