I’ve just finished ‘Crook Manifesto’ by Colson Whitehead and it made me think that it’s kind of like a criminal procedural; people on the wrong side of the law discussing how they do things, ‘industry’ talk, gossip and detailed descriptions of their work.
Any other books fit that description?
by duehelm
6 Comments
The Parker novels by Richard Stark
The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins. Classic in the genre, known for its realistic portrayal of the criminal underground.
Thieves Like Us by Edward Anderson. Classic of a group of bank robbers during the Great Depression.
The Dortmunder series by Donald E Westlake. A ‘comic’ take on a thief and his associates.
The Devil in The White City- Erik Larson
American Psycho- Bret Easton Ellis
Non-fiction: You Can’t Win, autobiography of Jack Black. Life of a professional thief and safecracker, around 1890-1910. Highly recommended!
A bunch of people have already suggested Donald Westlake novels, let me also add: The Ax. It’s about a regular guy who becomes a serial killer to save his family from economic ruin.