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List of 15 authors like Adrian McKinty

If you enjoy reading books by Adrian McKinty then you might also like the following authors:

  1. 1
    Tana French

    Tana French is an Irish author known for psychological mysteries set in and around Dublin. Her book “In the Woods” introduces Detective Rob Ryan, who investigates the suspicious murder of a child in a suburb of the city.

    This case brings up troubling memories for Ryan because it mirrors an incident from his own childhood, when his two best friends disappeared forever into the nearby woods.

    Readers familiar with Adrian McKinty’s nuanced character portrayals and vivid Irish settings might enjoy how Tana French weaves complex plots and characters who carry secrets from their past.

    The story is atmospheric, beautifully written, and keeps readers guessing right until the final chapters.

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    Stuart Neville

    Stuart Neville is an author from Northern Ireland known for his gritty, intense thrillers set amid the violence and complexities of his homeland’s past and present.

    If you enjoy Adrian McKinty’s vivid, authentic portrayals of Irish society, you might appreciate Neville’s “The Ghosts of Belfast.” It features Gerry Fegan, a former paramilitary hitman haunted by the twelve victims whose deaths he is responsible for.

    Neville skillfully blends the real-world tension of Belfast’s streets with supernatural elements. The story raises powerful questions about guilt, revenge, and the possibility of redemption, bringing Belfast’s troubled history vividly to life.

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    Denise Mina

    Denise Mina is a Scottish crime writer known for dark plots, sharp dialogue, and deeply human characters. If you enjoyed Adrian McKinty’s gritty storytelling, you might appreciate Mina’s novel “The Long Drop”.

    Based on real events in 1950s Glasgow, the story follows William Watt, a wealthy businessman accused of murdering his family. To clear his name, Watt meets secretly with criminal Peter Manuel, a chilling figure who claims to know the truth.

    Their tense and secretive meeting sets off a dangerous journey into Glasgow’s criminal underbelly. Mina vividly captures the atmosphere and tension of this historical period, creating a powerful account of crime, deception, and desperation.

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    Ian Rankin

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty’s fast-paced thrillers and strong sense of place may also appreciate Ian Rankin’s crime novels set in the gritty streets of Edinburgh.

    Rankin is famous for his Inspector John Rebus series, which vividly captures the atmosphere and complexities of Scottish society. In “Knots and Crosses,” the first book featuring detective Rebus, Edinburgh is unsettled by brutal murders and cryptic messages.

    Rebus, a detective haunted by his past, finds himself personally entangled in the killer’s mysterious clues. Rankin’s storytelling skillfully blends suspense, intriguing characters, and a deeply atmospheric setting that fans of McKinty might find especially appealing.

  5. 5
    Ken Bruen

    Ken Bruen is an Irish crime writer known for his sharp dialogue, dark humor, and gritty storytelling style. If you like Adrian McKinty’s intense narratives and complex characters, Bruen’s work would appeal to you.

    One of his most popular novels, “The Guards,” introduces Jack Taylor, a hard-drinking former policeman from Galway turned reluctant private investigator. The book follows Taylor’s efforts to find a missing young woman.

    Along the way, the story explores greed, corruption, and personal redemption with the city of Galway providing a vivid, moody backdrop. Bruen’s storytelling balances a dark atmosphere against moments of biting wit, delivered through Taylor’s distinctive, blunt voice.

  6. 6
    Louise Penny

    Louise Penny is a Canadian author who writes engrossing crime novels set in the atmospheric Quebec village of Three Pines.

    Her mysteries blend intriguing plots, layered characters, and vivid settings that fans of Adrian McKinty will appreciate for their emotional depth and subtle suspense. One novel in her popular Inspector Gamache series is “Still Life.”

    In it, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to investigate the death of a beloved local artist named Jane Neal. At first, her death looks accidental.

    However, as Gamache explores the close-knit community and uncovers hidden tensions and secrets, the line between accident and homicide grows unclear. Penny masterfully draws you into the lives of characters living quietly beneath the surface of a peaceful, rural town.

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    Mick Herron

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty might also appreciate Mick Herron, a British author known for cleverly plotted espionage thrillers laced with sharp wit and memorable characters.

    Herron’s novel “Slow Horses” kicks off an entertaining spy series centered around disgraced British agents relegated to a dingy office called Slough House.

    Far from glamorous MI5 headquarters, these misfit agents find themselves stuck with mundane paperwork, until an unexpected kidnapping pushes them back into the action.

    Herron’s storytelling mixes dry humor, clever twists, and a realistic portrayal of bureaucracy, offering fans of McKinty another intriguing read.

  8. 8
    Val McDermid

    If you enjoy the gritty suspense and sharp storytelling of Adrian McKinty, you’ll probably appreciate Val McDermid. She writes tough Scottish crime fiction with vivid plots and complex characters.

    Her novel “The Wire in the Blood” introduces readers to psychologist Dr. Tony Hill, who teams up with Detective Carol Jordan to solve a disturbing series of murders. Bodies appear without an obvious pattern, each death brutal and puzzling.

    Hill uses criminal profiling techniques to understand the killer’s mind, while Jordan pursues leads with relentless determination. Their race against the clock and deep dive into dark psychology make McDermid’s story hard to put down.

  9. 9
    Don Winslow

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty’s intense storytelling and gritty crime dramas might appreciate Don Winslow. Winslow offers immersive narratives filled with morally complex characters and realistic portrayals of crime and law enforcement.

    His novel “The Power of the Dog” follows DEA agent Art Keller through decades of brutal conflict against Mexican drug cartels. Tensions escalate, alliances shift, and Keller faces impossible choices in a relentless battle of justice and revenge.

    Winslow crafts an intricate web of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh reality of the drug trade. For readers drawn to adrenaline-packed crime sagas, Don Winslow is a captivating author to explore.

  10. 10
    Peter May

    If you enjoy Adrian McKinty’s intense mysteries set in vivid locations, Peter May might be a perfect addition to your bookshelf. May is a Scottish author known for crime novels steeped in atmospheric settings and complex characters.

    In “The Blackhouse,” you step onto Scotland’s remote Isle of Lewis, a rugged and windswept place haunted by tradition and secrets. Detective Fin Macleod returns to his hometown to investigate a murder that strangely resembles a crime he worked on in Edinburgh.

    On Lewis, Fin confronts forgotten memories, unfinished relationships, and truths from his past that collide with the case. Peter May crafts a story that draws you into island life and tension beneath the surface, blending personal history with gripping mystery.

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    Benjamin Black

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty’s atmospheric mysteries may find Benjamin Black an excellent choice. Benjamin Black, the pen name of John Banville, crafts literary crime fiction set in 1950's Dublin with moody atmospheres and complex characters.

    In “Christine Falls,” pathologist Quirke discovers his brother-in-law altering records of a young woman’s death. Curious and uneasy about this deception, Quirke begins investigating the mystery himself.

    His search takes him into shadowy alleys and dark family secrets within Dublin’s upper society. It’s a story rich with moral ambiguity and vivid historical details, ideal for readers interested in dark tales of crime and personal intrigue.

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    Dervla McTiernan

    If you enjoy Adrian McKinty’s atmospheric thrillers set in Ireland, Dervla McTiernan might be a great discovery for you. McTiernan is an Irish crime writer known for her tense storytelling and carefully constructed mysteries.

    In her novel “The Ruin,” detective Cormac Reilly investigates a cold case involving the tragic death of a mother, whose children he rescued years ago from a crumbling cottage.

    Reilly must uncover buried secrets and confront his own past as he tries to solve a case twisted by corruption and hidden crimes. The dark Irish setting and the realistic characters make “The Ruin” a satisfying read for fans of Irish crime fiction.

  13. 13
    Andrea Camilleri

    If you enjoy Adrian McKinty’s gritty storytelling and vivid characters, you might appreciate Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series.

    Camilleri captures the charm and contradictions of Sicily through the eyes of Commissario Salvo Montalbano, a detective who solves crimes with a clever mind and a healthy appetite.

    In “The Shape of Water,” the inspector investigates the death of a prominent political figure found in a compromising position. The authorities seek a quick and quiet resolution, but Montalbano senses there’s more to uncover.

    Filled with humor, memorable characters, and sharp social commentary, Camilleri’s narratives blend crime-solving with the warmth and quirks of life in Southern Italy.

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    John Connolly

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty’s blend of suspense and vivid storytelling might appreciate John Connolly. Connolly is an Irish author known for dark crime fiction and a unique supernatural twist woven into realistic storylines.

    His Charlie Parker series begins with “Every Dead Thing,” a novel that introduces Parker, a former NYPD detective haunted by personal tragedy.

    After the shocking loss of his wife and daughter, Parker embarks on a relentless pursuit of their killer, a figure known as the Traveling Man.

    The journey takes readers from New York’s shadowy streets to the murky depths of New Orleans, all layered with psychological depth and chilling suspense. Connolly writes atmospheric thrillers that linger with you long after the last page.

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    Steve Cavanagh

    Readers who enjoy Adrian McKinty’s sharp plots and tense courtroom drama may find Steve Cavanagh equally engaging. Cavanagh, a former lawyer, brings real-world courtroom experience to his fast-paced crime thrillers.

    His novel “Thirteen” features Eddie Flynn, a defense lawyer and former con artist, who takes on the high-profile case of a famous actor accused of murder.

    As Flynn prepares the defense, he realizes the true killer isn’t on trial—he has managed to secure himself a seat on the jury. This twist sets up a tense cat-and-mouse game full of clever strategies, surprising reveals, and relentless suspense.