I created Vera and Shetland - these are the five best crime novels ever written

Bestselling author Ann Cleeves has revealed the five crime novels she considers the best ever written. The creator of the Vera and Shetland book series, both adapted into hugely popular TV dramas starring Brenda Blethyn as Vera Stanhope and Douglas Henshall as Jimmy Perez, has picked thrillers first published in the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1980s and 1990s.

But it may surprise some that she has not included any classic novels from Agatha Christie, Josephine Tay or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ann, 72, whose third book series is set in North Devon featuring Matthew Venn, chose Love in Amsterdam by Nicolas Freeling as her first pick.

Originally published in 1962 this is the first novel in the acclaimed Van Der Valk series set in Amsterdam, which has been adapted into a ITV series starring Marc Warren. It sees the Dutch detective investigate the murder of a woman in her apartment, helped by the man accused of killing her.

Next on the list is The Saint-Fiacre Affair by George Simenon. Also known as Maigret Goes Home and first published in 1932, it sees Inspector Maigret return to his childhood village after receiving an anonymous note predicting a crime during All Souls’ Day Mass.

Ann’s third choice is The Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham. Originally published in 1952 it sees detective Albert Campion investigate both a violent murderer on the rampage in post-war London and a mysterious man posing as a war widower’s dead husband.

Next is Still Water by John Harvey, published in 1997 and the most modern book on the list. The eighth Resnick novel sees Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick investigate the battered bodies of women being found floating in still water in an inner city canal.

And the fifth book on Ann’s list is Bitter Medicine by Sara Paretsky. Originally published in 1987 it sees VI Warshawski delve into medical malpractice after a friend’s daughter dies in childbirth.

*The fourth book in the Two Rivers series featuring Matthew Venn, The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves (hardback, £22), is out now.