What are the characteristics of German great crime novels?

German crime novels often have a gritty realism. They don't shy away from depicting the darker aspects of society.

Great German novels often have a deep exploration of philosophical ideas. For instance, in Goethe's works, there are constant examinations of human nature, morality, and the pursuit of knowledge. They also tend to be very detailed in their descriptions, painting vivid pictures of the settings, whether it's the small towns in Hesse's novels or the battlefields in Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front'.

German crime fiction often has a dark and brooding atmosphere. It may focus on the psychological aspects of the characters, exploring their motives and inner turmoil.

One of the well - known German crime novels is 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink. It not only involves a crime but also delves deep into themes of guilt, identity, and the post - war German psyche. Another great one is 'Perfume: The Story of a Murderer' by Patrick Süskind. It tells the dark and twisted story of a man with an extraordinary sense of smell who becomes a murderer to create the ultimate perfume. And 'The Tin Drum' by Günter Grass also has elements of crime within the complex narrative of a boy's life in Germany during a tumultuous time.

One characteristic is their deep exploration of human nature. For example, in 'The Metamorphosis', Kafka shows how quickly family relations can change when faced with the abnormal. Another is the use of rich and detailed settings. In 'The White Horse Rider', Storm's description of the North German coast makes it almost a character in itself. Also, many German short works often have complex moral and ethical themes.

Great German short stories often have a sense of the uncanny. For example, Kafka's works like 'The Metamorphosis' are full of strange and unexpected events. German novels tend to be very in - depth in exploring complex themes. 'The Magic Mountain' by Thomas Mann is a prime example, as it examines various aspects of human nature and society in great detail.

Often, they have complex characters. For example, in 'The Godfather', Michael Corleone starts as an innocent young man and gradually becomes a ruthless mob boss. Also, a suspenseful plot is common. 'The Silence of the Lambs' keeps you on the edge of your seat as Clarice tries to catch the serial killer. And the settings are usually gritty, like the mean streets in many of Raymond Chandler's novels.

Great crime novels typically have a strong sense of suspense. This makes the reader eager to turn the pages to find out what happens next. They also tend to have a moral or ethical dimension, exploring the nature of right and wrong. And many great crime novels are set in gritty urban environments, which gives a sense of realism.

Great new crime novels often have complex characters. For example, the detective might have his own personal demons to deal with, like in 'The Dark Lake' where the female detective has a past relationship with the victim. They also usually have an intricate plot. There are often multiple suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. In 'The Chalk Man', the simple act of finding chalk figures leads to a complex web of mystery and murder.

A top German crime novel is 'Tatort Berlin' which offers a gritty look at crime in Berlin. It has interesting detective characters who have to navigate the complex cityscape and its underworld. The stories are often based on real - life issues in the city, making it very relatable.