Top 3 crime shows that are based on novels you must watch 

Over the years, the definition of crime shows might have slightly adapted to keep in tune with changing times, yet the crux always remains the same. When it comes to engaging the audiences and holding their attention over the course of multiple episodes and even seasons, crime shows are quite adept.

People look up to crime shows for their intriguing plot twists and riveting storylines when juxtaposed with iconic detective figures. While several investigative and crime-based shows have been adapted from literary sources such as novels in the past, there are a few that merit special mention. Here we take a look at three such crime-based shows that have been adapted from novels.

What are the top 3 crime shows based on novels?

1) Sherlock

The holy grail of all crime shows that have been adapted from literary sources! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first created the character of Sherlock Holmes in 1887, and the amateur sleuth made his first appearance in the novel A Study in Scarlet. Since then, he has appeared in fifty-six short stories and four novels. Sherlock has been time and again adapted for film and television, with Jeremy Brett's rendition of the private detective being highly regarded.

However, BBC's Sherlock, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the eponymous detective, Martin Freeman as Watson, and Andrew Scott as Moriarty, was a phenomenal show. Despite airing just three episodes during its debut season, Sherlock went on to become a much-revered show.

2) Dexter

The original Dexter aired between 2006 and 2013 for a total of eight seasons. The debut season of the show was based on Jeff Lindsay's novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter. While the first season covered all that was in the said novel, the subsequent seasons built up on their own with only loose emphasis on the source material. Dexter Morgan was a uniquely arresting character who had his own sense of morality and operated from a twisted sense of justice.

Morgan was a forensic expert working for the Miami police by day and was a serial killer by night. His knowledge of the forensic sciences allowed him to cover his tracks and leave no evidence behind, thus minimizing the chances of being apprehended. When it comes to crime shows that have been adapted from novels and have exerted massive influence on the landscape of television shows, Dexter is at the top of the list.

3) Bones

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This show aired between 2005 and 2017 and was quite prolific in the sense that it dished out a remarkable two hundred and forty-six episodes across twelve seasons. The show focused on the characters of FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth and Forensic Anthropologist Temperance 'Bones' Brennan.

This show was loosely based on the series of novels written by author Kathy Reichs. Similar to the titular character, Reichs herself was a forensic anthropologist and brought her considerable experience to the book.

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