Without spoiling the ending, long-time fans were divided by the final act. The relationship between Lecter and Starling takes a turn that is either deeply romantic or profoundly horrific, depending on your perspective. Harris abandons realism for operatic, gothic romance.

A masterclass in pacing. If you like Tom Clancy but want better prose, read this.

After an 11-year wait, Harris finally released the sequel. Hannibal was the most anticipated novel of the late 1990s. It was also the most controversial.

: A prequel exploring Lecter's childhood in Lithuania and the trauma that shaped his transformation into a "monster". Standalone Novels