If you enjoy reading novels by Abir Mukherjee then you might also like the following authors:
Anne Perry is an author known for her historical mysteries, particularly those set in Victorian England. One of her books, “The Cater Street Hangman,” kicks off the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series.
The story begins with a young woman found strangled, sending shockwaves through a quiet London neighborhood.
As more women fall victim to the killer, Inspector Thomas Pitt is brought in to investigate, and his path crosses with Charlotte Ellison, a headstrong woman from a respectable family.
The mix of suspense and the backdrop of rigid Victorian social norms makes this story stand out, as secrets and danger emerge from unexpected places.
C.J. Sansom is known for historical mysteries that focus on rich settings and layered stories. One of his best works is “Dissolution”.
Set in Tudor England during the reign of King Henry VIII, the novel follows Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer tasked with investigating a murder at a monastery. As Shardlake uncovers secrets among the monks, the tensions of the English Reformation loom large in the background.
The book beautifully captures that atmosphere of uncertainty and danger, pulling readers into a time where faith and power clashed.
Philip Kerr was a Scottish novelist known for his historical crime series featuring Bernie Gunther, a private detective navigating pre- and post-war Germany.
One of his standout books is “March Violets,” which introduces Bernie investigating a murder tied to Berlin’s criminal underworld during the rise of the Nazis. The setting is tense, with danger in every corner, and Kerr captures the corruption of 1930s Berlin.
Bernie’s sharp wit and determination make the journey through a city on the edge of collapse unforgettable.
David Liss is an author known for historical fiction that weaves mystery and crime into richly imagined settings. One of his books, “A Conspiracy of Paper,” is set in 18th-century London and revolves around Benjamin Weaver, a former boxer turned investigator.
The story follows Weaver as he uncovers suspicious dealings in the explosion of stock trading and financial speculation. It explores corruption and betrayal while offering a vivid look at London’s rough streets, coffeehouses, and the rising world of financial markets.
Fans of Abir Mukherjee’s mix of historical depth and intrigue may find this an engaging read.
Rennie Airth is known for his historical mysteries that capture a strong sense of time and place. One of his standout books is “River of Darkness.” Set in post-World War I England, it follows Inspector John Madden, a police detective haunted by his experiences in the war.
When a family is brutally murdered in their countryside home, Madden leads the investigation. The story pulls you into the quiet English countryside, now shadowed by suspicion and fear, as Madden pieces together clues to catch a dangerous killer.
Andrew Taylor is a British author known for writing historical crime fiction that transports readers to richly imagined worlds. One of his books, “The Ashes of London,” is set in 1666 during the aftermath of the Great Fire of London.
It follows James Marwood, a government clerk, and Cat Lovett, the daughter of a suspected traitor, as they navigate political intrigue, hidden secrets, and a dangerous murder case.
The vivid detail of post-fire London, with its smoldering ruins and fragile alliances, creates a captivating backdrop for the story. Fans of layered mysteries with atmospheric settings will find this book well worth reading.
Charles Todd is the pen name for a mother-son writing duo known for their historical mysteries.
One of their popular books, “A Test of Wills,” introduces Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge, a survivor of World War I. Haunted by his past and grappling with PTSD, he is sent to a quiet English village to solve the murder of a colonel.
The story twists through the lives of the villagers, revealing secrets and tensions left by the war. The vivid setting and emotional depth make it a thoughtful read for fans of historical crime novels.
Andrea Camilleri is an Italian author known for his Inspector Montalbano series, which blends mystery with slices of Sicilian life.
One of his books, “The Shape of Water,” introduces Inspector Salvo Montalbano, a detective with a sharp mind and a talent for navigating the complexities of human nature. The story begins when a body is found in a car at a seedy site frequented by politicians and criminals.
Montalbano becomes determined to uncover what really happened, refusing to accept the easy answers others seem eager to settle for. The setting, with its vivid portrayal of Sicilian culture and corruption, makes the investigation feel full of life and depth.
Fans of atmospheric and character-driven mysteries may enjoy exploring Camilleri’s works.
Barbara Nadel is a British author known for her crime novels, especially those set in Turkey featuring Inspector Cetin Ikmen. In “Belshazzar’s Daughter,” the story begins with the murder of an elderly man in Istanbul’s Jewish quarter.
Inspector Ikmen dives into a case tangled with cultural tensions and dark secrets. The backdrop of Istanbul, from its bustling streets to its hidden layers, adds atmosphere. Fans of mysteries that reveal the clash of histories and cultures might find Nadel’s work intriguing.
Jacqueline Winspear writes historical mysteries that are engaging and full of rich details about the time periods they explore. Her book, “Maisie Dobbs,” introduces a private investigator in post-World War I London. Maisie is a former nurse who opens her own detective agency.
The story begins with a seemingly straightforward case of a man suspecting his wife of infidelity, but Maisie soon uncovers deeper secrets tied to the war and its long-lasting effects.
Winspear paints a vivid picture of England in the 1920s, and Maisie’s intelligence and resilience make her a memorable character. If you enjoy historical settings with strong characters, this book could feel familiar but fresh.
Alexander McCall Smith is an author known for creating stories with memorable characters and a vivid sense of place. One of his best-known books, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” introduces Precious Ramotswe, a woman in Botswana who opens her own detective agency.
She takes on cases that involve missing people, theft, and lies, but the heart of the story lies in how she solves them with wisdom, kindness, and an understanding of human nature.
The book weaves in details of Botswana’s culture and Precious’s personal journey, giving readers a strong connection to her world.
Imogen Robertson is a historical fiction author who knows how to craft vivid and immersive stories set in the past. If you’re a fan of Abir Mukherjee, you might enjoy Robertson’s novel, “Instruments of Darkness.”
The story is set in 1780 Sussex, where a reclusive widow, Harriet Westerman, teams up with Gabriel Crowther, an isolated anatomist with a shadowy past, to solve a brutal murder. As they work together, they uncover secrets that connect the crime to both of their lives.
The rich atmosphere and depth of character make it a gripping read for anyone who enjoys mysteries with historical settings.
Laura Shepherd-Robinson writes historical crime fiction that draws readers into vividly realized settings. Her novel, “Blood & Sugar,” takes place in 1781. It begins with the body of a man found hanging in Deptford, branded with an abolitionist symbol.
Captain Harry Corsham is pulled into a dangerous search for the truth when the victim turns out to be an old friend fighting against the slave trade.
The story weaves through secrets, betrayal, and the fight for justice, creating a gripping mystery filled with moral dilemmas and rich historical detail. Fans of Abir Mukherjee’s ability to blend history with crime will feel right at home with Shepherd-Robinson’s work.
Valerio Varesi is an Italian author known for his mysteries set against rich and atmospheric backdrops. His Inspector Soneri series follows a thoughtful investigator who explores both crime and the complexities of human nature.
In “The Dark Valley,” Soneri returns to his hometown in the Italian Apennines after learning about a man’s mysterious death. As he digs into the case, old family secrets and buried rivalries resurface, painting a vivid picture of life in a small rural village.
The novel mixes a murder investigation with a sense of how history and personal grudges shape communities.
James Runcie is an author known for blending mystery and history in his work. One of his books, “Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death,” introduces Sidney Chambers, a young vicar in 1950s England who has a knack for solving crimes.
The story follows Sidney as he investigates everything from a suspicious suicide to a case of stolen jewelry.
With a backdrop of quiet English villages, the book balances the drama of human relationships with the puzzles Sidney encounters in his dual role as priest and detective. Fans of rich historical settings and clever mysteries may enjoy this series.