Lately, I’ve been on a serious gritty crime fiction streak—books that dig deep into the underworld and don’t sugarcoat anything. I’ve been picking up titles that really lean into the raw, bleak, and realistic side of crime writing. Here’s a personal ranking of some recent reads, from most to least favorite—just hoping to spark discussion and maybe get a few more recommendations in this lane:

1. Dead City by Shane Stevens

A dark masterpiece. It’s like if The Sopranos met Taxi Driver in novel form. Stevens creates a chillingly believable protagonist and dives deep into the psyche of a hitman. Gritty, sharp, unforgettable. Criminally underrated.

2. No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker

This one hits hard. It’s like reading the inside of a convict’s mind—makes sense, since Bunker lived that life. The parole system, street code, and desperation are written with a brutal honesty that makes you sit up.

3. The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins

Legendary for the dialogue alone. It’s all low-level criminals negotiating survival in a world that’s always watching. Minimalist, realistic, and deeply human. Feels more like you're eavesdropping than reading.

4. Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter

Slower and more introspective, but beautifully written. It's more about fate, identity, and masculinity than plot—but if you stick with it, it pays off in a quiet, haunting way. Has that noir soul with a philosophical edge.

5. The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock

Southern Gothic vibes, intersecting stories, and dark religious overtones. Well-crafted and intense, but for me, it leaned more horror/gothic than straight crime. Still worth reading if you want something disturbing and layered.

I’m always looking for more in this genre—especially books with that same realistic grit, criminal psychology, or tragic street-level drama. Got any other recs in that space?